diff options
Diffstat (limited to '40527-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/40527-h.htm | 9439 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 31844 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/drop_a.png | bin | 0 -> 7548 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/drop_b.png | bin | 0 -> 5345 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/drop_f.png | bin | 0 -> 8859 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/drop_i.png | bin | 0 -> 2955 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/drop_l.png | bin | 0 -> 9105 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/drop_n.png | bin | 0 -> 8039 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/drop_o.png | bin | 0 -> 8517 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/drop_t.png | bin | 0 -> 8467 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/leaves.png | bin | 0 -> 1746 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/images/music.png | bin | 0 -> 67040 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40527-h/music/whereheleads.mid | bin | 0 -> 1442 bytes |
13 files changed, 9439 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/40527-h/40527-h.htm b/40527-h/40527-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd9959e --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/40527-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9439 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of In League with Israel, by Annie F. Johnston</title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + .small {font-size: 70%;} + .big {font-size: 140%;} + .adtitle2 {font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + .adtitle {font-size: 200%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + + .author {font-size: 120%; text-align: center;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .chaptertitle {text-align: center; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1.5em;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold; font-size: 90%;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align:baseline; + position: relative; + bottom: 0.33em; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none;} + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + .cap:first-letter {float: left; clear: left; margin: -0.2em 0.1em 0; margin-top: 0%; + padding: 0; line-height: .75em; font-size: 300%; text-align: justify;} + .cap {text-align: justify;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, In League with Israel, by Annie F. Johnston</h1> +<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a +href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></p> +<p>Title: In League with Israel</p> +<p> A Tale of the Chattanooga Conference</p> +<p>Author: Annie F. Johnston</p> +<p>Release Date: August 20, 2012 [eBook #40527]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN LEAGUE WITH ISRAEL***</p> +<p> </p> +<h4>E-text prepared by David Edwards, Emmy,<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + Internet Archive<br /> + (<a href="http://www.archive.org">http://www.archive.org</a>).<br /> + Music was transcribed by Linda Cantoni.</h4> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive. See + <a href="http://archive.org/details/inleaguewithisra00johniala"> + http://archive.org/details/inleaguewithisra00johniala</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 399px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="399" height="600" alt="Cover: In League with Israel" /> +</div> +<hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + +<h1>IN LEAGUE WITH ISRAEL</h1> + +<div class='center'><span class='big'><b>A Tale of the Chattanooga Conference</b></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class='small'>BY</span><br /> +<span class='author'>ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON</span><br /> + + +<span class='small'>AUTHOR OF</span><br /> +<span class='small'>"<span class="smcap">Joel: A Boy of Galilee</span>;" "<span class="smcap">The Story of the Resurrection</span>;"</span><br /> +<span class='small'>"<span class="smcap">Big Brother</span>;" "<span class="smcap">The Little Colonel</span>."</span><br /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 38px;"> +<img src="images/leaves.png" width="38" height="45" alt="leaves" /> +</div> + +<div class='center'><br /><br /><br /> +<i>CINCINNATI: CURTS & JENNINGS</i><br /> +<i>NEW YORK: EATON & MAINS</i><br /> +<i>1896</i><br /> +</div><hr class="chap" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + + +<div class='copyright'> +COPYRIGHT<br /> +BY CURTS & JENNINGS,<br /> +1896.<br /> +</div><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>TO THE EPWORTH LEAGUE.</h2> + + +<p>What Paul was to the Gentiles, may you, the Young +Apostle of our Church, become to the Jews. Surely, not as +the priest or the Levite have you so long passed them by "on +the other side."</p> + +<p>Haply, being a messenger on the King's business, which +requires haste, you have never noticed their need. But the +world sees, and, re-reading an old parable, cries out: "Who +is thy neighbor? Is it not even Israel also, in thy midst?"</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + +<div class='poem'> +Nor knowest thou what argument<br /> +Thy life to thy neighbor's creed has lent.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 15em;">—<span class='small'>EMERSON.</span></span><br /> +</div><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right"><span class='small'><span class="smcap">Page.</span></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'>CHAPTER I.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi's Protégé</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER II.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">On to Chattanooga</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER III.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Sunrise Service on</span> "<span class="smcap">Lookout</span>,"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER IV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Epworth Jew</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER V.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"<span class="smcap">Trust</span>,"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER VI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Two Turnings in Bethany's Lane</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER VII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Judge Hallam's Daughter, Stenographer</span>, </td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER VIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span><span class="smcap">A Kindling Interest</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_130">130</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER IX.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Junior takes It in Hand</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER X.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Deaconess's Story</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER XI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"<span class="smcap">Yom Kippur</span>,"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER XII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Dr. Trent</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_199"><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '189'">199</ins> </a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER XIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Little Prodigal</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_220">220</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER XIV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Herzenruhe</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER XV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">On Christmas Eve</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_261">261</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />CHAPTER XVI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A "Watch-night" Consecration</span>,</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan='2'><br />——————————</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><br /><span class="smcap">Silent Keys</span>,</td><td align="right"><br /><a href="#Page_297">297</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><span class="smcap">In League With Israel.</span></h2> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE RABBI'S PROTÉGÉ.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_i.png" width="91" height="100" alt="I" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />T was growing dark in the library, +but the old rabbi took no notice of +the fact. As the June twilight +deepened, he unconsciously bent +nearer the great volume on the table before him, +till his white beard lay on the open page.</div> + +<p>He was reading aloud in Hebrew, and his +deep voice filled the room with its musical intonations: +"Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, +and ye waters that be above the heavens."</p> + +<p>He raised his head and glanced out toward +the western sky. A star or two twinkled through +the fading afterglow. Pushing the book aside, +he walked to the open window and looked up.</p> + +<p>There was a noise of children playing on the +pavement below, and the rumbling of an electric<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +car in the next street. A whiff from a passing +cigar floated up to him, and the shrill whistle of +a newsboy with the evening paper.</p> + +<p>But Abraham at the door of his tent, Moses +in the Midian desert, Elijah by the brook +Cherith, were no more apart from the world +than this old rabbi at this moment.</p> + +<p>He saw only the star. He heard only the inward +voice of adoration, as he stood in silent communion +with the God of his fathers.</p> + +<p>His strong, rugged features and white beard +suggested the line of patriarchs so forcibly, that +had a robe and sandals been substituted for the +broadcloth suit he wore, the likeness would have +been complete.</p> + +<p>He stood there a long time, with his lips +moving silently; then suddenly, as if his unspoken +homage demanded voice, he caught up +his violin. Forty years of companionship had +made it a part of himself.</p> + +<p>The depth of his being that could find no +expression in words, poured itself out in the +passionately reverent tones of his violin.</p> + +<p>In such exalted moods as this it was no +earthly instrument of music. It became to him +a veritable Jacob's ladder, on which he heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +the voices of the angels ascending and descending, +and on whose trembling rounds he climbed +to touch the Infinite.</p> + +<p>There was a quick step on the stairs, and a +heavy tread along the upper hall. Then the +portiere was pushed aside and a voice of the +world brought the rhapsody to a close.</p> + +<p>"Where are you, Uncle Ezra? It is too +dark to see, but your fiddle says that you are at +home."</p> + +<p>"Ah, David, my boy, come in and strike +a light. I wondered why you were so late."</p> + +<p>"I was out on my wheel," answered the +young man. "Cycling is warm work this time +of year."</p> + +<p>He lighted the gas and threw himself lazily +down among the pile of cushions on the couch.</p> + +<p>"I had a letter from Marta to-day."</p> + +<p>"And what does the little sister have to say?" +answered the rabbi, noticing a frown deepening +on David's forehead. "I suppose her vacation +has commenced, and she will soon be on her way +home again."</p> + +<p>"No," answered David, with a still deeper +frown. "She has changed all her plans, and +wants me to change mine, just to suit the Herrick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +family. She has gone to Chattanooga with +them, and they are up on Lookout Mountain. +She wants me to meet her there and spend part +of the summer with her. She grows more infatuated +with Frances Herrick every day. You +know they have been inseparable friends since +they first started to kindergarten."</p> + +<p>"Why did she go down there without consulting +you?" asked the old man impatiently. +"You should be both father and mother to her, +now that neither of your parents is living. I +wish I were really your uncle and hers, +that I might have some authority. You must +be more careful of her, my boy. She should +spend this summer with you at home, instead +of with strangers in a hotel."</p> + +<p>"But, Uncle Ezra," protested David, quick +to excuse the little sister, who was the only one +in the world related to him by family ties, "at +home there is nobody but the housekeeper. +Mrs. Herrick is with the girls now, and the major +will join them next week. Marta is just like +one of the family, and I have encouraged the +intimacy, because I felt that Mrs. Herrick gives +her the motherly care she needs. Besides, Marta +and Frances are so congenial in every way that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +they find their greatest happiness together. I +tell them they are as bad as Ruth and Naomi. +It is a case of 'where thou goest I will go,' etc."</p> + +<p>"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed the rabbi, fervently. +"Do you remember that the rest of that +declaration is, 'Thy people shall be my people, +and thy God my God?' David, my son, I tell +you there is great danger of the child's being led +away from the faith. Your father and hers +was my dearest friend. I have loved you children +like my own. You must heed my warning, +and discourage such intimacy with a Gentile +family, especially when it includes such an agreeable +member as that young Albert Herrick."</p> + +<p>"Why, he is only a boy, Uncle Ezra."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but he is older than Marta, and they +are thrown constantly together."</p> + +<p>David looked down at the carpet, and began +absently tracing a pattern with his foot. He +was thinking of the little sixteen-year-old sister. +The seven years' difference in their ages +gave him a fatherly feeling for her. He could +not bear the thought of interfering seriously +with her pleasure, yet he could not ignore the +old man's warning.</p> + +<p>Rabbi Barthold had been his tutor in both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +languages and music. Aside from a few years +at college, all that he knew had been learned +under the old man's wise supervision.</p> + +<p>"Ezra, my friend," said the elder David, +when he lay dying, "take my child and make +him a man after your own pattern. I know +your noble soul. Give his the same strength +and sweetness. We are so greedy for the fleshpots +of Egypt, that we forget to satisfy the soul +hunger. But you will teach the little fellow +higher things."</p> + +<p>Later, when the end had almost come, his +hand groped out feebly towards the child, who +had been brought to his bedside.</p> + +<p>"Never mind about the shekels, little +David," he said in a hoarse, broken whisper. +"But clean hands and a pure heart—that's all +that counts when you're in your coffin."</p> + +<p>The child's eyes grew wide with wonder +as a paroxysm of pain contracted the beloved +face. He was led quickly away, but those words +were never forgotten.</p> + +<p>The rabbi was thinking of them now as he +studied the handsome features of the young fellow +before him.</p> + +<p>It was a strong face, but refinement and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +gentleness showed in every line. There was +something so boyish and frank, also, in its expression, +that a tender smile moved the rabbi's +lips. "Clean hands and a pure heart," he said +fondly to himself. "He has them. Ah, my +David, if thou couldst but see how thy little +one has grown, not only in stature, but in soul-life, +in ideals, thou would'st be satisfied."</p> + +<p>"Well," he said aloud, as the young man +left his seat and began to walk up and down +the room with his hands in his pockets, "what +are you going to do?"</p> + +<p>"I scarcely know," was the hesitating answer. +"It would not be wise to send for Marta +to come home, for the reason you suggest, and +I have no other to offer her."</p> + +<p>"Then go to her!" the rabbi exclaimed. +"You need not tell her that you have any fear +of her being influenced by Gentile society—but +never for a moment let her forget that she +is a Jewess. Kindle her pride in her race. +Teach her loyalty to her people, and love for +all that is Hebrew."</p> + +<p>"But my Hudson Bay trip?" David suggested.</p> + +<p>"That can wait. The Tennessee mountains<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +will give you as good a summer outing as you +need, and you can play guardian angel for +Marta while you take it."</p> + +<p>David laughed, and took another turn +across the room. Then he paused beside the +table, and picked up a newspaper.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what connections the trains make +now," he said. "There used to be a long wait +at a dismal old junction." He glanced hastily +over the time-table.</p> + +<p>"Why, look here!" he exclaimed. "Here +is a cheap excursion to Chattanooga this next +week. I could afford to run down and see +Marta, anyhow. Maybe I could persuade her +to come back with me, if I promised to take her +to Hudson Bay with me."</p> + +<p>"What kind of an excursion?" asked the +rabbi.</p> + +<p>"Epworth League, it says here, whatever +that may be. It seems to be some sort of an +international convention, and says to apply to +Frank B. Marion for particulars."</p> + +<p>"Marion," repeated the rabbi, thoughtfully. +"O, then it is a Methodist affair. He is not only +the head and shoulders of that big Church on +Garrison Avenue, but hands and feet as well,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +judging by the way he works for it. I wish my +congregation would take a few lessons from +him."</p> + +<p>"Is he very tall, with a short, brown beard, +and blue eyes, and a habit of shaking hands +with everybody?" asked David. "I believe +I know the man. I met him on the cars last +fall. He's lively company. I've a notion to +hunt him up, and find what's going on."</p> + +<p>"Telephone out to Hillhollow that you will +not be at home to-night," said the rabbi, "and +stay in the city with me. If you conclude to +go to Chattanooga next week, I have much to +say to you before taking leave of you for the +summer."</p> + +<p>"Very well," consented David. "I'll go +down town immediately, and see if I can find this +Mr. Marion. What is his business, do you +know?"</p> + +<p>"A wholesale shoe merchant, I believe. He +is in that big new building next to Cohen's +furniture-store, on Duke Street. But you'll +not find him Wednesday night. They have +Church in the middle of the week, and he is +one of the few Christians whose life is as loud as +his profession."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<p>David smiled a little bitterly. "Then I +shall certainly cultivate his acquaintance for +the purpose of studying such a rara avis. It +has never been my lot to know a Christian who +measured up to his creed."</p> + +<p>"Do not grow cynical, my lad," answered the +old man, gently. "I have made you a dreamer +like myself. I have kept you in an atmosphere +of high ideals. I have led you into the companionship +of all that was heroic in the past, and +held you apart as much as possible from the +sordid selfishness of the age. O, I grow sick +at heart sometimes when I stroll through the +great centers of trade, watching the fierce struggle +of humanity as they snatch the bread from +other mouths to feed their own.</p> + +<p>"You remember our Hebrew word for teach +comes from tooth, and means to make sharp like +a tooth. Sometimes I think that primitive idea +has become the popular view of education in +this day. Anything that will fit a man to bite +and cut his way through this hungry wolf-pack +is what is sought after, no matter how many of his +kind are trampled under foot in the struggle. +I am almost afraid for you to step down from +the place where I have kept you. When you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +are thrown with men who care for nothing but +material things, who would barter not only their +birthrights but their souls for a mess of pottage, +I am afraid you will lose faith in humanity."</p> + +<p>"That is quite likely, Uncle Ezra."</p> + +<p>"Aye, but I would not have it so, David. +The world is certainly growing a little less savage, +and in every nature smolders some spark, however +small, of the eternal good. No matter how +we have fallen, we still bear the imprint of the +Creator, in whose likeness we were first fashioned."</p> + +<p>Rabbi Barthold had been right in calling +himself a dreamer. The ability to live apart +from his surroundings, had been his greatest +comfort. Because of it, the rigor of extreme +poverty that surrounded his early life had not +touched his heart with its baneful chill. He had +gone through the world a happy optimist.</p> + +<p>He had been trained according to the most +strictly orthodox system of Judaism. But even +its severe pressure had failed to confine him to +the limits of such a narrow mold.