The citizen., 1921-05-19

II was probably an hour or so later.
when Mr. Blenkinsop was awakened
by the barking Of the dog Christmas.
He quieted the tdog and listened. lie
heard n sound like that OF baby cry
Ing. II uwoke tender memories In the
mind Of Hiram Blenkinsop. one very
sweet recollection was about all that
the barren, bitter yenrs Of his young
manhood had given him worth hay-
Ing. II was the recollection OF q
little child which had come 10 mis-
home In the first year Of his married
life
"She lived eighteen months and
three days and four hours" he used
to say, Ia speaking OF her. with a
tender note In his voice.
Almost twenty years she had been
lying IN the Old graveyard near the
ash tree. Since then the voice OF n
child crying always halted his steps
II is probable that, In her short life.
the neglected, pathetic child Pearl
that having been her name-had pro
tested much against a plentiful lack
OF comfort and sympathy.
SO Mr.. Blenklnsops agitation at
the sound OF baby crying some
where near him. In the darkness Of
the old graveyard. was quite natural
and will be readily understood. He
rose on his elbow and listened. Again
he heard the smah, appealing voice.
by thunder Christmas" he whls-
pered. III that amt like Pearl when
she was a little. teeny. weeny thing
no biggern a pint o. beeri Say. 1t
Ia sir. sure as sin !"
He scrambled to his feet. suddenly.
for now. also. he could hear the
voice OF q woman crying. lie groped
his way In the direction from which
the sound came and soon discovered
the woman. She was kneeling on a
grave with a child In her arms Her
gaef touched the heart ~ the man.
"who be your he asked.
'I'm cold. and my baby In sick.
and have no friends" she sobbed.
"Yes, ye havew said Hiram Blen-
kinsop. II don't care who ye be.
I'm yer friend and don't ye forgit H."
There was reassuring note In the
voice Of Hiram Blenkinsop. It's gentle
ness had In u = culver OF sympathy.
She felt II and gave to hIm-an un-
known, invisible man. with Just
Quiver OF sympathy In his voice
her confidence
II ever one was In need Of sympa-
thy, she was at that moment. She
felt that she must speak out TO some
one. So keenly she felt the impulse
that she had been speaking to the
stars and the cold gravestones. Here
at last was human being with
quiver OF sympathy in his voice.
II thought would come home.
but when | got here l was afraid"
the girl moaned. IL wish could die"
"No, We don't. either !" said Hiram
Blenkinsop, Sometimes, I've thought
that ! hadn't no friends an wanted
to die. but was Just foolin' my
self. To be sure, ! amt had no baby
on my hands but I've had somethin'
just as worrisome, guess. Folks like
you an' me has got friends a.plenty
II well only give 'em a chance. I've
found that out. You let me take that
baby an come with me. | know
where youll git the glad hand You
Just come right along with me-"
The unmistrkable note OF sincerity
was I'm the voice Of Hiram Blcnklnsop.
She gave the baby into his arms. lie
held II TO his breast a moment. think
ing OF old times. Thea he swung
his arms Ike cradle saying:
"You stop your hollerin'-ye gol-
darn little skeezucksl IL amt de
cent to 20 on that way In a graveyard
an ye ought TO know H. Re ye tryin'
to wake up the deadr'
The baby grew quiet and finally
fell asleep.
Come on. now" said Hiram. with
the baby lying against his breast.
"You an me are goin' out o. the past.
! know q little house that's next door
to heaven. They say ye can see
heaven from Its wlnders. It's where
the good Shepherd lives. Christmas
an ! know the place-don't we. OIL
boyf Come night along. There amt
no kind o doubt O. what they'll say
10 us"
The young woman followed him out
Of the old graveyard and through the
dark, deserted streets until they came
to the cottage Of the Widow Moran.
They passed through the gate into
Judge Crooker's garden. Under the
window. Hiram Blenkin-
sop gave the baby TO Its mother and
with his hands TO his mouth called
"Bobp In. a loud whisper. Suddenly
. robin sounded his alarm. Instantly,
the Shepherds room was full Of light.
In a moment, he was at the window
sweeping the garden paths and the
tree tops with his searchlight II
fell on the sorrowful figure OF the
young mother with the child In her
arms and stopped. She stood looking
up at the window bathed In the mood
OF light. II reminded the Shepherd
Of that glow which the wise men saw