Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-06-09

lying in 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 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 little, teeny, weeny thing
no bigger'n a pint O. beer! Say, it
is, sir, sure as SIM"
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 a 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.
Eyes, 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 it culver of sympathy.
She felt II and gave to him--an I'M
known, invisible man, with just
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 had been speaking to the
stars and the cold gravestones. Here
at last was a human being with
culver of sympathy in his voice
II thought l would come home,
but when l got here l was afraid"
the girl moaned. Il wish l 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 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 1t to his breast a moment, think
ing Of old times. Then he swung
his arms like a cradle saying:
You stop your hol!erin'-ye gol'-
darn little skeezucks! 1t amt de-
cent to go on that way in graveyard
an We ought to know it. 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.
l 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. Christmas
an know the place-don't we, OIL
boy? Come right along. There amt
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 Crooker's garden. Under the
Shepherds window, Hiram Blenkin-
sop gave the baby to its mother and
with his hands to his mouth called
bob" in a loud whisper. Suddenly
robin sounded his alarm. Instantly,
the Shepherds room was full of light.
In moment, he was at the window
sweeping the garden paths and the
tree tops with his searchlight. 1t
fell on the sorrOwfu figure of the
young mother with the child in her
arms and stopped She stood looking
up at the window bathed in the flood
OF light. 1t reminded the Shepherd
OF that glow which the wise men saw
in the manger at Bethlehem. 81.
Pauline Bakerl" he IS exclaimed.
Have you come back or am | dream.
ing? It's you-thankS to the Blessed
Virgin! It's you! Come around to
the door. My mother will let you
in"
1t was 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 and
broiled u chop and served them in
the Shepherds room
God love ye, childl SO he. was a
married man-bad cess to him an
the likes o. him!" she said as she
came in with the tray. Mother o.
Jesus! What wicked world 1t is |"