The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-06-28

ras the hard le7N In his face. He had
not forgotten A.s wrong, for day by
day he was still fighting the devil with
in that Slavin had called TO life. But
Mrs Mavor. under cover OF getting him
instructions. drew him into the room.
While listening TO her his eyes wan.
dcred from one 10 the other of the
group tin they rested upon the little
white face I'm the crib She noticed the
change in his face.
They fear the little one Will never
see the Saviour IL IL is not baptized"
she said in low tone.
He was eager TO go.
"I'll do my best 10 get The priest" he
said and was gone on his sixty mile
race with death.
The long afternoon wore on. but be
fore IL was half gone / saw Nixon
could not win and that the priest would
be too late, SO l sent for Mr.. Craig.
From the moment he entered the noon
he took command OF US all. He was 50
simple, so manly, SO tender, the hearts
Of the parents instincuyely turned 10
him.
AS he was about 10 proceed with the
baptism the mother whispered TO Mrs.
Mayor, who hesitatingly asked Mr..
Craig II he would object 10 using holy
water.
ITO me IL is the same as any other"
he replied gravely.
An will he make the good signY
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 IL was orthodox, and IL render
ed chaotic some OF my religious no
tions. but | thought more of Craig that
moment than ever before. He was
more man than minister, or perhaps he
was so good a 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, felt my heart
grow warm, and could easily under
i blullu tie cry Oh lHe luOlHtIs
"Oh. mon Jesu. prenez moi aussi take
me wiz mon mignonw
The cry Weakened Slavin's heart and
he said huskily:
"Oh, Annette, Annetter'
"Ah, oui, an Michael too" Then to
Mr.. Craig: You tink he's TAX me some
day? EhT
All who love him." he replied.
"An' Michael, too?" she asked. her
eyes searching his face. AN Michael
tooY"
But Craig only replied, "Al who love
him"
"Ah, Michael, you must pray he bon
Jesu He's garle notre mignon." And
then she bent over the babe, whisper
Ing, "Ah. mon cheri, mon amour, adleu,
adieu, mon anger TIL 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 II is
And didn't you hear what the minister
said about the beautiful place IT Isl
And sure he wouldn't lie to us az all"
But a mother cannot be comforted
for her firstborn son.
An hour later Nixon brought Father
Goulet lie was little Frenchmur
with gentle manners and the face Of d
| L.,
and told him what he had done.
"That is good, my brother" he said
with gentle courtesy. and turning Il
the mother Your little one Is safe"
Behind Father Goulet came Nixor
softly ana gazed down upon the LITTLE
quiet face, beautiful with the magic OF
death. ST. sin came quietly and STOOD
beside him, Nixon turned and offere,
his hand, but Shvin moving slowly
back, said:
II did YOU wrong. Nixon. and It's d
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 &c
see II again That's why the break
! hurt mo 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 Brecn. 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
10 the world. And the mother must
have heard the whisper In her heart.
for az 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 me pur
pie mountain tops seeing what made
her smile. And Slavin. too. looked diff
ferent His very features seemed finer.
The carscness was gone out OF his
face. What had come to him could
NOT foil