Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-18
The Bishop
Kitten
A Christmas Story


winchester sat In tho window In a
straight backed chair. for It appeared
that he could not even allow himself
the luxury OF resting when he might
have rested.
"A note OF thanks from the president
Of the board OF managers OF the Home
For the Homeless" said the secretary,
opening another letter. with lit.
tie sigh OF relisf for he was near the
end OF the pile. He says that your
magnificent contribution has saved the
home from serious difficulties aud that
this will enable them to 60 through
the winter comfortably"
NO answer needed" said the bishop
briefly.
"A letter from Mr.. Hanlop for help
for poor family. He says he has
found family I'm great distress. aud
be looks to you for advice and assist
ance"
He doesn't need advice. He needs
assistance. Tell him to draw on me
and do what no thinks necessary"
"A letter from Mr.. Quintard In ref
erence to young Cooper. tho theological
student. He has married and so has
forfeited his right to continue his
course and enter upon his career un-
less you are willing to make an excep-
ton, In his case"
The bishops face flushed and his
lips set In line like iron.
Write Mr.. Quintard." he said I'm icy
tones. -Stnnt he will please convey to
the yohu& IMAM my compliments ana
foil hin, hnt Of h. d.. 81
to the grindstone he may keep II there.
He is to tell him from me that he can
seeksNpt some humble employment for
hlmsSlf"
"xre you going out. sir?" asked the
secretary 90 the bishop put on his
overcoat.
"yes." replied the. great man sim
ply. 81 promised to give talk to the
workngmen tonight at the Dayton
mission"
There was world OF personal his
tory In the simple answer. 1t was
cold and dismal night, and the Ore was
burning cheerily In the CRATE. yet this
man. who might have taken his ease.
the city to talk to grimy workingmen.
The secretary watched him with won
der and curiosity In his face. The
hard. stern. unbending man. the self
sacrificing sympatbizer- with the poor
what contradictions were In, this mans
nature.
The mission stood I'm tho midst of a
thickly settled district populated chief
~ by the workmen from the foundries
and mills that abounded there. Tho
mission house was small and plain
and not too comfortable. as the bishop
knew. for he had spoken there before
To his surprise, the doors were closed
and the place was dark.
r5tfaDge." he said to himself. 81 did
not think ! was too early"
Nothing stirred about the house er-
cert b pttie furry kitten which sat on
the steps and rent the air with ago
nized pnowis.
"N9cy. what voice." exclaimed
the bishop uneasily. Are you cold.
poor little kitty
Looking up and down tho street to
see That no one was coming. he took
tho tiny kitten up md stroked its
head, IL opened It's mouth wide and
walled for something IL missed and
could not explain. II surely must DO
almost frozen. No one was coming
yet. The bishop unbuttoned bis over
coat az the top and thrust the kitten
In.
III i see any one coming Gun tako
1t out" he thought Perhaps OiIe OF
the workmen will take 1t homo TO the
children"
Lulled by the warmth. the kitten
was quiet for moment, but all at
once II realized that there was some.
thing else needed. IL crawled up, put
out its bead and howled louder than
ever.
Mercy on us" exclaimed the bish.
op. 1T must be hungry. II the men
would only come
Sure. enough. there was some one
walking up the street with rapid
! swing. But be was about to pass
when tho bishop stopped him.
Pardon me. my friend" he said,
but / expected there would be serv-
ice IN this house tonight. Can you tell
me-
mo; It's Christmas night" said the
man. hurryIng on.
He had mistaken the night. and all
this long journey! TOO bad, kitty"
he said to the head which was just be-
meath his chin and which was giving
utterancs to the widest and most hope
less howis. "As I have nothing else
to do. though. perhaps might find q
place where they would give you a
little milk and maybe adopt you"
little distance farther on there
was house where there was a FIRE in
the front room, and be could hear
mans voice within. All, here was the
plnce! man would understand the
situation.
ring at the bell and the door was
flung open and man stood on the