The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-08-21
He spoke cheerfully and readily, as II


knew that IL he would talk IL would do
him good. and talk he did. often forget
ting me. till, as listened. found my
self looking again into the fathomless
eyes and hearing again the heart
searching voice. | saw her go In and
out of the little red tiled cottages and
down the narrow back lanes of the vii
lage: heard her voice in n sweet, low
song by the bed of n dying child or
pouring forth foods of music in the
great new hall of the factory town
near by, but l could not see, though
he tried TO show me, the stately, gra-
cious lady receiving the country folk
in her home. He did not linger over
that scene. but went back again to the
gate cottage where she had taken him
one day to see Billy Brecn's mother.
II found the old woman knew all
about me-" he said simply enough, "but
there We're many things about Billy
she had never heard, and l was glad
to put her right on some points, though
Mrs. Mavor would not hear it."
He sat silent for little. looking into
the Goals. then went on in a soft. quiet
voice:
at brought back the mountains and
the old days to hear again Billy's tones
in his mothers voice and to see her
sitting there in the very dress she wore
the night Of the league, you remember
some soft stun with black lace about
!t-and to hear her sing as she did for
Billy. All! Ah"'
His voice Unexpectedly broke, but In
n moment he was master OF himself
and begged me to forgive his weak
ness. | am afraid I said words that
should not be said, thing ! never do
Except when suddenly and utterly up
set
II am getting selfish and weak" he
said. Il must get to work. l am glad
TO get to work There is much to do.
and it is worth while, if only to keep
pne from getting useless and lazy"
Useless and lazy" | said to myself.
ing to get command Of my voice, so as
not to make quite fool of myself
and for many day those words goad
I'd mo TO work and to the exercise of
some mild self denial. But. more than
all else. after Craig had gone back to
the mountains Graemes letters from
the railway construction camp stirred
one to do unpleasant duty long post.
poned and rendered uncomfortable my
hours OF NEST luxurious ease. Many
Of the old gang were with him, both
Of lumbermen and miners, and Craig
was their minister, and the letters told
Of how he labored by day and by night
along the line Of construction, carry
ing his tent and kit with him. preach
ing stra Ct sermons. watching by sick
men. writ" their letters and winning
their hearts. making strong their lives
and helping them to die well when
their hour came.
One d. ..ese letters proved too
much for ...r. and packed away my
paints a: brushes and made my VOW
unto the Lord that would be useless
and lazy" no longer. but would do
sJmething with myself. In consequence
found myself within three weeks
walking the London hospitals, finishing
my course. that | might join that band
Of men who were doing something with
life or, If throwing it away, were not
losing it for nothing. | had finished
being a fool, hoped, at least n fool of
the useless and luxurious kind. The
letter that came from Graemc in reply
TO my request for n position on his STAFF
was characteristic of the man, both
new and old, full of gaycst humor and
of most earnest welcome to the work.
Mrs. Mavor's reply was like herself:
knew you would not long be content
with the making of pictures, which the
world does not really need. and would Join
your friends in the dear west, making
lives that the world needs so sorely.
But her last words touched me
strangely:
But be sure TO be thankful every day
for your privilege. ''' 1t will be good to
think Of you all, with the glorious noun
tains about you and Christ's own work in
your hands. 80 All. how we would like
TO choose our work and the place in which
to do it.
The longing did not appear in the
words, but | needed no words to tell
me how deep and how constant 1t was,
and | take some credit to myself that
in my reply | gave her no bidding to
join our band, but rather praised the
work she was doing in her place, tell
ing her how l had heard Of 1t from
Craig.
The summer found me religiously do.
ing Paris and Vienna, gaining more
perfect acquaintance with the extent
and variety OF my own ignorance. and
SO fully occupied in this interesting and
wholesome occupation that l fell out
with all my correspondents, with the
result of weeks OF silence between us.
Two letters among the heap waiting
on my table in London made my heart
beat quick, but with how different feel.
ings. one from Graeme telling me that
Craig had been very Ill and that he
was to take him home as soon as he
could be moved. Mrs. Mavor's letter
told me of the death Of the old lady.
who had been her care for the past
90 har N 70