Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1912-06-07
UPLIFTING
A MAN
BY M. QUAD
BY M. QUAD
Copyright. 1912. by Associated Lit
erary Press

VI Tile WlCkGuuGSS at uOuc.
For good many years the deacon
went on just being good in a general
way. although there were times when
he wished he had speciality. One
came his way at last and he was sur
prised that he had never thought of it
before.
But a few tramps came to the VII
lage where the deacon lived. COnsta-
BILE Baker had the reputation OF being
hard kicker. and the knights of the
road took In other towns instead.
Therefore the good man had never had
a chance to study the tramp at close
range.
Constable Baker was taken i'll OF
fever, and while he tossed to and fro
on his bed a tramp took advantage
of the occasion to make his appear
ance and do business. He came across
Deacon Goodhue almost the first thing,
and he told the old. old story Of the
great Chicago fire-loss Of his all-sui-
eide Of his wife--loss OF his children
and the other particulars. Tears came
to the eyes of his listener
Here was what the deacon had long
ed fora speciality.
Mrs. Deacon Goodhue was good
woman. as every deacon's wife ought
to be. but she was not too good. When
the deacon brought his tramp home
there were some words about it.
why didn't you bring pig and
done with itT' was asked. after the
ragged and dusty wayfarer had been
looked over.
Hannah replied the deacon. this
man has soul"
IF he has 1t ought to be scrubbed
with soft soap and hot water!'
Hannah, he staysv said the deacon
as he set his jaw and that ended it.
He was good man. but now and then
1t became necessary to let it be known
who was running that house. The
tramp had hair cut and shave and
was filed up. When his rags had been
exchanged for whole suit the change
in him was great. He looked himself
over and wept AS be wept he said
that his gratitude overpowered him.
"Oyerpower nothing!" snorted the
deacon's wife. and he came back with:
Hannah. it's as he says. No one
can deceive me. You can see graft
tude sticking right out of him."
you just wait awhile" the deacon's
wife replied when be boosted OF the
success of the upbuiding.
Hannah. he'll grow better every
day. What do you think he asked me
yesterday"
"For dollar probably"
mo. he didn't. He asked me II he
might ring the church bell on Sunday
mornings to call out the congregation 1t
"And you told him he mightY'
"Of course. Don't that show that
the man is having serious thoughtsT
mo. 1t shows that he's getting
ready to steal the rope and the bell"
Samuel Smith. villager. mad left
ry tree In the garden. 1t disappeared
Mr. Jones had some tools in his barn
The tools went. Mrs. Adams left the
Monday wash ON the clothes line thai
night. and not garment was to Dt
found next morning. Theft after theft
occurred, and the whole village became
excited.
After that house was entered
and robbed-then another and another
Constable Baker had been getting
along. but these things brought on /
relapse Six houses were entered ant
robbed. and as many as score Of
thefts took place before Deacon Good
hue became aware of the fact that hi.
patient" was suspected. Then III
met his fellow men to exclaim:
"Can it be possible. No. you can
be so cruel and unjust. You might II!
well suspect me!'
They couldn't go against the deacon
and so they hunted the county over
though without striking a trail. Tit
deacon felt 1t his duty to mention
things to Moses, and Moses wept afte
hearing them. The robberies alst
ceased for week.
See how unjust the world Isl" sigh
ed the deacon. Because misfortun,
has dragged you down alone am {
believer in your integrity"
II knew the world would not Civ,
me q chance" walled Moses.
But it must 1t shall. You shall
be uplifted."
The night after that there were tive
robberies, and it was found In tn,
morning that Moses had departed. Fl,
had left behind him a note that read
You have been good to me and
have tried to show my gratitude ani
appreciation. Look under the hay II
the barn.
The deacon went out to look.s There
were four or Eve of his neighbours there
before him. Under the hay had beer
found everything the community haC
been robbed Of. The tramp had done
it to reward the man that was uplift
ing him!
or course the good man was asked
to explain matters. and of course he
tried his best. That was ten years
ago and he's explaining yet. Some
times the villagers seem to take his
view Of things. and sometimes they
shake their heads and say:
"Mebbe so, deacon. mebbe so: but
you see. when you are trying to uplifl
d man it's your duty TO tie him TO the