The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-10-20
SAVED FOR GREAT THINGS.

SAVED FOR GREAT THINGS.
John Bunyan's Marrow Escape from
Death and What y Captain In Crsm.
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 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
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
IN the guard-room were hardy and
practiced soldiers from the picked men
of Cromwell's army-all except one.
That one was tall, brown-haired,
rather coarse-featnred 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 good turn. Was there a
hurt to be bandaged. sick man to be
tended, a ration of bread to be shared
with hungry soldier, II prisoner in
need of II 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 he was putting on his
steel cap as briskly as ever to go forth
to his duty. when one Of the men inter
fered. 3 N'4
.'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 tax,
thy turn of watch for thee, even a
thou didst take Repentance Brown
riggs but a week ago." ........
And before John had time to remon
strate, brave Salvation Hawkins hat
gone forth with his long pike in his hant
into the cold black night. To and FRI
he paced, straining his keen eyes init
the surrounding gloom for any sign o
danger, and keeping time to his meas
ured tramp by humming under hi
breath the grand old battle psalm will
which Cromwelrs "Ironsides" had 81
often turned to flight the hosts OF thu
enemy: 3a eggs @t
1.-The mighty Lord is on my side,
will not be dismayed:
FOrany thing that man can do
Will not be afraid.
"Ihe nations, joining all in one,
Did compass me about;
But In the name OF God tho Lord r,
will them all root out
A fash--a cracks whiz through
the still air-5and poor Salvation Haw
kins lay dead on the. frozen ground
with his white face turned upward t
the cold, starlit sky. Many grin
visagc softened into sadness when tn
corporal's guard that had come to re
licve 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 70
whom he had not done some act Q
Kindness.
: "And it was ma work that he wa
doingr' cried young John, with pan
} of generous regret at the thought Q
another man having died for him.
The words were heard by the Car
tain of the battery, who had just com
up--a sturdy old miles Standish,
: who could fight as well as pray, an
who fought none the worse fo
having prayed iirst just the man. i
? fact, to serve for a model Gas he after
ward did) for the Mr.. Greathear1
whom we all know in the Pilgrim
Progress.
1 Young man. said he, solemnly
..assuredly the Lord hath great thing
, in store for thee, since He hath thus r.
, deemed thy life from destruction. I
. His name be the glory!'
The old warrior was right; for |
after days Helpful John" did sue
, work as will preserve SO long as tn
G world lasts the name of John Bunya,
--Darsd Ker, in Hdrper's Young PEI
pie.
= THE PEANUT CLUB.
4 The Fan Caused by ITS President, . ia