The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-07-13

plained of feeling queer In his back.
and the doctor told Kirk before he
started that 1t would not be at all un-
expected IL Barton should be paralyz-
ed. 'In fact, Mr.. Kirk. my examina
ton makes 1t almost certain that the
boy will probably never recover so as
to use the lower part of his body. 1t
seems probable that the wheels Of the
hay wagon passed over him after he
fell out"
The prairie was one vast burned
stretch Of plain, with the road gray
and distinct through it. Philip Barton
lay back on the cot that had been ar
ranged in the wagon box and looked up
at Malcom with white. strained face
as he drove slowly along over the
| smooth elastic prairie road.
At first Malcom drove on silently.
The boy seemed to be quite comforta-
BILE. but unwilling to talk. and during
the first two miles hardly word was
spoken. Then Malcom stopped the
horses and bent down to arrange some
part of the cot. When he had finished
and gathered up the lines to go on
again, young Barton spoke.
You were one of the men that found
Kirkw The boy had asked it twice
before.
YES" replied Malcom, smiling. "Eou
can't imagine what a great joy it was
to me when we found you"
"And Carver was the other manY'
"Yes."
THAT seems queer to me. How did
he happen to go with your
"Well, l don't know exactly. he
seemed eager to CO."
"Was he--had he been drinkingT'
The question came with evident pain
full effort.
Eyes, think he had," replied Nal
com frankly. But he was sober enough
when we found you."
There was silence, and Malcom gath.
cred up the lines again and started on
The day was very still, and there was
q great cloud coming up in the south
west which promised rain before night
1T was great thing for you to do,
said Philip slowly. "I'll never forget
1t, Mr.. Kirk"
1T was a very little thing, my boy
compared with what was done for me
once" said Malcom gravely.
"What was that?"
81 was lost once In a great wilder
ness and surrounded with wild beasts
was sick and starving and unable tt
save myself. Night was coming on
and every minute added to my danger
Just when l had given myself up al
lost and the wild beasts had gathered
around me In the growing darkness ,
friend suddenly appeared. He save,
. me, but in doing 1t he lost his own life
That is a good deal more than did TO
you"
Philip had listened intently. Blu
something In Malcom's manner KEEP
him silent.
"That wilderness where 1 was lost,
continued Malcom softly as his earl.
life before he entered the seminar.
. came back to him, twas the wilder
ness of sin, and the wild beasts wer
my passions, and the friend who save,
, me was Jesus Christ, the Saviour o
|, the lost. who gave himself a ransom
for many"
There was not a particle Of cant o
attempt at preaching in what Malcon
!, had said 1t was so simple, so natural
! that the boy on the cot hardly realize
!. at first what the minister had said.
When 1t dawned upon him that Ma
com had spoken Of his own conversion
he closed his eyes, and his face twitcf
!, ed under bis emotion. When he locke
up again, Malcom had turned and wa
looking down at him.
do you mind If we pray here?" sal
!. Malcom.
= Philip moved his head, and in hi
a eyes look Of expectant wonder grew
Malcom stopped the horses. The pra
= rie was wide and desolate and blacl
! not a sign Of life anywhere; the a
mosphere was still; the sun shone owe
q it all; the town lay distinct In the rea
distance. And somehow it seemed q
, If Kirk spoke to God close by. He sa
with his hands on his knee and locke
out into the line Of the horizon.
, Father in heaven" he said, Eve
q not know what 1t all meant when th
> Lord came to this earth and lived an
suffered and died. but we know enoug
q to feel sure that love for us was whs
:. made him do it-love for sinners. W
= are always asking something, Fathe
:, but what we want now is what tho
dost want. Save another life-this Oh
/ here that is in so much need. His bod
hoe 60 10
physical death. Save his life for a
= time, from eternal loss. His mother
:. praying for him. All heaven is an,
ious for his salvation. If thou wi
;, show us what more we can do, dea
= Lord, we will do it. But lead him
n thyself. for we cannot forgive his sir
or keep him from them. Thou can.
= do 1t If he will let thee. For the gres
- love of Jesus to us we give thee all "
y have. for thine Is the kingdom, an
:, the power. and the glory. Amenw
He gathered up the lines and wei
slowly on, and for the next mile not
;. word was said. Then Malcom, hearin
. the boy move to change his position
!, little, turned and looked down at him
n "Do you believe that, Mr.. Kirk?"
:. asked. while his lips Quivered.
"WhatT'
\ THAT all heaven is anxious for N
= salvationY"
% "Why not? The book says there
Joy In heaven over one sinner that r
= penteth.' Why shouldn't heaven |
II anxious to have us repent?"
4 81 don't know. but
"'God SO loved the world that
4 gave his only begotten Son. He car
\ as much for you as for any soul {