St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-10-01
When Harold Barton and friend reached

necktie out OF bit of silk treasured for
years. To be sure it was red and green,
but Sam said as his mother held it before
his delighted eyes. "Why mother. that's
q sumner, looks like store clothes. The
windows are full OF gay neckties, and
that Teller told you about, had one red,
blue and green with sprinklin' of black,
guess can fix a regular tie on it." And
after vigorous use of soap and water,
from under which Sam came shining as
he could wish, he stood by the little
seven.by-rine cracked glass and tied and
united that wonderful tie until at last he
was satisfied.
"Tel you what, mother, rather sell
papers all night than do this often" and
he wiped the perspiration which ran in
streams over his face.
Wasn't the minister good to give Bill
and me them tickets. Wish you could
go, mother"
II there was one place where Sam was
good it was with his gentle mother, who
had gone through 50 many rough ways.
Often she grieved over her boy, and the
thought that he must be out in the great
careless world, with no one to guard
him. But One was watching.
AT last Sam was ready and went
tumblng down the rlckety stairs to meet
Billy, who was waiting in the street.
Mustn't be LATE Bill, YOU know, for we
want the whole show" And at 80
they were at the door and waited pa
tiently until quarter past seven, when the
great doors were opened. THIN they
ie ba t,I,r at a iD1n III al
last they were in the coveted seats.
AS Harold Barton and bis friend looked
about them alter they were seated, they
saw brilliantly GIFTED room, crowd
ofinteligent people and on the platform
a mass OF Young people. Look" said
Jack. "See Harold isn't that a pretty
sight, but where on that platform are
your old people Can it be we are in the
wrong hell?'
You needn't ask me. You got me
here, now get me out the best you can, if
you have made a fool Of yourself"
snapped Harold For to tell the truth he
had been decidedly uncomfortable all day
and would not have gone at all if lack
had not insisted that they might as well
use their tickets, as they had bought
them. Motioning to an usher he said,
"Will you tell me if this is the place where
the concert advertised outside is to be?
And what audience is that upon the plat
form p
The gentlemanly usher replied, those
are Christian Endeavorers. The chorus
numbers nearly nine hundred This is
the fourth concert they have given. If
you have never heard them you have a
rare treat before you, sir. This is GER
tainly the place"
Jack gave low whistle but did not
speak. For young man had stepped to
the front of the platform and was telling
of change in the programme. In a
gentemanly way he told OF the regret
that change must be. AS he went back,
the conductor of the great chorus came
forward. He had won the respect OF the
large number and as was shown, had
perfect control over them. Raising his
hands the chorus came to their feet as
one person and the grand strains of "The
Heavens are telling the glory of God"
went pealing through the building. AS
it was finished Jack whispered, Ibid you
ever hear anything like it. TWAS grand.
| am glad | came"
Receiving no reply he sat waiting for
the next on the programme. And as the
male quartctte came upon the platform
and sang in their perfect way, Harold
started suddenly forward then catching
up his programme, he looked at the
names and said, at is he" what is it,
Harold, Tor gracious sake?" whispered
Jack. you look as though you had seen
something unheard Of"
But not until the quartette had left the
platform after singing again, did he get
any answer. Then Harold said, Clark
son, one OF the bass, must be my old
schoolmate. | should know him any
where. remember how he used TO sing
when we were boys together. 1t is IF
teen years since saw hun untl tonight
How | wish mother could hear him"
Queer what has got into Harold to-
night" thought Jack. Here he has been
as wild as a boy need to be ever since |
knew him, and song will shake him like
this"
AS the chorus sang by request two
gospel songs, Saved by Grace" and
Speed Away" Jack S astonishment was
complete, for the tears were stealing
their way over the face OF his friend.
The people were nearly all from the hall
at the close OF the concert, before Harold
Barton left his seat then he quietly
walked out and saying good night" to
his friend went to his room.
As train was steaming out of the
great station at the city OF R it had
on board young man, who three weeks
before would have scoffed at the idea OF
going two hundred miles to spend Deco
ration day, and he had endured many
taunts as the result of his decision.
In the tar away country town great
preparations were being made to cele-
brate that day great parade, music
OF the best kind flowers in proiusion
everything that would do honor to the
silent heroes in blue.
In little home, late on the evening OF
the Goth, sat an elderly man and his wife,
talking together about he coming NOR
row and what it was to be. "Have YOU
finished the wreath for Ralph's resting
place, wife ?" asked the old man, as amid
the sadness there CLEANED from his eve
the pride in the son who fell for the sake
of others.
Eyes, she replied, and put it down
cellar under barrel to keep it cool and
dark. wish knew where Harold was
tonight. II could only feel as safe about
him as | do our son in the brighter home
1t is two months since we had letter
and am afraid he is sick or in trouble, ;
and greved look stole over the dear
home faces.
Guess will walk down to the pos
Office and see il there won't be q ette,
now. You have supper ready when ge
| |, y Il I'M IN