Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-06-10
WHAT PRAYER CAN DO.
A Story That May Be Fiction; But
Which Could Be True.

A Story That May Be Fiction; But
Which Could Be True.
NO." said the lawyer, "I shan't press
your claim against that man. You can
get someone else to take the case, or
you can withdraw it, just as you
please"
Think there isn't any money in it?'
There would probably be little
money in it; but 1t would come from
the sale of the little house the man
occupies and calls his home But
don't want to meddle with the matter
anyhow"
Got frightened out of it, eh?"
mot at ALL"
II suppose the old fellow begged
hard to be let OFF,"
WELL yes, he did"
"And you caved in, likely'"
"Yes"
What in creation did you do?"
Il believe shed few tears"
1.-The old fellow begged you hard,
you say?"
mo, didn't say so, he didn't speak
a word to me-"
"Well, may I ask whom did he ad-
dress in your hearing?'
God Almighty"
He took to praying, did he?"
mot for my benefit in the least.
You see, found the little house easily
enough, and knocked on the outer door,
which stood jar, but nobody heard
me; so I stepped into the little hall,
and saw through the crack Of the door
a cosy sitting-room, and there on the
bed, with her silver head high on the
pillows, was an old lady, who looked
for all world just like my mother did
the last time 1 saw her on earth. Well,
I was on the point Of knocking again,
when she said, Come, father, now be-
gin; I am all ready Down on his
knees by her side went the old white
haired man, still older than his wife,
should judge; and I couldn't have
knocked then for the life Of me. Well,
be began. First he reminded God that
they were still his submissive children;
mother and he, and, no matter what
he saw fit to bring upon them, they
should not rebel against his will. OF
course, 1t was going to be hard for
them to 60 out homeless in their old
age, especially with poor mother so
sick and helpless; and oh, how differ
ent it might have been If only one of
the boys had been spared! Then his
voice kind o. broke, and thin, white
hand stole from under the coverlid,
and moved softly over his snowy hair.
Then he went on to repeat that moth
ing could ever be so sharp again as the
parting with those three sons-unless
mother and he should be separated!
But at last he fell to comforting HIM
self with the fact that the good Lord
knew that 1t was through no fault of
his own that mother and he were
threatened with the loss Of their dear
little home, which meant beggary and
the almshouse-a place they prayed to
be delivered from, If it could be con-
sistent with Gods will. And then he
quoted a multitude Of promises con-
corning the safety Of those who put
their trust in the Lord. In fact, it was
the most thrilling plea to which 1 ever
listened. At last he prayed for Gods
blessing on those about to demand JUS
tice."
Then the lawyer continued, more
slowly than ever, "And-I-believe
had rather go to the poorhouse myself
tonight than to stain my hands and
heart with the blood Of such a perse-
cution as that
Little afraid to defeat the old mans
prayer, eh?"
"Bless your soul, man, you couldn't
defeat that prayer. I tell you he left
it all subject to the will Of God; but
he claimed that we were told to make
known our desires to him. But, of all
the pleading I ever heard, that moved
me most. You see, I was taught that
kind of thing myself in my childhood,
and why was sent to hear that pray
er 1 am sure I don't know-but I hand
the case over"
II wish," said the client uneasily,
"I wish you hadn't told me about the
old mans prayer"
"Why SOP"
well, because I want the money
the place would bring. I was taught
the Bible straight enough when I was
a youngster, and I hate to run counter
to what you tell me about it. I wish
you had not heard a word about it,;
and another time I would not listen to
petitions not intended for my ears"
The lawyer smiled.
my dear fellow" he said, you are
wrong again. 1t was intended for my
ears and yours too; and God Almighty
intended it. My old mother used to
sing about God. moves in a mysterious
way remember"
"Well, my mother used to sing it
too," said the client, and he twisted
the claim papers in his fingers. "You
can call in the morning, if you like,
and tell mother and him the claim
has been met"
I'm a mysterious way" added the
lawyer.
fa' Justice discards party, friendship
Ii. tx,