Middletown transcript., 1891-11-05

from bis memory. Pressing bis hands
to his heart. struggling for breath, bic
Imurmnred, james Hallett. " and
fell fainting on the floor. When BIZ
recovered, kind people were about
him, and we're ministering to him
| He was bewildcred for moment, bul
standing near was form that brought
back recollection, and he covered his
face with bis hands, and thankful
tears fell from his eyes, and grateful
prayers rose from his heart. james
! Hallett's face wore troubled and
perplexed look. His hand was press
ed to his head. He watched Abner
closely, and refused to leave the room
The latter slowly arose and approach.
| ed him.
James, . said he. don't you know
i me?'
Still the strange look Of rerplex-
| ity was in the troubled eyes
i The surgeon then gave Abner 3
short history of this case that had
i perplexed them SO much, and with q
look of intense pity in his eyes, Abnal
/ Wilcox vowed in his heart that bis
should be the task to restore his old
friend to life and light and love again.
/ He told the surgeon the strange
story, and that intelligent officer saw
/ at once the best hope for the afflicted
/ and bewildered man. s,5s :
James Hallett." said Abner,
slowly and distinctly. am your old
friend Abner Wilcox. Don't you re-
member me ?"
The vacant eyes frightened q little,
but the look of trouble remained.
James" continued his friend.
have you forgotten Mary and the
children, and the little home in Well
feet? Have you no recollection of the
schooner Matchless, in which, we were
fishing together? Do you not remem-
ber one dark night we were beating
up for Pollock Rip, and you went
aloft to furl the stay sail, and as you
were coming down we tackled ship,
| and"
| Here the dropping head was raised,
| the vacant eyes flashed fire, and James
shouted "Hold on that jib.sheet,
Abner my foot is caught" and
| throwing up bis arms, and shrinking
as though fearful of a blow, he fell
| heavily ON the floor.
They raised him, applied restor-
latives. and shortly after he slowly
opened his eyes. All stood back but
Abner Wilcox.
"Hello, Abner.' said he, raising
himself on his elbow, have I been
asleep longf Is it my watch +? Why,
how is this2 What place lis this
How did / get here? Where. is the
schooner and the skipper ?"
Gently, Jimmy" said his friend,
"we will talk it all over some other
time. You have been sick for a
WHILE"
Nonsense, boy p said James, /
am all right Why, feel splendid.
/ will get up and look around a little,
and you shall tell me all about it."
And then the whole story was told
James.
And the wife and the children p
They were we'll, but mourning him
as dead and no way of getting the
news to them.
His impatience knew no bounds. He
must fly to them at once-at once.
Christmas Eve had come-the time
when all Christians are glad at heart.
When the cattle kneel in their stalls,
and worship the star Of. Beth lehem
the radiant emblem of hope to a dying
race. The land was aglow with the
charm of the season. Happy parents
and happier children rejoiced aand
were exceeding glad for regenerated
race and loving ransom freely paid.
A light twinkled in little cottage on
Cape Cod. A sadeyed widow held
her children to her heart and wept, as
she told them of the father that was
no more, and then more calmly of the
glorious hope that the season gave of
blessed meeting with him beyond
the stars.
Toward the feeble light. two men
hastened. One pressed impatiently
on in ivauce of the other who toiled
along with quick, gasping breath, and
his hand pressed to his heart. A look
of pain was on his face but he made
no sign, and hurried on in the foot
steps of him who bad gone before. It
was glorious night. No cloud OBJ.
scured the brilliancy of the northern
consultations. A light fall Of snow
had covered the esrth out of sight and
added luminous glow to the scene.
" James" said the rearmost man,
g do not linger for me. Press:on, to
give them the glad surprise that your
coming will be. l have no place
there. will come in later
Nonsense, Abner," said james
the truest and most faithful friend I
ever had shall share my joy this night.
Come with me"
!" will follow, James; go you on
at once"
Mamma" said little Minnie, is
God glad tonight that people are SO
happy ?" :.
any child, we must be certain
that he is, and also that he grieves
with those who are sorrowful."
Viii! my dear papa know in