Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-08


young fellow leaned across the aisle
to me and said, why, you just bet he
can! His surprise that l should doubt,
his bright face and confident tone, gave
me hope that perhaps it might be so.
held to that hope with all my SOUL
and" stretching up his arms and with
a quick glow in his face and a little
break in his voice, 'he hasn't failed
me yet, not once, not oncev'
He stopped short, and I felt good
deal like making fool of myself, for
in those days I had not made up my
mind about these things. Graeme poor
old chap, was gazing at him with a sad
yearning in his dark eyes; big Sandy
was sitting very stiff and staring hard
er than ever into the fire; Baptiste was
trembling with excitement; Blaney was
openly wiping the tears away. But the
face that held my eyes was that of old
man Nelson. 1t was white. fierce, hun
CRY looking, his sunken eyes burning.
his lips parted as if to cry.
The minister went on. 81 didn't mean
to tell you this, men. 1t all came over
me with a rush. But it is true, every
word, and not word will take back.
And, what's more, can tell you this.
what he did for me he can do for any
man, and it doesn't make any differ
ence what's behind him, and" leaning
slightly forward and with little thrill
of pathos vibrating in his voice, "oh,
boys, why don't you give him chance
at you? Without him you'll never be
the men you want to be, and you'll
never get the better of that that's keep
| ing some of you now from going back
home. You know you'll never go back
| till you're the men you want to be-"
Then, lifting up his face and throwing
back his head, he said, as if to himself,
"Jesus-he shall save his people from
their sins" and then, LET us pray"
Graeme leaned forward with his face
in his hands: Baptiste and Blancy drop
ped on their knees; Sandy, the Camp
bells and some others stood up. Old
man Nelson held his eyes steadily on
the minister.
Only once before had seen that look
on human face. A young fellow had
broken through the ice on the river at
home. and as the black water was
dragging his fingers one by one from
the slippery edges there came over his
face that same look. | used to wake
up for many night after IN a sweat
of horror, seeing the white face with
its parting lips and its piteous, dumb
appeal and the black water slowly
sucking it down.
Nelson's face brought it all back. but
during the prayer the face changed
and seemed to settle into resolve of
some sort stern. almost gloomy, as of
q man with his last chance before him
After the prayer Mr.. Craig invited
the men to Christmas dinner next
day in Black Rock. "And because you
are an Independent lot we'll charge you
half a dollar for dinner and the even.
ing show" Then, leaving bundle of
magazines and illustrated papers on
the table, godsend to the men. he
said goOdby and went Ort
was to 90 with the minister, so
jumped into the sleigh first and waited
while he said goodby to Graeme. who
had been hard hit by the whole serv.
ice and seemed to want to say some
thing. l heard Mr. Craig say chaerful
~ and confidently: ITS a true hill
Try him"
Sandy. who had been steadying Dan.
dy while that interesting brOncho was
attempting with great success to bal
ance himself on his hind legs, came tc
say goodby.
Come and see me first thing, Sandy
"Ayc, know. I'll see you, Mr.
Craig" said Sandy earnestly rs Dandy
dashed off at full Gallop across the
clearing and over the bridge, steadyine
down when he reached the hill.
STEADY, you IDIOT"
This was to Dandy, who had taker
sudden side spring into the deer
snow, almost upsettng us. A mar
stepped out from the shadow. 1t was
old man Nelson. He came straight tC
the sleigh and, ignoring my presence
completely, said:
"Mr. Craig, are you dead sure Of
this Will it work."
do you mean" said Craig. takins
him up promptly. "can Jesus Chris
save you from your sins and make {
! man of YOU"
The old man nodded. keeping hi
. hungry eyes on the o.hcr's face.
"Well, here's his message to you
The Son of Man is come to seek and t.
; save that which is lost"
$40 me? To me?" said the old MAJ
eagerly.
, Listen. This, too, is his word: Hin
, that cOmcth unto me ! will in nowis
cast out That's for you, for here yo
are, coming"
You don't know me. Mr. Craig.
left my baby fifteen years ago EC
cause
5 "Stopw said the minister. "Don'
, tell meat least not tonight, perhap
) never. Tell him who knows it all nov
: and who never betrays secret. Hay
5 it ont with him. Don't be afraid I
trust him.
l Nelson looked at him, with his fac
quivering. and said in husky voice:
, IF this is no good, it's he'll for me-"
, 'If it's no good" replied Craig, n
, most sternly, its hell for all OF us"
: The old man Strengthened himself NJ
? looked up at the stars, then back Il
Mr.. Craig, then at me and, drawing
5 deep breath, said: