Evening star., 1931-12-20

the accident. InS pain threatened to sfOp
the beating Of his heart.
Nowhere was there any one who could helm
him in his trouble. sob crept to his lips and
choked him. Tears sprang to his eyes, Blndly
he flung himself forward
Wont work." he sobbed. oh yuh can't
keep him out that way! None of us down there
wants t. work! We'd all like t. take 1t easv
an sleep all day. 1t amt human for none
of us t want t. sweat our lives away. Most
OF us does 1t, cause we're afraid t. quit But
Jim-he was sck-an' mas runnin' away an
leavin' him just about took all tn spunk outta
him. He didn't seem able t. pull hissen to-
gether."
The voice of the thoughtful man came deep
toned and gentle. There are other grievous
faults charged against him"
But I showed yuh how 1 matched eyery
one Of em with some meanness of nv own
Still you let me in-an yuh wantta keep him
out"
You are but child, Timothy. We can
forgive many things in a child, but"
That's all he is! Just kid-a sick out
o luck, kid. Look at him He's Just like me-
There amt no difference We're Just buddies
pals-brothers moren father an son. You
oughtta see him at a ball game, or sailin' boats
In the park! An say, half tn time he's
growlin' at me an tellin me he'll beat me t.
death, I know he don't mean it. He's Just
talkin' big-like one kid t. another"
But your father is chronic idler, and
here every one Is eager to work"
The lad turned quickly Jim, didja hear
that? Whatta yuh say? Speak up! Tell 'em
you'll work! That you'll snap outta it an
be a mani"
Jim still hung his head. The lad stared
with terror filled eyes. The silence continued
Finally the realization that he had lost his
fight swept over him. In despair the crumpled
at the feet OF the Master and sobbed.
At last he lifted his head and gazed at the
n man Toaro
look which brought him courage With a
painful effort he lifted himself
Slowly as II speaking from dream he said
Il know who you are. 1t come over me all in a
jiffy while was layin there an thnkin' I'd
lost my dad forever. You-youre the one who
made earth an heaven an everythin'. I heard
tn preachers talkin about you when slipped
into churches outta tn storm You can do
wonderful things. You can make water into
wine and bad women good You-you can do
anythin'! Why, you-you oughtta be able to
help my dad. If you'd just give him boost,
he'd be all right. Honest he would It's lust
that he's down an out from hard luck He's
afraid O everythin' an every one. He's afraid
even t. try.
But he wasn't afraid t. land in hell tryin T.
save my neck from tn limousine Trouble Is
he don't believe he can do nothin'. But do!
believe in him An-an oh, want him t.
stay
This Is Christmas. You're got q SON It's
his birthday If you wantta do somethin' spe-
cial on his birthday-n you wantta make this
a real Christmas for me, let my dad stay He
was gonna spend his last half-buck T. buy me
something. But nothin' no one could buy could
make this big day for me. There's only one
thing-somethn' you could give along with all
tn things you're givin your son on his birth
day Give me my dad! Let him stayl Workin'
together, me an you'll really make man O.
him"
The thoughtful man gazed toward the null
titude. "Timothy-," and the lad knew that
the strange, new name somehow in truth be-
longed to him. g. Timothy YOU have won
your fathers salvation. 1t is your faith in
him which has made him whole. Go! He Is
waiting!"
The lad turned his eyes. Before him =
miracle was enacted Evil rags, which had
covered Sailor Jim, fell away and he became
respondent In robes of silk For an instant he
stood with downcast face, still the broken
beaten derelct. Then as the Master spoke his
name, Sailor Jim lifted his head and strobe
with TRANSPORTED countenance toward the son
who had been his salvation
CHMEs from a nearby church tower cazolet
~ their greeting to the Christmas dawn On
q bed OF straw in Third avenue tenement
basement . small, bruised boy awoke from his
delirium and smiled
The careworn face which bent above him
frightened. Il got no Christmas present for
you, Chinmy-yet," it was saying. But got
somethin' t. tell yuh. Your almost kickin' or
this way opened my eyes t. what yuh mean t
me- Tomorrow I'm gonna get a lob an be q
man from now on, an'-an-I still got half
. dollar"
The small boys lips moved feebly. Gee,
dad" he murmured, "th' guy what called It q
merry Christmas sure said mouthful!"
Copyright, 1917