Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-19

never ulu SUCH u tuluS DeIOTeI ROW
could your Is 1t this baleful western
inhuencsW
II shall reform, jack" she replied
brightly.
"But, seriously, Graeme," remon.
strated, "you ought to tell your people
Of your life, that free, glorious life in
the mountains"
"Free! Glorious! To some men per.
hapsw said Greene and then fell into
silence.
But saw Graeme as new man the
night he talked theology with his
father. The old minister was a splen.
did Calvinist, of heroic type, and as he
discoursed of Gods sovereignty and
election his face glowed and his voice
rang out.
Graeme listened intently, now and
then putting in a question, as one
would a keen knife thrust into n foe,
but the old man knew his ground and
moved easily among his ideas, demol.
ishing the enemy as he appeared with
jaunty grace. In the full flow Of his
triumphant argument Graeme turned
to him with sudden seriousness.
Look here, father. was born q
Calvinlst, and can't see how any one
with a level head can hold anything
else than that the Almighty has some
idea as to how he wants to run his uni
verse, and he means to carry out his
Idea and is carrying it out. But what
would you do in case like this?"
Then he told the story of poor Billy
Breen. his fight and his defeat.
"Would you preach election to thai
ehapy
The mothers eyes were shining with
tears.
The old gentleman blew his nose Xix.
trumpet and then said gravely:
"No. my boy. You don't feed babe.
with meat. But what came to him"
Then Graeme asked me to finish The
tale. After l had finished the story Of
Billy's final triumph and Of Craig!
part in it they sat long silent till thu
minister. clearing his throat hard ant
blowing his nose more like trumpe
than ever, said, with great emphasis:
THANK God for such a man in suci
a place! | wish there were more of u!
like him."
II should like to see you out there
SIR" said Graeme admiringly. "Yout
get them, but you wouldn't have tim'
for election"
Eyes. yes" said his father warmly
81 should love to have a chance JUS
to preach election to those poor lads
Would l were twenty years younger"
ut is worth q mans life" sale
Graeme earnestly.
His younger brother turned his fac
eagerly toward the mother. For an
swcr she slipped her hand into his anc
said softly, while her eyes shone lik
stars:
Some day. Jack. perhaps. Coz
knows"
But Jack only looked steadily at her
smiling little and patting her hand.
You'd shine there. mother" salt
Graeme, smiling upon her. You'd bet
ter come with me-"
She started and said family:
with you?" 1t was the FIRST hint h
had given of his purpose. you ar
going back?"
"What-as a missionary" said Jack
mot to preach. Jack-Im not ortho
dox enough" looking at his father an
shaking his head-"but to build raj
roads and lend a hand to some poo
chap If 1 can"
Gould you not find work neare
home, my boy?' asked the father
"There is plenty Of both kinds near u
here surely"
"Lots Of work, but not mine, I fear,
answered Gracme, keeping his eyes
away from his mothers face. "a mar
must do his own work"
His voice was quiet and resolute
and, glancing at the beautiful face a
the end of the table, saw in the pale
lips and yearn!ng eyes that the mother
was offering ~ her firstborn, that an
cient sacrifice But not all the agony
of sacrifice could wiring from her en-
treaty or complaint in the hearing O.
her sons. That was for other ears Gnt
for the silent hours of the night. Ant
next morning. when she came down t.
Hlttt Us, uGl iuSc vas w III auu veal y
but 1t wore the peace Of victory and ,
glory not of earth. Her greeting wa
| full of dignity, sweet and gentle, blu
| when she came to Graeme she fingered
over him and kissed him twice, ant
that was all that any Of US ever saw
| of that sore fight.
At the end Of the week I took leav,
| Of them and last Of all of the mother.
She hesitated just a moment, thel
suddenly put her hands upon my shoul
ders and kissed me, saying softly:
You are his friend. You will some
times come to meY'
GLADLY, if may" fastened to an
swer, for the sweet, brave face wa
too much to bear, and till she left u
for that world of which she was
part kept my word, to my own grea
and lasting good.
When Gr2ense met me in the city a
the end of the summer, he brought IN
her love and then burst forth:
"ConnOr, do you know, l have Jus
discovered my mother. l have neve
known her till this summer"
More fool you," l answered, for OF
ten had l, who had never known
mother, envied him his.
Eyes; that Is true" he answere,
shortly, but you cannot see until 20
have eyes"