The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-04-22
CHAPTER THREE-continued.


said Mr.. Singleton. you can do it IL
you will and can tell you how."
Tears began to stream down the
cheeks of the unfortunate man, who
now covered his eyes with a 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 / was human"
II know-I know. It's a hard old
world, but at last you've found a man
who is willing to be 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.
II do want brother, sir. an I'll do
anything at ala" he said in broken
voice.
"Theu Come with me-" the minister
comma aided. "First, I'm going to I'M
provo the outside of you"
When they were ready to leave the
hdase, Blenkinsop and his dog had a
bath and the former was shaved and
in clean and respectable garments
from top to toe.
"You look like new man." said
Mfr. Singleton.
"Seems like, 1 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
stas's head again and skunk into
dark corner growing.
"a bath is q good sort of baptism
The minister remarked. Here's an
ovefcoat 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. / 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 1t.
BY and by, we found him singing on
the perch in mis- 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
quiet, restful, beautiful place.
II used to stand In the pulpit there
and look down upon crowd Of hand
someiy dressed people," said Mr.
Singleton in a low voice. There is
something wrong about this l thought
There's too much responsibility here.
There are no flannel shirts and ging-
ham dresses In the place. l can not
see alf a dozen poor people. l wish
there was some ragged clothing down
there in the pews. There isn't an out |
and-d1t sinner In the crowd. Have we |
set up little private god of our own
that cares only for the rich and re-
spectible? asked myself. This Is the |
place for Hiram Blenkinsop and old |
Bill LANCE and poor Lizzie Quesnelle, |
If thsy only knew 1t. These are the |
kind Of people that Jesus cared most
about They're beginning to come to |
us nov and we are glad of 1t. / want |
to see you here every Sunday after |
this. want you to think of this place |
as yotr home. If you really wish to
be my brother, come with me-"
BIeakinsop 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 |
q prarerful attitude, as If he, too, were
seeking help and forgiveness.
81 feel better inside and outside"
said 8lenkinsop as they were leaving |
the church
when you are tempted, there are
thre- words which may be useful to
you They are these. God help me,
the minister told him. ''They are
QuNRly said and l have often found |
them a source of strength in time of
trTpuble. am going to find work for
you and there's room over my gar
age with a stove In 1t which will
make very snug little home for you
md 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 Croker entered the room.
"Mr. Blenkinsop," said the judge as
he held out his hand. 81 have heard
of your new plans and l want you to
know that 1 am very glad. Every one
will be glad"
When the judge had gone, Blenkin-
sop put his hand on the dogs head
and asked with little laugh: Did