The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-07-15

|hChtS years STe mad been
Tying tn the old graveyard near the
ASH tree. Since then the voice of a
chlld crying always halted his stems,
IL 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
me 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 a little, teeny, weeny thing
no blgger'n a pint O. beer! Say, it
is, sir, sure as sin!"
lie 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.
I'm cold, and my baby is sick,
and l have no friends" she sobbed.
YES, We have!" said Hiram Blen-
kinsop. II don't care who We be.
I'm yer friend and don't We forgit it,"
There was a reassuring note in the
voice of Hiram Blenkinsop. It's gentle
ness had In 1t 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 colo gravestones. Here
at last was human being with a
culver of sympathy in his voice.
II thought I would come home,
| but when I got here I was afraid"
the girl moaned. Il wish I could die"
mo, We don't, either!" 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, 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 We'll only give 'em a chance. I've
found that out. You let me take that
| baby an come with me. l 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 a graveyard
an ye ought to know 1t. Be We tryin'
to wake up the dead?"
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 a little house that's next door
to heaven. They say We can see
heaven from it's winders. It's where
the good Shepherd lives. Christmas
an know the place-don't we, oil
boy7 Come right along. There ain'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 Of the Widow Moran.
They passed through the gate into
Judge Crookers garden. Under the
Shepherds window, Hiram Blenkin-
sop gave the baby to its mother and
/ with his hands to his mouth called
>"Bobw in loud whisper. Suddenly
q robin sounded his alarm. Instantly
| the Shepherds room was full of lgh'.
| In a moment, he was at the Wlnuo"
sweeping the garden paths and the
| tree tops with his Searchiight. IL
fell on the sorrowful figure of the
young mother with the child in her
arms and stopped. She stood looking
I'M at the window bathed in the flood
of light. 1t reminded the Shepherd
of that glow which the wise men saw
in the manager at Bethlehem.
pauline Baker" he exclaimed.
"Have you come back or am l dream
ing? It's you-thanks to the BLESSED
yirglnl It's you! Come around to
the door. My mother will let you
In"
IT was a warm welcome that the
girl received In the little home OF the
Widow. Moran. Many words OF COM
fort and good cheer were spoken IN
the next hour or so, after which the
good woman made tea and toast ana
| and SnFyp1 Them In