Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-02-16

dictations for the day being finished,
the bishop surrounded himself with
his books and plunged into the ab-
stract studies which were to him like
wine to the bacchanal which stood
in the place of the love Of wife and
child.
The bishop lived like an anchorite'
and there was no service too hard for
him. No work that lie could do for
the church was ever refused. The
wintry wind was bowling at the blinds
that evening, but he drew on his over
coat and gloves, and prepared himself
for the street.
Are you going out, sir?" asked the
secretary.
Yes" replied the great man SIM
ply. Il promised to give a talk to the
workingmen tonight at the McMinn-
vile mission. "
There was a world of personal his
tory in the simple answer. 1t was
cold and dismal night, and the fire
was bnrning cheerily in the CRATE; yet
this man, who might have taken hs
ease, was going to the furthest ex
tremity of the city to talk TO grimy
workingmen. The secretary watchei
him with wonder and curiosity in his
face. The hard, stern, unbeDdlng
man, the self.sacriicing sympathizrr
with the poor what contradictions
were in this man 9 nature
The mission stood in the midst of
rhickly settled district populated chief
ly bv the workmen from the fouudrles
and mills which abouuded there The
house was small and plain, and not
100 comfortable, as the bishop knew,
for he had preached therc before. To
his surprise the doors were closed and
the place was dark.
Strange T. he said to himaelf. Il
did not think was so early"
Nothing stirred about the house ex-
cppt little white kitten, which sat on
the step aud rent the air with an ago
nized howl. Its voice had been audi
ble to him while he was still some dis
tance down the street, but as he APP
preached the kitten did not change its
tactics except to look up at the bishop
and howl straight into his face.
Mercy, what voice y exclaimed
the bishop uneasily. Are you cold
poor little kitten ?"
And looking up and down the street
TO see that no one was coming, he took
the tiny kitten up and stroked its head.
1t looked him in the face, land opened
ITS mouth wide, and walled for some
thing it missed, and could not explain.
It surely must be almost frozen. No one
was coming yet. The bishop unbut
toned his overcoat button at the top
and thrust the kitten in.
If see any one coming, can take
it out lie thought. Perhaps one Of
the workmen will take it home 10 his
children "
Lulled by the warmth, the kitten
was quiet fora moment, but ali at oncr
it realized that there was something
else needed 1t crawle up and put
out It's head and hoNled louder than
ever
Mercy on u.s. exclaimed the bish-
op. 1T must be hungry. If the men
would only come-"
Sure enough, there was some one,
walking up the street with rapid
swing But he was about to pass,
when he bishop stopped him.
Pardon me, my friend" he said,
but l expected there would be service
in this house tonight. Can you tell
me"
You're mistaken. It's tomorrow
night, said the man, hurrying on.
He had mistaken the night; and all
this long Journey and the waiting in
the cold were for no hing.
Too bad, kitty be said to the
head which was just beneath his chin.
and which was giving utterance to the
widest and most hopeless howls "As
| have nothing else to do. though, per-
haps l might find place where they
would give you little milk, and may
be adopt You"
He put protecting hand on the
kittens head. and tried to pet it into
silence, As he walked down the street,
looking for a house that looked prom
isrng. A nttle distance away he saw
house where there was light, and
some one moving about.
He rang the bell hopefully, and
presently woman came to the door,
aud opened it little way, and evi-
IDENTIFY had her suspicious.