The morning call., 1892-04-10

Christmas eve. If Tom should not appear
and appear in decent conditional the
service next morning, what would become
of all the beautiful music he had taken so
much trouble to prepare. for the glory of
God, and-weli, yes, i'll some measure, for
his own qualification? Toms manner had
been defiant and his words ranked in the
wears soul. He did not believe in the pos
sibility that Miss Maloney could do anything
but harm. He did not think that she had
ever been to church; certainly she had not
consulted him, nor offered to became
church worker under him. How was itpos-
slble she could do any good? No doubt poor
Tom was deluded. The woman was pretty;
who could tell how she might lure him to
destruction? The vicar grew restless, and
at last determined to hover about Toms
path like an Invisible guardian angel. and
see him safe home, drunk or sober. when
the orgies at "Mal0ney's" were over.
1t was already growing late, but full of
enthusiasm he once more rushed along the
streets and only stopped when he reached
"Maioney's" corner.
Ths place looked busy and cheerful CON-
pared with the miserable houses around. A
warm light shoDe into the street through
the red curtains across the window, and the
sounds of music could be heard some dis
lance off Mr., Lamote had passed more
than dozen other public-houses on his way
to "Maloney's," but not one of them seemed
TO be so popular as this. He groaned in
spirit as he stood at the opposite corner and
watched the people entering. Men and
women of all sorts; many young lads, and
even quite MISUNDERSTANDING girls. Alas
alasl Suddenly he quickly crossed the
street muttering, "Ah, what horrible desc
Grafton! must put stop TO this"
lie pushed open the door, let it swing to
behind him, and stood still, uInoticed in the
crowd. Had he made mistake? Was this
the place which lie had often called the
curse of the parish? Was it Dissertation"
that sacred music should be sung to such an
audience as this? For in the midst Ot the
people stood Tom Grindley, and sang
Every face was turned toward him. and
every face bore traces Of poverty aud toll,
many Of sin and shame also. There were
figures bent with WEAKNESS, eyes bleared
with tears; there were coarse and brutal
faces In that strange crowd, and faces which
had grown st0lid in hopeless wretchedness
but as the vicar looked, wonderful CLEAN
seemed TO pass from face to face while in
the lovely tones which often brought tears
to the eyes of his sensitive congregation at
ST. Matthias, Tom sang And the crooked
shall be made straight, and the rough places
shall be made plain. for the mouth of the
Lord hath spoken it.
1t YVES the anthem chosen for Christmas
day. The vicar felt choking in bis throat.
If Tom could only sing in church to such an
audience as this, it would be something to
thank God for. But if such an audience
would not come to church, what then?
The vicar remained hidden behind the
crowd and looked round, curlously moved.
The place was orderly. and, at least while
the music lasted. perfectly quiet. There
were some few men smoking, but not manv,
because, as Tom afterward explained. he
had told them the tobacco got down his
throat, and it was only newcomers who
smoked during the singing. Many of the
men had glasses before them, and there was
the usual smell of beer and spirits, aud un-
clean humanity; but through the opened
folding-doors Dir. Lamote could see thst in
the paror men AMI women were drinking
tea and coffee. and eating sandwiches and
buns. and many others seemed TO be waiting
to take their places.
Just beside Tom was piano. and a lady
sat and played for him; but MIR. Lamote
had forgotten Miss Maloney for the mo-
ment, and it was only when the song was
over and the PEOPLE began to move about
that be saw her, and remembered with
quick sense of shame the words he had used
TO her.
Tom stepped forward once more to sing
without music Christmas carol, and as the
people settled down again to listen, the
Wears gaze rested on a fair woman, in a
plain, black dress. who stood in the center
of group Of girls. with sleeping baby in
her arms, and listened TO the simple carol,
with tender smile on her lips and az ex-
preston Of loving compassion in her eyes.
as they wandered around the curious
assembly.
Good heavensw the conscience-stricken
> a.
blessed Madonna, and l called her painted
Jezebelp
He was an impulsive man. and he saw his
error. AS soon us the carol was over he
pushed his way to Miss MalCney's side. and
turning toward the aSt0nished crowd, said ::
Friends, l want you all to hear me tell
Miss MaloDey that am bitterly ashamed for
what / said to her yesterday. | was wholly
in the wrong. She Is doing yOU all far more
real good than l ever did. She is the best
han ha Of .d lie
hand to Mary with bow of penitsnt rev
erence, and when she had meeky submit
| ted TO his warm clasp. he hurried away
without another word.
| wv ell! that were a rum START" said the
leading politician of the company; but it
| amt the first time as the church and the
! vested interests as shook lands, and 1t wont
be the last.
Many Christmas ewes have come and
gone; the vicar and Miss Maloney are firm
friends now, and have many ways of help
ing one another. Neither Of chem, perhaps,
sees much result Of endless labor. The
parish of st. Matthias- in the Fields is not
yet composed solely of devout, decent
| churchmen ana church. women. Drunken
| ness still brings IFS attendant train of vice
ana want, disease aid SORROW, TO darken the
| lives of the men and women aho herd In
| the still low neigbboThood Of Maloney's
| pUblic-house. But the vicar has got new
| hobby. he buys up all the publc-houses
! he can. and finds among his devotees ladies
| las much like Miss MalOney as possible) TO
manage them. There is no saying what re-
| suits may be produced-in iime.
And Mary is content. She knows that
| here and there a man who was once a
| druDkard Is sober now; and that no one
| gets eny harm now, even when not capable
| OF getting good, from her public house
She knows that here ard there she has
saved an outcast and brought hope to the
desolate; and after all what are great re-
! suits but multitude Of little changes?
The vicar of s.. Matthias is stu un-
married. and will never marry. But il ever
| his principles are put 10 the test, it is when
| he catches glimpse OF Mary's bright hair
and sweet face through the windows Of
| Maloney's public house, Atkinson