The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-05-28
miscellaneous.
AN EFFECTUAL PRAYER.

| NO." said the lawyer, Il shan't press your
claim against that man you can get some
| one else to take the case, or you can with
draw it just as you please"
think there isn't any money in it?"
There would probably be some money in
| it, but it would, as you know, come from the
sale of the little house the man occupies and
calls home but don't want to NEEDLE with
the matter anyhow"
"Got frightened out of it, eh?"
mo, wasn't frightened oat OF it,"
"Isuppose likely The old fellow begged hard
to be let OFF,"
"Well-yes he did"
"And you caved, likely?"
mo, didn't speak word to him.
'Oh, he did all the talking. did he"
Yes"
Sand you never said word ?"
Not n word"
"What in creation did you do ?"
II believe shed few tears."
And the old fellow begged you hard, you
sayY"
mo, didn't say SO; he didn't speak a
word to me-"
"Well, may respectfully inquire whom he
did address in your hearing?"
God Almighty"
"Ah he took to praying, did he?"
and the lawyer crossed his right foot over his
left knee, you see, / found the little house
easily enough, and knocked ON the outer
door which stood ajar, but nobody heard me.
So | stepped into the little hall, and saw
through the crack of another door Just as
cozy a sitting room as there ever was. There
ON bed, with her silver head way up high
on the pillows, was an old lady who looked
for all the world just as my mother did the
last time ever saw her on earth. Well,
was right on the point of knocking,
when she said as clearly as could be: Come,
father, now begin, Pm all ready'-and down
on his knees by her side went an old white
haired man, still older than his wife, l should
Judge; and couldn't have knocked then for
the life of me. Well, he began; first he re-
minded God they were still His submissive
creatures mother and he, and no matter what
He saw fit to bring upon them they shouldn't
rebel at His will; of course twas going to be
terrible hard for them TO go out homeless in
their old age specially with poor mother so
sick and helpless, but still they'd seen sadder
things than ever that would be. He remind
ed God in the next place how different all
might have been if only one of their boys had
been spared them then his voice kind of
broke, and thin, white hand stole from I'M
der the coverlet and moved swiftly over his
snowy hair; then he went on to repeat that
nothing could be so sharp again as the part
ing with those three sons-unless mother and
he should be separated. But at last he fell to
comforting himself with the fact that the dear
Lord knew 1t was through no fault OF his own
that mother and he were threatened with the
loss their dear little home, which meant beg
gary and the almshouse, a place they prayed
to be delivered from entering, if it could be
consistent with Gods will and then he fell
to quoting multitudes ofpromises concerning
the safety of those who put their trust in the
Lord yes, should say he begged hard in
fact, it was the most thrilling plea.to which
] ever listened and at last he prayed for
Gods blessing on those who were about to
demand justice" The lawyer stroked his
lower limb In silence for moment or two,
then continued more slowly than ever:
"And-I-believe-- rather go 10 the poor
house myself to night, than to stain my heart
and hands with the blood of such a prosecu-
ton as that
Little afraid to defeat the old mans
prayer, ELI ?" inquired the client
"Bess your soul, man, you couldn't defeat
i'll" roared the lawyer. ut doesn't admit of
defeat tell you he left it all subject to the
will of God but he left no doubt US to his
wishes in the matter claimed that we were
told to make known our desires unto God !;
but of all the pleading l ever heard, that beat
all. You see was taught that kind of thing
myself in my childhood, and why was sent
to hear that prayer Pun sure don't know,
but hand the case over"
II wish" said the client, twisting uneasily,
"you hadn't told me about the old fellows
prayer"
"Why SOP"
"Well, l want the money confoundedly the
place would bring, but was taught the Bible
all straight when l was youngster, and
hate to run counter to such harngue us that
you tell about. 1 wish you hadn't heard a
word of it, and another time wouldn't lis.
ten to petitions not intended for your ears"
The lawyer smiled.
"NIy dear fellow" he said, you're wrong
again it was intended for my ears and yours
too, and God Almighty intended it. My old
mother used 10 sing about Gods moving in
mysterious way, remember"
"Well, my mother used to sing it, too"
said the claimant, as he twisted his claim
papers in his fingers. "You can call in the
morning, if you like, and tell mother and
him the claim has been settled"
Una mysterious way" added the lawyer,
| ep,ilino