Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-10-07
SAVED FOR GREAT THINGS.

John Bunyan's Narrow Escape from
Death and What a Captain in Crom-
wells Army Said of 1t.
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 a 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
all was deadly still: but ever and anon
u red flash broke through the darkness,
and the deep boom of gun told that
the enemy was on the watch. Those
IN the guard-room were hardy and
practiced soldiers from the picked men
of Cromwells army-an except one.
That one was tall, brown-haired,
rather coarse-featured lad of eighteen,
with a 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 a hungry soldier, a 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 a fever
ish light; but he was putting on his
steel cap as briskly as ever to 60 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 l will take
thy turn of watch for thee, even as
thou didst take Repentance Brown
riggs but a 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 sign OF
danger, and keeping time to his meas
ured tramp by humming under his
breath the grand old battle psalm with
which Cromwell's ''Ironsides' had so
often turned to, fight the hosts of the
enemy:
1.-THE mighty Lord is on my side,
will not be dismayed;
For any thing that man can 90
will not be afraid.
.The nations joining all in one.
Did compass me about;
But In the name OF God the Lord
will them all root out.
A fiash-a craek-a whiz through
the still air-and poor Salvation Haw-
kins Law dead on the frozen ground,
with his white face turned upward to
the cold, starlit sky. Many a grim
vissge 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 warm
hearted comrade as well as brave SOL
der, and there were few there fol
whom he had not done some act OF
kindness.
"And it was mv work that he was
doing!' cried young John, with pane
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 fol-
having prayed first; just the man, II
fact, to serve for Il model Gas he after
| ward did) for the Mr.. Greatheart
! whom we all know in the Pilgrim.
Progress.
Young man.: said he, solemnly
..assuredly the Lord hath great thing
| in store for thee, since He hath thus re
deemed thy life from destruction. IL
I, His name be the glory!"
| The old warrior was right; for ii
after days @.Helpful john did sucf
work as will preserve SO long as thu
world lasts the name of John Bunyan
! -Dagad Ker, in Harper's Young PEG
! ME