The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1898-07-26
AN AWAKENING.
SeoaeeeeeeeeaaeoeseeeeeE
TT WAS two hours past midnight and

to give place to an icy rain. Inc streets |
were deserted by all save the guardians !
of the peace, and even they sought smell
ter wherever they could, secure in the
belief that on such a night they were /,
safe from detection by the chance pa |
trolman. The cloggcd cutters afforded |
no outlet, aud rivers OF water ran over
the mounds of snow and gathered in
pools in the footprints made early in
the evening by hurrying crowds of
workers eager To reach their homes.
At the desk Of one OF the largest and
most luxurious hotels stood a young
man. fashionab,y attired, leaning part
" on one arm, with his face turned
toward the door. Near him stood the
clerk, and they were engaged in that
semiconfidentia chat so Visual between
men Of their habits. AZ life in the
vast caravansary was hushed under the
dreary. soddeD sound Of the rain as it
drove its way into the snow.
Suddenly one OK the doors leading to
the street swung in little, and what
seemed but gray bundle of wet rags
flashed through and disappeared be-
hind huge hal lounge beside the ra-
dator Despite the rapidity with which
it came aud vanished, neither the eye of
the clerk or that Of his companion
failed TO observe it; nor were they at
a loss to understand what it was. An
ejaculation somewhat profane escaped
the lips OF the clerk as his hands in
stinctvely came down upon the bell,
and the almost unconscious 'FRONT.'"
cume as though jerked from his lips.
The young man, on the contrary,
Strengthened himself up, and smile,
caused either by the irritation of the
clerk or by a chance thought of his
own, broke over his face. The hall boy
who was running to obey the summary
command of the clerk was stopped by
backward nod of the head and
IN attend to thisl" The young man
then proceeded down the hall toward
the door aud came within view of the
bundle, which proved to be a boy of six
or seven years OF age.
The child was sitting bolt upright,
fast asleep, with his little legs, stiff
from the cold, extended straight out
along the floor, and his hands clasped
together in friendly embrace in his lap.
His hat, which had fallen from his
head, lay beside him, and his long wet
hair hung strnight down over his face,
almost shutting out from view the
closed eyelids. The little figure was
rigid. and the young man stood for one
moment in absolute amazenent as he
realized the suddenness with which this
forsaken waif of the streets had found
repose in sleep.
He had been accustomed to seeing
these boys about the great city, in all
places and at all hours of the night
finding shelter wherever they could
serious thought Now, as he stood
there in the quietude Of that night
looking down on that little. silent.
storm-beaten figure, ressAnation OF
the extremes of life seemed TO t-rst
upon him. He dropped into chair
his first impulse being to sit there Until
morning. II necessary, silent guardian
OF the sleeping boy. but, as he realized
the saturated condition OF the childs
clothing and his need of u change, he
reached over reluctantly and gently
shook the little shoulder.
At length the eyelids quivered, and
finally opened, disclosing a pair OF
large. sleepy, blue eyes in mute appeal
for rest. For one instant their eyes
met and then the young man, with "A
single hurried glance round, as though
he was about to do something wrong,
suddenly snatched the child from the
floor. placed him upon his knee, in
utter disregard of consequences, and
inquired il he was hungry.
Amusement seemed To hush articula-
ton.
The silent answer came in an affirma-
tive nod OF the little head and a bright
ening OF the eyes.
A secluded corner of the dining-room
was sought, and an order given, with
the confidence Of an old habtue. for
anything and everything the kitchen
could afford Ut that late hour Of night.
now we'll into morning
For some time after the soup was
served the little follow sat in wonder.
gazing unbliukingly at his bcnefactor.
Suddenly he reached over and touched
him.
What is it? What do you want?"
asked the young man.
Jest wanted to know II yer wuz
dere!" answered the boy sheepishly.