River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-04-18

/ thought that the experience Of these
months had effectually hardened me,
gu, this was too much. and ON the pre-
tense Of wishing to relieve Harper I
left the room.
II was not until I was alone with
the woman that looked at her. Then
I was transixed with establishment
As she sat there. the lamplight falling
on her cold. rigid face. Il needed no
second glance 10 convince me that she
was the original of Bucks picture.
This, then. was the angel Of purity at
whose shrine the poor fellow had been
xorshiping.
My first thought was he must never
know. And yet reflected how much
il would mean to him but &c see her
face Going over to where she sat,
hurriell told her the whole story.
And you want me to go TO him.
Her face was cold and unfeeling. but
there was a singular sweetness in her
voice
Yes. only that he thinks you arc
Il understand with a faint smile.
After explaining matters 20 OKLA
herty. ] led her to the bedside of the
dying man, and left them alone to-
gether-
When returned some minutes later,
she sat beside him. and he was holding
her hand. 4 change that l could not
describe had come over her counten-
ance. There was a subdued light that
only tears can give tu a wOman's face.
You'll make a little pra'r for me-"
Is was saying. pleadingly.
II can't
"Yes. little one" very teuderly. IT
low you do feel broke up, but never
Jest knowed how, an the angels'd hear
such as you"
The woman turned hunted look
upon the rest of Us. then slipping from
her chair dropped upon her knees:
Now lay me down to sleep
pray the Lord my soul TO keep.
II should die before l wake,
psRy tie Lord my soul TO take -
At first the words seem to choke her,
but there was something so solemn
about it all that | do not think it oc-
Cured To one Of Us that there was any
thing homogeneous in the repetition of
the childish prayer at this moment.
Buck repeated the last words over
after her:
y pray the Lord nv soul to take"
''Ycs. low lie will,' and he was
gone.
OF course we could not think now of
sling with our prisoner; SO, after
hurried consultation. we put her on
Bucks pony. and Harper and ! rode
cut to the trail with her. and the last
we saw Of Mrs. Buck Upper she was
vanishing down the gorge in the gray
morning mist.
The following summer / returned to
the east. and as the years slipped away
my western experience became gradu-
ally an uncertain memory.
One evening late in December, as l
was walking mp Duane street, my at
tention was arrested by the sound of
music that came from the Salvation
Army barracks across the street.
Ihave friend in Jesus.
Hes everything To me:
Hes the faire,t % ten thousand 10 my soulg
crossed over and stood for a moment
in the crowd that surgcd about the
door
The singing had ceased ard a woman
was speaking. could not see her face.
but her voice was singularly musical
faIsettn.
Though vour sins he as sCarlet-do
Won hear THAT She was saying. scar
let that means blood and the Bible
says that no murderer can enter the
kingdom. But lie can wash the muir
der out of your heart, bless His rame.
lie says: 4 will make them wi te as
snow"
Seized with a sudden curiosity. l
mounted one Il the benches I, get
glimpse Of the speakers fs.e. pale
face. with clear. gray eyes and waving
brown hair-where had | seen il be-
fore?
What was the vague memory that
for moment seemed only t. tantalize
me? I had gone back through the
years. and the same face-only younger
and fuller was looking at me from the
smoked wall above the chimney piece.
Mrs. Buck Topper InvoIuntarily
the words came 10 my lips. At this
moment the woman's eyes met nv own.
\ confused look overspread her face.
and she faltered in her speech. Could
IL he that She knew me? No, but she
had seen the look of recognition in my
face. and recognition to woma with
such past must always oe disturbing,
] reflected, as ] stepped down and
Joined :he crowd outside.
Who Is she?- questioned OF strap
ping fellow with flaming badge upon
his breast
That's Capt MndredN speaking en-
Enthusiastically "The deySl hates that
woman, tell you. Why. she'd go
through anything to get poor wretch
out of his clutches. Why. she's "a"
But did not wait To hear the rest.
Here. 7 unused. was a fit sequel to poor
Bucks love story: and as | walked
away. the song fioated out again. clear
and triumphant:
And sweeping up To glory,
To see His blessed face.
Where rivers Of delight forever roll;
He the lily OF the valley
The bright and morning star,
He's the fairest % ten thousand to my