Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-03-20

start companionshir, and Edith was
| the sunshine Of her fathers life. Once
or twice . year they made . trip to
the settlement at the base Of the
mountains for supplies, and the only
other times when they were not alone
were when occasional travellers or
surveying parties asked for shelter or
assistance.
Never religious man, the father
had not so much as brought Bible to
his new home; but Edith was of diff
ferent disposition. She had been
regular attendant at all services for
children in her church; this, of course,
the one of which her mother had been
member until her death, five years
before. Every Sunday the child in
sisted upon her fathers dressingrfor
church; and, drawing up two chairs
side by side very stiffiy, they would
have their service. She would bring
out old lesson papers, and her father
was obliged to take his turn in reading
from them.
''And then, the questions she would
ask, and the personal applications she
would make of the verses read, were
enough to make sinner tremble or
saint rejoice. Love your enemies he
would read. Father have you any en-
emies?' she would say. And do you
love them? How can you do good to
them if you are nowhere near them?'
And father would vince as he remem-
bered all his thoughts of i'll against
James White, who had been president
of the company in which he had lost
all his property. A derisive smile
would curl his lip as he thought of
doing good to James White. And
White deacon in the church, too the
father would mentally conclude, while
he gave Edith some half satisfactory
answer raked up from memories of his
own Sunday-school days.
''After living here several years, one
sultry July day, while they were in
the settlement, they were attracted by
the sound of music in vacant store
building; and, going in, found a con-
gregation listening to some evan.
gelists. There were three young men,
one of whom was playing small or
gan.
Edith was delighted, and, seating
herself upon one of the boxes which
served as pews, drank in every word
that was said. Her father listened
with less interest, and kept his eyes
fixed upon the young man still seated
at the organ, with his back toward the
congregation. There was something
strangely familiar about his appear
ance, the poise of his head and his oc-
casional movements. So absorbed did
the observer become that he failed to
hear the second speaker announce that
they would be dismissed after prayer
by Brother White; and when the young
man arose, facing him for the first
time, he almost started from his place.
1t was James Whites son!
''When Edith wished to linger with
the rest and greet the evangelists, she
met the toughest refusal her father
had ever given her. The sky had be-
come dark with clouds, while they
were engaged in the service, so they
hurried up the mountain, trying to
reach home before the storm should
break.
Ernest White had recognized his
old neighbor at once, and inquiring
where he lived, followed as soon as he
could, for he had important news to
give him. Before he had gone half
way, the lightning began to flash, tho
rain came down in sheets and the wind
roared through the trees and gulches;
but he pressed forward, as it was no
more dangerous than to halt or 60
back.
'The storm seemed to increase in
fury as he went on; trees were falling
and rocks crashing over his path. Al
most at his destination, thinking that
he heard voices, he quickened his pace
until he almost stumbled over a young
girl kneeling upon the ground, and
trying with all her strength to lift q
tree from her path. Under the tree
was pinioned her father.
Hastily laying hold of the tree, his
greater strength, added to hers, was
able to lift it away. Then the two car
ried the wounded and now unconscious
man to his cabin, and Ernest White
did all in his power to make him COM
Portable until the doctor could be
brought.
"After long and careful nursing BY
Ernest White and Edith, her father
was once more able to sit up. Are you
ready for church, Edith?' he said one
Sunday morning. Edith blushed, and.
explaining to Mr.. White how they had !,
always held their service, brought out |
the lesson paper. Father, we have
come to Love your enemies again,
she said. But fathers hatred toward
James White was gone now.
''Itwas the next day that Ernest told
them how his fathers company had re-
organized for the purpose of making |
full payment to the investors. "A great
many people say it is unbusinesslike
and foolish, but my father judges him
self by the law of God, which tells us
to love our neighbors as ourselves.
And there is now so per cent. of your
investment waiting for you at his
bank; the rest will be paid later, with
full interest
edith and her father returned to
the east with Mr.. White, who was in his
junior year at college, studying for the
Not long after they had gone
q home missionary came to the set
Element and made arrangements to