The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-23

Davy had been trying very hard to
listen to these comforting words and
to keep his poor. tired eyes open that
had such look Of anxious love in
them, but spite Of himself it was just
as If he had two leaden weights
attached to them. and when they did
chance to open everything seemed to
60 spinning about, and the old pastor )
voice sounded more like buzz than 4
language. and the organ chords to
wander. like uneasy spirits, up and
down the arches. speaking Of anything
but peace to the boys troubled soul.
The sermon was ended: one after
another left the church: no one noticed
the little heap rolled up on the end Of
the bench. so intent were they on the
good cheer that awaited them at home.
Then the key was placed in the great
lock and removed. and the old sexton
travelled down the street to his own
repast, while poor Davy slept on in the
organ loft just as if it had been the
softest bed that ever was made. ne
thing was very sure. he was lost to all
trouble. if there were no Christmas
day for him.
And as Davy slept on in the church
he dreamed that Il whole choir of angels
encompassed him. singing the Gloria,
while he fell upon his knees and be-
sought his Saviour to soften his Aunt
Prue's hard heart, and to make him a
better boy SO that somebody might love
~, 1.x. he. k<~~
the pastor.
And a he prayed, the angels drew
nearer and nearer, and one. he seemed to
know. placed hand upon his head and
whispered softly. Christ came for you.
too. Dayy. Love him and serve him
with all your heart" and even in his
dream deep peace came over the spirit
Of the poor boy such as he had never be-
fore known, and every tear he had been
shedding seemed turned to pearls.
pearls of great price.
As he rose from his knees another
and a blessed Hand touched his and
led him up and on. and He. too, whisp-
cred in softest accents. Because thou
art poor and despised and forsaken ]
will watch over thee with tendercst
care"
And SO the rest of the day passed to
Davy, who unconsciously slept on,
wearied out with worry and hunger.
As if in Il maze, when the shadows Of
night were falling, the poor boy partly
awokc. and as he gazed about him saw
nothing but the grim, unearthly figures
in the windows.
| For moment his heart stood still
The next, the dream came into hi.
mind with all its comfort, and, young
boy rs he was, he determined not t.
be afraid. As he thought Of the heav'
emily vision, and the promise ofprotec
ton he kneeled down in that silent
church and said little prayer in his
great need. adding simple petition o.
his own to the one he had learned al
his mothers knee.
But how was he to get back to tn.
place he called home? How could HI
get out at all?
If my darling mother were only
alive,," he said to himself. '.But Nv,
seen her tonight, and that'll pay FOL
it all. and Jesus. too: and he's prom
ised to care for me, and that's better
than all the Christmas days in til,
world!''
just as he had finished this soliloqu,
Davy heard tho creaking Of the oil.
key in the church door, and grea
gladness came into the poor boy
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dclivcrancc. Though he had little out
side to cheer him it would have beer
dolefnl enough to have spent the nigh
i'm that grim, old church, and then, to,
he had not eaten mouthful sine
morning.
Somehow Davy had crept into tn
sections old heart long ago, though h
did not know it, and when the kind
hearted man saw just how it all was h
not only led the way out but took hin
to his own warm home and gave him
good Christmas supper.
where's your own folks, my boy
Don't you mix with 'enl, hey?" the oil
man inquired, as Davy finished hi
meal. Davy was silent.
.We'll, now, III tell ye just what
We shall stay with wife and l, here. an
be In the place OF our own poor Tom
I'll call We my boy, in dead earnest,
nobody speaks agin it,
"Jesus told me he'd do it! jest,
told me he'd do it, said Davy. no,
wild with delight 'And hasn't h
kept his word mighty quick? Aunt
will be glad, know
Day by day the gentle influence Q
this young boy refined and purified tn
coarser nature of the old sexton, VIII
claimed him ut length as his own. An
by that mysterious. unceasing power
which is inexplicable, even Aunt Prue'
hard heart that had yielded him up $
readily became softened and subdued
Through Davy. Gods hand was leadin
her on, though she knew it not.
4 Davy is an old man now. and has
home of his own, home for which h
waited long, in quiet assurance that
would be made ut last. And often i
that happy home. where the Savior
reigns and the peace Of God is she
abroad in full measure, is uttered I
many lonely and sorrowful heart, j
low, soft, glad accents. the words tina
Davy heard when a boy, in that beaut
full dream in the organ loft, "Becaus
thou art lonely. d.spised and forgotten
will watch over thee with tenderss
care" with the assurance that til
promise that has been SO wonderful
kept to him will lc theirs also if the
will but believe in his Saviour, who ].
indeed, the Saviour Of the whole wOrlt
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