</p> + +<p>He was still a dreamer. In the new world +he had cast aside the shackles of tradition for +the larger liberty of the Reformed Jew.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now in his serene old age, surrounded by +luxuries, he still lived apart in a world of music +and literature.</p> + +<p>His congregation, broken loose from the old +moorings, drifted dangerously away towards +radicalism, but he stood firm in the belief that +the "chosen people" would finally triumph over +all error, and found much comfort in the +thought.</p> + +<p>David took out his watch. "It is after eight +o'clock," he said. "Probably if I walk down +Garrison Avenue, I may meet Mr. Marion coming +from Church. I'll be back soon."</p> + +<p>People were beginning to file out of the side +entrance that led to the prayer-meeting room, +by the time he reached the church.</p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Frank Marion in here?" he asked of +the colored janitor, who was standing in the +doorway.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah!" was the emphatic response. "He +sut'n'y is, sah! He am always the fust to come, +an' the last to depaht."</p> + +<p>"Why, good evening, Mr. Herschel," exclaimed +a pleasant voice.</p> + +<p>David turned quickly to lift his hat. An +elderly lady was coming down the steps with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +two young girls. She came up to him with a +smile, and held out her hand.</p> + +<p>"I have not seen you since you came back +from college," she said, cordially; "but I never +lose my interest in any of Rob's playmates."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Bond," he replied, with +his hat still in his hand.</p> + +<p>As she passed on, a swift rush of recollection +brought back the big attic where he had passed +many a rainy day with Rob Bond. He recalled +with something of the old boyish pleasure a certain +jar on their pantry shelf, where the most delicious +ginger-snaps were always to be found.</p> + +<p>But the next moment the smile left his lips, +as an exclamation of one of the girls was carried +back to him. It was made in an undertone, +but the still evening air transmitted it +with startling distinctness.</p> + +<p>"Why, Auntie, he's a Jew! I didn't +think you would shake hands with a Jew!"</p> + +<p>He could not hear Mrs. Bond's reply. He +drew himself up haughtily. Then the indignant +flash died out of his eyes. After all, why should +he, with the princely blood of Israel in his veins, +care for the callow prejudices of a little school-girl?</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + +<p>A crowd of people passed out, laughing and +talking. Then he saw Mr. Marion come into +the vestibule with several boys, just as the janitor +began to extinguish the lights.</p> + +<p>He turned to David with a hearty smile +and a strong hand-clasp, recognizing him instantly.</p> + +<p>"How are you, brother?" he asked. He +spoke with a slight Southern accent. Somehow, +David felt forcibly that it was not merely as a +matter of habit that Frank Marion called him +brother. Such a warm, personal interest seemed +to speak through the friendly blue eyes looking +so honestly into his own, that he was half-way +persuaded to go to Chattanooga with him before +a word had been said on the subject. They +walked several blocks together up the avenue, +discussing the excursion. Then Mr. Marion +stopped at the gate of an old-fashioned residence, +built some distance back from the street.</p> + +<p>"I have a message to deliver to Miss Hallam, +a cousin of mine," he said. "If you will wait +a moment, I'll go with you over to the office."</p> + +<p>The front door stood open, and the hall-lamp +sent a flood of yellow light streaming out into +the warm, June darkness.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>In response to Mr. Marion's knock, there +was a flutter of a white dress in the hall, and the +next instant the massive old doorway framed a +picture that the young Jew never forgot. It +was Bethany Hallam. The light seemed to make +a halo of her golden hair, and to illuminate +her dress and the sweet upturned face with such +an ethereal whiteness that David was reminded +of a Psyche in Parian marble.</p> + +<p>"Who is she?" he exclaimed, as Mr. Marion +rejoined him. "One never sees a face like that +outside of some artist's conception. It is too +spirituelle for this planet, but too sad for any +other."</p> + +<p>"She is Judge Hallam's daughter," Mr. +Marion responded. "He died last fall, and +Bethany is grieving herself to death. I have at +last persuaded her to go to Chattanooga with +us. She needs to have her thoughts turned into +another channel, and I hope this trip will accomplish +that purpose."</p> + +<p>"I knew the Judge," said David. "I met +him a number of times after I was admitted +to the bar."</p> + +<p>"O, I didn't know you were a lawyer," said +Mr. Marion.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I expect to begin practicing here after +vacation," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Well, I am going to begin my practice +right now," said Mr. Marion, laughing, "and +plead my case to such purpose that you will be +persuaded to take this Chattanooga trip." He +slipped his arm through David's, and drew him +around the corner toward his store.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>"ON TO CHATTANOOGA."</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_i.png" width="91" height="100" alt="I" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />T was within three minutes of time +for the south-bound train to start +when David Herschel swung himself +on the platform of the Chattanooga +special. As he settled himself comfortably +in the first vacant seat, Mr. Marion hurried +past him down the aisle with a valise in each +hand. He was followed by two ladies. The +first one seemed to know every one in the car, +judging by the smiles and friendly voices that +greeted her <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apearance'">appearance</ins>.</div> + +<p>"O, we were so afraid you were not coming, +Mrs. Marion," cried an impulsive young girl, +just in front of David. "It would have been +such a disappointment. Isn't she just the dearest +thing in the world?" she rattled on to her companion, +as Mrs. Marion passed out of hearing.</p> + +<p>"Well, if she hasn't got Bethany Hallam +with her! Of all people to go on an excursion, +it seems to me she would be the very last."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why?" asked the other girl. As that was +the question uppermost in David's mind, he +listened with interest for the answer.</p> + +<p>"O, she seems so different from other people. +Her father always used to treat her as if she +were made of a little finer clay than ordinary +mortals. When she traveled, it was always in +a private car. When she went to lectures or +concerts, they always had the best seats in the +house. All her teachers taught her at home except +one. She went to the conservatory for her +drawing lessons, but a maid came with her in the +morning, and her father drove by for her at +noon."</p> + +<p>As he listened, David's eyes had followed +the tall, graceful girl who was now seating herself +by Mrs. Marion.</p> + +<p>Every movement, as well as every detail of +her traveling dress, impressed him with a sense +of her refinement and culture. He noticed that +she was all in black. A thin veil drawn over +her face partially concealed its delicate pallor; +but her soft, light hair, drawn up under the little +black hat she wore, seemed sunnier than ever +by contrast.</p> + +<p>"Isn't she beautiful?" sighed David's talkative<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +neighbor. "I used to wish I could change +places with her, especially the year when she +went abroad to study art; but I wouldn't now +for anything in the world."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked her companion again, and +David mentally echoed her interrogation.</p> + +<p>"O, because her father is dead now, and +everything is so different. Something happened +to their property, so there's nothing left but the +old home. Then her little brother had such a +dreadful fall just after the Judge's death. +They thought he would die, too, or be a cripple +all his life; but I believe he's better now. +He is sort of paralyzed, so he has to stay +in a wheel-chair; but the doctor says he is gradually +getting over that, and will be all right +after awhile. It's a very peculiar case, I've +heard. There have only been a few like it. She +is studying stenography now, so that she can +keep on living in the old home and take care +of little Jack."</p> + +<p>"Do you know her?" interrupted the interested +listener.</p> + +<p>"No, not very well. I've always seen her +in Church; you know Judge Hallam was one of +our best paying members, and rarely missed a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +Sabbath morning service. But they were very +exclusive socially. My easel stood next to hers +in the art conservatory one term, and we talked +about our work sometimes. She used to remind +me of Sir Christopher in 'Tales of a Wayside +Inn.' Don't you remember? She had that</p> + +<div class='poem'> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">'Way of saying things</span><br /> +That made one think of courts and kings,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And lords and ladies of high degree,</span><br /> +So that not having been at court<br /> +Seemed something very little short<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of treason or lese-majesty,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Such an accomplished knight was he.'"</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>Both girls laughed, and then the lively +chatter was drowned by the jarring rumble of +the train as it puffed slowly out of the depot.</p> + +<p>"Any one would know this is a Methodist +crowd," said Mrs. Marion laughingly, as a dozen +happy young voices began to sing an old revival +hymn, and it was caught up all over the car.</p> + +<p>"That reminds me," said her husband, reaching +into his coat pocket, "I have something +here that will prevent any mistake if doubt +should arise."</p> + +<p>He drew out a little box of ribbon badges +and a paper of pins. "Here," he said, "put one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +on, Ray; we must all show our colors this week. +You, too, Bethany."</p> + +<p>"O no, Cousin Frank," she protested. "I +am not a member of the League."</p> + +<p>"That makes no difference," he answered, +in his hearty, persistent way. "You ought to +be one, and you will be by the time you get +back from this conference."