The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1893-12-24
UNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 24 1893


IS hard and wages are small, half q
loaf is better than no bread and ex-
perieuce is capital that is always
good. The weeks crcpt by; another
letter came. telling them that hc could
still retain his position, that, though
he was still homesicl, and hard worked
and saw no chance Of lettering him
self, he would stay while longer.
The winter closed down drearily.
The long strain ON mind and body
had Worn the active pastor to a
shadow ~ his former self And as
call after call was made upon his fail
ing forces. his courage gave out, and
gloom and dependency settled down
over the bright spirit and stout heart
Of Horace Hayward.
On Christmas morning. as he sat at
breakfast with his wife and SON he
said:
II have no Christmas gifts for YOU
this morning, dear ones. wish that |
could have had, but while we see SO
much misery about MS feel that it
would bc wrong for us TO put money
into gifts. can do little now for lack
of funds. for all we had is gone and all
my calls FOR help seem of little use. 1t
has been a hard winter for us. Mary,
but we will come through all right.
We can not see the way now. but God
will guide and help us" As he
spoke the bell rang, and the postman
handed in two bulky letters and
package. The first he opened was
from Robert; he wrote in iubilant
spirits, he had been advanced into IA
pleasant position in which ne would re-
ceive good salary. The president of
the company had talked with him and
found that he knew his Orchard 81
father, and was so kind to him he had
invited him 10 eat his Christmas dinner
at his home, and he was
not sad or lonely any more.
He told them not to worry
about him, that he was in a good place
and in fair way to advance He re
turned the check, saying that he would
not need ! now, blessed them both
and sem little token of his love
While the mother kissed and cried
over the letter and the token" the
perplexed pastor tore open the other
ietter to find, If possible, the solution
20 this pleasant mystery. As ne opened
it a check for fifty dollars fell out upon
his knee, and with face filled with
astonishment he read:
My dear Mr.. Horace (for TO me you
can never be anything else, send YOU
Christmas greeting; have you for
gotten that morning, twenty-seven
years ago, when you stopped to pat the
head of the little urchin who was
shoveling the snow from the walks and
press into his hand ten dollar bill?
You, Jokingly, called it my fortune,
and it has proved to be So for from
that bill | got the start that
has made me what | am to-day,
"Sldent OF company whose
wealth and power are increasing daily.
had lost track of you, and thought
you had probably fallen in the war.
When, "A week ago, | went into a
church; young boy sat before me and
l could not remove my eyes from him.
My interest was deepened by the fact
that he seemed sadly impressed by
the services, and more than once
was obliged to furtively wipe
away a tear. | thought of my own
boyhood and my heart went out in
sympathy to the young stranger.
When the services were over ! walked
beside him TO the street and remarked
upon the beauty of the day. He seemed
sad and lonely, and as | continued to
walk beside him, drew him on 10 tell
me of himself and home. What was
my surprise to find that the lad was
in my own employ, and the son Of my
dear benefactor, Horace Hayward?
took him home with me and won
from him the story of his life
and yours. lie tells me you are still
your old ways, always helping others;
and inclose this $50 as a thank offer
ing, for your poor, and may it bless
them as your generosity has blessed
me. / have conceived strong affec-
tion for your boy, not only because he
is yours, but because he is noble,
frank and honest lad. / have taken
him into my office, and will push him
on as fast as he is capable of advance
ment. You need feel no further un-
easiness in regard 70 his future, as
Wili sce lHuI ne BetS position III Iie
befitting himself and you. God bless
you, sir, in your noble life and work,
and accept the heartfelt love and graft
tude of your obedient servant,
FREDERICK w. STERLING.
As he finished reading this letter,
Horace Hayward raised his eyes, suf-
fused with tears, and dropping on his
knees before his chair thanked God.