The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-05-13

tenuef nOle III MS 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 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 thunderl Christmas" he whis-
pered. IF that amt like Pearl when
she was a little, teeny, weeny thing
no bigger'n pint O. beer Say, 1t
is, sir. sure as sinl''
He scrambled to his feet, suddenly,
for now, also, he could hear the
voice of a 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 child in her arms. Her
grief touched the heart of the man.
"Who be your he asked.
'rm cold, and my baby is sick,
and / have no friends" she sobbed.
Eyes, We have!" said Hiram Blen-
kinsop. II don't care who We be.
<,.fl nd
There was a reassuring note in the
voice of Hiram Blenkinsop. It's gentle
ness had in II a culver of sympathy.
She felt II and gave TO him.an I'M
known, invisible man, with just a
CULVER 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 has been speaking to the
stars and the coli, gravestones. Here
at last vas a human being with
culver of sympathy in his voice.
II thought l would come home,
but when / got here l was afraid"
the girl moaned. II wish l could die"
mo, We don't, either" said Hiram
Blenkinsop, Sometimes I've thought
that l 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
if Wen only give 'em a chance. I've
found that out. You let me take that
baby an come with me. / know
where you'll git the glad hand. You
just come right along with me-"
The unmistakable note of sincerity
was in the voice of Hiram Blenkinsop.
She gave the baby into his arms. He
held it to his breast a moment. think
ing of old times. Then he swung
his arms like a cradle saying:
''You stop your hollerin'-ye gol'
darn little skeezucks 1t amt de-
cent to go on that way in graveyard
an We ought to know 1t. Be ye tryin'
to wake up the deadT'
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. |
l know a little house that's next door
to heaven. They say We can see
heaven from its winders. It's where
the good Shepherd lives Christmas
an know the place-dont we, OF
boy? Come right along. There amt
no kind o doubt O. what they'll say
TO u.s."
The young woman followed him out
IF the old graveyard and through the
lark, deserted streets until they came
10 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
Bob ~ in loud whisper. Suddenly
robin sounded his alarm. Instantly,
he Shepherds room was full of light.
n a moment, he was at the window
the garden paths and the
rec tops with his searchlight. 1t
ell on the sorrowful figure of the
Dung mother with the child In her
rms and stopped. She stood looking
p at the window bathed in the flood
f light. 1t reminded the Shepherd
f that glow which the wise men saw
a the manger at Bethlehem.
Pauline Baker," he exclaimed.
Have you come back or am l dream
lg? It's you-thanks to the Blessed
irginl It's you'll Come around to
ne door, My mother will let you
J."
1t was warm welcome that the
Irl received In the little home of the
1idow Moran. Many words of COM =
,rt and good cheer were spoken in !
lie next hour or so. after which the
BOD woman made tea and toast and =
rolled q chop and served them in /,
lie Shepherds room. :,
"God love We, child SO he was a .
arried man-bad cess to him an
ie likes o. him!" she said as she
Ime in with the tray. Mother o.
,sus What a wicked world it isl" ! o