The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1906-12-13

used to-
For long time Hal sat gazing
at his mothers pale, sad face, and
at last decided he could do no
more than try to find his father
and bring him home TO the ones
who were praying for him. He
put ON his coat, crossed the room
and gently kissed the sleeper
then hurried out into the night as
the clock was striking eleven
Even vet the streets were crowd
ed. and many stared at the hand
some but sad face that passed
them so swiftly.
Hal sped ON, going from one
gambling house to another, and
| in and out Of places ne had never
been in before, until he reached a
saloon where he found the object
of his search. He paused, won
dering how ne could approach
| his father. whom he had not seen
for months. With faltering steps
he went up to his father and
touched him gently on his arm.
| Mr. Rivers turned, startled when
he saw it was his son. and with
an angry exclamation, but
ashamed-for he was ashamed
when he saw his son standing
among the lowest of mcn-de-
manded what he was doing there.
Hal raised his eyes to his face
and with a look which his father
never forgot said Father.
won't you please come home with
me? You know it is Christmas
eve tonight. Come home father
please
But his words fell on deaf ears
Turning around, his father
walked over to the table where
3 he was playing billiards when la
entered. Hal stood for a moment
half stunned, then turned dnC
+, walked up to the crowd again, de
termined to try once more. lie
faced the men and told them h'
had something to say which, /
they would but listen, he coulC
tell them in just two minutes
= The men laughed boistcrously a
= this, and, taking out thei
watches. told him they wer,
ready to hear his spiel.
Hal told the story that haC
D happened at his home that night
= and when he had finished h,
told his father, and told him i
was his own infant Morris VIII,
had asked Jesus to bring bacl
, his dear papa to them
The men hung their heads, an,
/, his father came, sober now bu
with rcmorscful face, and as h
looked at his sons handsome face
7 white and still, he came forwar
% and, kneeling by his side, wcpl.
Baby Morris words rang i
:: his ears as he said, Forgive mC
i my son for the wrong have don
! my wife and children.
u Midnight came and the Christ
u mas bells rang out clear on IN
7 frosty air. Mr.. Rivers said moth
! ing; he could not speak, but i
:, his secret heart was registered
q vow that he would be ma
l. again if God and love coul
make him so.
p They passed through tn
y streets and went toward HON,
II Baby Morris prayer was al
e swcrcd, for on Christmas morn
Is ing he was closely wrapped in hi
). fathers arms.
d Halls heart was no longer sa,
> for he had succeeded i'm makir
Is Christmas as happy or happiC
IS than the ones before, and whc
e Dora found this out she, too, wa
"a happy. Her friends. who In
IL only been jealous of her, wcr
&c now ashamed Of what they ha
u said.
t. Mr.. Rivers is now a prosperous
y respected man, with a happy wifi,
q from whose beautiful face q
Il traces of sorrow have VANISHED
And as the years roll on, whe
i Christmas time comes round, an
>, the clear, Sweet-toncd bells rim
II out their glad message of "Peac
on earth and good will towar
S. men, Mr.. Rivers thinks of III
L. bells that rang that Christina
s. eve long age.
EDNA DORTON.
-O--