The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-07-17

could not win and that the priest would
he too late. so | sent for Mr.. Craig.
From tie moment he entered the room
he took command of us all. He was So
simple. so manly, so tender, the hearts
Of the parents instinctvely turned TO
him.
/ AS he was about TO proceed with the
baptism the mother whispered to Mrs.
Mavor. who hesitatingly asked Mr..
water.
ITO me It is the same as any other"
he replied gravely.
"An' will lie make the good signT
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
ct .''haotic some of my religious mo-
tio..s. but thought more Of Craig that
moment than ever before. He was
more man than minister. or perhaps he
was SO good 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. l 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 misnon"'
The cry wakened Slavin's heart, and
he said huskily:
"Oh, Annette, Annette.'
"Ah. oui, an Michael too" Then to
Mr. Craig: "You tink he's TAX me some
day? Eh?"
"All who love him." he replied.
"An' Michael. too?" she asked. her
les searching his face. AN Michael
too?"
But Craig only replied, "All who lore
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 nnge.' till Slavin put his
prms about her and took her away, for
as she was whispering her farewells
her baby, with II 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?
AUD sure he wouldn't lie to us Il: all"
But Il mother cannot be comforted
for her tirstborn son.
An hour later Nixon brought Father
Goulet He was little Frcnchman
with gentle manners and the face Of Il
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 a
sorry man am this day for it."
Don't say word, Slavin," answer
ed Nixon hurriedly. IL know how you
feel. I've got baby too. want to
see it again. That's why the break
hurt me So"
"As Gods above" replied Slavin ear.
nestly, "I'll hinder you no more"
They shook hands, and we passed
out.
We laid the baby under the pines,
not far from Billy Breen, and the sweet
spring wind blew through the gap and
came softly down the valley, whisper
ing to the pines and the grass and the
hiding flowers of the new life coming
to the world. And the mother must
have heard the whisper IN her heart,
for as the priest was sayir the words
Of the service she stood with Mrs. Ma
vor's arms about her. anl her eyes
were looking far away beyond the pur-
pie mountain tops, seeing what made
her smile. And Slavin too. looked diff.
ferent. His very features seemed finer
The cOarseness was gone out OF his
face. What had come to him could
not tell.
But when the doctor came into Sla-
wins house that night 1t was the old
Slavin | saw, but with look OF such
deadly fury on his face that tried to
get the doctor out at once. But he was
half drunk, and his manner was hid.
eously humorous.
'IIow do, ladies? How do, gentle.
men," was his loud voiced salutatlon.
"Quite professional gathering, clergy
predominatng. Lion and lamb too!
Ha, ha. Which is the lamb, eh? Ha,
ha. Very good! Awfully sorry to
hear Of your loss, Mrs. Slavln. Did
our best, you know; can't help this sort
OF thing"
Before any one could move Craig
was at his side and, saying in clear
firm voice, "One moment, DOCTOR
caught him by the arm and had him