The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-12-23
Marp.
SEs[
m Original Christmas Story Of Local
Interest.
Continued nom Thursday aud Friday.

Continued from I
What took place in that chamber be-
tween that wretched heap OF mortality,
not even Mother White ever knew.
When she returned Mary was standing
beneath picture Of the old prison ma.
tron, taken in her youth when she was
the belle Of the countryside and had
lovers by the score. Her father was a
popular planter in Southern state.
Though devout man, he did not rear
his family according to the strict laws
OF the church. His only daughter had
her freedom. After the morning SER
| vice she often rode to the nearest neigh
Dor, and in her train followed the most
spirited and dashing young men in the
country. She led them mad chase
whether in the open field, on her thor
oughbred or in the tenderer affairs OF
life, and ended in marrying brilliant
young planter, with whom she moved
to the county town, where he engaged
in business. Finding him untrue to
her after 10 years OF married life, Mrs.
White left him and sustained herself
from the property left her by her
father. In few years she married
a Cumberland Presbyterian missionary,
and on his first tour OF the West he was
carried off by typhoid fever in San
Francisco hospital She resolved that
her life WAS not TO be with companion,
and henceforth she devoted herself to
her family. The boys gaye her care
enough, but finally all were married
and settled. and Mrs White found her.
self with rich stock Of experience,
heart oyerAowing with love and sympa-
thy for the less fortunate than she, aud
who had been tempted in all things
like herself. To them she gave her
life and energies. This was the life
story OF the young woman before whose
picture Mary stood AS II entranced,
when Mother White entered.
Mother White was strange woman,
and produced results by strange means.
Here was woman of the street who
had confessed to herself and before her
maker that she was Of all sinners the
one whose offences were last to be for
given, and what did Mother White do2
She led her TO u large arm chair and
asked her to be seated. Mother White
took OIL her shoes and stockings and
with her own hands bathed the poor
shapeless, starved and shrunken feet and
limbs in large white wash bowl Of
water. On her knees, her heart melt
ing with sorrow at the sight before her,
she paused and undid the massive ashy
white coils and lifting the feet OF the
fallen creature before her she deliber-
ately wiped them with the hair OF her
head. Then bowling her head on her
clasped hands at the feet Of the Magda-
len before her she bathed them with her
tears. In the awful silence that ensued
the soul OF the elder woman wrestled in
prayer with the infinite author OF all
good to restore this erring woman 10
the wholeness and oneness that IL the
heritage Of every child OF God, az the
perfume is the gracious gift Of every |
flower that blooms in the field under
the smiles Of Gods sunlight Long they |
remained in that quiet chamber that bs-
came filed with the radiance OF divine
love. As they arose Mary felt that she
had been touched with new life. She
breathed a new air and walked on new
earth.
"You must remain with me tonight"
said Mother White.
"Icannot," said Mary" do not be-
long here. must close my house. My |
mind IL made up. | shall not die. |
shall 20 home. II they do not receive
mel will-God knows, what | will |
do"
"You will come back 10 me. This Is
not my home II is yours and mine; IL il
ours together 50 long as you wish, said
Mother White. But II yon must 90 God
iiltrn YOU h'ih'tAR'Af NN - WfNA ~
wherever yon go. God is our father,
the blessed Christ isour brother and We
cannot reject him, Go 10 sleep tonight
with Gods name on your lips aud his
thought Ia your heart, % and she gave
her a parting kiss.
Aud there vas an awakening.
Mary had sobbed aud prayed herself
/, sleep in her wreiched kennel. She
bad locked her doors. Her prayer had
been 10 God for forgiveness that she ]
should once more have tO wear the robe
Of sin on the morrow. The garment
She hal worn 10 Mother Whites WAS
no, ft 10 appear in on the street. She
would wear once more the scarlet robe
Of the woman Of the street--her only !
dress-and would 10 aud
throw herself at the feet Of her mother
-. a.. t,.,.... 90, tle old farm la tie COuu-