Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-04-06

new life. are we thrilled with the
beauty coming into existence all about
us, and it must indeed be a morose
nature which does not respond Heaven
comes very near upon such d day.
particularly at Eastertide, for then
gracious Creator seems to proclaim his
glory to the children of earth.
In the sleepy old town of MapIewood,
content to remain "the little straw ut
anchor" aSabbath stiffness lay over all
for the church bells had ceased ringing
and the village was at worship. Down
the broad street. with it's pretty park
running through the center and the
overarching elm trees just bursting in
to the softest green, came wheelman.
He rode slowly, as though he had no
special destination in view
Through the open door and windows
OF quaint old church an organ rolled
forth tire beautiful prelude Of an Eas-
ter hymn. The cyclist stopped to
listen.
Didn't suppose there would be any
thing worth hearing in this corner of
creation. Wonder what kind of voice
will follow up that prelude" And
throwing himself upon the grass he
waited for the coming notes. A hush
followed. and then came the elorions
words The voice. one of wonderful
sweetness. was under perfect con-
troll Ii was held, softened. subdued or
sent forth In magnificent voume--a
living message to those who listened
10 draw forth all that was best and
noblcst IN their natures.
Herbert Parker mt first listened In.
differently. but as the singer proceeded
he partly rose from his reclining posi-
ton and drank in the beauty of the an
them AT its end he rose to his feet.
saying:
by love, any one who can sing like
that ought TO be MS good to look NJ rs
she is to listen to- And. trundling bis
wheel across the road, he left it beside
the church. door and slipped inside.
The choir was near the pulpit but
the singers were concealed by cur.
tain The pastor was announcing the
Easter Offering when the choir curtains
were drawn aside. and young girl.
scarcely 20 years of age and fair and
beautiful as the Easter iilies surround
ing her. stepped to the railing.
When the organist had played the
soft, impressive prelude of the "Resur
rection." the same liquid notes began
to fill the church, flowing. floating.
soaring away into mere echo, then
flung forth with the joy and abandon
of bird singing for very love of it
and unaware of the beauty of its song.
Without effort. without self conscious
ness. the Easter hymn was poured out.
a rich and gracious gift TO all who
cared to listen. At its end the singer
quietly took her seat. little realizing
how great power had been given her.
Stanch in her faith. she had thrown
her whole soul into the beautiful an
them.
He slipped from the church just be-
fore the service ended and waited on
the opposite side of the road until the
congregation appeared. The little
soprano was among the last. After
she started down the road. where she
was joined by fine Newfoundland
dog She stroked and petted him and
then continued her way, with him
bounding before her.
Mounting his wheel, Herbert follow
ed a short distance behind. Turning
from the main road, she struck into a
oh n In no
tween steep clay banks. At it's foot
was disused clay pit half filled with
water At the far end stood forlorn
shanty. AS Mary Burd approached, a
crippled child emerged from ii and
made her way along the edge of the
pit The sunlight glancing upon the
water half blinded her, and, pausing a
moment. she steadied herself upon her
erutches and raised one hand to shield
her eyes At that instant the big dog
came bounding toward her and, strik-
ing her, threw her down. She tried TO
save herself, but the clay was slippery
and in second she had rolled into the
water. With a cry Miss Burd sprang
toward her but the dog had already
plunged into the water and was hold
ing the child by her clothing. The
steep bank prevented him from carry
ing her out or help from reaching them.
The would Ee rescue: was nearly at
Der wits end when wheelman shot by
Aer and, catching up some planks flung
them into the water Half sliding. half
falling, down the bank. he SAT- astride
the boards. reached the frightened
< child and raised her TO Miss Burd; then.
padding his boards to less steep part
of the bank. he succeeded in scram-
bling out. Taking the dripping child
into his own arms, he carried her into
the hut.
Hardly word had been exchanged
on the bank. byt now Miss Burd found
time to look at the rescuer and to say:
Your arrival was certainly providen-
tial dare not think what might have
happened to Nelly She is sllch n frail