The morning times., 1895-08-04

of a church and hearing the organ strains,
squeezed through the leather doors to listen
No one hlndered him as he aEcended to the
gallery. The ushers smiled broadly at his
quaint appearance in such long coat-and
such a very large white tie.
He found a seat far hack in one corner sf
the gallery and slowly becoming used 10 the
sights and sounds he grew drowsy and fell
asleep. When he awoke he was alone in
the gallery; the seats in the church were
empty-the lights were out The great
church was very still.
Tom knew he was locked in. There was
nothing to do but TO stay there. He wished
hehadeaten supper ndhoped Joe would not
wait too late for him He wished for tho
lights.
After awhile he got the courage to grope
his way down stairs and into the main aisle
OF the church. 1t was very dark. Soon he
came to the bottom Of the organ loft. He
felt his way along until his hand touched
a small door.
Tom followed the wall, running his hand
along its surface in a circular sweep as he
went.
Suddenly he touched a small knob, which
he felt spring with a sharp click
Then he suddenly grew cold from fright,
for he had turned on the electric lights and
the whole church was ablaZe. he crawIed
on his hands and knees up the pulpit stairs
and stood by the minister s chair Somehow
he felt less afraid.
He looked around at the beautiful church
a long while and stopped 10 softly stroke the
Itch carpet under him, thinking it very nice
and soft and wondering what Joe would say
to feel that.
He would rot have minded being there as
all now il be lad only had his supper, but it
seemed to Tom be was never as hungry Ii
his life
He walked behind the pulpit and on tha
lie
or water. What a feast to a hungry DOyl
Then, instead OF growing sleepy, TOm'a
imagination began 70 peoR.e the pews until
the church was fun and standing up in tha
minister's chair and moving his arms to and
fro, as he had seen the minister do THAI
night, he began a sermon.
With a voice he thought reached the glasa
roof above, but which was scarcely audible
at first to the front pews, he said:
My people, you have pleased me to see
you out this rainy night and / viii try and
talk fast, so you can get home 10 your
suppers, for am hungry myself aud know
now II IS. This is a fine church aud thing
l should Ike TO preach in one like il when
/ get 10 be minister Most ministers like
like big churches, but mother used 70 say
sermon could be preached on the rocks
know mother is pleased GheaT me toni ght.f
She IS 10 heaven, but She told NE she
should stop playing her harp aud listen
TO me. Mother said il I would try 70 do
right always and believe that Christ died
Tor me l would 90 to her some day in
heaven aud If you do the same hope we VIII
meet there. 1t is beyond the river, but
mother said God would help any one that
asked Him aud so let us ask Him now" =
slight noise at the side OF The pulpio
attracted Tom for a moment, but seeing
nothing he continued: 4
"Oh, God, / hope you liked my sermOn.5
1 would Ike to preach better. 1 hope
| you Will help Us 70 be good while we live
! and help us across the river 70 mother
when We die. Help me to fiud Just such a
| church as this wheu get 10 be a minister
| :aud tell me what to say I would Hges
| first such place as this aud I should
| like 70 keep that upstairs for the boys
/ every Sunday night. They would come as
soon as they could get shed of uervses
| aHd II I'd preach they q all come I shOUkg
like Joe 10 sit UP here with me. Please
| dear Lord, forgive me for eating the miu-
/ ister's cough drops, but was very huugFY.S
/ Amen"
Then a remarkable thing happened.
When Tom said Amen" and raised his
| little earnest face to the glare OF the lights
| some one arose frOnthe side pews and came
| toward him.
The strange figure smiled kindly and held
| out large palm.
Tom had never shaken hands with anyone
1 in his life, but he left his in the strong
| warm clasp a moment and then he Looked
! into the face OF kind old man
/ Some one seeing the lighted church at an
! unusual hour had awakened its Janitor and
/ come TO the rescue.
Tom related without question how he
| came there aud how he had turned on the
| lights aud then the old man said,
Aud you have a mother I'D heaven. lad?
| And you want 10 become ministRr?' ,
Ion, very much. sir. Mother wished it.
| Do you think she heard tonight .
Perhaps. Lad. Let US hope you viii live
TO preas hoods sermon. Then she VIII
hear."-Chicago News.