Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-02-05

WiuuOWS WIS bptu IL was NhCuboh
time, so he felt safe to climb in
through the embrasure. Gresham
found himself in small room con-
tanning a bench, some broken chairs
and stools, brooms, maps and the like.
He lay down on the bench and went
to sleep.
1t was two hours later when Nettie
Dean unlocked the door of the school
house, to be soon joined by dozen
or more little ones. Once a week she |
made Ii a custom to meet her schol- |
ars and pass an hour or two in their
company, and the little group were
glad to be with the devoted teacher
they loved.
On this special morning Nettie had
brought with her to read a simple,
touching story. 1t covered the history
of a hayward youth, growing into
careless man, who took the downward
path. 1t depicted all he had forfeited
that was best in life. 1t told of the
mother love, of her influence and pre-
cepts coming back to the culprit at
the darkest moment of his life. The
awoke the slumberer. He sat up, he
listened, he seemed a part of the pic
ture drawn. A clearness of vision, no
longer blinded by drink, revealed all
his wicked acts In their true light.
For a time he sat with his face buried
in his hands. Then, trembling all over,
he stole out through the window, a
| In, hfc
one sentient word on his lips:
degeneration
Burt Gresham went back to the city
and to work. For two successive
years, upon the anniversary of the
day when Nettie Dean had come into
his life as a rescuing angel, he shut
himself into his room through all the
twenty-four hours, living over that
blessed one when the sweet tones of
fair young girl had started him on
new career. He devoted all his
energy to business. He was made
partner in thriving firm.
The money received from the rail-
way company he had returned. The
man he had wronged, Nate Dolby, by
he reached through lawyer who put
Dolby on his feet, and reformed. All
his old debts Gresham liQuidated, with
interest.
Then, one day, the new Burr
Gresham made n pilgrimage. Its goa
was the little old schoolhOuse where
his regeneration had begun. At the
, | hn Loo
last session of a term was on, an(
Joined the men and women on thei
way to commemorate "the last day o
I school," He sought a retired seat
For the first time he gazed upon tn
. beautiful face of his hitherto unseel
guardian angel.
4 pretty juvenile program was cal
: ried out. The head of the schoc
:. board delivered the usual annua
: speech. He complimented Miss Dea
: upon her success as a teacher. III
told of the need of a library for tn
| school, not within the power of tn
| board to donate. He suggested volul
/ tary contributions. Burt GRESHAM
i stood up electrically.
A II will take the responsibility of tn
II entire subscription" he said, and ST
II down again.
II The occupants of the little roo
II stared at this munifcent strange
II wonderingly.
Y The children had trooped out, N
Id impressed in a business meeting. The
CHEEKY voices outside made music II
n the heart of the redeemed man.
j This is unusual, unexpected
y spoke-the head school commissions
approaching Gresham and speakir
with warmth.
81 would like to tell story to "
= good people," said Gresham modest
again arising to his feet.
Il There was q solemn hush In Il
room as he began his narration-u
story of his own life. When he can
to tell of the hour of his redemptio
4 Miss Dean uttered quick gasp. s.
!. approached him when he had co
cluded. Her little hand lay with
his own.
you are a noble man." she sal
and her tear-stained eyes were lift
to his. "And, oh ! the joy of knowi
that In my little, humble sphere
u words have been a blessing to you
c' He had won back honor, probi
and q place among men. How
. longed for her as the browning glf
III ness of his life She read the aspil
re ton in his earnest face, and with tr
and tender regard returned his ha
pressure.