The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-06-14


hell! For, said he. sadly, I've got
some news that I'd kind o. like t.
send
Il could not help him.
I'm tired! he complained, with a
quick-drawn sigh. I'm all wore out;
an visit I could tell Tom Galloway.
81, too, sighed
But / low was my uncle's woe
begone conclusion, that that there
poor Oh Tom Galloway Il just have t
wait till l sees un.
MY uncle looked up. Dannie, said
he, you don't mind my sittin' here for
a spell on your little bed, do you?
Honest, now?'
"Twas woeful supplication; the
voice childs voice; the eyes-dimly
visible in the starlight--a child's be-
seeching eyes.
JUS for a little spell? he pleaded.
Il said that l was glad to have him.
"'An' you isn't so wonderful sleepy,
is your
No, sir, 1 yawned.
He sighed. I'm glad, said he. An
I'm grateful t. you lad, for bein' kind
t OF Nick Top. He amt worth it,
Dannie-he's no good; he's JUS a OF
fool. But I'm lonely the night-most
wonderful lonely. | been thinkin'
was sort O. maxim a mess o. things.
You is happy, isn't you, Dannie?' he
he asked, in a flash of anxious mis-
trust. An comfortable-an good?
All. well, maybe; I'm glad you're
thinkin' so. But low l isn't much on
fetchin' you up. I'm a wonderful poor
hand at that low you're gettin
bit beyond me. l been feelin' sort O.
helpless an scared; an | was wishin
they was somebody t lend hand with
the job | overhauled OF Chesterfield,
Dannie, for comfort; but somehow
wasn't able t. put my finger on a Won
derful lot O. passages t. tie to. He've
wonderful good ideas on the subjeck o.
manners, an a raft of un. too; but the
ideas heve got on souls, Dannie, is
poor an sort o damned scarce. So
when | sot down there with the bottle,
I lowed that if | come upo an you
give me leave t. sit on the side O your
little bed for spell maybe you
wouldn't mind recitin that there little
piece you've fell into the habit O. usin
afore you goes t. bed. That wee thing
about the Shepherd. You wouldn't
mind, would you, just sort O. givin' it
a light oyerhaulin' for me? I'd thank
you, Dannie, an you would be so kind;
an I'll be as quiet as a mouse while
you does it.
The tender Shepherd?'
cay said he; the Shepherd O. the
lambs
"'Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me;
Bless thy little lamb tonight;
Through the darkness be Thou near
me;
Keep me safe till morning light.
"'All this day Thy hand has led me,
AMI I thank Thee for Thy care;
Thou has warmed me, clothed and fed
me:
Listen to my evening prayer.
Let my sins be all forgiven;
Bless the friends l love SO well;
Take us all at last to heaven,
Happy there with thee to dwell.
"And now the lower stars were pal
ing on a far-off fishu Of light l had
been disQuieted, but was by this wax
ing glow made glad that the sea and
rock of the world were to lie uncover
ed of their shadows while yet l was
awake. Twas a childish prayer-too
simple in terms and petition Gas some
may think for the lad that was
to utter, grown tall and broad and
lusty for my years; but how sufficient
q recalD to still the fears of night!
| sat up in my bed, peering through
the window, to catch the first CLINT of
the moon and to watch her rise drip
ping, as l used to fancy, from the
depths of the sea.
But they strayn my uncle com
planned
"'Twas an utterance most strange.
Uncle Nick asked, what is it that
strays?'
"'The feet O. children he answered.
"By this | was troubled.
"'They stray he repeated. 'Ay; it's
as though the Shepherd minded not
at ALL
"'Will my feet stray?'
"He would not answer; and then all
at once l was appalled-who had not
feared before.
"'Tell mel l demanded.
"He reached out and touched my
hand-a feeting, difident touch-and
gently answered, 'Ay, lad; your feet