The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-22

rugged peaks softened their harsh lines
and seemed to lean lovingly toward US.
The dark pine masses stood Silent, as
in Dreathless alteration. The dazzling
snow lay like 4 garment over all the
open spaces in soft, waving folds ana
crowded every stump with 4 quantity
shaped nightcap. Above the camps the
smoke curled up from the camphres,
standing like pillars Of cloud that kept
watch while men slept, and high over
all the deep blue night sky, with its
star Jewels, sprang like the roof Of q
great cathedral from range to range,
covering US in its kindly shelter. HOW
homelike and safe seemed the valley,
with its mountain sides, its sentinel
trees and arching roof of jeweled sky!
Even the night seemed kindly, and
friendly the stars, and the lone cry Of
the wolf from the deep forest seemed
like the voice Of comrade.
How beautiful! Too beautiful" said
Graemc, stretching out his arms. "A
night like this takes the heart out Of
me-"
stood silent. drinking in st every
sense the night. with its wealth Of
loveliness.
What is it l wantT" he went on.
"Why does the night make my heart
ache? There are things to see and
things to hear just beyond me. can
not get to them
The gay, careless look was gone from
his face. His dark eyes were wistful
with yearning.
~ often wonder if life has nothing
better for me-" he continued with his
heartache voice.
said no word, but put my arm with
in his. 4 light appeared in the stable.
Glad Of a diversion, said:
What is the light? Let US 80 and
sce."
SANDY, taking last look at his
team, like enough"
We walked slowly toward the stable,
speaking no word. AS we neared the
door we heard the sound Of voice in
the monotone Of one reading. I stepped
forward and looked through chink be:
tween the logs. Graeme was about to
open the door, but held up my hand
and beckoned him to me. In a vacant
stall, where was a pile Of straw, a
number Of men were grouped. Sandy,
leaning against the tying post upon
which the stable lantern hung, was
reading; Nelson was kneeling in front
Of him and gazing into the gloom be-
yond; Baptiste lay upon his stomach,
his chin in his hands and his upturned
eyes fastened upon Sandy's face;
Lachlan Campbell sat with his hands
clasped about his knees, and two other
men sat near him. Sandy was reading
the undying story Of the prodigal, Mel
son now and then stopping him to
make a remark. 1t was scene l have
never been able to forget. Today
pause in my tale and see it as clearly
as when looked through the chins
upon it years ago-the long, low stable,
with log walls and upright hitch1ng
poles; the dim outlines Of the horses In
the gloom Of the background and the
little group Of rough, almost savage
looking, men, with faces wondering
and reverent, lighted by the misty light
Of the stable lantern.
After the reading Sandy handed the
book to Nelson, who put it in his pock'
ct, saying:
THAT'S for US, boys, amt it?'
ave" said Lachlan. 'It is often
that has been read in my hearing, but
am afraid it will not be for me what
ever" And he swayed himself slightly
as he spoke, and his voice was full OF
pain. =,
"The minister said l might come
said old Nelson earnestly and hope
fully.
"Aye, but you are not Lachlan Camp
bell, and you have not had his prlYi
! leges. My father was a godly elder Ii
the Free Church Of Scotland, and neV'
er q night or morning but we took the
books"
ayes, but be said any man," per
sisted Nelson, putting his hand Oh
Lachlan's knee, but Lachlan shook MS
head.
"Dat Young feller," said Baptste-
"wha's hees mem, heb"
He has no name. 1t is just para
ble," explained Sandy. ...
"He's got no mem? He's just par
omble? Das no young feller" asked
Baptiste anxiously. "Das mean not
ing"
Then Nelson took him in hand and
explained to him the meaning, Wnhe
Baptste listened even more eagerly,
calculating softly: "Ah, VOLTA! Bon!
Bv CARP When Nelson had finished
he broke out: Dat young feller-his
name Baptiste, heh? And de old Fad
der-he's le bon Dieu? Bon! Das gooo
story for me. How you so back? You
60 to de pries'?'
sThe book doesn't say priest or any
one else" said Nelson. "You go back In
yourself, you see"
"Non; das so, sure nuf. Ah!' AS if
light broke in upon him. "You go IN
YOUR own self. You make one leetle
prayer. You say, lie bon Fadder, oh, /
want come back, l so tire, so hongree,
so sorreep He say, Come right long
All, das fuss rate! Nelson, you make
one leetle prayer for Sandy and me-"
Nelson lifted up his face and said:
"Father, we're all gone far away; we
have spent all; we are poor; we are
tired Of it all; we want to feel differ
ent, to be different; we want to come
back. Jesus came to save us from our
sins, and he said If we came he
wouldn't cast Us out, no matter how
bad we were, if we only came to him.
O Jesus Christ" and his old iron face
began to work, and two big tears slow
" came from under his eyelids, "We
are a poor lot, and I'm the worst OF the
lot, and we are trying to find the way.
Show US how to get back. Amen"
"Bonw said Baptiste. "Das fetch
him c1,rov'