The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1911-06-22
ONE OF THE CASES


discouraged. He knew that Lois vas
9 good girl. and that j little expert
ence would help her.
II hope you have come back ready
for some good work" be said 10 her.
Yes. anything ethical: but an
not ready for anything disilnctively
religious"
You would do q little visiting
among the poor and neglected."
Yes. that Is just what / would
like 10 do
Very WE'LL" said the minister, II
shall feel free 10 call on you"
He called on her before long. and
sent her 10 a howell near the mills.
The girl had never been in such
place. She had read OF houses 'un-
fit for human habitation." 1t was a
phrase that had an official sound.
she saw the ramshackie building:
but the tenement which she entered
under the front steps was worse
than her imagination had ever pic
tured, and every sense revolted Al
the sight and smell within. And on
than herself.
What do you want?" demanded
the girl, a little sharply.
Lois summoned all her tact, and
answered brightly, Or. Bush told
me of you, and said you were sick,
me to call, and l came to see if
there is something I can do for you"
The sick girl gave her a look that
took her in from the feather on her
hat to the patent leather on her
shoes, and asked:
What can you do for me? Can
you mend my broken back? Can you
stop my father from drinking? Can
you give back my mothers wasted,
terrible years? What can you do for
me? See! l tried to kill myself, but
it hurt so | lost courage to die that
way"
She barred her bosom, and Lois saw
with horror wound made with a.
knife.
How can any one bear to live
who has courage to die?' demanded
the girl. MY father would be kind
If he could let drink alone; he threw
me down stairs and broke my spine.
I've just got to lie here and die by
inches. And mother goes out and
washes, and has neither strength
nor heart to keep the place clean.
And upstairs is the worst dive in
town. Every night I shudder at the
things l hear above me. What can
you do to help me?"
What could she do? Lois was
silent, but she reached over and took
the girls hand and held it.
The girl began to sob.
eff there was any hope anywhere,
it would be different" she said CDR.
Bush came here the other day, and
he said God cared, and that it would
help if I trusted Him. Do you think
it would?"
I'LL think perhaps it might"
said Lois
''Do you know" asked the girl,
and looked straight into the eyes of
the visitor as she spoke.
II think it would" said Lois. ST
believe if I were you, I'd ask Him."
1--WE tried, but it don't seem to do
much good. And yet I somehow wish
l could. Will you ask Him for me?"
For a moment Lois hesitated. On
one side were her doubts, and on the
other the poor girls need. The girl
watched and partly followed her
mind
You don't really think He can
help, do you?" she asked. "You
don't really believe He cares?"
ooh, yes. do believe it! I'm sure
He cares!" cried Lois.
sobbing out prayer, her arms clasp
ing the poor neglected girl.
| The story must be shortened. New
| light came to that howell that day
Before many days Lois and the min
lister managed to get the family NOV
ed to a better place. The mother
came to a new hope, and in time it
| affected the father also. In few
painful months that the young girl
lived she saw her father a reformed
man and her mothers face lighted
with new hope. And one day the
death angel came, and the sick girl
was sick no longer.
A few days after the funeral Lois
put the question straight to her min
lister: ''Dr. Bush, why should you
send me to that placer"
Personally (:nnducted Tn