The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-06-19

middle classes" We in America say
the common people," This means the
people out of the plain ranks of labor,
not necessarily very poor, often we'll
read. with love of home and in most
cases with a religious life that flows
deep through narrow channels, but is
always true in its application to duty.
Kirk preached a simple sermon about
Christ in his relation to the sea and
those who live upon it. He touched on
Christ's love of humankind and his
/ compassion for all sorts of trouble.
The sermon was easily understood. 1t
helped. Kirk saw tears in many eyes.
Many of the passengers thanked him
after he was through. He went in and
prayed briefly with the sufferer. And
the day passed on slowly with an I'M
wonted calmness, as Sunday on board
ship at sea is so often. The ocean was
quiet. The sur went down without a
cloud about it, and the sick woman
seemed to rest easier as the lights were
turned on, and the great steame with
its freight of human tragedy and it's
amounted value of souls sailed untir-
ingly on toward the old world.
Near morning the woman who was
watching the sufferer sent for the sur
geon. He came down, and Kirk, who
was Weakened by an unusual noise,
heard him going by and rose and dress
ed, going out into the large cabin. The
wind vas roaring over the water, and
the vessel was beginning to rock for
the first time since they left home.
eve are in for a Storm" he heard
one of the passengers ay. He steadied
himself and walked down to the sick
woman's door and sat near, waiting ex-
pectantly as if he knew he would be
summoned. In a moment the door
opened, and the surgeon looked out.
He beckoned to Kirk, who instantly
rose and went in. The great change
was coming. Kirk had never seen any
one die, but he knew at once what the
look on the face meant. He kneeled,
and the woman feebly opened her eyes.
He took the hand and prayed again
and knew that she heard and under
stood.
We'll see that your baby is cared
AOAS oAAN AAA NSly SChIlys liz . d
fine boy. and we are going to pray that
he may grow into a noble Christian
man. You don't have any fear to go,
do you? We have talked about that
You can trust the love Of Jesus? You
know he has prepared a place fol
your"
She could not speak, but they all
knew she understood. AS the storm
rose and the vessel began to pitch anl
toss under the resistless grasp of the
heaving hand of the tempest under il
the woman neared her harbor of peace
And she entered it gently just as the
gray dawn was creeping over the wa
ter now dashed into great sheets OF
spray that Went clear over the decks
md fell in torrents on the hatchways
A death OF board ship in midoceal
is soon known by all the passengers
Before noon every one knew that thert
was an orphan baby in the intermedi
ate cabin. The storm increased a:
the day wore on. Nearly every on.
vas sick. One after another of thu
women in the cabins gave up the strug
] gle and retired.
This was what led to an unexpected
r experience for Malcolm Kirk. The bah,
woke up. and for the first time Their
e was no II to take care of him. Thu
r three women stewards We're busy will
0 their duties. and n of them who ha,
Z prepared the haby's milk suddenl,
e came up to Kirk. swho was standing b,
the long dining table. and asked him i
he couldn't take the baby awhile.
81 don't know what We'll do" sh
said in great perpleXity. "The womel
are all sick. and we have our hand
full caring for them. You can hol
him AL right. can't you? He's tn
y best baby you ever saw"
u BY this time the baby had deyelope
a good, healthy cry that could be cas-
9 Kirk looked doubtfully at the stew
ardess.
v I'm afraid I'll drop him. he said.
. drop him! a great strong ma
e like you!" said the woman, whom kir
was sure was laughing a little at hi
e hesitation. Hell be all right as 500
as he has some dinner, poo fellow"
n "Well, bring him here, then" sal
l. Kirk desperately. And the woma
quickly brought out the baby and pla'
b, ed him in Kinks long arms.
l. If the few passengers still in the dill
d ing room had not been so miserabl
u from approaching s~easickness, the
10 certainly would hare laughed at til
is sight of Malcolm Kirk holding this
If baby. He really tried to be as gent
If with it as Its own mother ever wa
TT but it seemed to him that he sprawle
az all over the cabin in his efforts to kee
II the baby where the woman said /
ought to be.
D. But the tremendous storm was part
te to blame for that. Kirk braced h
re feet against the legs of the table an
" held on to the baby as If it was a lii
" preserver. The milk in the bottle WI
ut first in one end Of 1t and then in IL
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