The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-01-31
Sha Glanced again toward

! She ElaQceu again tONdlu tle
; tramp and was prompted BY the Ho-
4v Spirit 10 do an unusual thing.
For a moment she was startled and
! held her breath. ''Dare do it::'
she whispered. "Oh, no, l cannot l
would be cruelty criticised-I can not
why is it that | am always prompt
/ a.l to do things that others never
do-1hin"S that would make people
! look at me in Il codd. cruel. question:
in@ way?'
What was it that whispered i'll
! hes ear: "Blessed are they which
are prosecuted for righteousness
sake: for theirs is the kingdom Of
heaven. Blessed are We when mel
shall revile you. and persecute YOU,
and say all manner OF evil
against you falsely for my
sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad
! for great is your reward in heaven:
for so prosecuted they the prophets
which we're before vou.'
Suddenly the little woman's eyes
filled with a happy light and ner face
elowel with a heavenly purpose as
she whispered: "Jesus master, thy
servant aeareth and will obey, teach
me thy will" "
| The services were closed with a
Drawer and benediction and as the
! tramn hurried toward the door hop
! inr to Get out unnoticed. hand was
! laid on his arm and he turned IN
surprise to look in the kind face OF
! mother!y looking little woman vino
was saying:
"My friend, you are stranger
mere, are you not?'' smiling.
He was at first dumb with aston
| ishment. TO think that a lady
! would touch him. speak 10 him aid
actually smile at him! He could
hardly believe the evidence Of his
own ears and eyes. At last he
spoke and Mrs. B was quick +"
notice his respectful attitude and
speech and at once decided that ne
had seen much better days.
Yes, madam. this is my first
o1i,nnse Of this citv.'
:sAre you visiting friends here
during 'Cnristmas?' with an air OF
friendly interest.
:'Friends!- Madam, I have no
friends and deserve none," bitterly.
my boy, don't say that: I am
your friend and there is One other
greater than any earthly FRIEND"
sympathetically.
He made no answer but nervously
fingered his cap, painfully conscious
and ashamed Of his unllempt appear
ance. Mrs. B-continued:
"Weu then if you are not visiting
friends I will be glad to have you go
home with me-just few blocks
away-ard spend tonight and longer
if YOU will. Now don't object for l
want you.
Madam,' utterly dumfounded,
"take your eyes from my face for al
instant and look at these rags! l
don't believe you have noticed how
filthy I ann
II care nothing for your clothes,
my boy; I am thinking Of Your soul.
Somewhere in the wide world [ have
boy who may be in a far worse
condition; as I befriend you, | pray
that some mother will befriend him
this blessed Christmas night. Will
you come?''
"Madam if you really wish it /
will" eagerly scanning her face, still
doubling the thing that nad hap
pened to him, land if there be a
Gnl. may He reward YOU for tnls
kindness. for 7 can not. -
The crowd was now streaming ont
at tie door and many eyes were
turned wonderinely toward the little
widow in earnest conversation with
tae tramp. The old deacon, heaven
bless his warm heart, and CHEEKY
manner, approached and shook the
strangers hand with hearty grasp:
"How do you dc, my brother, glad
to see you here. Hope you'll have
a happy Christmas. Come out to
our prayer meeting again. Preach
in- Sunday morning and at night.
"Come thou with us and we will do
thee good
"Au.cn,' fervently calculated the
preacher grasping the tramp's hand
as the old deacon dropped it, and
sending a strange magnetic thrill