Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-07-21
Black
Rock
By RALPH Common
= q e q 81 q $50 90

in that Slavin had called to life. But
Mrs. Mavor, under cover of getting him
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 | 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 instinctlvely turned to
him.
AS he was about to proceed with the
baptism the mother whispered to Mrs.
Mavor, who hesitatingly asked Mr..
Craig if he would object to using holy
water.
''To me 1t is the same as any other"
he replied gravely.
can will he make the good signW
asked the mother timidly.
And so the child was baptized by the
Presbyterian minister with holy water
and with the sign of the cross. l don't
Orth
ed chaotic some of my religious no.
tons, but l 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 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
stand the cry of the mother:
"Oh, mon Jesu. prenez moi aussi, take
me wiz mon mignonv'
The cry Weakened Slavin's heart, and
he said huskily:
"Oh, Annette, Annette"
"Ah, oui, an Michael toow Then to
Mr. Craig: "You tink he's talk me some
day? EhT
"All who love him." he replied.
Gan Michael, too?" she asked. her
eyes searching his face. "An' Michael
too?
But Craig only replied, GAIL who love
him.
'Ah, Michael, you must pray lie bon
Jesu! He's garde notre mignon." And
then she bent over the babe, whisper
ing, "Ah, mon cheri, mon amour, adieu,
adieu, mon anger till Slavin put his
arms about her and took her away, for
as she was whispering her farewells
her baby, with little answering sigh,
passed into the house with many rooms.
"Whisht, Annette, darling, don't cry
for the baby" said her husband. Sure
it's better off than the rest of us it is.
And didn't you hear what the minister
said about the beautiful place it is?
And sure he wouldn't lie to us at ALL"
But a mother cannot be comforted
for her firstborn son.
An hour later Nixon brought Father
GOulet. He was a little Frenchman
with gentle manners and the face of a
saint. Craig welcomed him warmly
and told him what he had done.
"That is good, my brother" he said
with gentle courtesy, and, turning to
the mother, "Your little one is safe"
Behind Father Goulet came Nixon
softly and gazed down upon the little
quiet face, beautiful with the magic OF
death. Slavin came quietly and stood
beside him. Nixon turned and offered
his hand, but Slavin. moving slowly
back. said:
81 did you a wrong, Nixon, and it's c
sorry man I am this day for it,
Don't say word, Slavin," answer
ed Nixon hurriedIy. 81 know how yol
feel. I've got baby too. l want t,
see it again. That's why the breal
hurt me So"
GAS Gods above" replied Slavin ear
nestly, "I'll hinder you no more"
They shook hands, and we passet
out.
We laid the baby under the pines
not far from Billy Breen, and the swee
spring wind blew through the gap an
came softly down the valley, whisper
ing to the pines and the grass and tn
hiding flowers of the new life comm
to the world. And the mother mus
have heard the whisper in her hear
for as the priest was saying the word
of the service she stood with Mrs. Ms
vor's arms about her. and her eye
were looking far away beyond the pu1
pie mountain tops, seeing what mad
her smile And Slavin. too. looked di
ferent. His very features seemed fine
The coarseness was gone out of h
face. What had come to him l coul
not tell.
But when the doctor came into 81;
wins house that night it was the oil
Slavin | saw, but with a look of sue