Mower County transcript., 1902-12-24
ale of Moral Heroism In Overcoming the World.

lIIII|II|IIl|IIN|I|||||I|||IIlI| 1u@ss,atsons by
E7uI|IllIIlIIlIIIIIIlllt Observation-Disclosures
CHAPTER III.
A DEATH IN MDOCEAN. = )
: When Malcom Kirk entered the it,
tie cabin room to which the steward
led him, he found the assistant surgeon
Of the steamer bending over the figure
In the berth there. .,.. .=,.
, A woman was sitting near by. ~
! The surgeon rose and beckoned Kirk
to step outside moment.
"You are clergymanT'
Kirk nodded.
The surgeon looked at him as doubt
fully as the steward had done, but he
seemed satisfied at last.
"Well, you might as well know the
woman has consumption. She, may
last until we reach Liverpool, and she
may 60 before Sunday. She ought new
er to have been allowed passage
II can tell how that is," said the
steward. II noticed the woman come
on with her baby. She looked as
bright and pretty as any one. Seemed
strong and sat out on deck until we
left the dock. Then she came down
here and went to pieces I've known
one or two such cases before"
That's true," said the surgeon
gravely. 'I'n be back before mid
night 1t will do no harm for you to
see her." He spoke to Kirk and went
away, leaving him standing somewhat
awkwardly by the half open door.
The woman called in a faint voice,
and Kirk went In.
"Are you the clergyman" she asked.
"Yes," replied Kirk simply. "Can I
be Of service to you? Do you want
me to pray with your
The woman nodded. Kirk kneeled,
and the other woman who had been
acting as nurse bowed her head.
~ It was the first time Malcom Kirk
had been called on to pray by the side
of q dying person, the first service he
had ever paid to suffering and sorrow.
Ing humanity when he was asked to
take upon himself the burden and the
Joy of comfort. His own life had bee9
free from physical weakness. His own
family had moved away and scattered
when he was lad, and the death Of
both his father and mother when he
was child had left no impression on
his early memory.
The situation, therefore, now impress
ed him strongly. But the impression
was redeemed from painful egotism by
his intense longing to be Of help to
this stranger. When he had told his
seminary classmate that he loved peo-
pie, he had spoken one Of the largest
truths Of his great hearted character.
So his prayer went out to the God of
all comfort, and it is very certain that
he touched the heart Of that human
hunger for divine compassion, for
when he finished she thanked him.
with a sob, while the other woman
made no attempt to conceal the tears
that ran over her face. She looked at
Kirk as he rose with increased re.
spect. He said few words simply,
but cheerfully, and then went out. The
woman who had been nursing followed
him and closed the door moment.
"Thank you for coming in. 1t did
her good. It's sad case."
Yes. Has she any relatives or
friends on board"
NO. AS near as l nave learned she
has sister in London. This sister
has been writing her for some time to
come here. This WOman's husband
died few weeks ago. Since then she
has been supporting herself in Boston
by sewing. Her baby is months old
She sold a few things, and, with the
help of her sister, who sent her little
money, she bought ticket and with a
great effort reached the dock this aft
ernoon. The ships company did not
know of her condition or they certainly
would never have let her come on
board. That is all know Of the case
OF course we will do all we can for he1
and the baby now. The sea air may be
help to her after all.'
AAC "OAudA "uO spoke was only
what some people call a common
person. Kirk could see that. Yet she
was one of the great army of quiet, un.
selfish women who give the world true
definitions of the term motherhood"
She stepped to the door of her OWL
room, which was close by, and beckon
ed Kirk to look in and see the baby.
He was sleeping in the upper. berth
and Kirk looked at him gravely, won.
dering what sort of future awaited
that bit of humanity. The woman
shut the door gently and went back tc
the mother, while Kirk retired to his
own narrow quarters, and in spite OF
the strange noises and the sights OF
the ocean through the little round port
he was soon fast asleep after a praye,
Tor Blessing h.:.e,iss11.ss on all who suffer and all
who are in trouble.
The next day the woman sank ran
idly. Every one in the intermediate
cabin wanted to do something. There