Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-11-10
His Chances Good.

ago, in front of the hotel IN a little
town in southern California, when
news came that the overland train
from the east had met with an acci-
dent near the outskirts of the village,
resulting in the thorough shaking up
of the passengers, the killing OF a
tramp who was stealing a ride and
fatal injury to the young fireman of
the locomotive, who, standing at his
post, had saved the train from utter
wreck.
Almost simultaneously with the
news came the sight of small pro-
cession of trainmen carrying upon an
improvi,ed litter their injured com
rade.
They brought him at once to the
little tavern, where room was quick
ly made ready, and physician and
two sisters of charity, who were al
most instantly upon the spot, did
everything in their power to relieve
his awful sufering,. To their ques-
ton as to whether they should send
for priest the poor fellow gasped out
that his mother was an Episcopalian,
and he knew she'd want him to see a
clergyman of that church. A messen-
ger was dispatched to neighboring
town, where one resided, and in an
incredibly short space of time the
young missionary was on the spot.
The injured mans brother, brake
NAL on the same train, and several
other trainmen were standing about
his bed.
AS the minister entered the room
the brother cried in agony: ooh, sir,
do something for my brother Pray
for his soul !" Going at once to his
bedside with the air of authority, and
with something a great deal better
intense human sympathy and genuine
pity-the young clergyman saw that
he had but few moments in which to
minister to the dying man, and natur-
ally desiring to know something Of his
religious status and spiritual condition
asked him whether he was believer
in Jesus Christ and had ever been
baptized.
"Yes, said the poor fellow, 81 do
believe in him, and l was christened
when l was a kid, but God knows |
haven't had chance to go to church
or to be Christian"
"But he has been good boy, said
his brother. "He worked day and
night to support our crippled sister,
old mother and me when was laid
up with the rheumatism and couldn't
do thing for over year.
"He took care of me through the
smallpox when no one else would come
near me" declared a big, burly rail-
roader, with sob which almost choked
his utterance.
"And after taking his own run, y
added young, sickly looking fellow,
"he often took mine when | wasn't
able to go out"
AS these testimonials were finished
the brother asked in agonizing earn
estness, "God won't damn such fell
low, will he p
Promptly the minister answered,
"No, not if he is the God have be-
lieved him to be-" And then, bend
ing over the injured man, he said, "In
his name who declared, Inasmuch as
We have done it unto one Of the least
of these, ye have done it unto me, |
absolve thee from all thy sins and
commend thy spirit into the hands Of
God, who gave it. ."
A few moments silence, look Of
perfect peace upon the face Of the dy-
ing boy and then whispered "Broth-
er."
Instantly his brother was kneeliug
close beside him, and we heard him
say Brother, you won't mind my
telling you of it now, will you? And
perhaps you'll let Nelly know it when
1 m gone?"
What, Jack, exclaimed his broth
er, "have you loved Nelly?"
Fainter came the answer, with all
my heait.
"Aud you didn't tell her because
you knew loved her too ?"
Eyes full of tenderness and affection
gave the answer which the lips could
no longer utter, and, with his broth
er's cry of mingled admiration, graft
tude and love, Jack, Jack, God bless
you !" sounding in his ears, the soul
of the man who hadn't had chance
to be a Christian" passed into the 9TH