</p> + +<p>"But, Cousin Frank, I never wore a badge +in my life," she insisted. "I have always had +the greatest antipathy to such things. It makes +one so conspicuous to be branded in that way."</p> + +<p>He held out the little white ribbon, threaded +with scarlet, and bearing the imprint of the Maltese +cross. The light, jesting tone was gone. +He was so deeply in earnest that it made her feel +uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>"Do you know what the colors mean, Bethany?" +Then he paused reverently. "The purity +and the blood! Surely, you can not refuse to +wear those."</p> + +<p>He laid the little badge in her lap, and passed +down the aisle, distributing the others right and +left.</p> + +<p>She looked at it in silence a moment, and +then pinned it on the lapel of her traveling coat.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Cousin Ray, did you ever know another +such persistent man?" she asked. "How is it +that he can always make people go in exactly +the opposite way from the one they had intended? +When he first planned for me to come +on this excursion, I thought it was the most +preposterous idea I ever heard of. But he put +aside every objection, and overruled every argument +I could make. I did not want to come +at all, but he planned his campaign like a general, +and I had to surrender."</p> + +<p>"Tell me how he managed," said Mrs. +Marion. "You know I did not get home from +Chicago until yesterday morning, and I have +been too busy getting ready to come on this +excursion to ask him anything."</p> + +<p>"When he had urged all the reasons he +could think of for my going, but without success, +he attacked me in my only vulnerable spot, +little Jack. The child has considered Cousin +Frank's word law and gospel ever since he joined +the Junior League. So, when he was told that +my health would be benefited by the trip, and +it would arouse me from the despondent, low-spirited +state I had fallen into, he gave me no +rest until I promised to go. Jack showed generalship,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +too. He waited until the night of +his birthday. I had promised him a little party, +but he was so much worse that day, it had to +be postponed. I was so sorry for him that I +could have promised him almost anything. The +little rascal knew it, too. While I was helping +him undress, he put his arms around my neck, +and began to beg me to go. He told me that he +had been praying that I might change my mind. +Ever since he has been in the League he has +seemed to get so much comfort out of the belief +that his prayers are always answered that I +couldn't bear to shake his faith. So I promised +him."</p> + +<p>"The dear little John Wesley," said Mrs. Marion; +"you ought to give him the full benefit +of his name, Bethany."</p> + +<p>"Mamma did intend to, but papa said it was +as much too big for him as the huge old-fashioned +silver watch that Grandfather Bradford +left him. He suggested that both be laid +away until he grew up to fit them."</p> + +<p>"Who is taking care of him in your absence?" +was the next question.</p> + +<p>"O, he and Cousin Frank arranged that, too. +They sent for his old nurse. She came last<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +night with her little nine-year-old grandson. +Just Jack's age, you see; so he will have somebody +to make the time pass very quickly."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marion stopped her with an exclamation +of surprise. "Well, I wish you'd look at +Frank! What will he do next? He is actually +pinning an Epworth League badge on that +young Jew!"</p> + +<p>Bethany turned her head a little to look. +"What a fine face he has!" she remarked. "It +is almost handsome. He must feel very much +out of place among such an aggressive set of +Christians. I wonder what he thinks of all these +songs?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion came back smiling. As superintendent +of both Sunday-school and Junior +League, he had won the love of every one connected +with them. His passage through the +car, as he distributed the badges, was attended +by many laughing remarks and warm handclasps.</p> + +<p>There was a happy twinkle in his eyes when +he stopped beside his wife's seat. She smiled up +at him as he towered above her, and motioned +him to take the seat in front of them.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to stay," he said. "I want<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +to bring a young man up here, and introduce +him to you. He's having a pretty lonesome +time, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"It must be that Jew," remarked Mrs. +Marion. "I know every one else on the car. +I don't see that we are called on to entertain +him, Frank. He came with us, simply to take +advantage of the excursion rates. I should think +he would prefer to be let alone. He must have +thought it presumptuous in you to pin that badge +on him. What did he say when you did it?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion bent down to make himself +heard above the noise of the train.</p> + +<p>"I showed him our motto, 'Look up, lift up,' +and told him if there was any people in the +world who ought to be able to wear such a motto +worthily, it was the nation whose Moses had +climbed Sinai, and whose tables of stone lifted +up the highest standard of morality known to +the race of Adam."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marion laughed. "You would make +a fine politician," she exclaimed. "You always +know just the right chord to touch."</p> + +<p>"Cousin Frank," asked Bethany, "how does +it happen you have taken such an intense interest +in him?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>He dropped into the seat facing theirs, and +leaned forward.</p> + +<p>"Well, to begin with, he's a fine fellow. I +have had several talks with him, and have been +wonderfully impressed with his high ideals and +views of life. But I am free to confess, had I +met him ten years ago, I could not have seen +any good traits in him at all. I was blinded by +a prejudice that I am unable to account for. +It must have been hereditary, for it has existed +since my earliest recollection, and entirely +without reason, as far as I can see. I somehow +felt that I was justified in hating the Jews. +I had unconsciously acquired the opinion that +they were wholly devoid of the finer sensibilities, +that they were gross in their manner of living, +and petty and mean in business transactions. +I took Fagin and Shylock as fair specimens +of the whole race. It was, really, a most unaccountable +hatred I had for them. My teeth +would actually clinch if I had to sit next to one +on a street-car. You may think it strange, but +I was not alone in the feeling. I know it to be +a fact that there are hundreds and hundreds +of Church members to-day that have the same +inexplicable antipathy."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bethany looked up quickly.</p> + +<p>"My father's reading and training," she +said, "has caused me to have a great admiration +and respect for Jews in the abstract. I mean +such as the Old Testament heroes and the Maccabees +of a later date. But in the concrete, I +must say I like to have as little intercourse with +them as possible. And as to modern Israelites, +all I know of them personally is the almost +cringing obsequiousness of a few wealthy merchants +with whom I have dealt, and the dirty +swarm of repulsive creatures that infest the +tenement districts. We used to take a short +cut through those streets sometimes in driving +to the market. Ugh! It was dreadful!" She +gave a little shiver of repugnance at the recollection.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," he answered. "I had that +same feeling the greater part of my life. But +ten years ago I spent a summer at Chautauqua, +studying the four Gospels. It opened my eyes, +Bethany. I got a clearer view of the Christ +than I ever had before. I saw how I had been +misrepresenting him to the world. The inconsistencies +of my life seemed like the lanterns +the pirates used to hang on the dangerous cliffs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +along the coast, that vessels might be wrecked +by their misleading light. Do you suppose a +Jew could have accepted such a Christ as I represented +then? No wonder they fail to recognize +their Messiah in the distorted image that +is reflected in the lives of his followers."</p> + +<p>"But they rejected Christ himself when he +was among them," ventured Bethany.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Mr. Marion, "it was like +the old story of the man with a muck rake. Do +you remember that picture that was shown to +Christian at the interpreter's house in 'Pilgrim's +Progress?' As a nation, Israel had stooped so +much to the gathering of dry traditions, had +bent so long over the minute letter of the law, +that it could not straighten itself to take the +crown held out to it. It could not even lift its +eyes to discern that there was a crown just over +its head."</p> + +<p>"It always made me think of the blind +Samson," said Mrs. Marion. "In trying to overthrow +something it could not see, spiritually +I mean, it pulled down the pillars of prophecy +on its own head."</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion turned to Bethany again.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Israel, as a nation, rejected Christ;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +but who was it that wrote those wonderful +chronicles of the Nazarene? Who was it that +went out ablaze with the power of Pentecost +to spread the deathless story of the resurrection? +Who were the apostles that founded our Church? +To whom do we owe our knowledge of God +and our hope of redemption, if not to the Jews? +We forget, sometimes, that the Savior himself +belonged to that race we so reproach."</p> + +<p>He was talking so earnestly, he had forgotten +his surroundings, until a light touch on +his shoulder interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"What's the occasion of all this eloquence, +Brother Marion?" asked the minister's genial +voice.</p> + +<p>He turned quickly to smile into the frank, +smooth-shaven face bending over him.</p> + +<p>"Come, sit down, Dr. Bascom. We're discussing +my young friend back there, David +Herschel. Have you met him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I was talking with him a little while +ago," answered the minister. "He seems very +reserved. Queer, what an intangible barrier +seems to arise when we talk to one of that race. +I just came in to tell you that Cragmore is in the +next car. He got on at the last station."