The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1900-05-30
[coNTINUED.l
CHAPTER VIII.

Robert finished most Of the work,
toiling as never In all his life before,
and started for home at g. On the way
he made inquiries concerning George,
but nobody had seen him since the
evening before. When he reached the
house, he found that his wife, utterly
worn out had lain down for little
sleep, and Alice was caring for the pa
tients with a calm courage and quiet
cheerfulness that revealed the girls
strong, self reliant character. Clara S
condition had not changed. She still
lay as If sleeping. Alice reported that
once in the afternoon she had moved
her lips and distinctly called for water.
Mr.. Hardy and Bess sat down to the
supper table by themselves, and Bess
again told how she had been saved
from even a scratch in that terrible
fall. 1t was indeed remarkable that
the child did not seem TO suffer even
from the general shock and reaction
from the disaster
After a brief meal Mr. Hardy went
up stairs to Clara again. lis chief
anxiety now was for her. lie believed
that If the doctors fears were realized
she would become insane. 1t was not
possible that person of her tempera-
ment and passion could be otherwise in
case she should come TO consciousness
of her condition.
As the evening wore on Mr.. Hardy
felt that his Guty lay in his own home
for that night, and he would have to
see his minister some other time. lie
thought OF the prayer meeting with
regret and sat by the bed of the I'M
conscious girl wondering how it was
possible that for all these years gone
by he had been so Indifferent to one of
the best and most precious Cpportu-
mites for growing in spiritual man
hood. He heard the bell ring for serv-
ice, and when it stopped he sat with
his face In his hands praying.
The prayer meeting in Mr.. Jones
church was generally very quiet af-
fair. y good many people in the church.
especially those who came TO the meet
ing only occasionally, thought it was
stupid. But it was noticeable fact
that those who attended regularly
were the ones who did the most work
IN the church and the ones who grew
stronger and Sweeter in the Christian
life. There was usually no regular sub
Ject given out. There was very little
talking done. From beginning to close
1t was nearly all prayer Mr.. Jones
did not feel afraid of the long pauses
He believed modern American life Ia
be so full Of nervousness and hurry
that it would not hurt any one to sit
still and think minute or two.
That was the reason so many people
called Mr.. Jones prayer meetings dull
because they were not rushing all the
time with sensational or exciting re-
marks and incidents. Mr.. Jones didn
believe that was what a prayer meet
ing was for, and he planned for it ac-
cordingly. But this particular evening
was an exception. The great railroad
accident so near them had stirred the
entire community TO its sympathetic
depths. Several families in Mr.. Jones'
church had been sufferers. AS if by
tacit consent there was an unusually
large gathering at the church. and the
subject was of necessity the recent
disaster.
IL was q spontaneous meeting. The
minister briefly opened with the ex-
pressed desire that God would bless
the suffering, prepare the dying and
comfort the living, and almost instant
~ n service Of prayer began. which
was Ike a food in its continuous out.
pouring. The people seemed urged by
some irresistible feeling to relieve the
pent up strain Of the day in prayer
and such prayers had not been heard
in that church for many years
A similar scene was witnessed near
the White River Junction railroad dis.
aster in 1887 in n church near the acct.
dent. The entire morning service was
given up to prayer, which seemed the
only healthy relief to people suffering
from an overwhelming horror.
1t was during the first pause that oc
CURED that James Caxton opened the
door and gave a note to some one in the
back seat with a request that II be sent
up 20 Mr.. Jones. He then turned as II
to go out, Vt hesitated came back and
slipped into vacant seat and waited
Mr.. Jones received the note, glanced al
its contents and then rose. There was
a singular emotion in his voice as he
spoke.
81 have Just been handed a note from
one Of our members. Mr.. Robert Har
dy, with the request that l read Il
aloud to the church tonight.
To You, Ny Dear Pastor and You, Ny Brother
and Sisters In Christ:
/ suppose il is known 10 most Of you that tire
Of my children were on the train during the re
cent socident. and two Of them escaped with bu
slight injuries. But my daughter Clara sc
riously injured by the shock, and / am at thi
moment seated by her side praying that he
reason may he spared and her possible injurie
prove TO be within the region Of cure
had planned to be with you tonight.
wanted 20 tell the church Of the change that