Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1892-12-22

johnson looked stupidity about. lie
saw faces lined with sin and suffering
the faces of thieves and outcasts. But
everybody was singing. He looked at
the platform. 1t was filled with men
and women dressed in curious fashion,
in dark blue costumes, with big scarlet
letters on their breasts. During John
sons prison life the Salvation Army had
sprung into existence.
He all my griefs has taken,
And all my sorrows borne;
In temptation he's my strong and mighty
tower
rang out the voice like a clarion call.
And once more the poor, sodden way
farers to whom he saslg answered:
He's the Lily of the Valley,
The Bright and Morning Star;
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my SOUL
Something rolled down the cheek Of
the ex-convict.
He put up his hand impatiently to
brush it away.
And then, half stumbling, he hurried
out into the night.
But as he fled through the fast fall
ing snowfakes he heard again the re-
frain well up like battlecry:
He's the Lily of the Valley.
Next day as he aimlessly walked
about he came face to face with man
he had known in his old life. The man
started as if he had seen ghost, and
then shamefacedly and hesitatingly ex-
tended his hand.
"Howdy do, Johnson" he said tim
idly.
"Oh, I'm we'll enough" said johnson
with short, harsh laugh. 'I'm trying
to get something to do. Perhaps you
could help me"
"I-oh, novel;, you see, just now
everybody's taken up with Christmas. T"
Eyes, SO see."
"Of course you understand it's not an
easy thing to recommend a-a"-
ga jailbird."
"Well, er-you understand"
Eyes. understand. won't bother
you. I'll get along in some fashion
I've little money. But tell me, can you
give me any news of Raymond"
"Well, yes. You heard about his
failurer'
ellis failure? No."
eyes, lost every cent a year ago. Poor
as church mouse. Sick, 200, heard a
few days ago. Rheumatism, believe.
His wife,
eyes, yes, his wife,"
"She's supporting him, I understand
sewing. They live somewhere on the
east side in tenement. Horrible come
down! Well, can't stand here all day.
Goodby. If I hear of anything"-and
he was gone.
johnson stood looking after him in a
dazed fashion until a gentle hint from
a policeman reminded him he had better
move on.
So Raymond was poor and sick--his
revenge, then, was partly begun-and
that Christmas present?-some way the
thought of killing poor invalid did not
appeal SO strongly to the Ishmaelite-
somewhere on the east side?-as well
try to hunt the traditional needle-poor
sick, and Nelly sewing to support him
well, there was some justice in heaven
| if not on earth.
1t was the night before Christmas
when johnson strolled again into the
great rink where the Salvation Army
was holding its meetings. He listened t.
the burning words which fell from tht
lips of sweet faced woman. She TALKED
of Gods best gift to man and spoke o.
peace and good will. Then again thi
singer came forward, and again thu
strains which had rung in Johnson's ear
for two days rolled to the roof. While
listening eagerly his eyes suddenly fel
upon the face Of woman who was sit
ting three se..ca from him. 4 pale, thin
shabbily dressed woman.
1t was Nelly!
When she rose TO go he followed her
As She hurried away he stealtAily crep
behind her, his hand involuntaril.
clutching tas knife over his heart.
! uo II ricl;ety fight of stairs she went