Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-05-19
CHAPTER THREE-Continued.

to recover your lost Self and be a use
full, respected citizen of this town."
said Mr.. Singleton. "YOu can do it if
you will and l can tell you how"
Tears began to stream down the
cheeks of the unfortunate man, who
now covered his eyes with big, rough
hand.
IF you will make an honest effort,
I'll stand by you. I'll be your friend
through thick and thin" the minister
added. There's something good in
you or you wouldn't be having dream
like that"
Nobody has ever talked to me this
way" poor Blenkinsop sobbed. "No-
body but you has ever treated me as
If l was human"
II KNOW know. It's "a hard old
world, but at last you've found man
who is willing to be a brother to you
if you really want one"
The poor man rose from the table and
went to the minister's side and held
out his hand.
81 do want brother, sir, an I'll do
anything at ALL" he said in a broken
voice.
Then come with me-" the minister
commanded. First, I'm going to i'm
prove the outside of you"
When they were ready to leave the
house, Blenkinsop and his dog had
bath and the former was shaved and
in clean and respectable garments
from top to toe.
you look like a new man." said
Mr. Singleton.
Seems like, l felt more like a
proper human bein'," Blenkinsop an
Swered.
Christmas was scampering up and
down the hall as if he felt like new
dog. Suddenly he discovered the
stays head again and skunk into
dark corner growing.
"a bath is a good sort Of baptism"
the minister remarked. Here's an
overcoat that l haven't worn for a
year. It's fairly warm, too. Now II
your Old Self should happen to come
in sight of you, maybe he'd move back
into his home. l remember once that
we had a canary bird that got away.
We hung his cage in one of the trees
out in the yard with some food in it.
BY and by, we found him singing on
the perch in his little home. Now, If
we put some good food in the cage,
maybe your bird will come back. Our
work has only just begun"
They went out of the door and
crossed the street and entered the big
stone Congregational church and sat
down together in a pew. A soft light
came through the great jeweled win
dOWS above the altar, and in the clear
story, and over the organ loft. They
were the gift of Mr.. Bing. 1t was a
quiet, restful, beautiful place.
Il used to stand in the pulpit there
and look down upon a crowd of hand
somely dressed people," said Mr..
Singleton in a low voice. "'There is
something wrong about this thought.
There's too much responsibility here.
There are no flannel shirts and ging-
ham dresses in the place. l can not
see half dozen poor people. l wish
there was some ragged clothing down
there in the pews. There isn't an out
and-Out sinner in the crowd. Have we
set up a little private god of our own
that cares only for the rich and re-
spectacle? l asked myself. This is the
place for Hiram BlenkinsOp and old
Bill Lange and poor Lizzie Quesnelle,
if they only knew it. Those are the
kind of people that Jesus cared most
about They're beginning to come to
US now and we are glad of it. l want
to see you here every Sunday after
this. want you to think of this place
as your home. If you really wish to
be my brother, come with me-"
Blenkins0p trembled with strange
excitement as he went with Mr. Single
ton down the broad aisle, the dog
Christmas following meekly. Man and
minister knelt before the altar. Christ
mas sat down by his masters side, in
prayerful attitude, as if he, too, were
seeking help and forgiveness.
81 feel better inside and outside"
said Blenkinsop as they were leaving
the church.
"When you are tempted, there are
three words which may be useful to
you. They are these, God felp me- T."
the minister told him. "They are
quickly said and l have often found
them source Of strength in time of
trouble. / am going to find work for
you and there's a room over my gar
age with a stove in it which will
make a very snug little home for you
and Christmas"
That evening, as the dog and his
master were sitting comfortably by
the stove in their new home, there
came rap at the door. In moment,
Judge Crooker entered the room.
"NIr. Blenkinsop," said the judge as
he held out his hand, 81 have heard
of your new plans and I want you to
know that am very glad. Every one
will be glad"
Uban tho iudga had pono Ripnkin.