The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-15

Home ~ urst only nose immediatc-
y about her heard her voice. but BY
degrees the noise subsidized and her
voice reached farther and farther out
over the tent within two minutes a
eeath-like stiffness reigned.
The child's voice was soft and sweet.
and doubt II any prima donna ever
pGs more feeling into that dear old
song than she put into Il that night
II was n cry from the heart Of the old
home. and no, a repetition Of anothers
words. II was not a song. but long
Ing desire--a piteous plea. II went 20
the heart Of every person In that au-
dienee and carried him back 10 other
days. Even the cowboys began 10
think over the past and 10 recall their
old homes In the east. They remem-
bered suddenly the old gray-halred
mother who had believed In Christian
ity and had found such comfort In II.
and Of the old father who had lived
such a quiet. peaceful life, finding his
greatest pleasure in reading the Bible.
There was no more yelling. no more
jeering. but In breathIess silence those
rough cowboys listened 10 that old
song. Il had touched a tender spot
In their hearts. and had subdued and
tanned them completely. and before II
came TO an end tears gllstened In the
eyes OF more than one Of them. At the
conclusion the minister arose and made
some appropriate remarks, keeping his
voice in tune with the sentiments the
singing had awakened. lie spoke feel
lngly Of the old homes his auditors had
left In the east. Of the happy scenes
Of childhood. and Of the great love and
goodness OF the old father and mother.
lie carried his hearers back 20 those
old happy home days which no one
ever outlIves. He warmed and aoftened
their hearts and brought tears to their
eyes.
Then he appealed 10 them in the
name OF Christianity. and drew a beau
tiful picture Of the great heavenly home
where many Of those gray-haired par.
ents who had been left In the old earth
ly homes had gone. lie spoke for an
hour. and no one disturbed him, and
the cowboys leaned forward to catch
every word he uttered.
At the conclusion Of his talk they
sang an old fashioned hymn. and every
body was invited 10 come up and give
their hands II they desired to live bet
ter lives.
Old Zeph Bowers was the frst one TO
come forward. and he was Immediately
followed by the rest Of his crowd. They
were all in earnest. too Whether any
Of them ever became religious | don't
know. but do know that for the time
being they were changed men. They
attended the camp meetings every
night. and they we're AZ quiet and or
DERBY as anybody In the audience.
That song. which reminded them Of
their old homes. and brought back 10
them the scenes OF their childhood and
youth. quleted and quelled them be-
cause II touched the tenderest chord In
their hearts. Il awoke In their ma
lures the one fond memory which no
man ever outgrows-home and It's sac
red ties and associations.
One little girl. with that sweet old
song. had accomplished what all the
men In Dodge City could not have
done. She had tamed. as II by magic.
that crowd Of lawless cowboys. and had
made lambs OF them. But no one won.
dered At what she had done Every one
felt. after hearing her. that II could not
have been otherwise
No amount OF preaching. no amount
Of pleading or reasoning would ever
have brought those men 10 n sense Of
their duty. but a simple appeal to their
feelings had worked wonders. Others
had appealed TO their mlnds-she had
appealed to their hearts.