Morris tribune., 1902-06-14
the morner.~

Gay ne was still fighting the devil with
in that Slavin had called to life. Blu
Mrs. Mavor, under cover of getting hin
instructions, drew him into the room
While listening to her his eyes wan
dered from one to the other of The
group till they rested upon the little
white face in the crib. She noticed the
change in his face
'"They fear the little one will never
see the Saviour if it is not baptized
she said in low tone.
He was eager to go.
I'LL do my best to get the priest" he
said and was gone on his sixty mile
race with death.
The long afternoon wore on, but be-
fore it was half gone l saw Nixon
could not win and that the priest would
be too late, so l sent for Mr.. Craig.
From the moment he entered the room
he took command of us all. He was so
simple, so manly, so tender, the hearts
Of the parents instinch7ely turned to
him.
AS he was about to proceed with the
baptism the mother whispered to Mrs.
Mayor, who hesitatingly asked Mr..
Craig if he would object to using holy
water.
'"To me it is the same as any other"
he replied gravely.
can will he make the good signY
asked the mother timidly.
And so the child was baptized by the
Presbyterian minister with holy water
and with the sign Of the cross. don't
suppose it was orthodox, and it render
ed chaotic some of my religious no
tons, but thought more of Craig that
moment than ever before. He was
more man than minister, or perhaps he
was so good a minister that day be-
cause so much a man. AS he read about
the Saviour and the children and the
disciples who tried to get in between
them, and as he told us the story in his
own simple and beautiful way and
then went on to picture the home of
the little children and the same Saviour
in the midst Of them, felt my heart
grow warm, and | could easily under
SLduu the cry OF the mOLnef:
"Oh, mon Jesu, prenez moi aussi, take
me wiz mon mignon"
The cry Weakened Slavin's heart, and
be said huskily:
"Oh, Annette, Annettev'
"Ah, oui, an Michael toow Then to
Mr.. Craig: "You tink he's tax me some
day? Eh?"
call who love him." he replied.
can Michael. too?" she asked her
Eyes searching his face. AN Michael
oo?'
But Craig only replied, call who love
linn"
"Ah, Michael, you must pray lie bon
Jesu! He's garde notre mignon." And
hen she bent over the babe, whisper
ng, "Ah, mon cheri, mon amour, adieu,
ldieu, mon anger till Slavin put his
rms about her and took her away, for
Is she was whispering her fareWells
Ter baby, with little answering sigh, |
'assed into pie house with many rooms. |
"Whisht, Annette, darling, don't cry |
or the baby" said her husband. "Sure |
is better off than the rest Of us it is. |
md didn't you hear what the minister |
aid about the beautiful place it is? |
md sure he wouldn't lie to us at ALL"
But a mother cannot be comforted |
or her frstborn son.
An hour later Nixon brought Father
1oulet. He was a little Frenchman
With gentle manners and the face Of a
amt. Craig welcomed him warmly
nd told him what he had done.
''That is good, my BROTHER" he said,
With gentle courtesy, and, turning to
be mother, "Your little one is safe"
Behind Father Goulet came Nixon
oftly and gazed down upon the little
uiet face beautiful with the magic Of
cath. Slavin came quietly and stood
eside him. Nixon turned and offered
is hand, but Slavin, moving slowly
ack, said:
81 did you a wrong, Nixon, and it's
Dry man I am this day for it,"
Don't say a word, Slavin," answer
/ Nixon hurriedly. Il know how you
eel. I've got a baby too. l want to
1o II again. L Hat > WHY Tie DIGdk
urt me So"
CAS- Gods above" replied Slavin ear
estly, "I'Il hinder you no more"
They shook hands, and we passed
IT.
We laid the baby under the pines,
1T far from Billy Breen, and the sweet
)ring wind blew through the gap and
lme softly down the valley, whisper
g to the pines and the grass and the
ding flowers Of the new life coming
the world. And the mother must
ave heard the whisper in her heart,
n as the priest was saying the words
the service she stood with Mrs. Ma
or's arms about her, and her eyes
ere looking far away beyond the pur-
e mountain tops. seeing what made
er smile. And Slavin. too, looked diff
rent His very features seemed finer
be coarseness was gone out Of his
&c. What had come to him l could 1
It tell.
But when the doctor came into Sla-
MS house that night it was the old !
avin l saw. but with a look Of such
adly fury on his face that l tried to
L i D,14 ho