St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-12-31

moment tnan ever before. lie 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 rs 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, prencz moi aussi, take
me wiz mon mignOn!
The cry wakened Slayin's heart, and
he said huskily:
"Oh, Annette, Annette"
"Ah, oui, an Michael too" Then to
Mr.. Craig: "Tou tink he's tax me some
day? Eh?"
"All who love him." he replied.
"An' Michael. too" she asked. her
eyes searching his face. can Michael
too"
But Craig only replied, "sAll who love
him."
"Ah, Michael, you must pray lie bon
Jesul He's garde notre mignon." And
then she bent over the babe whisper
ing, "Ah, mon cheri, mon amour, adieu,
adieu, mon angew till Slavin put his
arms about her and took her away, for
as she was whispering her farewells
her baby, with a 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
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:
Il did you wrong, Nixon, and it's
sorry man am this day for it."
Don't say word, Slavin," answer
ed Nixon hurriedly. II know how you
feel. I've got baby too. want to
see it again. That's why the break
hurt me So"
Gas Gods above" replied Slavin ear
nestly, "Ill 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 saying the words
of the service she stood with Mrs. Ma
vor's arms about her, and 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 it was the old
Slavin | saw, but with a 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.
"How do, ladies'? How do gentle
men" was his loud voiced salutation.
"Quite professional gathering, clergy
predominating. Lion and lamb too!
Ha, ha! Which is the lamb, Ell? Ha,
ha! Very good! Awfully sorry to
hear of your loss. Mrs. Slavin. 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 a clear,
firm voice, zone moment, DOCTOR"
caught him by the arm and had him
out Of the room before he knew it.
Slavin, who had been crouching in
his chair, with hands twitching and
eyes glaring, rose and followed, still
crouching as he walked.
l hurried after him, calling him back.
Turning at my voice, the doctor saw
Slavin approaching. There was some
thing so terrifying in his swift, noise
less, crouching motion that the doctor,
crying out in fear, keep him OFF,
fairly turned and fed.
He was too late. Like tiger Slavin
leaped upon him and without waiting
to strike had him by the throat with
both hands and, bearing him to the
ground, worried him there as a dog
might cat
Immediately Craig and were upon
him; but, though we lifted him clear
off the ground, we could not loosen
that two handed strangling grip. AS
we We're struggling there light hand
touched my shoulder. 1t was Father
Goulet.
please let him go and stand away
from US" he said, waving us back.