The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-04-23

why mad ne WOrshlpped false ldOlsI
What reason had he to leave the
simple, steadfast friends? Those
who begrudged him nothing, who
had wished him all the success in
the world. Who even talked of
him on winter evening and won
dered when Jim would return to
live in the old family mansion on
the hill. These-the people who
made this country what it is; whose
God is not Mammon; who are not
wolves in sleeps clothing. These
good souls who plod slowly but sure
Il in The Straight and Narrow
Path" Why had he made a wreck
OF life? He Jim Hale of good family,
possessed of good education; be
the one time idol of the villige.
Now an outcast
His Mothers Hymn
For the moment he was tempted
to enter, and claim at least the sym
patty he knew would be rendered
to him. As he pondered, clear
soprano voice broke on the evening
air. voice he knew so well, blend
ed with that of the organ. How
well he remembered every word of
that favorite hymn of his mothers
who had long since passed to the
great beyond. I Need Thee-Oh /
Need Thee-and with the closing
verse like the sonorous message of
fate. he noted the deep bass of his
old schoolmate, John Kent.
Here centered the birth and death
of all his hopes and ambitions. Here
he had started; here he had returned
in defeat. Here had been preached
the funeral service of that guiding
spirit of earlier life-his mother.
Even he could here those words
that preceded the departure of all
that was earthly-of one he had
loved so we'll. I'VE bring nothing
into this life-we take nothing with
u.s."
1 am Alpha and Omega
beginning and the end" Here he
had hoped sometime to lead to the
alter the girl who sat within. To
promise to take for better or for
worse. To love and obey" She
who had and was yet waiting pa
tiestly for the man who from his
letters was making good out west.
Should he make himself known?
He who had left in the bloom of
youth with no reason to return
empty handed. Should he return
where no fatted calf awaited him?
Would he destroy the ideals the girl
had treasured for years? A tear
coursed down his cheek. The man
hood In Jim Hale was asserting it.
self. He noted his old friend Uncle
Joe march feebly up the isle with
the contribution box and an old say
ing Of his came to him. My boy,
it isn't the mistake a man makes,
it's making the same one twice.
1t now came to him as an inspiration
aud not as mere jingle of words.
A Noble Resolve
1t painted a future to a wandering
derelict. Jim Hale the debonaire-
the Beau Brummel of but a few
years before, knelt on tie flags with
out. With his right hand raised to
the stars of night he took an oath
that only death would violate. That
if fate would but permit, that he
would return ere long not as the
prodigal son, but as worthy of re-
cognition. One qualified to demand
that which had so long been denied
him."
Then no hopes need be shattered,
no ideals fall from the lofty pedestal,
placed thereon by the loyal fellow
townsmen, who had wished him God
speed years before.
The closing hymn came as balm
to troubled soul. He murmured
the familiar words in his deep rich
baritone:
81 was wandering sheep
did not love the fold,
did not love my Masters voice,
l would not be controlled -
The Amen rolled softly into ST.
lence. with bowed head at the Ben
ediction-a shrill whistle announce
ed the arrival Of the engine. Re-
peating again to himself The Way
of The Transgressor Is Hard" He
smiled. 1t no longer Knocked him.
He repeated as if in answer to it
Seek and Ye Shall Find. Knock
and it Shall be Opened Unto You"
And with one last look he disappear
ed into the night.
The service ended as many before.
Other Sundays passed. The same
routine; the same general character
istics surrounding each and every