Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-03-27
THE LIEUTENANT.

took a lot of saving. It's given me faith
for these fellows"
He waved his hand toward the row of
sleeping men; and the Lieutenant followed
his glance. They were standing in the
''dossing room" of one of the Salvation
Army shelters, where supper, bed, and
breakfast could be obtained at the reason
able charge of 4d., and it was not so much
the faces before him, haggard and I'M
kempt often, but clean and softened by
sleep, that impressed on the Captain the
need of the salvation for these fellows, :"
as his recollection of them two hours be-
fore, hungry, clamorous, and unwashed.
Slumbering in the long, narrow, cushioned
boxes, with the uniform brown hides
thrown over them, they looked picturesque
and even oddly peaceful, now
81 dare say there's not one of them, -
said the Captain, always in an undertone,
''that the Lord would have as much diff
Guilty with as he had with me. Why,
when | was tiny lad, and my brother and
| had apples given us, | used always to
take the little apple, purely for the sake of
making them think | was unselfsh. They
pointed me out as an example, and there
| was swelling with pride Always pom
dering on how to cut a good moral figure
was. Just give NE a character for self
sacrifice, and wild horses wouldn t drag it
from me- That the worst kind of a fell
low to save, and he was twelve years about
it; and sometimes | doubt if it's finished
yet. I've hung on to acts of self-denial
till I've compelled others to act self8hly.
lis terrible temptation that Why, it s
better to do wrong and have done with it
than be always hankering after your own
salvation. Brother Judd was in the right
you remember Brother Judd-when he
said in camp meeting: If I've lost my
soul, I'll go and save some other fellows
And may be these chaps are capable of a
fine act without so much as thinking about
it, that would go and do with any of
them; but then all the way there and back
I'd have voice one side of me saying:
Now, Brooke, give God all the glory; and
another voice the other: Yes, yes,
Brooke, but save yourself a little bit out. ;
The complexity of my motives is a great
stumbling block to me at times. I've had
to give up and say: Lord, here's the act,
and why I've done it | don't know; but
Thou knowest, and whatever becomes of
my motives I'd like thee to use it for Thy
service. That's the only source of peace,
brother
'Aye," said the Lieutenant, nodding
soberly. He was a man of fewer and
slower words than the Captain, but with a
peculiarly gentle and kindly face.
Il don't believe you were ever tempted
in that way brother, " said the Captain,
looking at him admiringly. You live
TOO near the Lord :" he was going to
say, but something in the other uncon-
scious face arrested HIM
why, yes, said the Lieutenant slow
ly I've been tempted to take the glory
frequent But I'd sooner the Lord had
it, after all; for the world knoweth Him
not y
There's some of these" he continued
after pause. las believe literally knows
their Bibles by heart; aad yet they'll come
in reeling drunk, and have to be put out
again. The inward witness, that's what S
lacking. You saw the man who came in
last?"
The Captain nodded.
He's ID barrister, said the Lieutenant,
very low Said he was making his fort
une at the bar, when the temptation to
drink overcame him Said it was too late
to begin afresh. | said it was never too
late to begin afresh in the strength Of God;
but think maybe he's bit of the pride
of intellect. The plan of salvation, that s
too simple"
80 twas for me-" said the Captain
crisply. ut took me twelve years. | SYM
pathize with the fellow"
A sudden laugh in the room, that was
stifed quickly, startled them both. Could
it have come from the barrister? They
glanced at him sharply; but to all appear
ance the barrister. with his uncut, rumpled
hair falling about his forehead, was as fast
asleep as the rest Nevertheless, they had
their suspicious.
1T is time to turn in, said the Captain,
gravely Good night, Lieutenant
The next morning. while the barrister
was eating his bread and drinking his
coffee with leisurely air, the Lieutenant
observed him, and came to the conclusion
that most likely they were right in their
conjecture. The barrister would have
been handsome, with his curly fair hair
and good natured gray eyes, if he had not
looked so dissipated. Certainly he had the
manners of a gentleman. and, ragged and
unkempt he left the shelter that morning
with a nod and careless greeting to the
Lieutenant that seemed appropriate to
some fashionable hotel The Lieutenant
looked after him, laying mental snares for
the saving of his soul.
Looks regular West End swell, don t
he?" he said turning to the Captain with
his gentle laugh The Captain was not in
charge Of the shelter, but his room was
close by. and Of late his brother officers
had been somewhat anxious about the
Lieutenant s physical, as distinct from
his spiritual welfare, the Captain found
time to run in and look after him morn
ing, noon and night, in the midst of his
own crowded days.
There's many" said the Captain, Sin
silks and satins VINO are in far worse case.
This poor chaps sin has taken the only
form they understand-that of losing his
money; and they all turn their backs upon
him. That's the way of the world, but
not the way of the army, praise the Lord,
Have you spoken to him about his soul
again, brother.
"Well, no, said the Lieutenant apollo
getically 1T struck me he was one of
those we must catch with guile. Maybe
you II have a word with him tonight if he
comes again.
Il will, ;" said the Captain.
But it was many nights before Aylmer
1t was the DarrlSter true name-came
again; and when he came he was distinct
ly more ragged and disreputable. But he
came early, and the Captain and Lieu
tenant had the opportunity they wished
for
Brother said the Captain mildly but
firmly, you don't look as if your present
plan of life suited you. Hadn't you better
try the Lords plan?'
Really" said Alymer courteously, sit
ting down on one of the boxes not yet