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What, George Cragmore!" exclaimed Mr. +Marion, rising quickly. "I haven't seen him for +two years. I'll bring him in here, Ray, after +awhile."</p> + +<p>"That's the last we'll see of him till lunch-time," +said Mrs. Marion, as the door banged +behind the two men.</p> + +<p>"Frank will never think of us again when he +gets to spinning yarns with Mr. Cragmore. I +want you to meet him, Bethany. He is one of +the most original men I ever heard talk. He's +a young minister from the 'auld sod.' They +called him the 'wild Irishman' when he first +came over, he was so fiery and impetuous. +There is enough of the brogue left yet in his +speech to spice everything he says. He and +Frank are a great deal alike in some things. +They are both tall and light-haired. They both +have a deep vein of humor and an inordinate +love of joking. They are both so terribly in +earnest with their Christianity that everybody +around them feels the force of it; and when they +once settle on a point, they are so tenacious +nothing can move them. I often tell Frank +he is worse than a snapping-turtle. Tradition +says they do let go when it thunders, but nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +will make him let go when his mind is once +clinched."</p> + +<p>There was a stop of twenty minutes at noon. +At the sound of a noisy gong in front of the +station restaurant, Mr. Marion came in with +his friend. Capacious lunch-baskets were +opened out on every side, with the generous +abundance of an old-time camp-meeting.</p> + +<p>"Where is Herschel?" inquired Mr. Marion. +"I intended to ask him to lunch with us."</p> + +<p>"I saw him going into the restaurant," replied +his wife.</p> + +<p>"You must have a talk with him this afternoon, +George," said Mr. Marion. "I've been +all up and down this train trying to get people +to be neighborly. I believe Dr. Bascom is the +only one who has spoken to him. They were +all having such a good time when I interrupted +them, or they didn't know what to say to a +Jew, and a dozen different excuses."</p> + +<p>"O, Frank, don't get started on that subject +again!" exclaimed Mrs. Marion. "Take a +sandwich, and forget about it."</p> + +<p>Bethany Hallam laughed more than once +during the merry luncheon that followed. She +could not remember that she had laughed before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +since her father's death. The young Irishman's +ready wit, his droll stories, and odd expressions +were irresistible. He seemed a magnet, +too, drawing constantly from Frank Marion's +inexhaustible supply of fun.</p> + +<p>"You have seen only one side of him," remarked +Mrs. Marion, when her husband had +taken him away to introduce David. "While +he was very entertaining, I think he has +shown us one of the least attractive phases of +his character."</p> + +<p>David had felt very much out of place all +morning. It was one thing to travel among +ordinary Gentiles, as he had always done, and +another to be surrounded by those who were constantly +bubbling over with religious enthusiasm. +He did not object to sitting beside a hot-water +tank, he said to himself, but he did object to +its boiling over on him.</p> + +<p>His neighbors would have been very much +surprised could they have known he was studying +them with keen insight, and finding much +to criticise. Even some of their songs were objectionable +to him, their catchy refrains reminding +him of some he had heard at colored minstrel +shows.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + +<p>With such an exalted idea of worship as +the old rabbi had inculcated in him, it did not +seem fitting to approach Deity in song unless +through such sonorous utterances as the psalms. +Some of these little tinkling, catch-penny tunes +seemed profanation.</p> + +<p>He ventured to say as much to George Cragmore. +He had very unexpectedly found a congenial +friend in the young minister. It was +not often he met a man so keenly alert to +nature, so versed in his favorite literature, or +of his same sensitive temperament. He felt +himself opening his inner doors as he did to no +one else but the rabbi.</p> + +<p>A drizzling rain was falling when they began +to wind in and out among the mountains of +Tennessee, and for miles in their journey a rainbow +confronted them at every turn in the road. +It crowned every hilltop ahead of them. It +reached its shining ladder of light into every +valley. It seemed such a prophecy of what +awaited them on the mountain beyond, that some +one began to sing, "Standing on the Promises."</p> + +<p>As the full glory of the rainbow flashed +on Cragmore's sight, he stopped abruptly in the +middle of a sentence. The expression of his face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +seemed to transfigure it. When he turned to +David, there were tears in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"O, the covenants of the Old Testament!" +he said, in a low tone, that thrilled David with +its intensity of feeling. "The Bethels! The +Mizpahs! The Ebenezers! See, it is like a +pillar of fire leading us to a veritable land of +promise."</p> + +<p>Then, with his hand resting on David's knee, +he began to talk of the promises of the Bible, +till David exclaimed, impulsively: "You make +me forget that you are a Christian. You enter +into Israel's past even more fully than many of +her own sons."</p> + +<p>Cragmore thrust out his hand, in his quick, +nervous way, with an impetuous gesture.</p> + +<p>"Why, man!" he cried, relapsing unconsciously +into the broad brogue of his childhood, +"we hold sacred with you the heritage of your +past. We look up with you to the same God, +the Father; we confess a common faith till we +stand at the foot of the cross. There is no +great barrier between us—only a step—one step +farther for you to take, and we stand side by +side!"</p> + +<p>He laid his hand on David's, and looked into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +his eyes with an expression of tender pleading +as he added:</p> + +<p>"O, my friend, if you could only see my +Savior as he has revealed himself to me! I +pray you may! I do pray you may!"</p> + +<p>It was the first time in David's life any one +had ever said such a thing to him. He sat +back in his corner of the seat, at loss for an +answer. It put an end to their conversation for +a while. Cragmore felt that his sympathy had +carried him to the point of giving offense. He +was relieved when Dr. Bascom beckoned him +to share his seat.</p> + +<p>After a while, as the train sped on into the +darkness, the passengers subsided in to sleepy +indifference. It seemed hours afterward when +Mr. Marion clapped him on the shoulder, saying +briskly, "Wake up, old fellow, we are getting +into Chattanooga."</p> + +<p>"Let us go in with banners flying," said +Dr. Bascom. "I understand that every car-full +that has come in, from Maine to Mexico, has +come singing."</p> + +<p>The lights of the city, twinkling through +the car-windows, aroused the sleepy passengers +with a sense of pleasant anticipations, and when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +they steamed slowly into the crowded depot, +it was as "pilgrims singing in the night."</p> + +<p>In the general confusion of the arrival, Mr. +Marion lost sight of David.</p> + +<p>"It's too bad!" he exclaimed, in a disappointed +tone. "I intended to ask him to drive +to Missionary Ridge with us to-morrow, and I +wanted to introduce him to you, Bethany."</p> + +<p>"I'm very glad you didn't have the opportunity, +Cousin Frank," she said, as she followed +him through the depot gates. "He may be +very agreeable, and all that, but he's a Jew, +and I don't care to make his acquaintance."</p> + +<p>The handle of the umbrella she was carrying +came in collision with some one behind her.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," she said, turning in +her gracious, high-bred way.</p> + +<p>The gentleman raised his hat. It was +David Herschel. A stylish-looking little school-girl +was clinging to his arm, and a gray-bearded +man, whom she recognized as Major Herrick, +was walking just behind him. They had come +down from the mountain to meet him, and take +him to Lookout Inn. As their eyes met, Bethany +was positive that he had overheard her remark.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE SUNRISE SERVICE ON "LOOKOUT."</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 87px;"> +<img src="images/drop_b.png" width="87" height="100" alt="B" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />Y some misunderstanding, Bethany +and her cousins had been assigned +to different homes.</div> + +<p>"It is too late to make any +change to-night," said Mrs. Marion, as they left +her. "We are only one block further up on +this same street. We will try to make some arrangement +to-morrow to have you with us."</p> + +<p>Bethany followed her hostess into the wide +reception-hall. One of the most elegant homes +of the South had opened its hospitable doors to +receive them. Ten delegates had preceded her, +all as tired and travel-stained as herself.</p> + +<p>During the introductions, Bethany mentally +classified them as the most uninteresting lot of +people she had seen in a long time.</p> + +<p>"I believe you are the odd one of this party, +Miss Hallam," said the hostess, glancing over +the assignment cards she held; "so I shall have +to ask you to take a very small room. It is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +one improvised for the occasion; but you will +probably be more comfortable here alone than +in a larger room with several others."</p> + +<p>It had never occurred to Bethany that she +might have been asked to share an apartment +with some stranger, and she hastened to assure +her hostess of her appreciation of the little +room, which, though very small indeed compared +with the great dimensions of the others, +was quite comfortable and attractive.</p> + +<p>"I have always been accustomed to being by +myself," she said, "and it makes no difference +at all if it is so far away from the other sleeping-rooms. +I am not at all timid."</p> + +<p>Yet, when she had wearily locked her door, +she realized that she had never been so entirely +alone before in all her life. Home seemed so +very far away. Her surroundings were so +strange. Her extreme weariness intensified her +morbid feeling of loneliness. She remembered +such a sensation coming to her one night in +mid-ocean, but she had tapped on her state-room +wall, and her father had come to her immediately. +Now she might call a weary lifetime. +No earthly voice could ever reach him.