The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-07-10

lives was a part of the loving Fathers
plan for their victory in overcoming
the world, the world Of what might
have grown to be very selfish sorrow.
What hapEened, all that was said in
that little study room after that, Is not
easy to tell; but when Mrs. Barton
went out Malcom Kirk went with her.
Dorothy went into her own little room
and prayed, and there was that in her
prayer that revealed to her the loving
Father. For the first time she saw her
baby surrounded by the infinite love,
and when she came back to her work
in the kitchen there We're hope, immor-
tai hope, and large measure of the
peace of Christ In her heart.
Malcom Kirk got into the farm wag-
on with Mrs. Barton, and they drove
down to the main business street of
Conrad.
"Now, Mrs. Barton" Malcom had
said, III you will wait outside I'll go
into the saloons and see II l can find
your boy. While I'm looking you
might question passersby and ask
them II they have seen the hay wagon
and horses anywhere"
She thanked him gratefully, and he
noted that ever in the burning sun her
thin. sorrowful figure trembled and
shivered. and her lips quivered as If
she were cold. His compassion for her
motherhood increased every moment
"God help her." he said as he stepped
down out Of the wagon. This boy
is one Of the lost ones in this town
that Dorothy and l pledged ourselves
three years ago to rescue. Heaven
give me strength and wisdom to make
that promise good"
He had never been inside Of a saloon
in his life. He shrank from the ordeal
before him with all the shuddering Of
a highly sensitive spirit in the presence
Of an ugly. repulsive, hideous evil. But
he went at once into the first saloon
on the main street and stopped inside
near the door and looked around him.
1t was not yet 10 o'clock In the morn
ing, but there were a dozen men and
boys In the room, which was quite
large, seated with stools and furnished
with small, round tables.
At first his entrance attracted no at.
tention. A few of the men were
lounging at the bar. The rest were
seated at the tables. But as he re
mained by the door two or three OF
those nearest him turned and looked al
him. One Of the men was q laborel
who had several times been employed
by Malcom In odd jobs about the house
Instantly Kirk walked over to him
and held out his hand. Carver, de-
you know Mrs. Barton's boy? PhiliI
is his name. She Is looking for him
He left home Saturday, and she il
sure he is in one of the saloons some
where"
The man looked very much embar
rassed. He shuffied his feet nervousl.
In the dirty sawdust under the table.
81 saw him yesterday. He was IL
valmer's place in the next block"
'Thank you," said Malcom slowly
'-Can any Of you gentlemen tell m,
anything about him? Has any on
seen him todayY'
No one answered, and there was
painful silence. The barkeeper, VIII,
had been eying Kirk, suddenly brok
the silence by saying with a shor
laugh:
"You won't find him here. I won
say he hasn't been here. He knows
good thing when he sees it. Won
Iyou step up and take glass of ice'
beer this morning? We keep the bes
In the town on tap for preachers"
There was laugh from one or tw
Of the men nearest the speaker, bu
Malcom simply looked him in the fac
without q word. He then laid hi
hand on Carver's shoulder and sal
softly:
"I'm sorry to see you here, Carver
You promised me you would quit it,
The man writhed in his seat, but di
not say a word. Kirk looked at hiI
sorrowfully.
"Come, Carver; come out Of this. T.
give you something to do. Don't los
your soul In this place."
"Say," said the barkeeper, who ha
been leaning with his elbows on th
bar listening. as had also every othe
man In the saloon. "You leave my GU.
toners alone. will you. and mind you
own business?"
THAT'S just what am doing" r,
piled Kirk earnestly, and, as he spok'
his pale blue eyes filled with a higl
white light. ut Is my business to d.
stroy your business. Man, do 20
know that just outside that door is
mothers broken heart that you hav
helped to break? And hers Is onl
one out of thousands all over tn
world. Mind my own business! 1t
exactly what l intend to do, until ever
hell like this is wiped out of th
town."
He spoke very quietly, almost softl!
his voice did not declaim, but the III
usual quality Of it thrilled everybod
there He looked into their faces
moment and with last appealing loo
at Carver he turned and went out.
"Whewv' said the barkeeper. Fir
sermon ever delivered here. Score Oh
, for Parson Kirk"
, The other men did not respond wit
much enthusiasm. Carver had rise
from the table.
, Better have one before you CO." sai
? the saloon keeper.
IL won't drink again today" Carv'
, retorted with an oath which was
, curse. He staggered over to the do
and went out into the glare of the he
. withering sun. Down the street
could see Kirk just entering Valmer