The times., 1899-03-05
THE WICKEDEsT BOY.
Countess schimmelmann Tells
Wonderful Story About Him.


Chicago, March 4.-In the long, low, mar
row room of rough boards built over the
deck Of the ''Duen," sat scores of "tbe un-
employed" around rude tables eating their
dish OF hot soup, while as many more stood
behind them and at the doors, patiently
awaiting their turns. At the far end of
the room sat Countess Schimmelmann, her
face suffused with love and pity, while
every now and again she talked quite infor-
mally and cheeringly to these hungry,
shelterless fellows, trying TO make them
feel that despite their wretchedness and
despair Gods in his heaven" Taken all
IN all they were not bad looking lot of
faces, although the most hardened criminal
understands that he is welcome 10 the
countess board just as long as he chooses
TO come-that no questions will be asked,
and that he will never lack the royal well
come-for thus the countess understands
the message of Christ.
AS / entered, she was just telling them
how Gods infinite mercy had reached the
heart and transformed the life of one of
her own countrymen during her mission in
Berlin He was a professional pickpocket
and had gone TO her meetings for no other
a
Presently she caught him in the act of
slipping his hand into her pocket; she man
aged 10 retain her purse and turned TO talk
10 him in kindly manner, but he met all
her advances with the most fragrant rude
ness; and when she incidentally asked his
name, began to blaspheme her and her
work, saying that she only wanted 1t in
| order TO turn him over to the police and
/ that was all her cursed Christianity was
I
ness. the countess turned away from his in
suits; but the spirit strove," and she re-
turned. Again he cursed her, her religion,
| God and mankind. and again the countess
| turned away
But the eternal soul of the man seemed
to call unto her. and for the last time she
went TO him and gently said, II feel sure
| that you are unhappy, and you may be
| needy. ! DO not care anything about your
name or previous life, but won't YOU let
me help you little?" and she handed him
q piece Of silver. The man took the money
| and became silent and thoughtful The
next day he came again and made no at
| tempt TO disturb the meeting-and the
next day and the next. Finally he sur
rendered his wicked heart altogether and
| became a Christian gentleman. He turn
/ ed out TO be the son OF a distinguished
| Copenhagen family, but from a youth OF
| dissipation had descended TO the level OF a
| common thief He returned to his family,
connected himself with a church, and re-
instated himself in society.
And he always kept the silver piece, -
added the speaker. for that. he said was
the first thing that made him believe in the
| truth of Christianity
My long experience with the souls of
men has taught me unlimited faith and
| patience" continued the countess. Since
| the conversion of my poor boy Charlie
never lose hope Of anyone. Charlie was
the wickedest boy in every way that !
ever met. When ! first knew him his
chief delight was to frighten horses or
by some cunning device TO overturn car
riages in the street; and he was quite be-
side himself with JOY when he could see
his victims faint and bleeding. II amount
ed to a mania with him, and / once heard
him say, as he watched vessel sail away
How would love to blow up that ship OF
poison its crew. Well. ! took Charlie into
my family and won from him a promise
that he would never go away without first
notifying me. His one good point was
that he would keep a promise that he had
made 10 me. Every little while he would
come and say that he was tired of tryini
to be good, and that he was going away
Then would simply lay my hand upon his
head and pray: Dear Jesus, / can't keeI
| Charlie any longer; do thou make hin
I
to go.
AT the end of a year, however coul,
not see that he was really much bette
than at the beginning. He still had fits o
violence, and one day amused himself b.
breaking every window in the house.
procured new panes of glass, and asked /
he would not like to help put them In
when he flew into a rage, and trampled up
on and broke the entire new plot. / hai
4 In zFrfa tynI oh / nFi IA
the last gift OF my beloved father TO me
J One day / allowed Charlie to take tn
place Of my coachman. He proceeded t.
drive TO quiet place in the woods, AM
j dismounting from his seat, opened the car
{ riage door and asked me to descend.
I Now countess he said. according +
e your teachings, i may murder and rob you
] and still Christ will forgive me and ma
20 TO Heayen-and that is Just what / an