The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-08-31
CHAPTER I.
BY Charles M. Sheldon.

Henry Maxwell was trying to finish his
Sunday morning sermon. He had been
interrupted several times and was
growing nervous as the morning wore
away and the sermon grew very slowly
toward satisfactory finish.
MARY" he called to his wife as he
went up stairs after the last interrupt
ton, "if any one comes after this l
wish you would say that l am very
busy and cannot come down unless it
is something very important.
"Yes, Henry. But l am going over
to visit the kindergarten, and you will
have the house all to yourself.
The minister went up into his study
and shut the door. In a few minutes
he heard his wife go out
He settled himself at his desk with a
sigh of relief and began to write. His
text was from l Peter ii. 81.
For hereunto were ye called; be-
cause Christ also suffered for you. leav-
ing you an example. that ye should fol-
low his steps.
He had emphasized in the first part
Of his sermon the atonement as q per-
sonal sacrifice. calling attention to the
fact Of Jesus suffering in various ways
in his life rs well as in his death. He
had gone on to emphasize the atone
ment from the side Of example. giving
illustrations from the life and teaching
Of Jesus to show how faith in the Christ
helped to save men because Of the pat
tern or character he displayed for their
imitation. He was now on the third
and last point, the necessity Of follow
ing Jesus in his sacrifice and example.
He had just put down. "(3) Steps
what are theyf" and was about TO
enumerate them in logical order when
the bell rang sharply. 1t was one Of
those clockwork bells and always went
of as a clock might go If 1t tried to
strike 10 all at once.
Henry Maxwell sat at his desk and
frowned little. He made no move
ment TO answer the bell. Very soon 1t
rang again. Then he rose and walked
over to one Of his windows. which COM
manded view Of the front door.
A man was standing on the steps. He
was young man very shabbily dressed
Looks like tramp" said the min
lister. II suppose III have to go down.
and
He did not finish the sentence. but
went down stairs and opened the front
door,
There was a moments pause as the
two men stood facing each other. Then
the shabby looking young man said:
"I'm out Of a job. sir. and thought
maybe you might put me In the way Of
getting something"
II don't know Of anything. Jobs are
scarce" replied the minister, begin
ming to shut the door slowly.
II didn't know but you might per-
haps be able to give me line to the
city railway or superintendent Of the
shops OF something" continued the
young man. shifting his faded hat from
one hand to the other nervously.
ut would be Of no use. You will
have to excuse me. I am very busy this
morning. hope you will find some
thing Sorry I can't give you some
thing to do here. But keep only q
horse and COW and do the work my
self"
The Rev. Henry Maxwell closed the
door and heard the man walk down the
steps As he went up into his study he
saw from his hall window that the man
was going slowly down the street. still
holding his hat between his hands.
There was something in the figure so
detected. homeless and forsaken that
the minister hesitated a moment as he
stood looking at it. Then he turned to
his desk and with sigh began the
writing where he had left off
He had no more Interruptions. and
when his wife came in two hours later
the sermon was finished. and the loose
leaves were gathered up and neatly tied
together and laid on his Bible, all ready
for the Sunday morning service.
IA queer thing happened at the kin
dergarten this morning. Henry" said
his wife while they were eating dinner.
"You know, l went over with Mrs
Brown to visit the school, and just aft
er the games. while the children were
at the tables. the door opened. and a
young man came in, holding a dirty
hat in both hands. He sat down near
the door and never said a word. only
looked at the children. He was evident
ly a tramp. and Miss Wren and her as
sistant. Miss Kyle. were little fright
ened at first, but he sat there very
quietly. and after few minutes he
went out.
perhaps he was tired and wanted
to rest somewhere The same man
called here. think. Did you say he
looked like tramp,''
Eyes. very dusty. shabby and gener-
ally tramplike-not more than 80 or 8S
years old. I should say"
1.-THE same man," said the Rev.
Henry Maxwell thoughtfully.
Ibid You finish your sermon, Hen
ryf" his wife asked after pause
eyes, all done. It has been q very
busy week with me. The two sermons