Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-05-13

"We thought maybe you could sug.
gcst something"
The young minister was silent for a
moment.
1--WE must be CAREFUL" lie said.
"Of course"
"W'c have no proof that anything is
wrong"
at looks mighty queer"
The young minister hcsitatcd.
"Out where 1 spent q year or two
after left college," he said, "they
would have made this the subject for
a vigilance committees attentions.
When social duty OF this sort was
under consideration rope was usually
at hand where it could be found when
Wanted."'
"Of course" said the selcctman hasti-
ly. 1--WE don't intend to 80 that far."
The young man smiled.
"But the vigilance committee idea
suits you?"
'Thc idea OF committee to visit the
old man suits me-"
Good" said the young man. "There
can he no harm in that"
"And you'll join us?"
"Yes."
Tomorrow nIght:"
"Ycs."
"Wc'll meet at the Church 1T s
o'clock"
Every we'll"
The selectman paused.
"And will You lead u.s."
"1f You desire it." said the young
minister.
And SOFT happened that the first vigi-
laEceF committee that Winterfeld had
ever known plodded dcterminedly, al
though at Il le!surely pace, up tile long
hill in the bright moonlight. and finally
entered the old mans yard and halted
before the a.. ent cottage. And 1t was
The tall youn minister who advanced
and pccrcd ugh the lighted Win
dow.
There was pause.
Then the tall ing minister turned
to tie others.
Come" he sair . whisper.
He raped lightly on the door. Wait
ing but moment he opened it and
passed in, with the others following
him.
The door opened Immediately into the
big living room Of the cottage, COM
Portable apartment with great fire.
place with a log burning on the huge
andirons, a log that sent out the flicker
ing light that had Illuminated the WIN
dow.
The old man was there, seated in 4
low chair by the fireplace. Hc looked
up as tile committee entered, but
showed no surprise.
He only nodded and then held up his
hand with slight warning gesture.
The boy was in cushioned chair by
the old mans side. His head with its
long light bair was pillowed against
the old mans shoulder. He sat at
such an angle that the committee could
see the little white face, and the long
white hands, and the closed eyes. The
boy was asleep.
But even us they stared at this pic
turc the child stirred uncasiiy.
Daddy" lie cried, daddy"
1t was cry of terror.
"Ycs, yes, dear boy, / am here" said
the old man gently as he patted the
white. cheek. The big eyes opened
wider and rested on the old mans face.
The pale lips parted in a sigh.
~ had bad dream, daddy" he muir
mured.
eyes, dear boy. But it was only a
dream"
81 dreamed they were beating me
again, daddy"
"They will never beat you again, dear
boy"
The child was silent for moment.
Then he sighed again. This time it
was a sigh of contentment.
Daddy" he softly said, "it's like
heaven to be sick, isn't it?'
The old man stroked the white hands
tcnderly.
There's a little pain again in my
shoulder, daddy" said the boy. "If
you'll rub it just little 1t will so away
and then I can sleep"
The old man reached across and
gently stroked the aillng arm and the
tired eyelids slowly closed.
Presently the stroking ceased and the
old man looked up. The committee
were grouped about the door, each man
with his hat in his hand and they were
all very still.
"The child has been ill., said the old
man softly "Hc has had fever the
result of his malarlal surroundings and
Of i'll treatment. But he is much bet
ter, and will, please God, live to be 4
strong and healthy child. I have nursed
him through this illness, because 1 felt
competent to do it-I am 4 graduate of
medical school-and because in his
timid and nervous condition the sight
Of 4 strange face would have greatly
retarded his recovery" He paused
and gently shifted the child's head
into more comfortable position, and
then one Of the little hands crept into
the brown and rugged one and stayed
there. He looked up again, but before
lie could speak the tall young pastor
had stepped forward.
"Mr. MoXham," he said, in his deep,
low tones, "these gentlemen are a self
appointed committee who have called