The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-02-06
Written for THE ARxAnsAw rRAvnLzn- AN OLD MANS DEATH.
BY HAL BKRrE.


 A calm and peaceful Sabbath morn. ing. The bells of the old church gre calling to prayer. The streets are alive with people f1ocking to the sacred edi- flee
 ca the pavement just outside the church-yard gate stands an old grey haired man soliciting aims of the people as they pass. No one appears to give him anything. When they notice him they move on with quickened step as if contagion lurked within his scant and tastered garments. After they have all passed into the building the old man reverently bows his head and follows in their wake. A pompous looking pew opener meets him at the porch and ushers him into an empty pew-one of those pews which are set apart in Gods house for the special benefit of the poor and fitted up accordingly. The old man sinks back in a semi-unconscious way into a recess of the comfortless pew and, soon afterwards, falls into calm, untroubled sleep.
 The service commences. Elaboration, prayer and song alternately have tbei, turn. But even the sonorous swell of the grand old organ which fills the aisles with echoes ot sHblimest melody fails to arouse the old man from his slumber.
 Ason the preacher ascends the old eaken pulpit. With voice passionate in its eloquence he proceeds to tell the old, old story of the Savior's love for men. Then he points out how it is their duty as christian men and women to send these glad tidings to far off lands that the heathen m y be converted. By so doing they will be following ou. the will of Christ when He said, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto Me-" In conclusion he earnestly exhorts them to give, and give freely to the collection on behalf of the missionary society which is to be made at the close of that service.
 Throughout the whole of the discourse the old man has been sleeping, to all in- tents unobvious of what has been taking place around him. All at once he stands up and appears to be listening. Appar- ently he hears the chiuk, chink of the sil- yer -s it drops into the plates. Then he raises his hands appealingly, gives con- vulsive gasp, and falls back into the gloom of the pew once more.
 The benediesion is said, the service is ended, and the worshipers are moving 
 But the old man moves not.
 While the church is emptying, the pom pous pew opener takes look around to see If all is well preparatory to closing the church. Suddenly his eye sights the sleeping man.
 "Now then, wake up there. It's all over. Do you hearI"
 No answer.
 "Come," (giving him a shake) "no shamming-wanted to stop behind and lift the collection money expect-but you don't com. that game on me, my man. Wake up," (another shake
 Still DO answer.
 "Well, this looks queer. I'll go and get help"
 He hsrries away and in few moments returns bringing with him the preacher of the morning.
 The clergyman walks up to the pew, bends down and looks for a moment in- tently at the face of the old man. Then uplifting his hands in pious horror he exclaims-" dead"
 The body is removed. An inquest is subsequently hela. The jury returns a verdict of "died from the visitation of God"