Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-03-25

went echoing In the distant sky and
so violently that it reeled and seemed
to be in danger Of falling. Mr.. Blenk-
insop awoke with rude jump so that
the dog Christmas barked in alarm.
1t was nothing but the midnight train
from the south pulling out Of the
station, which was near the old grave
yard. The spotted angel stood firmly
in place and was pointing at the sky
as usual
It was probably an hour or so later,
when Mr.. Blenkinsop was awakened
by the barking of the dog Christmas.
He quieted the deg and listened. He
heard sound like that of baby cry
ing. 1t awoke tender memories in the
mind Of Hiram Blenkinsop. One very
sweet recollection was about all that
the barren, bitter years Of his young
manhood had given him worth hav-
ing. 1t was the recollection Of q
little child which had come to his
home in the first year Of his married
life.
"She lived eighteen months and
three days and four hours" he used
to say, in 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 a
child crying always halted his steps.
1t is probable that, In her short life,
the neglected, pathetic child Pearl
that having been her name-had pro-
tested much against plentiful lack
of comfort and sympathy.
So Mr. Blenkinsop's agitation at
the sound of a 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 small, appealing voice.
"By thunder! Christmas" he whis-
pered. IF that amt like Pearl when
she was q little, teeny, weeny thing
no bigger'n q pint O. beer! Say, 1t
Is, sir, sure as sin!"
He scrambled to his feet, suddenly,
for now, also, he could hear the
voice of q woman crying. He CROPPED
his way in the direction from which
the sound came and soon discovered
the woman. She was kneeling on
grave with q child in her arms. Her
grief touched the heart Of the man.
"Yho be your" he asked.
"1'm cold, and my baby is sick,
and I have no friends" she sobbed.
"Yes, ye have!" said Hiram Blen-
kinsop. II don't care who ye be.
I'm yer friend and don't ye forgit 1t"
There was q reassuring note In the
voice of Hiram Blenkinsop. It's gentle
ness had in It culver of sympathy.
She felt H. and gave to him-an un-
known, invisible man, with just a
quiver of sympathy in his voice
her confidence.
If 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 q human being with q
quiver -of sympathy in his voice.
II thought I would come home,
but when l got here I was afraid"
the girl moaned. II wish could die"
"No, We don't, ettherl' said Hiram
Blenkinsop Sometimes, I've thought
that I hadn't no friends an wanted
to die, but I was just foolin' my
self. To be sure, I amt had no baby
on my hands but I've had somethin'
just as worrlsome, I guess. Folks like
you an me has got friends a-plenty
If we'll only give 'em chance. I've
found that out. You let me take that
baby an come with me- I know
where you'll cit the glad hand. You
just come right along with me-"
The unmistakable note of sincerity
was In the voice of Hiram BlenEinsop
She gave the baby into his arms. He
held it to his breast moment, think.
Ing Of old times. Then he swung
his arms like a cradle saying:
"Yuu stop your hollerin'-ye gol'
darn little sHecZucks! 1t ain't de,
cent to 20 on that way in q graveyard
an We ought 70 know it. Ee ye tryin'
to wrE3 i'm flle deld?"
The baby grew quiet and finally
fell asleep.
"Come on, now," said Hiram, with
the baby lying against his breast.
"You an me are go'r' out O the past.
know little house that's next door
to heaven. They say ye can see
heaven from It's winderS. It's Where
the sood Shepherd lives. Christmas
an know the pare-tlon't we, ol'
boy? Come right along. There uin't
no kind o doubt o. what they'll say
to u.s.
The young woman followed him out
Of the old graveyard and through the
dark, deserted streets until they came
to the cottage nf tI1e Widow Moran.
They passed through the gate into
Judge Crackers garden. Under the
Shepherds window, Hiram Blcnkin-
sop gave the baby to It's mother and
with his hands To his mouth called