Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-08-15
A CITY MISSION.


want help just call on Dick Clifford" no
said to tho two mon who had nursed him.
II was a fool TO try that rido In the sun,
but mother is Sick and I must got back
homo, l couldn't wait until night 20
start"
And 81 you waited hero three weeks to
get another start, " said ono OF his nurses,
whose name WAS Jim,
Tho next night Bob and Jim Bob was
hm's ehum--stood shading thciroyos with
their hands and staring down tho trail
Ear away were the dim forms OF a horse
and rider, ho,ded FOR Tucson, tho nearest
railroad town.
II was u bitterly cold night and none
hut those forced by necessity was upon
the streets, Even for Chicago january
tho weather was severe, All day tho NOR.
curry In tho street Thermometers had been
below tho zero mark, As night camo on u
northeast gale rushed down across tho lake
and pierced with Its humid cold even
through the warmest clothing, Up and
down Clark street tramped homeless mou,
With their scanty rags pulled tight about
them, and with hands and wrists stuffed
~ far into their pockets rs they would 20,
tho homeless onos wandered aimlessly up
and down, Degraded and hrutaligcd as
most Of them WERE therc was something
pathetic about them, On, ON, ON, never to
stop; forced on Ivy the police and forced ON
ny tho cold; tempted to stand In hot
blast coming from some suhtnrranean fur
nace and then elhowed ON by tho hurrying
xphtah .p.,ip., hnI ,,.,
for tho homeless,
tall and strong Of build, but wasted and
thin by privation and sickness, His full
heard, rough and uncaVd for hid tho
gauntness Of his faoc mare completely than
his clothing hid that OF his body In HIS
mouth ho held short brior pipe, which,
though empty, seemed TO afford him soms
satisfaction and u sonse Of oompanionship.
Up tho street he walked until hc came Co
the river, Then ns an 10y blast struck him
ho turned and instinotivcly looked for shcl.
tor. On tho corner was u saloon, through
the frost covered windows Of which tho
brilliant lights seemed to tell of tho
warmth and good cheer within. Hesitat-
ingly no opened tho door and entered A
moment later ho was rudoly pushed out,
with tho Information that this In no lodR-
Ing house for tramps,
Down tho street he wandered past res.
taurants where the snvory odor of tho cook.
ing only intensified hls hunger and past
saloons which he would not enter. Ho was
shivering and ut last, norved by his suf-
fcring, he approached man who was walt
ing for n car.
"Can you Rparo mo dime for bedy"
no said
Tho man glanced at him and moved
away.
Something llke blush tingcd tho cheek
of tho Homeless ono md gave 10 q color
which oven tho singing wind could not
impart,
On down tho street he went, his hands
In his pockets and his pipo clinehod he,
tween his teeth, On past saloons and
lodging houses ho wandered There seemed
To he nothing olso, but there was no place
open for him. A little ahond OF him bright
rays Of light strcamod from building and
lighted tho 10y sidewalk, II had no mean.
Ing for him. and he did not oven look up
until tho sound of singing struck his car,
"Rook Of nges, cleft for me,
Let mo hide myself In thoo."
ie heard tho words, strong and full
from the lungs Of mon who sang Justify II
not skillfully. Looking up, no saw tho
word Mission" above tho door. On tho
windows were tho inscriptions, knock
and ID shall bo opened unto you and FIN
ter thou into tho Kingdom Of tho Lord"
Timidly approaching the door, tho wan
dercr opened II and entered There was
no one to put him out. Instead some mon
standing by tho stove made room for him
to approach, instinotiyely no took HIS hat
from his head and buried his pipo In his
pocket,
Among che men by tho stove was one
who had noticed the wanderers entrance
and had since followed his movements anx-
iousy and ourlously. Tho man was In
the prime Of life. and his fur lined over.
coat and the scalskin cap sticking from
ono pocket showed him 60 be prosperous.
Hc had boon listening to tho mission esor,
ciscs, but with tho arrival Of tho wanderer
they had lost all interest for him.
As no watched tho tramp by foroo Of
habit felt In his pocket, and finding his
pipe brought II to his mouth and held IL
tightly In his teeth.
Then the stranger stepped behind tho
homeless one, and being over him said
quietly, Bob Graham.
The tramp started To- his feet and looked
III tuaNythbi htFNHHGFt HUN
he shook his head slowly and said, You've
got tho best Of me.
Don't you remember Dick Giffordp'
asked tho stranger Still Graham's head
shook slowly while no seemed 10 DO max
ing an effort TO bring his whole lifo before
him. Don't you remember Dick Clifford"
tho stranger repeated, "nnd the ella river
and your shack where you and Jim Merri-
field took caro- Of tho stranger who had the
foyerf'
Slowly tho light Of remembrance and
recognition dawned In Graham's eyes.
II remember" no faltered. "and you
were going "a your mother. And you're
Dick Clifford Then he broke down
Quietly Clifford led him 10 the mission.
Over 10 State street ho hurried him and to
restaurant, where only Gifford's prosper.
GUS appearance secured thcm admission.
And whore Ii Jim---Jim Merrifleldf"
Clifford asked mt last.
Dead said Graham, with . strange
quayer In his voice. I'VE lost our sheep
and our money and decided 10 Try 1ifo In
civilization. We came here and looked for
work. We got IL Mt last--.shoyellng coal.