The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-09-02
The Power of Prayer.

NO." said the lawyer, 81 sha'n't
press your claim against the man; YOU
can get some one else to take the case,
or you can withdraw it, just as you
please"
Think there isn't any money in it?"
"There would probably be some little
money in it; but it would come from
the sale of the little house that the
man occupies and calls his home. But
| don't want to NEEDLE with the matter
anyhow"
Got frightened out of it, eh?"
Not at ALL"
" l suppose likely the fellow begged
hard TO be let off?''
"Well, yes; he did,"
And you caved in, likely?"
eyes"
What in creation did you do?n
6 l believe shed few tears"
And the old fellow begged you hard,
you say?"
"No, 1 didn't say so; he didn't speak
a word to me-"
Well, may l respectfully inquire
whom he did address in your hearing?"
"God Almighty"
"Ah, he took to praying, did he?"
"Not for my benefit in the least.
You see, found the little house easily
enough, and knocked on the outer door,
which stood ajar, but nobody heard me
so l stepped into the little hall, and saw
through the crack of the door cosy
sitting-room, and there, on the bed,
with her silver head high on the pill
lows, was an old lady who looked for
the world just as my mother did the
last time / saw her on earth. Well, l
was on the point of knocking when she
said,' Come, father, now begin; Pm all
ready And down on his knees by her
side went an old white-haired man, still
older than his wife, should Judge; and
| couldn't have Knocked then for the
life of me. Well, he began. First he
reminded God that they were still his
submissive children, mother and he,
and no matter what he saw fit to bring
upon them they should not rebel at his
will. OF course, twas going to be very
hard for them to go homeless in their
old age, especially with mother sick
and helpless, and o how different it all
might have been if only one of the
boys had been sparedl Then his
voice kind of broke, and a thin
white hand stole from under the
coverlid, and moved softly over his
snowy hair. Then he went on to re-
peat that nothing could be so sharp
again as the parting with those three
sOns-unless mother and he should be
separated! But at last he fell to COM
forting himself with the fact that the
dear Lord knew that it was through no
nj hot ha
were threatened with the loss of their
dear little home, which meant beggary
and the alms-house-a place they
prayed to be delivered from entering,
if it could be consistent with Gods
will. And then he quoted a multitude
of promises concerning the safety of
those who put their trust in the Lord.
In fact it was the most thrilling plea to
which l ever listened. And at last he
prayed Gods blessing on those who
were about to demand justice"
The lawyer then continued, more
slowly than ever, )" And-I-believe I'd
rather go to the poorhouse myself to-
night than TO stain my heart and hands
with the blood of such prosecution as
that"
"Little afraid to defeat the old mans
prayer, eh?"
Bless your soul, man, you could not
defeat it," said the lawyer. 81 tell
you he left it all subject to the will OF
God; but he claimed that we were told
to make known our desire unto God;
but of all the pleadings ever heard,
that beat all. You see, was taught
that kind of thing myself in my child
hood. And why was l sent to hear
that prayer? Pm sure I don't know
but / hand the case over"
81 WISH" said the client twisting
uneasily, "you hadn't told me about
the old fellows prayer"
"Why SOP"
"Well, because l want the money
the place would bring; 1 was taught
the Bible straight enough when was
youngster, and | hate to run counter
to what you tell about. | wish You
had not heard word about it, and
another time would not listen to petit
tons not intended for my ears"
The lawyer smiled.
"My dear fellow" he said, "you are
wrong again. 1t was intended for my
ears, ana yours, too; and God Almighty
intended it. My old mother used to
sing about God moves in mysl erious
way rem. mber."
Well, my mother used to sing it,
too said the claimant, as he twisted
the claim papers in his fingers. "You