Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-26
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song by the bed Of q dying child or
pouring forth floods Of music In the
grent new hall Of the factory town
near by. but I could not see, though
he tried to show me, the stately, gra-
cious lady receiving the country folk
in her home. He did not llnger over
that scene, but went back again to the
gate cottage where she had taken him
one day to see Billy Breen's mother.
II found the old woman knew all
about me-" he said simply enough. "but
there were many things about Billy
she had never heard, and I was glad
to put her right on some points, though
Mrs. Mavor would not hear it."
He sat silent for little. looking into
the Goals, then went on in soft, quiet
voice:
at brought back the mountains and
the old days to hear again Billy's tones
in his mothers voice and to see her
sitting there in the very dress she wore
the night Of the league. you remember
some soft stuff with black lace about
it-and to hear her sing as she did for
Billy. All! All"
His voice unexpectedly broke, but in
moment he was master Of himself
and begged me to forgive his weak
ness. l am afraid l said words that
should not be said, thing l never do
except when suddenly and utterly up
set.
81 am getting selfish and weak" he
said. Il must get to work. I am glad
to get to work. There is much to do,
and it is worth while, IL only to keep
one from getting useless and lazy"
Useless and lazy l said to myself,
thinking Of my life beside his and try
ing to get command Of my voice. so as
not to make quite a fool Of myself,
and for many day those words goad.
ed me to work and to the exercise Of
some mild self denial. But, more than
all else, after Craig had gone back to
the mountains Graeme's letters from
the railway construction camp stirred
one to do unpleasant duty long post
! poned and reNlered uncomfortable my
hours of most luxurious ease. Many
of the old gang We're with him, both
OF lumbermen and miners, and Craig
was their minister. and the letters told
Of how he labored by day and by night
along the line of construction, carry
ing his tent and kit with him, preach
ing straight sermons. watching by sick
men, writing their letters and winning
+ their hearts. making strong their lives
/ and helping them to die we'll when
their hour came.
One day these letters proved too
much for me, and I packed away my
paints and brushes and made my vow
unto the Lord that would be "uscess
and lazy no longer, but would dc
something with myself In consequence
| found myself within three weeks
walking the London hospitals, finishing
my course, that might join that band
of men who were doing something with
life or, if throwing it away, We're not
losing it for nothing. l had finished
being a fool, hoped. at least fool OF
the useless and luxurious kind. The
letter that came from Graeme in reply
to my request for position on his staff
was characteristic Of the man, both
new and old. full Of gayest humor and
Of most earnest welcome to the work.
Mrs. MAYORS reply was like herself:
7 knew you would not long be content
with the making OF pictures. which the
world does not really need. and would Join
your friends in the dear west, making
lives that the world needs 30 sorely.
But her last words touched me
strangely:
But be sure to be thankful every day
for your privilege. 80 1t will be good to
think of you all, with the glorious noun
tains about you and Christs own work ir
your hands. 800 All. how we would like
to choose our work and the place In which
to do It!
The longing did not appear in the
words, but l needed no words to tel
and l take some credit to myself tina
in my reply | gave her no bidding tt
Join our band, but rather praised the
work she was doing in her place, tell
ing her how had heard Of 1t from
Craig.
The summer found me religiously do
ing Paris and Vienna, gaining a more
perfect acquaintance with the extern
and variety Of my own ignorance. ant
so fully occupied in this interesting ant
wholesome occupation that fell on
with all my correspondents, with thu
result of weeks of silence between us.
Two letters among the heap waiting
on my table in London made my hear
beat quick, but with how different feel
ings, one from Graeme telling me tina
Craig had been very Ill and that he
was to take him home as soon as he
could be moved. Mira. MAYORS Letter
told me of the death Of the old lady
who had been her care for the pas
two years, and Of her intention t.
spend some months In her old home II
Edinburgh, and this letter 1t Is that &C
counts for my presence in miserable
dingy, dirty little hall running off q
close in the historic Cowgate. redolen
Of the glories of the splendid past ant
of the various odors of the evil smell
!; Ing present. I was there to hear Mrs
Mayor sing to the crowd Of CANINE
that thronged the closes in the neigh
borhood and that had been gathered
into club by "a fine leddie frae tn,
west end" for the love Of Christ ant
his lost. This was an "at home" night
and the mothers and fathers, sisters
/ and brothers, of all ages and sizes
were present. OF all the sad faces
: had ever seen those mothers carried
thA aahdeet oph vpost woA ctrick n N