The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-06-17
CHRISTIAN KINDNESS.
How q Freightmaster Rescued Boy from
the Downward Way.

CHRISTIAN KINDNESS.
How a Freightmaster Rescued q Boy from
the Downward Way.
An engine bumped against some
empty cars in the early dawn of win
ter morning A boy who had been
asleep in one Of them was thrown,
dazed and bcwildered, against the door,
which he had pulled to when he crawied
into the car the night before.
Just then brakeman thrust his head
into the car, and reached for his jacket,
which he supposed was hanging where
he had left it. He was somewhat sur
prised to find boy on it, and took 10
from him without ceremony.
snow get out of here!" he said,
thrusting the boy from the door. 'lf l
catch you in one of these cars again, I'll
give you to policeman.
"What's he been up to, Bill?" said
man who was putting freight into the
next car.
"Up to my coat" he said, giving it a
vigorous shake as he walked off.
The boy looked dirty and detected, as
he limped along the side of the track.
The man who had spoken called after
him:
''Hullo, there! Do you want job?"
The boy turned back quickly.
eff you'll help me to load them fir
kins, I'll pay you for it; but you'll have
to work spry."
The prospect of little money bright
ened the boy, and he set to work in
earnest, though he was stiff and cramped
and hungry.
"Do you live round here?" asked the
man.
The boy shook his head.
''In case we should want to hire a boy
about your size, can you give me any
recommendations as to your character?"
The boys face flushed, but he made
no answer. The man watched him mar
rowly, and when the car was loaded
handed him twenty-five cents, saying:
"We're short of hands in the freight
room. DO you think you'd like the JOB?
eyes, l would like it." The boys
face was almost painful in its, eagernees
as he followed the man into the freight
room.
"Now," said the freight-man, seating
himself on box, "we'll have a bit Of
talk before we get to business. don't
know anything about you, except that
you're cold and hungry; you look that.
But think it is likely that you've 60.
into some scrape, if you hadn't, you
wouldn't be loafing about stations and
sleeping in freight cars. I'm not going
.t6<ask you if you have done anything
wrong, but l AM going to ask you if
you've got mother"
mo; she's dead"
SCOT any father or folks that belong
to you?"
"I've an uncle and some cousins"
"Well, now, if you had mother, I'd
send you to her in no time, for there is
nothing that mother won't forgive;
but uncles and cousins are different.
''If 1 recommend you at the office,
they'll take you; but mind, if do it,
I'm going to watch you as a cat does a
mouse. You'll have to spend your even
ings and Sundays with me.
Il went wrong myself when was nc
older than you are" lowering his voice.
"An' if it hadn't been for my mother
Well, that was a long time ago You've
got switched upon the wrong track
am very sure, and as you haven't any
mother to help you get on the right one,
God helpin' me, I'll do it, if you'll let
me.
"Preachin' isn't in my line, but
there's just one thing you don't want to
forget, and that is the good Father is
giving you chance now to get back
where you can do right and feel right.
Are you going to take it?"
The boy answered family that he
would try. He was taken into the
freight-yard, and was under his new
friends eye constantly, and it was no'
long before the man had so won hi.
confidence that he told him his story.
There was trouble and dishonesty
connected with it, but for two year.
the lad proved himself faithful ant
trustworthy in his new occupation. II,
was then advanced to a more RESPONSE
BILE position, but there was something
almost pathetic in his devotion to tn,
man who had beffiended him, and il
his respect for the religion he pro
fessed.
Here was practical Christianity
worthy any mans emulation
Communion.