The evening times., 1896-08-12

Gospel wagon OF the Central Union Mission
and It's band OF Christian workers penetrate
the darkest hnunts of sin. in the cypran
quarter, in an endeayor to rescue from ai-
most hopeless lives OF evil wa;ne2 who have
given themselves up absolutely, body and
soul. 10 the rapacious clutches OF deepest
vice.
ON the last occasion a Times reporter
accompanied tile big van, with It's four
sturdy horses. organ and dcnthusiastic speak
ers and singers. As the wagon crossed the
Avenue pretty girl sitting next to the re.
porter changed color slightly. and her face
grew scarlet as the vehicle halted in front
Of big house with Venetian blinds and
rich lace curtains.
1t was In the cooi>of the summers even
ing and the shade OF large tree fell CRATE
fully over the wagon and the curious.
motley crowd of ofindividuals swhosurrounded
10 represents the worse elements In tho
city. Women bloated, frowsy, almost un-
sexed from dissipation. Men, hleary-cyed
and eyilcountenanccd. Puny children.
with the curse OF Inherent crime marked
onfaces punched from privation al nd hunger
Young women, gaudy and hedizered
TEARS WOULD FLOW.
Yet when the leader of the missionaries
asked the nondescript, vicious assenbiage
to Join him in the Lords Prayer they
showed a respect that was marvellous, con-
sideriDg their conditions In life. In
clear. deep voice the good man began the
words OF that invocation known in every
quarter of the globe.
As he proceeded lips soiled with sin
rHso<v 81 ulxt.
speaker. A great hush fell over the multi
tude. Some men who had suIlenly kept
their hats on removed them and came
| nearer to the wagon. Down the painted
cheeks of one woman tears colrsed, mag
ing big furrows In the rouge thick on her
full cheeks. She sobbei as IL he rheart must
sui rely break.
These sweet, simple lines carrie / her back,
perhaps, TO the days of innocent ciiild-
hood, when In the dusky twilight she knelt
| at mothers knee and iisped with pure
baby lips an appeal to the Almighty for
| divine protection. Her emotion was real.
| unstuded, and a poor creature Ike her
self crept to her side and whispered sooth-
| ingiy In her ear. The final amen was
spoken and the choir sang Jesus, Lover
| OF My souI.''
As clear and high the notes of the deep
toned organ and the voices Of the singers
rang out, shutters were cautiously opened
and women's heads thrust forth. A grntle-
| man arose and said: m y.frienis, are there
| auy within the sound OF my voice tonight
! who desire US at this meeting to pray for
| them? / would that my voice Gould pene-
trate the innost recesses OF every house
in this vicinity. 1t might find some poor,
weary soul, longing for a different life.
but lecking the courage to make a first ef-
fort. II there be any let then, signify In
| some manner their desire to be helped by
| US in prayer"
/ A moments pause. Then the door of the
house opposite opened, and a Esrnan stood
irresoiutely on the threshold. Advancing
a few steps she turned as il to rc-enter
the house, and then, conqu.ring the I'M
/ pulse. walked swiftly to the wagon.
She was handsome In spite of the inroads
| OF a fast life, and had evidently been weep
| ing bitterly. In a tone OF great agitation
| she said:
please pray for my sister and myself
that we may lead better life."
A fresh brush oftears. and thedoof of the
palace OF sin closed behind her. This Incl
dent affected everyone who witnessed it
Christian and pariah alike. The pretty
girl in the van struggled bravely TO keep
the tears back, but failed. They trickletl
down her soft face and splashed On her
slender. ringed hands.
EFFECT ON THE CROWD.
nthe crowd there was much unnecessary
coughing, and a great many people were
afflicted with dust in their eyes. A red
n0sed man, in q soiled shirt. relieved his
overtaxed feelings by swearing in a soien.
tifjc manner. He was Immediately Jumped
upon by two tough individuals with slob
berry faces, taken around the corner and
pounded vigorously, after which they re-
turned to the religious atmosphere and
relapsed into devout quiet.
notheriy-faced lady arose, and in 8
trembling voice that grew stronger as sh.
| went on, implored help and forgiveness from
her Master for the girl. In the house fron
| behind u curtain the latter's white, piteou!
face could he seen. Night was coming OF
aud the garish streaming electric light be
gan to sizzie and throw grotesque shadow.
over the incongruous scene.
The good woman finished and the las
lynn was sung. As the leader pronounced
the doxology, he waved his hand encourag
ingly at the window. The horses wen
started aud the van ruinb.ed heavily home
ware. over The gray asphalt. aud as loug al
the house Was in sight. the girls hlanched
tear stained face could be seen, starini
eagerly through the darkening twilight
at the ungainiy numbering vehicle, with IT.
complement Of nlen and women, who hat
= I -r<-R
taught her that there is still hope.