The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-11-27

! do as well as any name DIT. John
Jones would convey more dignity. But
when a few moments later ne was
called 10 give his name his truth-loving
nature rebelled against the falsehood
and in clear voice he answered, "Ez-
ra Tyler" going on. without further
questioning, TO explain that he was pass
tor of the Gimheld Congregational
! church He heard the charge against
him, and for the first time began to
realize the fact that the bill-that pre-
cious twenty-dollaT bill--was valueless.
There could be no doubt of it, they told
him. An officer more kind hearted than
the one who had arrested him, eX-
planned it all and assured him there
would be no trouble il he was really in
nccent and could prove where he got
the bill
He had a confused senfe OF many
people around, most of them looking
miserable and unfortunate One wo-
man, carrying baby. staggered as she
tried to cross the room. She was i'll
beyond question. He wondered why
they didn't do something for her. and
felt relieved when pleasant-faced ma
iron approached and coaxed the baby
to her arms. How pitiful the thin lit
tie arms contrasted with the rosy baby
at home. In one corner sat a ragged
man Of middle age, from whose stolid
face crime had banished every trace of
a better nature. Opposite him was
well dressed young fellow. his face bu-
ried in his hands. The minister's heart
throbbed with pain as he looked at
them and wondered how long since the
one was like the other and what depths
Of degradation lay between. He wished
he were near enough to lay his hand on
the bowed curly head-nOt much older
than the little heads at home. His own
trouble passed from his mind What
mattered il so long as he was innocent?
And an emotion akin to the divine love
and pity moved him as he gazed on
these fellow prisoners who perhaps
" ere guilty. Life must have been so
hard for them-temptatiOns so strong
and wills SO weak.
He found himself after a little con-
Quoted to a cell with two others
strangely enough the two on whom his
attention had been fixed. The attend
ant-Mr. Tyler has no idea what his
exact title might be-iocoseiy remarked
that he hoped they didn t mind crowd
ing; they We're unusually full tonight.
To Mr.. Tylers relief his elder COM
panion dropped upon the floor in half
drunken sleep. The boy. as il anxious
opposite corner and resumed his atti-
TIDE Of deep detection. The minister
watched him thoughtfully for long
time. At last he drew nearer and
touched the boys arm gently. A hag-
gard, miserable face was raised 20 his
oh, so young
What do you want?" was the impa-
tient question.
My boy Mr.. Tyler said gently. tell
me how It happened" The boy shrank
away and ungraciously demanded to be
left alone. Then, some gentler impulse
seizing him. he muttered a half apollo
gy, and, as IL 20 atone for his rudeness.
added few words of explanation. Then
slowly the longing for sympathy over
came him. and he poured forth a story
of over-indulgence, dissipation and
debt, a pressing need for money. and
the use Of funds not his own. Before
him now was certain disgrace, perhaps
years of prison life.
The minister sat silent. IN his coun-
try parish he had never met a case like
this. He could recall nothing IN his the
illogical training that fitted IT, Accord
ing TO his best knowledge and belief. he
should speak words or condemnation
and warning. But the pity swelling in
his heart choked them back. And when
he opened his lips at last there came
from them only words OF sympathy. He
seemed possessed by some power be-
ycnd himself-that tender. all-absorb-
ing love for the guilty ones of earth.
for whom too often he had felt only
contempt. He struggled with himself
in vain His brain told him he should
have exhorted the young man TO re-
pentsnce before Il was too late. His
heart would let. him speak only of a
Heavenly Fathers love. When he
ceased speaking the room was very
still Even the heavy breathing in the
other corner had ceased.
Presently the boy raised his head
with a defiant gesture "See. here's he
said, and slipped A little vial into the
minister's hand. II didn't mean to go
TO prison. If il came TO that. there WAS
stuff enough In that bottle to have
taken care Of me. II they'd put mo
alone in a cell I should have swallowed
il before now. T haven't any friends !
left. My relatives will all refuse TO
speak 10 me after this: and I didn't
suppose there was any one IN heaven or !
on earth that cared. Butt believe you /
l never heard ii put that way before |
And I'm going to stand my trial, and !
whatever comes after il, because OF J
what you say"
The two clasped hands warmly. And !
as they did so the ragged criminal in |
the corner staggered to his feet and I
stood before them. Had they but I
known il. it was years since he had J
stood so erect. squire, he said. tho I
s right. II -somebody'd said +
10 me twenty years ago what you've (
Just said 20 him. | might have been a I
man today in place OF what I be Oh.
go on. Don't talk any f0ollshntss. IT'S /
too late TO work any such racket on I
ne Well pray for me II you want TO: 4
twont do no hurt maybe. though / can
tell you twon't 60 no good. ] tell you
/ don't want to be any better. 81
wouldn't change il I could. But in the
name Of the hoy ] was twenty years /
igo I want 10 thank you FOR giyin' this :
roung feller-a lift
He staggered back to his corner. as If /
ashamed of the momentary interest he
had shown, and the brief Intelligence
lied out OF the hardened face.
The boy. worn out with deep emotion,
iropped upon the hard cot and slept
nhe minister sat through the long night
wrapped in meditation. II was not UNI
II the first gray streaks of dawn stole
Trough the grated door that he reused
o a remembrance that he was a pIfs-
ner. charged with crime.
Early that morning, in one of the