Middletown transcript., 1908-09-26
IN THE PEW BY THE DOOR
BY EDITH coPEMAN HALsEY

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join the ministers already seated
on the platform.
The tired little woman in the
! back Of the church sat trembling
with nervous excitement -ano
fatigue. AT first only d dreamy
! dazed feeling possessed b er
Then she was conscious that the
great church was filed with peo
pie, people who seemed to be
long to another world than het
own.
That's Mr.. Ferris, she heard
some one say in a low tone be.
hind her, as a tall, distinguished
looking man passed the pew where
she sat. He's one of the most
prominent men in the church and
worth millions!
Wonderful music was flooding
the building, such music as she
had dreamed she might hear in
heaven. Then with timid, eager
glance she was searching the
palm decked platform for 'sher
boy" Her eyes were dim. but
she found him. He was grasp
ing Dr.. Wilson's outstretched
hand and speaking softly to him.
In that moment how her heart
swelled with thanksgiving and
cried out to God in praise.
How big-how distinguished
how handsome-how, oh, how
good to look at he was even among
all these splendid men up there!
Then shat little tormenting spirit
that had no right in the farm
house or in the city church whis-
pered, But he isn't yours, he
isn't your own, these are his
people, you are not like them
why did you come?
Then as the tired head bowed
to hide the great tears that shut
out the face on the platform,
David Hollands eyes, directed
by DR.. Wilson, found her. Just
a low spoken sentence to one of
his brethern on the platform, a
quick, courteous reply and he
quietly stepped down, walked
around by a side aisle, across the
back of the church, and then
paused beside the pew shack by
the door"
Those sitting very near saw a
hand rest on the shoulder of the
little woman, who looked up
startled as his voice said softly,
Mother! Like a fash the heart
ache and the fear left her. The
music trembled, and then burst
forth in joyous might and power,
and like one in happy dream
she was moving up the aisle
leaning a little heavily upon the
arm of her stalwart "boy."
Very near the platform he
paused man rose quickly,
stepped out into the aisle and
motioned to a seat beside him.
Have you room for my mother,
Mr.. Ferris? the young minister
asked very softly, very distinctly.
Il will give rs great g pleasure
the other responded quickly.
Then she sat down and David
was back in his place.
But, oh, the heaven. sent bliss
Of it all! She never knew that
hundreds of eyes had filed with
tears as they saw the minister
they had chosen, leading so ten
derly the white haired old lady
to cher place" among them. She
did not know that the grave,
dignifed men on the platform
looked on with a new feeling of
love for, and pride in, their bril-
liant young brother. She did
not know that, as he walked up
that broad aisle there was in
David Hollands heart a strong
desire to cry out to all these, his
people-Look at her-look at her
at the bravest, purest, most
unselfsh soul that ever lived
look at her and be like her!
She only knew as she sat there,
her sweet old face aglow with a
wonderful light, that she was
happy, happy, happy!
A divine melody sang itself in
her heart. The great congrega-
ton rose to its feet. They sang |
the joy song, too-Joy to the
world, the Lord is come. Oh,
yes, that was the word. JOY
JOY! He wasn't ashamed of me. |
He's mine, my own. Have you
room for my mother? That was
what he had said-for s'my |
Down in the depths of |
her heart, she knew he was glad |
to call her that.