The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-24
CHAPIER TE.-fcorTIxrEp.l J

lDr LOOKED Into that book since ! VA
a young man. do not love il. Hal
you brought ne Shakespeare. shoult
have hailed It more gladly than a ehesf
Of gold; but Bible-kesD it. Tom, I Dc
not want a Bible.
Tom had dropped his hold Of tbs
chest 10 clasp the little booE
closely 10 his breast His eyes gloxed
bis rough face kindled into en-
thusiazm.
What. sir. With all your learning
and knowledge you don't understand
the value Of a Bible? Why !, that have
such a hard time a-speiling out The
words. knew its worth long ago. How
are We going TO live here all alone on
this heathenish island2 How are we
going TO bring up two immortal souls
without Biblez How are We going
10 die and ship for a cruise that has no
return YOyage7 Oh, sir. I don't BE-
lieFe my own ears-hoB could you have
lived all these years without Bible?"
. gloomy stare was his only answer
Poor soul. poor soulr continued
/ Tom, in soothing, chiding voice, such
as be would have used to q wayward
child. No wonder you've been so sor-
rowful and benighted. Pears TO me
L see the Lords hand in this. He don't
I mean to lose so useful a servant as you
oughter be. He's put you here where
your hne false books sha'n't hurt, and
has left You only one to read. Here il
is; take it-oh. sir, take it, for poor
Toms sake-for your boys sake"
Here Toms voice failed, and fairly
sobbing. he thrust the book into the
unwilling hand and darted into the
woods
Mr.. yernon's face was fairly ghastly
beneath his struggling emotions. Bid
ding the children help Tom unload the
raft, he turned and strobe. not in Toms
direction, but toward the hills, into
whose verdurous depths his tall form
speedily disappeared. They did not
see him again that day Late in The
evening, when perturbed and anxious,
Tom was Just setting out 10 find him,
he made his appearance. The, intense
brightness Of tropic starlight showed
Tom his face. 1t was like a sea over
which a storm had passed or a green
valley where a hurricane had swept
There we're traces Of great struggles, Of
mighty forces battling Hereely, scat
tered wrecks. uprooted Towths Of
many years mistakes and sin. the
blackened mark Of the lightning's
scathing. the exhaustion and weakness
Of intense excitement-but his eye
shone clear and BRIGHT, like the sun
that has dispersed the Clouds the air
was purified, the tempest over.
Tom" said he, holding out his hand,
my brother, my best friend, your hand
has smitten the hard rock, and the
waters have gushed forth Here is
your Bible. will read it every night,
and you shall teach US three children
its divine meaning, its holy encourage
ments, its benefeent forgiveness"
Even as he spoke he staggered and
caught at tree for support
You are weak and overcome, sir"
said Tom, anxiously. You have tasted
all day, l fear. Let me help you to the
house and give you a little of the
brandy"
Fasting and humiliation are for
such as me" answered he, but / be-
lieve through your blessed influence the <
light is breaking. Yes, let US go in.
Tonight, Tom, for the first time these |
many years, ] have prayed with my |
whole heart and strength and soul"
Nothing more was said, although /
Tom laid awake half the night listen
ing in sorrowful sympathy to the rest
less tossings, the stifed sighs and gush-
ing tears that came from the bamboo
couch behind him. Toward morning
he fell asleep, and when he awoke,
there, at the head Of the other bed sat
Mr.. Vernon, his pale face no longer
cynical and gloomy, but irradiated with
Joy, as he bent. utterly abb
sorbed, over the sacred volume.
"All right, said Tom, joyfully, as he
slipped away noiseIessly to find the
busily following Mr.. yernon's
hint, and preparing breakfast for
their slumbering friend.
Wen have a little change shortly"
said he, devouring, to their infinite
with much relish. the
bananas. i saw some
ine fish and lots O. wild ducks yester-
day; and, alongside Of Walters pig. /
calculate wen be ready for foul
weather. Plenty Of work will keep us
all busy and happy too. thank the
Lord"
Which communication was reiterated
when Mr.. Vernon came out from their
og retreat and Joined them on the
yreen.
"Ah, sir" said Tom, Il feel more
to this the more I think ont.
lest this beautiful spot is right for a
,ody to spend his last days in. Wen
lot be hankering after worldly goods
md forget to look to the harbor we're
lrifting to. / shouldn't mind seeing
Id England again and my good sister
Honor. You see, sir, she and I was all
here was. and SC we kinder sot move
" one another than common folks
II warrant the poor soul has cried her
yes red many a night for wanting Ia ,