</p> + +<p>With a throbbing ache in her throat, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +hot tears springing to her eyes, she opened her +valise and took out a little photograph case of +Russia leather. Four pictured faces looked out +at her. She was kneeling before them, with +her arms resting on the low dressing-table. As +she gazed at them intently, a tear splashed +down on her black dress.</p> + +<p>"O, it isn't right! It isn't right," she +sobbed, passionately, "for God to take everything! +It would have been so easy for him to +let me keep them. How could he be so cruel? +How could he take away all that made my life +worth living, and then let little Jack suffer so?"</p> + +<p>She laid her head on her arms in a paroxysm +of sobbing. Presently she looked up again at +her mother's picture. It was a beautiful face, +very like her own. It brought back all her +happy childhood, that seemed almost glorified +now by the remembered halo of its devoted +mother-love.</p> + +<p>The years had softened that grief, but it +all came back to-night with its old-time bitterness.</p> + +<p>The next face was little Jack's—a sturdy, +wide-awake boy, with mischievous dimples and +laughing eyes. But the recollection of all he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +had suffered since his accident, made her feel +that she had lost him also, in a way. The +physician had assured her that he would be the +same vigorous, romping child again; but she +found that hard to believe when she thought +of his present helpless condition.</p> + +<p>She pressed the next picture to her lips +with trembling fingers, and then looked lovingly +into the eyes that seemed to answer her +gaze with one of steadfast, manly devotion.</p> + +<p>"O, it isn't right! It isn't right!" she +sobbed again. How it all came back to her—the +happy June-time of her engagement!—the +summer days when she dreamed of him, the +summer twilights when he came. Every detail +was burned into her aching memory, from the +first bunch of violets he brought her, to the +judge's tender smile when she spread out all +her bridal array for him to see. Such shimmering +lengths of the white, trailing satin; such +filmy clouds of the soft, white veil, destined +never to touch her fair hair! For there was the +telegram, and afterward the darkened room, +and the darker hour, when she groped her way +to a motionless form, and knelt beside it alone. +O, how she had clung to the cold hands, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +kissed the unresponsive lips, and turned away in +an agony of despair! But as she turned, her +father's strong arms were folded about her, and +his broken voice whispered comfort.</p> + +<p>The dear father! It had been doubly desolate +since he had gone, too.</p> + +<p>Kneeling there, with her head bowed on her +arms, she seemed to face a future that was utterly +hopeless. Except that Jack needed her, +she felt that there was absolutely no reason +why she should go on living.</p> + +<p>The ticking of her watch reminded her that +it was nearly midnight. In a mechanical way, +she got up and began to arrange her hair for +the night.</p> + +<p>After she had extinguished the light, she +pulled aside the curtain, and looked out on the +unfamiliar streets.</p> + +<p>The moon had come up. In the dim light +the crest of old Lookout towered grimly above +the horizon. A verse of one of the Psalms +passed through her mind: "I will lift up mine +eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."</p> + +<p>"No," she whispered, bitterly, "there is no +help. God doesn't care. He is too far away."</p> + +<p>As she went back to the bed, the words of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +the novice in Muloch's "Benedetta Minelli" +came to her:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"O weary world, O heavy life, farewell!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Like a tired child that creeps into the dark</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">To sob itself asleep where none will mark,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">So creep I to my silent convent cell."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"I wish I could do that," she thought; "lock +myself away with my memories, and not be +obliged to keep up this empty pretense of living, +just as if nothing were changed. It might not +be so hard. How I dread to-morrow, with its +crowds of strange faces! O, why did I ever +come?"</p> + +<p>Next morning, the guests gathered out on +the vine-covered piazza to discuss their plans for +the day.</p> + +<p>There were two theological students from +Boston, a young doctor from Texas, and the +son of a wealthy Louisiana planter. A Kansas +farmer's wife and her sister, a bright little +schoolteacher from an Iowa village, and three +pretty Georgia girls, completed the party.</p> + +<p>Bethany sat a little apart from them, wondering +how they could be so greatly interested +in such things as the most direct car-line to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +Missionary Ridge, or the time it would take to +"do" the old battle-grounds.</p> + +<p>The youngest Georgia girl was about her +own age. She had made several attempts to +include Bethany in the conversation, but mistaking +her reserve and indifference for haughtiness, +turned to the Louisiana boy with a remark +about unsociable Northerners.</p> + +<p>Their frequent laughter reached Bethany, +and she wondered, in a dull way, how anybody +could be light-hearted enough even to smile in +such a world full of heart-aches. Then she remembered +that she had laughed herself, the day +before, when Mr. Cragmore was with them. It +rather puzzled her now to know how she could +have done so. Her wakeful night had left her +unusually depressed.</p> + +<p>An open, two-seated carriage stopped at +the gate. Mrs. Marion and George Cragmore +were on the back seat. Mr. Marion and Dr. +Bascom sat with the driver. Bethany had been +waiting for them some time with her hat on, +so she went quickly out to meet them. Mr. +Cragmore leaped over the wheel to open the +gate, and assist her to a seat between himself +and Mrs. Marion.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<p>They drove rapidly out towards Missionary +Ridge. To Bethany's great relief, neither of +her companions seemed in a talkative mood. +Mr. Marion, who was an ardent <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Southener'">Southerner</ins>, had +been deep in a political discussion with Dr. Bascom. +As they stopped on the winding road, +half way up the ridge, to look down into the +beautiful valley below, and across to the purple +summit of Lookout, Mr. Marion drew a long +breath. Then he took off his hat, saying, reverently, +"The work of His fingers! What is +man, that Thou art mindful of him?" Then, +after a long silence: "How insignificant our +little differences seem, Bascom, in the sight of +these everlasting hills! Let's change the subject."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marion, absorbed in the beauty on +every side, did not notice Bethany's continued +silence or Cragmore's spasmodic remarks. The +fresh air and brisk motion had somewhat +aroused Bethany from her apathy. First, she +began to be interested in the constantly-changing +view, and then she noticed its effect on +the erratic man beside her.</p> + +<p>From the time they commenced to ascend +the ridge he had not spoken to any one directly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +but everything he saw seemed to suggest a quotation. +He repeated them unconsciously, as if +he were all alone; some of them dreamily, some +of them with startling force, and all with the +slight brogue he spoke so musically.</p> + +<p>"Every common bush afire with God," he +murmured in an undertone, looking at a dusty +wayside weed, with his soul in his eyes.</p> + +<p>Bethany thought to herself, afterwards, that +if any other man of her acquaintance had kept +up such a steady string of disjointed quotations, +it would have been ridiculous. She never heard +him do it again after that day. It seemed as if +the old battle-fields suggested thoughts that +could find no adequate expression save in words +that immortal pens had made deathless.</p> + +<p>The warm odor of ripe peaches floated out +to them from grassy orchards, where the trees +were bent over with their wealth of velvety, sun-reddened +fruit. Seemingly, Cragmore had +taken no notice of Bethany's depression when +she joined them, or of the soothing effect nature +was having on her sore heart. But she +knew that he had seen it, when he turned to +her abruptly with a quotation that fitted her as +well as his first one had the wayside weed. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +half sang it, with a tender, wistful smile, as he +watched her face.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"O the green things growing, the green things growing—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The faint, sweet smell of the green things growing!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I should like to live, whether I smile or grieve,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Just to watch the happy life of my green things growing,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For by many a tender touch, they comfort me so much,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">With the soft, mute comfort of green things growing."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>Bethany wondered if her cousin Frank had +told him of all she had suffered, or if he had +guessed it intuitively. Somehow she felt that +he had not been told, but that he had divined it. +Yet when they stopped on the Chickamauga +battle-field, and she saw him go leaping across +the rough fields like an overgrown boy, she +thought of her cousin Ray's remark, "They used +to call him the wild Irishman," and wondered +at the contradictory phases his character presented. +She saw him pause and lay his hand +reverently on the largest cannon, and then come +running back across the furrows with long, awkward +jumps.</p> + +<p>"What on earth did you do that for, Cragmore?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +asked Mr. Marion, in his teasing way. +"The idea of keeping us waiting while you were +racing across a ten-acre lot to pat an old gun."