Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-02-03

"Of course, everywhere" he ex-
clnlmed brOkenly. "Why, dear child
Tony Devon interrupted him swift
". Tell me how to manage It." she
pleaded. "How can wheedle your
God 10 the Dirty MaryY"
ITO the what?" was the question
the boy asked in shocked swiftness.
The Dirty Mary repeated Tony.
MY mummy ana me live on a canal
boat: Once she were Just called
Mary But she's so id nasty. EIDE
calls her the Dirty Mary. She's a
nice boat just the same as long as my
mummy's there. But can't see how a
clean God could come on 'er. /
guess you're fooln me, mister"
Philip swallowed hard. Then slowly
and gently he talked to her, trying to
make her understand as best he could
what he meant by God, Spirit.
And you can help your mother, lit
tle-what's your name?"
Tony, just TOnnibel," she mumbled.
Then her voice rose and che uttered
sharply, Nov tell me how to help my
mother
Philip went to the altar and sorted
out small card
This" he said. coming back to her,
has happy. loving thoughts written on
Il. II you think these things all the
rime-Oh, how they will help both you
and your mother"
WOnderingly she tOOA II In her
fingers The first thing that met her
eyes was beautiful uplifted face of
man aud in his arms was little lamb.
Underneath the picture was printed.
Feed my sheep" and directly under
that were the words, stand still and
see the salvation of the Lord" Once
more her eyes sought the face above,
face wherein lay ali the pity and
love In the world.
Tony Devon caught glimpse OF the
lesson he was trying to teach, and
when size went out Of the salvation.
army hail she held within the DEPTHS
Of her wonderfully new and utterly
strange emotion.
She was painting for breath when
she ran up the gangpiank Of the canal
boat.
woman Was busy brewing ten
when the girl slipped down the steps
of the cabin.
You been gone long time. Tony"
mumbled Mrs. Devon. did you see
anything of your daddy7"
"NOpe, and squinted In every heer
hole in Ithaca" Tony replied, but
but-but l found out something for
you. Listen There's somebody on this
boat besides me. and yOu-and Gus
sie."
"WhoY" came sharply from the
woman.
She shivered. fearing that the law
lay in wait for her absent husband.
"WhO. brat?" she repeated implOr-
ingiy.
TOnnIbel bent over and looked
straight into the sad. wan face.
God, just plain lOvin' GOd!" she
replied, her cOuntenance expressing
unusual exaltatiOn. "Slt a minute
while the teas maxim good. and I'll
tell You"
Side by side they sat together on the
bunk while with lowered reverent
voice the girl told the story Of the
Shepherd who had said long ago with
infinite pity, Feed my sheep"
"And mummy" the girl continued.
leaning her head against her mothers
arm, Darling mummy, that beautiful
man said. Loved make crooked
things straight and--and It's So"
A look Of unbeiief came over Edith
DeyOn's face,
Fiddle" she said In disgnsted
voice. TONY. YOU amt brain 10
Your bean"
II don't need any brains as long ash
got this, Edie." the girl replied, lift
Ing the card she held. "COme on. let's
say these things over. Here's one
thet'll keep-weil, It'll help keep
daddy from beatin' you"
Mrs. Devon graspe1 the girls arm
In sudden frenzy.
"YOu told some one UFtah beats
mcT' she demanded sharply.
"Aebbe did. and nebbe didn't
answered Tony. slyly. ''but these here
words about siandin' still and watch
Ing Salvation slam gOOG all about viii
keep pappy's fists up bis sleeves. Say
Il, Edie." she ended.
Il won't" said Edith. getting Up
swiftly. III there's anything In Il.
Tony, you can show me by gettin' your
daddy hack home. Mebbe he's In TALL.
Even If he was" retOrted the girl:
with wise shake of her head. 'qovIn.
lOrd could make the cOop-dOOrs ~
Slde Open and daddy'd flop out like
iogfish nops into the lake. I'm goIn'
% and ont more some Of these DAYS.
md then I'll tell you all about 1t. Huh,
EYES," muttered Edith. 'but I'm get
ing a guess out Of the days spent
IN this boat that God. or whoever
'0u're talkin' about, amt botherIn' his
read over the Dirty Mary, nor Us
lther."