Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1921-05-06

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 Nv the old graveyard near the
ash tree. Since then the voice of
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 little. teeny, weeny thing
no bigger'n a pint o. beerl Say, 1t
is, sir sure as sinW
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.
Pm cold, and my baby is sick,
and | have no friends" she sobbed
yes, ye have!" said Hiram Blen-
kinsop. ~ don't care who ye be.
I'm yer friend and don't ye forgit it."
There was reassuring note in the
voice of Hiram Blenkinsop. Its gentle
ness had in II culver of sympathy.
She felt II 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 haS been speaking to the
stars and the cole gravestones. Here
at last was human being with a
culver of sympathy in his voice.
~ thought l would come home,
but when i got here 1 was afraid
the girl moaned. II wish | could die"
mo, We don't, either" said Hiram
Blenkinsop, sometimes, I've thought
that hadn't no friends an wanted
to die, but l 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
lust come right along with me"
The unmstakable note of sincerity
was in the voice OF Hiram Blenknsop
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 q cradle saying:
"You stop your hollerin'-ye gol
darn little skeezucks 1t amt de
cent to go on that way in IA graveyard
an We ought to know II. BE ye tryin
to wake up the deadY'
The baby grew quiet and finally
fell asleep.
Come on. now" said Hiram, Will
the baby lying against his breast
you an me are goln' out o the past
| know little house that's next door
to heaven. They say We can see
heaven from its winders. It's where
the good Shepherd lives. Christina,
an ! know the pace-don't we, oil
boy? Come right along. There ain
no kind o. doubt o. what they'll sa!
to us"
The young woman followed him GU
d 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 Crooker's garden. Under The
Shepherds window, Hiram Blenkin
sop gave the baby to its mother ant
with his hands TO his mouth called
Bob" in Il loud whisper. SUDDEN.
robin sounded his alarm. Instantly
the Shepherds room was full of light
In moment. he was at the window
sweeping the garden paths and thu
tree tops with his searchlight. L
fell on the sorrowful figure of tb1
young mother with the child in he
arms and stopped. She stood looking
up at the window bathed in the fiOoC
of light. 1t reminded the Shepherd
of that glow which the wise men saw
In the manger at Bethlehem.
Pauline Bakerw he exclaimed
Have you come back or am dream
ing? It's yOu-thanks to the Blessed
Virgin! It's you Come around t
the door. My mother will let yo,
In
II was warm welcome that thu
girl received In the little home of tn,
Widow Moran. Many words Of com
fort and good cheer were spoken II
the next hour or so. after which tn
good woman made tea and toast ant
broled chop and served them il
the Shepherds room.
"God love ye, child SO he was
married man-bad cess to him an