The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-02-27
Practical Christianity.


empty cars in the early dawn of a win
ter morning. A boy who had been
asleep in Que of them was thrown,
dsz and bewidered, against the
door, which he had pulled t when he
crawed into the car the night before.
Just then brakeman thrust his
head into the car and reached for his
jacket, which he supposed was hanging
where he had left it. He was some
what surprised to find boy on it, and
took it from him without ceremony.
"Now get out of herep' he said,
thrusting the boy from the door. eff /
catch you in one of these cars again,
I'll give you to policeman"
What's he been up to, Bill?" said a
man who was putting freight into the
Ext car.
"Up to my coat" he said, giving it
a vigorous shake as he walked off.
The boy looked dirty aud detected,
as he limped along the side of the track.
The man who had spoken called after
him.
"Hullo, there Do you want a
job?"
The boy turned back quickly.
elf you'll help me to load them
frkins, III pay you for it; but you'll
have to work spry."
The prospect of little money bright
ened the boy, and he set to work in
earnest, though he was stiff and
cramped and hungry.
"Do you live round here?" asked
the man.
The boy shook his head.
elm case we should want to hire
boy about your size, can you give me
any recommendations as to your char
acter."
The boys face flushed, but he made
no answer. The man watched him
narrowly, and when the ca was loaded
handed him twenty-five cents, saying:
"We're short of hands in the freight
room. Do you think you'd like the
job?"
"Yes, would like it," The boys
face was almost painful 10 its eagerness
as he followed the man into the freight
room.
"Now," said the freight man, seating
himself on box, "we'll have bit of a
talk before We get to business. don't
know anything about you, except that
you're cold and hungry; you look that
But think it is likely that you've got
into some scrape; if you hadn't you
wouldn't be loafing about stations and
sleeping in freight cars. I'm not going
to ask if you have done anything
wrong, but I'm going TO ask you If
you've got mother"
"No; she's dead"
scot any father or folks that belong
to your"
"I've an uncle and some cousins"
"Well, now, If you had a mother, I'd
send you to her in no time, for there is
nothing a mother won't forgive; but
uncles and cousins are different.
IF l recommend you at the office,
they'll take you; but mind, if do it,
I'm going to watch you as cat does a
mouse. You'll have to spend your
evenings and Sundays with me.
~ went wrong myself when l was
no older than you are," lowering his
voice. can if it hadn't been for my
mother-well that was long time ago.
You've got switched upon the wrong
track, am very sure, and as you
haven't any mother to help you get on
the right one, God helpin' me, III dc
it, If you'll let me.
:" Preachin' isn't in my line, but
there's just one thing you don't want to
forget, and that is the good Father il
giving you chance now to get back
where you can do right and feel right
Are you going to take it,"
The boy answered family that he
would try. He was taken into the
freight-yard, and was under his new
friends eye constantly, and it was moi
long before the man had 80 won his
confidence that he told him his story.
There was trouble and dishonesty
connected with it, but for two years the
lad proved himself faithful and trust
worthy in his new occupation. He was
then advanced to more responsible
position, but there was something al
most pathetic in his devotion to the
man who had befriended him, and il
his respect for the religion he protested
Here was practical Christianity, and
worthy any ones emulation.-Selectsd