The Arizona sentinel., 1886-10-23
SAVED FOR GREAT THINGS.

SAVED FOR GREAT THINGS. John Bunyan's Narrow Escape from l Death and What Captain in Crom-
 wells Army Said of It.
 A black, bitter winter night, the | hOar-frost of which stood white and thick on the boards of the soldiers who came tramping in from their cold night-watch, stamping their half frozen feet, and striking their be- numbed hands hard against each other. War was raging in every part of England, King Charles and his no- bles battling with the Parliament and the people. Among the other places that were being fought for was the old town of Leicester, and it seemed now as if few days more must decide which party was to have it. The cut ting wind that had been blowing fierce ly all day had lulled about nightfall, and ali was deadly still: but ever and anon a red flash broke through the darkness, and the deep boom of a gun told that the enemy was on the watch. Those Tn the guard-room were hardy and practiced soldiers from the picked men of Cromwell's army-al except one That one was tall, brown-haired, rather coarse-featured lad of eighteen, with strangely wistful look in his large, deep, earnest eyes, like one who was always seeking something which he could never find.
 He had little about him as yet from which his companions could have guessed that he was to grow into one of the famous men of the world; but even these rough soldiers had already begun to notice that he was thoughtful beyond his years, fond of asking strange and searching questions, and always eager for every chance of doing any one a good turn. Was there a hurt to be bandaged, sick man to be tended, a ration of bread to be shared with hungry soldier, prisoner in need of kind word to cheer him up, the young recruit was foremost of all; and he was already known among his comrades by the name of ''Helpful John." The strain of this rough camp life was evidently beginning to tell upon him, for his face looked pale and thin, and his eyes shone with fever ish light; but be was putting on his steel cap as briskly as ever to go forth to his duty, when one of the men inter- tered.
 ''Tarry, friend John; thou art will ing, but will without strength is naught. Thou has been sick, and art not over strong even now; wherefore I will take thy turn of watch for thee, even as thou didst take Repentance Brown riggs but week ago."
 And before John had time to remon- strate, brave Salvation Hawkins had gone forth with his long pike in his hand into the cold black night. To and fro he paced, straining his keen eyes into the surrounding gloom for any s1gn of danger, and keeping time to his meas ured tramp by humming under his breath the grand old battle psalm with which Cromwelrs ''Ironsides'' had so often turned to flight the hosts of the enemy:
 1.-The mighty Lord is on my side,
 will not be dismayed;
 For any thing that man can do
 will not be afraid.
 The nations, joining all in one.
 Did compass me about;
 But in the name of God the Lord
 l will them all root out"
 A f1ash-a crack-a whiz through the still air-and poor Salvation Flaw kins lay dead on the frozen ground, with his white face turned upward to the cold, starlit sky. Many a grim visage softened into sadness when the corporal's guard that had come to re- lieve the sentinel brought back his life less body; for he had been a warm hearted comrade as well as brave sol dier, and there were few there for whom he had not done some act of kindness.
 ''And it was n1y work that he was doingr" cried young John, with pang of generous regret at the thought of another man having died for him.
 The words were heard by the Cap tain of the battery, who had just come up-a sturdy old '.Miles Standish," who could fight as we'll as pray, and who fought none the worse for having prayed first; just the man, in fact, to serve for model Gas he after l ward did) for the MT. Greatheart, whom we all know in the Pilgrims | Progress.
 Young man," said he, solemnly, "assuredly the Lord hath great things | in store for thee, since He hath thus re- deemed thy life from destruction. To His name be the glory!"
 The old warrior was right; for in after days Helpful John" did such work as will preserve so long as the world lasts the name of John Bunyan. -DaUid Ker, in Harper'S Young Pee l1Io