The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-05

pushed out of the crowd and, in the same
aimless way. as if he was being drawn
by some latent, attractive force, he went
on toward the speakers platform He
reached it and sat down on stump.
He dimly realized that something rather
exciting was going on. A man was talk
ing from the platform and people were
kneeling-his mother used to kneel Some
times some one would leave the singing
audience and kneel with the others about
the platform And then occasionally one
of the kneeers jumped to his feet and
joined those who were hurrying about.
shouting and shaking hands and seeming
very happy.
The stupor left him he began to recog-
nize things as the preacher talked. Things
were coming into his mind just as If he
had found one OF the toys he used to play
with when he was a boy and could re-
member the fun he used to have with It,
Lay not up for yourselves treasures
upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt and where thieves break through
and steal, read the preacher from a
book. He had learned that verse sitting
on his mothers knee when he was a boy.
How well he remembered it now that he
had heard 1t again. Where thieves do
not break through and steai'-and-he
was-Oh God If mother knewl
every one that asketh receiveth, and he
that seeketh findeth. and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened" They were
singing Jesus Lover of My Soul, Let Me
to Thy Bosom Fly" A man near him
jumped up, tears streaming down his
cheeks. and Joined those kneeling about
the platform. LIE followed.
III.
The meeting was over and the crowd
gone. The preacher had finished shaking
hands with those who had come forward
and been converted. The lanterns were
being vaken down from the trees and
extinguished, when they suddenly noticed
that some one was still kneeling at the
platform. As the preacher went to him
he heard, broken with sobs. the throbbing,
passionate, living prayer of a strong man
wrestling with his God and his soul.
They talked and prayed and plead for
an hour. Every one had gone but the
preacher and him. The lanterns were out,
but the moon had risen and was flooding
the woods with the same cool light of the
night before.
Aren't you keeping something back,
the preacher asked.
NO Oh, don't know" the man said.
isn't there something, somewhere. at
some time, that you've done, and you will
not acknowledge 1t, you don't want to
give up?"
| Yes"
WHAT" eagerly.
I'm thief. I've stole mule
"When?" quietly.
Last night"
| "Whose?
"McCarty's."
Where are theyr'
WHAT"
| 1.-The mules"
Tiled yonder in the bushes.
What are you doing with themT'
Coin to sell 'em. I've been hidin in
the woods in daytime. movin' at night"
| viii you take them back?"
There's a hundred reward for my cap
ture.'
viii you take them back?''
I'LL be arrested and locked in the JAIL
| Now, look here. You've got to take
them mules back to McCarty.'
"A posse might lynch me-.
"Will you take them back?'
A strange joyful expression came over
his face lighted up by the moonlight A
deep satisfying purpose welled up in his
eyes. He grasped the preachers hand and
shouted. ''Yesl You bet! Me and Him will
take 'em back. and we'll do It now-to-
night! Halleluiah!'
| The preacher went home. He went for
something Off and threw it to the ground.
1t was the printed offer of 500 for the
capture of a mule thief.
| Up the valley, where the trail rounded
the foot of the mountain, two black OBJ
Ijects, one slightly taller than the other,
were dimly observable In the moonlight.
They disappeared behind the trees, but a
quarter of an hour later, pulled up in
IT,
and two mules. he was riding one and
leading the other.
"Heyl" he yelled. His voice sounded
as If a bomb had exploded In that still
ness and quiet No one answered.
| Hello in there'' he yelled again. A
thud came from inside and a mans head
was cautiously poked past the easement
of the window. Neither said a word.
Then from inside the window, who are
your"
Here's your mules.'
| "What?"
| Here's your mules"
The head of the man now stuck out of
the window in full view. where did you
get emf" he demanded.
Barn"
"Where?"
I'm your barn"
WHO stole emf"
Me"
1.-The hell you did,
Three minutes later McCarty came out
with Winchester perched conspicuously
on his shoulder. They put the mules in the
barn. locked the door and returned to-
ward the house. McCarty did not know
what to say or do. This man said he was
a thief. The sheriffs of three counties
were hunting for him and McCarty him
self had offered reward for his capture
He couldn't afford to let him go. They
stood looking at each other neither say
ling a word. Come in and git something
to eat said McCarty.
They went into the house. McCarty's
wife soon prepared lunch on the table
and the man sat down. 'You don't mind
If pray do your? he said.
why No No, don't"
He bowed his head "Oh God! Oh, my
dear Jesus. I-need you'll Help me!' he
prayed.
After the meal McCarty showed him to
a bed. McCarty started to close the door.
hesitated. turned about and said, why
did you bring 'em back?"
The man was taking off his boots. He
stopped and looked up" got converted, .
he said. I'm on my way to heaven now,
and I couldn't take the mules along"