Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1892-10-13
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
Right at His Own Door, Yet He
Did Not See It.

Chandler had never omitted from his
prayers since he was first converted,
and began to pray in the little wooden
church on the hill. 1t was this: "Send
to thy servant, Lord. some great OPP
pcrtunity for doing good"
Strange as it may seem, his prayer
had never been answered. The seasons
rolled around with their acustomed
regularity, ard brought increase to his
hocks and plenty to his storehouses,
and as yet nothing lusua! had hap
pened. Still the worthy man prayed
on, until Deacon Chambers Opportun-
ity' had come to be almost byword
with not few Of the younger mem.
bers OF the congregation. And when
he arose at each meeting, and with
bowed head uttered the familiar petit
ton, his eldest son, Tom, away in the
back part of the room, was mimicsing
his father, to the intense amusement of
few unruly boys who were his COM
pnDions.
Tom Chandler was Dad boy There
was no denying it, Toms mother was
the last one to admit it. but even she
had been forced to own sorrowfully,
that--"Ihomas was little wild"
Deacon Chandler, in mis- own family,
laid down the strictest rules, and they
were fearfully followed by all except
the eldest. Tom was incorrigible. He
chafed under the home restraint, and
his natural wilduess found vent in
various petty misde1neanors, which
soon won for him bad name in his
native village. In vain his mother be-
sought him to mend his ways; in vain
mis- father placed him under closer re-
straint, and visited upon him more dire
penalties. 1t was OF 10 avail.
One night Deacon Chandler entered
his home with stern look on his face
that BODIED no good for whoever the
culprit might be. His wife looked up
from her sewing as be entered.
''Where's Tom?' he said, shortly.
Il don't know" was the reply, why
is ny.hing the matter?'
Before he could reply the door opened
again, and the subject of their CONVEX
sation came in. He was tall, we'll
built boy OF eighteen, but his youthful
features were already marked with
lines OF dissipation, and in his handsome
brown eyes there was daredevil ex-
preston that spoke volumes to one
who understood it.
greeting.
Well" came in insolent tones from
the boy, who remained standing.
you are found out"
The stern tones of the father rang in
the mothers ears like death knell.
You may as well confess"
"fhere is no need, if you have found
me out" replied the boy, defantly.
perhaps you would like me to tell.
Are you proud that you and your gang
have been detected stealing fruit from
Nj. Deans orchard, and that unless
l settle you will be arrested? Can
you offer any excuse for removing the
gates from half a dozen houses in town,
and making a bonfire of them in nv
meadow lot?"
Mrs. Chandler looked hurriedly up at
her son.
"Oh! Tom, it isn't SO? Say it isn't"
she implored.
But he was silent. Then the deacon
resumed:
II shall settle, to save your brothers
and sisters from disgrace; but from
this night you are no son OF mine. II
disown YOU
A slight paQor spread itself over the
boys face, as he open ed his lips to re-
ply:
"All right, father If you had dealt
more gently with me | might have
been a different boy now. / own that
] took the apples and helped to burn
the gates. But there" he burst out,
suddenly. what does it matter? II
won't stay to disgrace the family any
longer. I've been ready to go for some
time, and he glanced around the COM
Portable room contemptuously.
When he finished speaking, a |
mothers hand was laid on his arm,
and mothers voice, pitiful in it's sor-
row, said
Don't go, Tom. Your father don't
mean it. He is angry because you
make him SO much trouble. Ask him
to forgive you-I am sure he will, if
you will only try to be better boy"
Never sternly interrupted the |.
deacon; she is no son of mine, and nv I
house is no longer his home. Go, sir.
Do you hear?"
You need not tell me twice." re-
turrssd the boy. ''Good-by, mother; I'm
going" and before they realized it,
their eldest son had passed out of the
home life forever.
After that, life went on about as
usual at the Chandler farm. The deacon
etill offered his accustomed prayer,
only now there was no Tom to make
Jun OF him, for since that night Tom
chandler had not been seen. Deacon
chandler was still waiting for his OPP
and still wondering, too,
why chance SO earnestly desired was
70 io'A0 withheld Others all about him