South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-06-10
The Power OF Prayer.

press your claim against that man.
You can get some one else to take
the case, or you can withdraw it
just az You please"
Think there amt any money
in it"
"There wonld probably be some
little money in It I; but it would
come from the sale of the little
house that the man occupies and
calls his home. But I don't want
to meddle with the matter, any
how"
"Got frightened ont OF it, oh f''
"Not at all"
81 suppose likely the fellow beg
ged hard to be let off,"
"Well, yes he did"
"And you caved in, likely 20
"What in creation did you do ?"
81 believe / shed few tears"
"And the old fellow begged you
hard, you say 20
"No l didn't say /; he didn't
speak Q word to me-"
"Well, may respectfully in
quire whom he did address in your
hearing p
'God Almighty"
"Ah, he took to praying, did
he ?"
Net for my benefit in the least.
You see, I found the little house
easily enough, and knocked on the
outer door, which stood ajar, but
nobody heard me, so 1 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 pillows,
was an old lady who looked for the
world just as my mother did the
last time ] saw her on EARTH
Well, 1 was on the point of knock
ing, when she said "Come, faith
er. now begin Pm all ready"
And down on his knees by her side
went an old, white-haired man,
still oder than his wife, / should
judge, and couldn't have knocked
! then for the life of me.
"Well, he began. First he re-
minded God that they were still his
submissive children, mother and
he. and no matter what he saw fit
to bring upon them they shouldn't
rebel at his will. OF course, twas
going to be very hard for them to
go homeless in their old age espe.
cially with poor mother so sick and
helpless, and oh, how different il
might have been il only one of the
boys had been spared 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 ia
repeat that nsthing could be 90
hard again as parting with those
three sons unless mother and he
should be separated But at last
, be fell to comforting himself with
the fact that the dear Lord knew
that it was through no fault of his
own that mother and he were
threatened with the loss of their
poor little home, which meant beg.
gary and the almshouse-a place
they prayed to be delivered from
entering, if 1t could be consistent
with Gods will. And then he quo.
ted a multitude OF promises con-
corning the safety OF those who put
their trust in the Lord. In fact, it
was the most thrilling plea to which
ever listened. Aud at last he
prayed for Gods blessing on those
who were about to demand justice. I"
The lawyer then continued, moe
slowly than ever "And-I-be-
iieve I'D rather 60 to the poorhouse
myself tonight 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 my SOUL" man you
couldn't defeat it p said the law
yer. al tel you he left all subject
to the will OF God f; but he claimed
that We were told to make known
our desires unto God but Of all
the pleadings / ever heard that beat
all. You see, l was fought that
kind OF thing myself in childhood.
And Why was sent to hear that
prayer ? Pm sure l don't know
but hand the case over"
81 WISH" saId the client, twist
ing uneasily, "You hadn't told me
about the old fellows prayer"
why so5"
"Wen, because 1 want the money
the house would bring; / was taught
the Bible straight enough when
was q youngSteT, and I'd hate to
run counter TO what you tell me
about. / Wish you hadn't heard
word Of it another time wouldn't
listen to petitions not intended for
my ears"
The lawyer smiled.
my dear fellow" he said, you
are wrong again. It was intended
for my ears. and yours, too and
God Almighty intended it. NV
old mother used TO sing about God
moves in mysterious way l re-
member"
We'll, my mother used to sing it,
too" said the claimant as he twist
ed the claim papers in his fingers.
90 YOu ran on in Tho v,orvf,,r- ~