St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-10-15

| II Icll W NSOIulS, LLSIelOIS, do q %"
cred duty, in view of the laxity OF
those who seemed to be the pillars OF
the church, to be all the more watch
full and unyielding, but he was delight
fully inconsistent when confronted
with particulars. In conversation with
him one night after one of the meet
ingS, when he had been specially hard
upon the ignorant and goddess, | lnno-
Gently changed the subject to Billy
Breen, whom Geordie had taken to his
shack since the night Of the league.
He was very proud of Billy's success
in the fight against whisky, the credit
of which he divided evenly between
Mrs. Mavor and himself
Hes fair daft ABBOTT her." he eX'
planned to me, IAN I'll no deny but
she's a great help-aye, a vera con
seederable asseestance-but, mon, she
doesna ken the whusky an the inside
O. mon that's wantin' it. Aye, puir
buddie, she diz her part, an when
we're a bit restless an thrawn after
yer days wark it's like a walk in a
| bonny glen on a simmer eve, with the
birds lltin' about, tae sit in yon roomie
an hear her sing. But when the night
is on an We Gamma sleep, but wauken
wi an awful thurst an WI dreams o
cozy firesides an the bonny sparklin'
CLOSES, as it is VII puir Billy-aye, it's
then We need a mon WI guild grip be-
side ye."
what do you do then, Geordie?"
asked.
100, aye, just gang for bit walk
wi the lad an then pits the kettle on
an makes a cup O. tea or coffee, an
aft he gangs tae sleep like a BARN"
poor Billy" said pityingly. There
is no hope for him in the future,
fear"
"Hoot ava, monw said Geordie
quickly. Eye wadna keep DOT puir
crater frae creepin in that's dacin' his
best?"
"But, Geerdie," l demonstrated, che
doesn't know anything of the doctrines,
l don't believe he could give US the
chief end of man"
can wha's tae blame for thatW said
Geordie, with fine Indignation. AN
maybe you remember the prood Phari
see an the puir wumman that cam
creepin' in ahint the Master"
The mingled tenderness and indigna
ton in Geordie's face were beautiful to
see, so meekly answered:
"Well, hope Mr.. Craig won't be too
strict with the boys"
Geordie shot a suspicious glance at
me, but | kept my face like a summer
morn, and he replied cautiously:
aye, he's mo- that street, but he
maun exerceese Dissemination"
Geordie was none the less determin-
ed, however, that Billy should come
forrit," but as to the manager, who
was member of the English church,
and some others who had been con-
firmed years ago and had forgotten
much and denied more, he was ex-
tremely doubtful and expressed him.
self in very decided words to the min
lister: ...
yell no be askin' forrit the Epees-
copawlyun buddies. They just ken
naethin ava"
But Mr.. Craig looked at him for a
moment and said, Him that cometh
unto I,e l will in nowise cast out "
and Geordie was silent, though he con-
tinued doubtful.
With all these somewhat fantastic
features, however, there was no mis-
taking the earnest spirit of the men.
The meetings grew larger every night,
and the interest became more intense.
The singing became different. The men
no longer simply shouted, but as Mr..
Craig would call attention to the senti-
ment of the hymn the voices would at
tune themselves to the words. Instead
of encouraging anything like emotional
excitement Mr.. Craig seemed to fear it.
These chaps are easily stirred up"
he would say, 'and | am anxious that
they should know exactly what they
are doing. 1t is far too serious a bust
ness to tritle WITH
Although Graeme did not go down
stairs to the meetings, he could not but
feel the throb of the emotion beating
in the heart of the community. | used
to detail for his benefit and sometimes
for his amusement the incidents of
each night, but never felt quite easy
in dwelling upon the humorous fea-
lures in Mrs. MAYORS presence, al
though Craig did not appear to mind.
His manner with Graeme was perfect.
Openly anxious to win him to his side.
he did not improve the occasion and
veX him with exhortation. He would
not take him at disadvantage.
though, as | afterward found, this was
not his sole reason for his method.
Mrs. Mayor, too, showed herself in q
wise and tender light She might have
been his sister, so frank was she and
SO openly affectionate laughing at his
fretfulness and soothing his WEAKNESS.
Never were better comrades than we
four, and the bright days speeding so
swiftly on drew us nearer to one an
other But the bright days came to
an end, for Graeme, when once he was
able to go about, became anxious to
get back to the camp. And so the last
day came, day l remember well. 1t
was bright, crisp winter day.
The air was shimmering in the frosty
light. The mountains, with their shin