The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-02


ow was overwhelmed with such kind
ness, and she fairly broke down.
MAY the Lord bless ye. sor! OH.
may He bless you and yours forever.
Indade it's a good man you are, the
day, to me an Molly. and Wen pray
for you livery day of our lives-that we
will. It's a kind heart you have, in
dade Il is"
"nushl Don't say such things"
said the lumber dealer huskily and his
own voice trembled. "You can find
your way down, and they will see you
on the carr
"Oh, indade, Wen walk" she sald
smiling, while the tears still dropped.
II feel like flyin'."
lie heard their steps going down the
stairs the patter of the little child
keeping accompaniment TO the heav-
Ter football of the mother. Both were
smiling with joy and happiness.
With his own eyes strangely moist
with the suspicion of tears he turned
from the window and looked toward
the shadowed corner of the room. The
Soul seemed to smile at him within u
gentle expression which he had not
observed before.
ful ones for the lumber merchant.
Long he sat and at intervals he con-
versed with his strange companion.
The complete record of his career un-
rolled itself before him. He saw i'm a
new and unfamiliar light many of the
events which he had recorded as tri-
umphs; he recalled a thousand in
stances where he haG been harsh,
N..h 4. No.
pulses, and sacrificed love ard affac-
ton in order that he might be unham.
pered in his struggle for wealth;
where he had driven hard bargains
and been guilty of what row seemed
monstrous injustice, though the world
called it shrewd trading. And then,
with this reflection, he looked again a.
his dark and diminutive visitor.
you forget that these men were
your brothers," said the voice from
the corner, answering his unspoken
thoughts. You showed them mo
mercy; you made no allowances; you
took the full measure OF your rights
as YOU understood them and gave no
quarter. Their broken fortunes and
blighted hopes you made stepping
stones to your own success. You have
trodden all the way upon hearts, even
the hearts of your own dear ones. You
have given me--your Soul-no oppor-
tunity for growth, but have made me,
as you see, thing to be loathed and
despised." And it bowed itself in it's
corner with a gesture of sorrow.
With a zeal that was almost fever
ish, he set about, as far as man could
do, to rectify the wrongs, the injus-
tices, the injuries and the sharp trad
ing of years. 1t took time and no lit
tie grace and moral courage, to make
amends, and to do such other things
as he could. but he persevered And,
strangest Of all, he found presently a
keen and satisfying pleasure in his
new line of action. In business and
social affairs, abroad and at home, he
grew gracious and liberal. Mary and
the girls at home found him compan-
ionable and aftectionate. His men at
the yard became familiar with his
smile and kind words.
He did not forget his promise to the
widow Cirogan, and both she and little
Molly proiited by the change in affairs,
as also did many others.
Before many months had passed, the
business community, at first incredu-
lous, had wholly revised it's former
estimate of the lumber merchant. He
was no longer "the meanest man." and
the hardest at q bargain. In losing
the reputation for such qualities he
had, all unconsciously, gained one for
qualities much more desirable. He
loved to help those who found them
selves in tight places" TO the poor
of his neighborhood he was con-
stant benefactor.
The year neared the close. The soul
had grown to be dear comrade, fair
ana l-proportioned, such as the
merchant would have loved the whole
world to see. And when the moment
OF parting came, he ga2ed upon the
being who stood beside him and mar
veled; for, as it smiled upon him, he
knew that il was noble and beautiful
dazzling in brightness and in stature
like the angels.