The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-03-28

His clothes we're dripping and his
boots exuded water as he moved. AL
ready he was beginning to gasp from
the sitting, unwholesome atmosphere
of the place. The captain gszed at him
6xedly, but he did not lift his eyes in
her direction. An uneasy feeling com
municated itself to the congregation,
and in a moment all eyes were turned
upon the stranger. He bore the scru-
tiny with cynicism that was half de-
fiant and half amused.
" l seem to be disturbing element"
he said; with movement as if to with
draw-a movement checked by English
Harry-and yet with the comprehen-
sive assurance of one who has not been
unaccustomed to endure the general
regard.
There were puffy, blush half circles
underneath bis eyes and sharp Fuckers
about his mouth. Albeit the eyes were
direct, even if curved. The Fuckers
lent something of contempt to the as
pect of the face. Perhaps it was di-
rected within. The straight, black eye
brows and bare temples suggested a
strength and dignity which seemed in
compatible with the gentle slope of the
jaw and the rounded effeminacy of the
chin. The clothes were not remark
able. Whatever their origin they now
pertained to The Leather Swamp.
The captain from her elevation,
mi, sed no detail here set forth. Those
who sat near her noticed that her hand
sought the plain as. A." brooch on
her neck, as if she would loosen the col
lar of her jersey. All at once she
claimed attention by one of her we'll
known gestures, and read the words of
the hymn in clear, ringing voice.
There is fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuels veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains,
1t is one of the most sharp and STIR
ring in the hymnology of revivalism. In
moment the little assembly was swept
away.
No one but English Harry, who was
still grasping the strangers arm, no.
ticed the effect produced on the latter
by the first tones of the captains voice.
Had it been the voice that called Lag
arus from the tomb, he could scarcely
have experienced greater shock. His
eyes swiftly sought the platform, and
then became fixed and dilated. A
look of wonder and awe overspread his
face. He moved forward. The cap
tain's eyes looked into his as she sang
and drew him toward her:
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day,
And there may Though vile as he
Wash all my sins away.
| He stumbled against an unoccupied
bench near the foot of the platform. 1t
was the place of penitence. Still sing
ing, she motioned him to his knees and
slowly descended the rude steps" like
Pilates wife in the pictur'," as English
Harry afterwards expressed it.
do believe, do now believe,
That Jesus died for me.
The hymn ended in burst of triumph,
and those two knelt there side by side.
The subtle strains of famed virtuoso,
the imminent announcement of ma
jestic drama or the pomp of mystery in
Romish cathedral never laid on cultured
assemblage strain more intense than
that which hushed the rude congrega-
ton in the Blood and Fire Hall. They
were accustomed to dramatic scenes,
these waits who followed the army,
and their appetite for such develop
ments amounted to craving. 1t was
to the emotional side of them that the
Salvationists appealed. The species of
neurosis that had made them vile i'm
parted to their new found religious
sentimen Mt a fervor that fell nothing
short of fanaticism.
There was a drama here. They
smelled it, as a battle horse smells
burned gunpowder. There was mys.
terry, too, as was proper in drama, and
the leading personages were the cap
tain and an unknown. Nothing could
be more promising. In the meantime
the suspense was eXasperating. But
they were sure that the captain would
not disappoint them.
The two knelt at the penitent form,
and there was inarticulate sounds as of
choking and of prayer.
AT length the captain arose and as
cended the steps to the platform, lead
ing the unknown by the hand. Ar
rived at her place she knelt again and
prayed aloud. Her supplication was
brief
"Grant, Lord" she prayed, 4" that be
whom thou hast most wondrously led
here tonight may not depart hence
again without the measure of thy glory,
which had long gone out of his heart,
shining there as of olden time. Hear
his cry in the darkness, o Fatherl and
guide his faltering steps back to thy
fold
"Grant to these, thy people, that
they may be blessed with true under
standing of thy great goodness, and that
the mysterious workings of thy provi-
dence, as it has manifested itself to-
night, may fill their hearts with awe
and love of thee. May the story that
thou hast put into my mouth to tell
prove abundantly fruitful for the honor
and glory of thy kingdom, and impart
renewed strength and grace to them, to
him, and to me, who live only for thy
service.
"Give strength to my lips and fire to
my tongue that l, all unworthy and sin
full though be, may tell the story in a
manner BETTING the sore spiritual needs
of these poor people, and redounding to
| thv honor and glory