Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-07-10

com Kirk stood there that morning his
soul felt the touch of a healing and
benefcent love, and he looked at his
life again as worth while, and then be-
gan already to know that the fire of his
own sorrow was destined to make him
more serviceable to others.
What he actually did the next min,
ute after all this was to ask Mrs. Bar
ton to come into the house. He took
her into his study, and then after 8
single moment of hesitation he went
out into the back yard to Dorothy.
She was still sitting on the bench.
dry eyed and oblivfous of everything
around her, living over the last three
days. Malcom came up and put hie
hand on her shoulder.
Dear" he said very gently, will
you come with me into the housed
There is some one there who has come
to see me-to see US both"
She did not know what he meant or
hardly what he said, but she rose and
went into the house with him.
Mrs. Barton, this is Mrs. Kirk. /
want you to tell her what you have
told me-"
The little woman could see that
something unusual had happened at
the parsonage, but her own trouble
practically absorbed her feelings. She
looked at Dorothy, however, with the
admiration which her beauty of face
often excited in what we call ordinary
people.
ooh. ma'am," she cried, t'I've come
to see If Mr.. Kirk won't help me to
get my boy home again. He's been
drinking. / live in a lonesome place
at The Forks and I don't very often
come to town, but I have heard Of
your husband, and they say people all
around have gone to him for help, and
know he will do what he can for me.
My boy will be 81 next week. told
| your husband that some day your baby
| would grow up into q good Christian
man to comfort and bless you. That's
| what, l hoped and prayed my boy
would do. And he might If the saloon
| had not tempted him."
She was going on, for her heart was
full Of her trouble, when the look on
Dorothy's face stopped her.
Don't you know-has not Mr.. kirk
told you--that our baby-our baby
died last week?'
The little heartbroken woman looked
at Dorothy in establishment. There
was nothing refined or sweet about
| her, but God gave her the right word to
say at that particular time. She rose
and with her hands clasped walked
over near Dorothy. Malcolm never for
1 got that sight "Oh, Mrs. Kirk. may
| God help you. Forgive me, ! have
noe been to town for several weeks. I
did not see the paper last week at all.
The last time knew anything CT your
baby he WAS well and Efspp;-. | would
never have come with my trouble ifrI
had known yours" She paused for a
moment. while two tears ran down
over her thin checks. Dorothy began
to sob. She had not cried before since
that day when the baby was laid in its
coffin; not even at the grave.
/ "Oh, ma'am." Mrs. Barton went on,
your baby will never be 4 drunhard.
My husband was. We lost Il good farm
back in Ohio on account Of the drink.
| and then my husband died. and took
1 the boy and came out here. went
| purposely to a lonesome place to keep
my boy from the town. l may have
| made mistake, but did the best.
knew, and feared for him on account
of his father. Oh, ma'am, your heart
is sore know it, but it's not as sore as
| mine. for your baby never broke your
heart. would sooner see my boy in
| his coffin than see him as I have many
time during the past two years.
There's trouble and trouble. May God
help us to bear our own. But your
baby's safe now. How can tell If
mine ever will bc?'
She spoke the last words in such q
tone Of hopeless sadness that Dorothy
| lifted up her head and looked at her.
Don't say thatw she said, and the
tears flowed down her face faster.
They We're merciful tears. Her heart,