</p> + +<p>"Old gun, is it?" was the laughing answer, +yet there was a flash in his eyes that belied +the laugh. "Odds, man! it is one of the greatest +orators that ever roused a continent. I just +wanted to lay my hands on its dumb lips." He +waved his arm with an exulting gesture. "Aye, +but they spoke in thunder-tones once, the day +they spoke freedom to a race."</p> + +<p>He did not take his seat in the carriage for +a while, but followed at a little distance, ranging +the woods on both sides; sometimes plunging +into a leafy hollow to examine the bark +of an old tree where the shells had plowed deep +scars; sometimes dropping on his knees to brush +away the leaves from a tiny wild-flower, that any +one but a true woodsman would have passed +with unseeing eyes. Once he brought a rare +specimen up to the carriage to ask its name. +He had never seen one like it before. That +was the only one he gathered.</p> + +<p>"It's a pity to tear them up, when they +would wither in just a few hours," he said; "the +solitary places are so glad for them."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He's a queer combination," said Dr. Bascom, +as he watched him break a little sprig of +cedar from the stump of a battle-broken tree +to put in his card-case. "Sometimes he is the +veriest clown; at others, a child could not be +more artless; and I have seen him a few times +when he seemed to be aroused into a spiritual +giant. He fairly touched the stars."</p> + +<p>Bethany was so tired by the morning's drive +that she did not go to the opening services in +the big tent that afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Well, you missed it!" said Mr. Marion, +when he came in after supper, "and so did +David Herschel."</p> + +<p>"Missed what?" inquired Bethany.</p> + +<p>"The mayor's address of welcome, this afternoon. +You know he is a Jew. Such a broad, +fraternal speech must have been a revelation +to a great many of his audience. I tell you, +it was fine! You're going to-night, aren't you, +Bethany?"</p> + +<p>"No," she answered, "I want to save myself +for the sunrise prayer-meeting on the mountain +to-morrow. I saw the sun come up over the +Rigi once. It is a sight worth staying up all +night to see."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was about two o'clock in the morning +when they started up the mountain by rail. The +cars were crowded. People hung on the straps, +swaying back and forth in the aisles, as the train +lurched around sudden curves. <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Nothwithstanding'">Notwithstanding</ins> +the early hour, and the discomfort of +their position, they sang all the way up the +mountain.</p> + +<p>"Cousin Ray," said Bethany, "do tell me +how these people can sing so constantly. The +last thing I heard last night before I went to +sleep was the electric street-car going past the +house, with a regular hallelujah chorus on board. +Do you suppose they really feel all they sing? +How can they keep worked up to such a pitch +all the time?"</p> + +<p>"You should have been at the tent last night, +dear," answered Mrs. Marion. "Then you +would have gotten into the secret of it. There +is an inspiration in great numbers. The audiences +we are having there are said to be the +greatest ever gathered south of the Ohio. Our +League at home has been doing very faithful +work, but I couldn't help wishing last night +that every member could have been present. +To see ten thousand faces lit up with the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +interest and the same hope, to hear the battle-cry, +'All for Christ,' and the Amen that rolled +out in response like a volley of ten thousand +musketry, would have made them feel like a +little, straggling company of soldiers suddenly +awakened to the fact that they were not fighting +single-handed, but that all that great army +were re-enforcing them. More than that, these +were only the advance-guard, for over a million +young people are enlisted in the same cause. +Think of that, Bethany—a million leagued together +just in Methodism! Then, when you +count with them all the Christian Endeavor +forces, and the Baptist Unions, and the King's +Daughters and Sons, and the Young Men's Christian +Associations, and the Brotherhood of St. +Andrew, it looks like the combined power ought +to revolutionize the universe in the next decade."</p> + +<p>"Then you think it is an inspiration of the +crowds that makes them sing all the time," said +Bethany.</p> + +<p>"By no means!" answered Mrs. Marion. +"To be sure, it has something to do with it; but +to most of this vast number of young people, +their religion is not a sentiment to be fanned +into spasmodic flame by some excitement. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +is a vital force, that underlies every thought +and every act. They will sing at home over their +work, and all by themselves, just as heartily as +they do here. I remember seeing in Westminster +Abbey, one time, the profiles of John and Charles +Wesley put side by side on the same medallion. +I have thought, since then, it is only a half-hearted +sort of Methodism that does not put +the spirit of both brothers into its daily life—that +does not wing its sermons with its songs."</p> + +<p>Hundreds of people had already gathered +on the brow of the mountain, waiting the appointed +hour. Mr. Marion led the way to a +place where nature had formed a great amphitheater +of the rocks. They seated themselves +on a long, narrow ledge, overlooking the valley. +They were above the clouds. Such billows of +mist rolled up and hid the sleeping earth below +that they seemed to be looking out on a boundless +ocean. The world and its petty turmoils +were blotted out. There was only this one gray +peak raising its solitary head in infinite space. +It was still and solemn in the early light. They +spoke together almost in whispers.</p> + +<p>"I can not believe that any man ever went +up into a mountain to pray without feeling himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +drawn to a higher spiritual altitude," said +Dr. Bascom.</p> + +<p>Frank Marion looked around on the assembled +crowds, and then said slowly:</p> + +<p>"Once a little band of five hundred met the +risen Lord on a mountain-side in Galilee, and +were sent away with the promise, 'Lo, I am with +you alway!' Think what they accomplished, +and then think of the thousands here this morning +that may go back to the work of the valley +with the same promise and the same power! +There ought to be a wonderful work accomplished +for the Master this year."</p> + +<p>Cragmore, who had walked away a little +distance from the rest, and was watching the +eastern sky, turned to them with his face alight.</p> + +<p>"See!" he cried, with the eagerness of a +child, and yet with the appreciation of a poet +shining in his eyes; "the wings of the morning +rising out of the uttermost parts of the sea."</p> + +<p>He pointed to the long bars of light spreading +like great flaming pinions above the horizon. +The dawn had come, bringing a new heaven +and a new earth. In the solemn hush of the +sunrise, a voice began to sing, "Nearer, my God, +to thee."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was as in the days of the old temple. +They had left the outer courts and passed up +into an inner sanctuary, where a rolling curtain +of cloud seemed to shut them in, till in +that high Holy of Holies they stood face to +face with the Shekinah of God's presence.</p> + +<p>Bethany caught her breath. There had been +times before this when, carried along by the impetuous +eloquence of some sermon or prayer, +every fiber of her being seemed to thrill in response. +In her childlike reaching out towards +spiritual things, she had had wonderful glimpses +of the Fatherhood of God. She had gone +to him with every experience of her young life, +just as naturally and freely as she had to her +earthly father. But when beside the judge's +death-bed she pleaded for his life to be spared +to her a little longer, and her frenzied appeals +met no response, she turned away in rebellious +silence. "She would pray no more to a dumb +heaven," she said bitterly. Her hope had been +vain.</p> + +<p>Now, as she listened to songs and prayers +and testimony, she began to feel the power that +emanated from them,—the power of the Spirit, +showing her the Father as she had never known<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +him before: the Father revealed through the +Son.</p> + +<p>Below, the mists began to roll away until +the hidden valley was revealed in all its morning +loveliness. But how small it looked from +such a height! Moccasin Bend was only a silver +thread. The outlying forests dwindled to +thickets.</p> + +<p>Bethany looked up. The mists began to roll +away from her spiritual vision, and she saw her +life in relation to the eternities. Self dwindled +out of sight. There was no bitterness now, no +childish questioning of Divine purposes. The +blind Bartimeus by the wayside, hearing the +cry, "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by," and, groping +his way towards "the Light of the world," +was no surer of his dawning vision than Bethany, +as she joined silently in the prayer of consecration. +She saw not only the glory of the +June sunrise; for her the "Sun of righteousness +had arisen, with healing in his wings."</p> + +<p>People seemed loath to go when the services +were over. They gathered in little groups +on the mountain-side, or walked leisurely from +one point of view to another, drinking in the +rare beauty of the morning.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bethany walked on without speaking. She +was a little in advance of the others, and did +not notice when the rest of her party were +stopped by some acquaintances. Absorbed in +her own thoughts, she turned aside at Prospect +Point, and walked out to the edge. As she +looked down over the railing, the refrain of one +of the songs that had been sung so constantly +during the last few days, unconsciously rose +to her lips. She hummed it softly to herself, +over and over, "O, there's sunshine in my +soul to-day."</p> + +<p>So oblivious was she of all surroundings +that she did not hear Frank Marion's quick step +behind her. He had come to tell her they were +going down the mountain by the incline.</p> + +<p>"O, there's sunshine, blessed sunshine!" +The words came softly, almost under her breath; +but he heard them, and felt with a quick heart-throb +that some thing unusual must have occurred +to bring any song to her lips.</p> + +<p>"O Bethany!" he exclaimed, "do you mean +it, child? Has the light come?"