The herald., 1912-07-04
UPLIFTING
A MAN
BY Nj. QUAD
Copyright, 1912, by Associated Lit
erary Press.

hlODe.
He loved his neighbor as himself
and wronged no man. He gave to the
heather and was grieved when he read
of the wickedness at home.
For q good many years the deacon
went on Just being good in a general
way, although there were times when
he wished lie had a speciality. One
came his way at last and he was sur
prised that he had never thought Of 1t
before.
But a few tramps came to the VII
lage where the deacon lived. Consta-
bic Baker had the reputation of being
a 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 n tramp took advantage
OF the occasion to make his appear
ance and do business. He came across
Deacon GOodbue almost the first thing,
and he told the old, old story of the
great Chicago fire-loss OF his ail-sul-
eide of his wife--iosS of his children
ard 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 a 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 1t.
"Why didn't you bring a pig and
done with it?' was asked, after the
ragged and dusty wayfarer had been
looked over.
Hannah" replied the deacon, "this
man has a soul"
'1f he has 1t ought to be scrubbed
with soft soap and hot water"
Hannah, he staysr said the deacon
as he set his jaw and that ended it.
He was q good man, but now and then
1t became necessary to let it be known
who was running that house. The
tramp had a hair cut and shave and
was filed up. When his rags had been
exchanged for q whole suit the change
in him was great. He looked himself
over and wept AS he wept he said
that his gratitude overpowered him.
"Overpower 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 he boosted Of the
success of the upbuilding.
Hannah, he'll grow better every
day. What do you think he asked me
yesterday"
"For a dollar. probably"
mo, he didn't. He asked me IL he
might ring the church bell on Sunday
mornings to call out the congregation
"And you told him he mightT'
"Of course. Don't that show that
the man is having serious thoughts?"
mo. It shows that he's getting
ready to steal the rope and the bell"
Samuel Smith, villager, had left
his hoe hanging on the limb Of cher
~ 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 that
night, and not a garment was to be
found next morning. Theft after theft
occurred, and lie 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 a
relapse. Six houses were entered and
robbed, and as many as a score of
thefts took place before Deacon Good
hue became aware of the fact that his
patient" was suspected. Then he
met his fellow men to exclaim:
"Can 1t be possible! No. you can't
be so cruel and unjustl You might as
well suspect me!'
They couldn't go against the deacon,
and so they hunted the county over,
though without striking a trail. The
deacon felt it his duty to mention
things to Moses, and Moses wept after
hearing them. The robberies also
ceased for o week.
"See how unjust the world ISL sigh.
ed the deacon. Because misfortune
has dragged you down alone am q
believer in your integrity"
II knew the world would not give
me chanceT walled Moses.
But 1t must. 1t shall. You shall
be uplifted."
The night after that there were two
fobber!es, and it was found in the
morning that Moses had departed. He
had left behind him a note that read:
You have been good to me and |
have tried to show my gratitude and
appreciation. Look under the hay in
the barn"
The deacon went out to look. There
were four or FIVE Of his neighbors there
before him. Under the hay had been
found everything the community had
been robbed of. The tramp had done
IL to reward the man that was uplift
Ing him!
OF course the good man YVES 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 t. take his