Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-28
A CITY MISSION.

"1'm not much out here, but I'm all
right in my place, and if either of you ever
want help just call on Dick Clifford" he
said to the two men who had nursed him.
81 was fool to try that ride in the sun,
but mother is sick, and must get back
home. / couldn't wait until night to
start"
And so you waited here three weeks to
get another start, ;" said one of his nurses,
whose nalns was Jim.
The next night Bob and Jim-Bob was
Jim 5 ohUm-stood shading their eyes with
their hands aud staring down tho trail.
Far away were the dim forms of a horse
and rider headed for Tucson, the nearest
railroad town.
1t was bitterly cold night, and none
but those forced by necessity was upon
the streets. Even for Chicago January
the weather was severe. All day the mer-
curry in the street thermometers had been
below the zero mark. AS night came on u
northeast gale rushed down across the lake
and pierced with its humid cold even
through the warmcst clothing. Up and
down Clark street tramped homeless men.
with their Scanty rags pulled tight about
them, and with hands and wrists stuffed
as far into their pockets as they would go,
tho homeless ones wandered aimlessly up
and down. Degraded and brutalzed rs
most of them were, there was something
pathetic about them. On, on on, never to
stop; forced on by tho police and forced on
cold rod to ltp t,n IN :, hot
blast coming from some subterranean fur
mace and then elbowcd on by the hurrying
crowd which, going home, had no thought
for the homeless.
In this army of wanderers was man,
tall and strong of build, but wasted and
thin by privation and sickness. His full
beard, rough and uncarcd for hid the
gauntncss of his face more completely than
his clothing hid that of his body. In his
mouth he held short brier pipe, which,
though empty, seemed to afford him some
satisfaction ana sense of COMPREHENSIVE
Up the street he walked until he came to
the river. Then as an icy blast struck him
he turned and instinctively looked for shell
ter. On tho corner was n saloon, through
the frost covered windows of which tho
brilliant lights seemed to tell of tho
warmth and good cheer within Hesitat-
ingly he opanc,i the door and entered A
moment later he was rudely pushed out,
with the information that this is no lodg-
ing house for tramps."
Down the street he wandered, past res
taurants where the savory odor of the cook
ing only intensified his hunger and past
saloons which he would not enter. He was
shivering, and at last nervcd by his suf-
fering, he approached man who was wait
ing for a car
"Can you spare me dime for hed?"
no said.
The man glanced at him and moved
away.
Something like n blush tingcd the check
of tho homeless ono and gavo it % color
which even the singing wind could not
impart.
On down the street he went, his hands
in his pockets and his pipe c'inched be
tween his teeth. On past saloons and
lodging houses he wandered. There seemed
to be nothing else, but there was no place
open for him. a little ahead of him bright
rays of light streamed from building and
lighted the icy sidewalk. 1t had no mean
ing for him, and he did not even look up
until tho sound of singing struck his car.
"Rocl of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee"
Ho heard the words, strong and full
from the lungs of men who sang Justify if
not skillfully. Looking up, he saw the
word Mission" above the door, On tho
windows were the inscriptions, "Knock
and it shall be opened unto you" and EN-
ter thou into the kingdom of the Lord"
Timidly approaching the door, the wan
dercr opened it and entered. There was
no ono to put him out Instead some men
by the stove made room for him
to approach. Instinctively he took his hat
from his head and buried his pipe in his
pocket
Among tho men by the stove was ono
who had noticed the wanderers entrance
and had since followed his movements anx-
iously and curiously. The man was in
tho prime Of life, and his fur lined over
coat and the sealskin cap sticking from
one pocket showed him to be prosperous. |
He had been listening to the mission exer-
ciscs but with the arrival of the wanderer |
they had losttall interest for him.
AS he watched the tramp by force of |
habit felt in his pocket, and finding his |
pipe brought it to his mouth and held it |
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
anxiously i'll the eyes of the stranger. Then
he shook his head slowly and said, you've
got the best of me-
Don't you remember Dick Gifford?'
asked the stranger. Still Graham's head
shook slowly while he seemed to be max
ng an effort to bring his whole life before
him. Don't you remember Dick Clifford, +"
he stranger repeated, "and the ella riyerj
md your shack where you and Jim Mcrri-
lcld took care Of the stranger who had fish |
ovcr?' 8s
Slowly the light of remembrance and5
recognition dawned in Graham's eyes.
Il remember" heyfaltercd, land you
we're going to your mother. And you re
Dick Gilford''-- Then he broke down.
Quietly Clifford led him to the mission.
)ver to Statc'strcct he hurried him and to
! restaurant, where only Clifford 5 prosper
'us appearance secured them admission.
And where is Jim-Jim Nerrifleldg"
iifTord asked at last.
Dead, said Graham, with q strange
Iuaver in his voice. 1--WE lost our sheep
md our money and decided to try life in
utilization. We came here and looked for
al