The Denver Jewish news., 1918-12-12
THE MESSENGER
BY |. d. PEREZ.

often ne pressed MS right In nd
against his left side. Ii panied him
there. but he did not want TO admit;
he tried 70 persuade himself that he
was only feeling for his pocket.
Il hope I sllall not lose tho contract
and the money" he said. as though
that We're the only cause OF his fear.
And suppose it does pain me. it is
foolish to mind it. | haye--blessed be
His name strength enough for such
an errand. Other messengers Mt my
age could not walk a mile. but /.
praised be the Lord! need no ones
assistance, anu can earn my own liv.
ing. Thank God. l am trusted with
money.
"Ir l owned as much money" he
thought, "as is entrusted to my care
! would hot need to be messenger mt
the age of seventy; if it is the will of
God, it pleases me"
Heavy snowflakes began 10 fall; he
was often forced to wipe them from
his face.
Il have" lie said to himself, "alto,
gcther about four miles left-tliat's
nothing! It's not II great distance. I
am nearer to the point of my destina
tion than to the place whence 1 start.
ed!'
He turned around, but he could see
neither the towcr-clock. nor the pin
naclc of the church
We'll, Smarjc. move on said he tc.
himself.
And Smarjc moved on in the wei
snow. heavily treading It with his
heavy feet. blessed be His name. the
wind is too violcnt!'
by too violent" apparently. he
meant gale, but the storm was severe
enough and blew right in his face, SO
that it caught his breath; 1t brought
tears in his old eyes, which arhel With
Inflammation. But he was always suf-
fering with his eyes.
THE first money I Eau spare" was
the thought that forced itself on hi.
mimi. Il will invest iii n pair Of road
slasses-those big, round ones; the!
would well protect my eyes"
Would that it were the will Of
God," he thought. that could obtair
even so much. If I only had an errand
every day, and far. Far to go. To walk
thank God, am able; then could
save Zip enough to buy pair of spcct
acles.''
He also needed a shccpsiin coat. His
chest would have been better protected
but lie considered his Vrcrcout goot
and warm for the present
IF it would only last. it would Bt
all right y smile of satisfaction ap
pelred oh his face. This" lie said
casting a downward glance OH MS cont
rs not a modern fabric, which is good
for nothing. but old-timc textile it vii
outlast me. And without II division &,
the skirt, it is great advantage: II
does not fly apart, AS the fashionable
coats do, and it laps over considerably
in the froiIt.''
"A shccpskin.'' lie went on thinking
lis much better. Fur is warmcr--bui
first, the spcctaclcs. \ fur coat /.
good only in the winter. but classes al
the year around, because in summer
when it happens to lie windy. the udsi
flies right into ones eyes. 1t is worse
than winter"
And he resolved to buy glasses first
Il shccpskin coat next, if it should
please the Almighty to send him well.
paying errands and enough Of them.
lie toiled OH. The wind grew iicrccr
ii flung the wet snow in his face, and
his left side panied him severely.
Would that the wind were the Other
way! But perhaps" the thought eros,
scd his mind, lit is better like this. On
my way back | shall he more tired
then it will be in the rear! Then ]
shall walk better! My eriHnd uccolnp.
lishcd! a light heart"
He had to stop for few minute.
and catch his breath. That somewhat
frightened him.
What is happening to me? Have
not withstoOd many frosts AMI wind.
when was soldicr?" he asked HIN.
self, half frightened.
And he recalled his military service
IN the tiHc Of NieolHi l. Twenty-Five
years of actual service. besides his
childhood days In cantoninert. lie hh d
walked enough in his life. climbed
mountains and descended into valleys.
in all kinds of weather. including such
heavy SHOWS and intense cold that the
trees cracked. birds fell to the ground
and the Russian soldier marched ON
lively. erect. singing II song to the nc.
compartment Of thc martial step, ..
The very thought that he lived thru