Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-29


No one was surprised, and the minis
ter went on:
Eyes, and that's where we must get
the good, clean heart-thc good, clean,
brave heart--from our Father. Don't
watt but. just are you are, come.
Sing"
They sang, not loud, as they would
"Stand Up or even "The Sweet BY
and BY" but in voices subdued, hold
ing down the power in them.
After the singing Craig stood mo-
ment gazing down ut the men and then
said quietly:
"Any man want to come? You all
might come. We all must come"
Then. sweeping his arm over the au-
dicnce and turning half round as IL to
move off. he cried in voice that thrill
ed to the hearts core:
ooh, come on! Let's go backr'
The effect was overpowering. 1t
seemed to me that the whole company
half rose to their feet. OF the prayer
that Immediately followed only
caught the opening sentence, "Father,
We are coming back" for my attention
was suddenly absorbed by Abe, the
stage driver. who was sitting next me.
| could hear him swearing approval
and admiration, saying TO himself
"Ain't he a clinkcr? I'll be gee whz-
Fly gol' busted if he amt malleable
iron. double back action, self adjusting
corn cracker"
And the prayer continued, to be
punctuated with like admiring and
even more sulphurous eXpletives. 1t
was an homogeneous medley. The ear
nest, reverent prayer and the earnest,
admiring profanity rendered chaotic
ones ideas of religious proprety The
feelings in both were akin. the method
of expression somewhat widely d.
verse.
After prayer Craig's tone changed
utterly. In a quiet. matter of fact,
businesslike way he stated his plan of
organization and called for all who
wished to join to remain after the ben
ediction. Some fifty men were left,
among them Nelson, Sandy. Lachlan
Campbell, Bnptste, Shaw. Nixon,
Gcordie and Billy Brcen, who tried to
get out. but was held fast by Gcordie.
Graelne was passing out. but | signed
him to remain. saying that l wished
ito see the thing out" Abe sat still
beside me, swearing diSgustcdly at the
fellows "Who were g0n' back on the
preacher. Craig appeared amazed at
the number of men remaining and
seemed to fear that something was
wrong. He put before them the terms
of discipcship, as the Maker put them
to the eager scribe. ana he did not
make them easy. lie pictured the kind
of work to he done and the kind Of
men needed for the dol Of il. Abe
grew uneasy MS the minister went on
to describe the completeness of the sur
render, the intensity Of the loyalty de-
mandcd.
THAT knocks me out. I reckon" he
muttered in a disappointed tone. Il
amt up to that grade" And as Craig
described the hcroism called for, the
magnilicence of the fight the worth of
1t and the outcome of it all Abe ground
out, "Ill be BANKED if wouldn't like
to take hand. but l guess I'm not in
it,
Craig finished by saying:
81 want TO put this quite fairly. It is
not any league of mine. You're not
joining my company. 1t is no easy
business, and it is for your whole life.
What do you say? Do put it fairly?
What do You say, Nelson?"
Nelson rose slowly and with difficulty
began:
Il may be all wrong. but you made it
easier for me. Mr.. Craig. You said he
would see me through, or should new
er have riskcd it. Perhaps am
wrong" And the old man looked
troubled.
Craig sprang up.
NO. no. Thank God. no! He will
see every man through who will trust
his life 20 him-every man, no matter
how tough he is, no matter how bro
ken"
Then Nelson Strengthened himself up
and said:
well, sir, believe lot of the men
would 20 in for this if they were dead
sure they would get through"
Get through" said Craig. Never
a fear of it. 1t is hard fight, long
fight glorious fight" throwing up his
/ head, but every man who squarey
trusts Mm and takes him as Lord and
Master comes out victor"'
Bon" said Baptiste. "Das me. You
| tnk he's take me in dat fight, NJ sieu
Craig. hch?"
His eyes were blazing
"You mean it?" asked Craig almost
sternly.
Eyes, by gar" said the little French
man eagerly.
Hear what he says. then" And
Craig, turning over the leaves of his
Testament, read solemnly the words,
'SWear not at ALL"
mon. For sure. Den | stop him."
replied Baptiste earnestly, and Craig
wrote his name down.
Poor Abe looked amazed and dis
tressed rose slowly and, saying, THAT
jars my whisky jug" passed out.
There WAS n slight movement near
the organ, and, CHANGING up, | saw
Mrs. MavOr put her face hastily in her
hands The mems faces were anxious
and troubled, and Nelson said in a
voice that broke:
TEL them what you told me, SIR"
Rut f'rniU urus frorhlaJ too onJ ,,o