</p> + +<p>The face that she turned towards him was +radiant. She could find no words wherewith +to tell him her great happiness, but she laid her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +hands in his, and the tears sprang to her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Thank God! Thank God!" he exclaimed, +with a tremor in his strong voice. "It is what +I have been praying for. Now you see why I +urged you to come. I knew what a mountain-top +of transfiguration this would be."</p> + +<p>Standing on the outskirts of the crowd, +David Herschel had looked around with great +curiosity on the gathering thousands. It was +only a little distance from the inn, and he had +come down hoping to discover the real motive +that had brought these people together from +such vast distances. He wondered what power +their creed contained that could draw them to +this meeting at such an early hour.</p> + +<p>He had felt as keenly as Cragmore the sublimity +of the sunrise. He felt, too, the uplifting +power of the old hymn, that song drawn +from the experience of Jacob at Bethel, that +seemed to lift every heart nearer to the Eternal.</p> + +<p>He was deeply stirred as the leader began +to speak of the mountain scenes of the Bible, +of Abraham's struggles at Moriah, of Horeb's +burning bush, of Sinai and Nebo, of Mount +Zion with its thousand hallowed memories. So<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +far the young Jew could follow him, but not to +the greater heights of the Mountain of Beatitudes, +of Calvary, or of Olivet.</p> + +<p>He had never heard such prayers as the ones +that followed. Although there can be found +no sublimer utterances of worship, no humbler +confessions of penitence or more lofty conceptions +of Jehovah, than are bound in the rituals +of Judaism, these simple outpourings of the +heart were a revelation to him.</p> + +<p>There came again the fulfillment of the +deathless words, "And I, if I be lifted up, will +draw all men unto me!" O, how the lowly +Nazarene was lifted up that morning in that +great gathering of his people! How his name +was exalted! All up and down old Lookout +Mountain, and even across the wide valley of +the Tennessee, it was echoed in every song and +prayer.</p> + +<p>When the testimony service began, David +turned from one speaker to another. What +had they come so far to tell? From every +State in the Union, from Canada, and from +foreign shores, they brought only one story—"Behold +the Lamb of God!" In spite of himself, +the young Jew's heart was strangely drawn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +to this uplifted Christ. Suddenly he was +startled by a ringing voice that cried: "I am a +converted Jew. I was brought to Christ by a +little girl—a member of the Junior League. +I have given up wife, mother, father, sisters, +brothers, and fortune, but I have gained so much +that I can say from the depths of my soul, 'Take +all the world, but give me Jesus.' I have consecrated +my life to his service."</p> + +<p>David changed his position in order to get +a better view of the speaker. He scrutinized +him closely. He studied his face, his dress, +even his attitude, to determine, if possible, the +character of this new witness. He saw a man +of medium height, broad forehead, and firm +mouth over which drooped a heavy, dark mustache. +There was nothing fanatical in the calm +face or dignified bearing. His eyes, which were +large, dark, and magnetic, met David's with a +steady gaze, and seemed to hold them for a +moment.</p> + +<p>With a lawyer-like instinct, David longed to +probe this man with questions. As he went +back to the inn, he resolved to hunt up his history, +and find what had induced him to turn +away from the faith.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>AN EPWORTH JEW.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 89px;"> +<img src="images/drop_n.png" width="89" height="100" alt="N" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />EARLY every northern-bound mail-train, +since Bethany's arrival in Chattanooga, +had carried something home +to Jack—a paper, a postal, souvenirs +from the battle-fields, or views of the mountain. +Knowing how eagerly he watched for the +postman's visits, she never let a day pass without +a letter. Saturday morning she even missed +part of the services at the tent in order to write +to him.</div> + +<p>"I have just come back from Grant University," +she wrote. "Cousin Frank was so interested +in the Jew who spoke at the sunrise +meeting yesterday, because he said a little Junior +League girl had been the means of his +conversion, that he arranged for an interview +with him. His name is Lessing. Cousin Frank +asked me to go with him to take the conversation +down in shorthand for the League. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +haven't time now to give all the details, but +will tell them to you when I come home."</p> + +<p>Bethany had been intensely interested in +the man's story. They sat out on one of the +great porches of the university, with the mountains +in sight. They had drawn their chairs +aside to a cool, shady corner, where they would +not be interrupted by the stream of people constantly +passing in and out.</p> + +<p>"It is for the children you want my story," +he said; "so they must know of my childhood. +It was passed in Baltimore. My father was the +strictest of orthodox Jews, and I was very faithfully +trained in the observances of the law. He +taught me Hebrew, and required a rigid adherence +to all the customs of the synagogue."</p> + +<p>Bethany rapidly transcribed his words, as +he told many interesting incidents of his early +home life. He had come to Chattanooga for +business reasons, married, and opened a store +in St. Elmo, at the foot of Mount Lookout. +He was very fond of children, and made friends +with all who came into the store. There was +one little girl, a fair, curly-haired child, who used +to come oftener than the others. She grew to +love him dearly, and, in her baby fashion,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +often talked to him of the Junior League, in +which she was deeply interested.</p> + +<p>Her distress when she discovered that he +did not love Christ was pitiful. She insisted so +on his going to Church, that one morning he +finally consented, just to please her. The sermon +worried him all day. It had been announced +that the evening service would be a +continuation of the same subject. He went at +night, and was so impressed with the truth of +what he heard, that when the child came for +him to go to prayer-meeting with her the next +week, he did not refuse.</p> + +<p>Towards the close of the service the minister +asked if any one present wished to pray +for friends. The child knelt down beside Mr. +Lessing, and to his great embarrassment began +to pray for him. "O Lord, save Brother Lessing!" +was all she said, but she repeated it over +and over with such anxious earnestness, that it +went straight to his heart.</p> + +<p>He dropped on his knees beside her, and +began praying for himself. It was not long +until he was on his feet again, joyfully confessing +the Christ he had been taught to despise. +In the enthusiasm of this new-found happiness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +he went home and tried to tell his wife of the +Messiah he had accepted, but she indignantly +refused to listen. For months she berated and +ridiculed him. When she found that not only +were tears and arguments of no avail, but that +he felt he must consecrate his life to the ministry, +she declared she would leave him. He +sold the store, and gave her all it brought; and +she went back to her family in Florida.</p> + +<p>In order to prepare for the ministry he +entered the university, working outside of study +hours at anything he could find to do. In the +meantime he had written to his parents, knowing +how greatly they would be distressed, yet +hoping their great love would condone the +offense.</p> + +<p>His father's answer was cold and businesslike. +He said that no disgrace could have come +to him that could have hurt him so deeply as +the infidelity of his trusted son. If he would +renounce this false faith for the true faith of +his fathers, he would give him forty thousand +dollars outright, and also leave him a legacy of +the same amount. But should he refuse the +offer, he should be to him as a stranger—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +doors of both his heart and his house should +be forever barred against him.</p> + +<p>His mother, with a woman's tact, sent the +pictures of all the family, whom he had not seen +for several years. Their faces called up so +many happy memories of the past that they +pleaded more eloquently than words. It was +a sweet, loving letter she wrote to her boy, reminding +him of all they had been to each other, +and begging him for her sake to come back to +the old faith. But right at the last she wrote: +"If you insist on clinging to this false Christ, +whom we have taught you to despise, the heart +of your father and of your mother must be +closed against you, and you must be thrust out +from us forever with our curse upon you."</p> + +<p>He knew it was the custom. He had been +present once when the awful anathema was +hurled at a traitor to the faith, withdrawing +every right from the outlaw, living or dead. He +knew that his grave would be dug in the Jewish +cemetery in Baltimore; that the rabbi would +read the rites of burial over his empty coffin, +and that henceforth his only part in the family +life would be the blot of his disgraceful +memory.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>He spread the pictures and the letters on the +desk before him. A cold perspiration broke +out on his forehead, as he realized the hopelessness +of the alternative offered him. One by +one he took up the photographs of his brothers +and sisters, looked at them long and fondly, +and laid them aside; then his father's, with its +strong, proud face. He put that away, too.</p> + +<p>At last he picked up his mother's picture. +She looked straight out at him, with such a +world of loving tenderness in the smiling eyes, +with such trustful devotion, as if she knew he +could not resist the appeal, that he turned away +his head. The trial seemed greater than he +could bear. He was trembling with the force +of it. Then he looked again into the dear, patient +face, till his eyes grew too dim to see. It +was the same old mother who had nursed him, +who had loved him, who had borne with his +waywardness and forgiven him always. He +seemed to feel the soft touch of her lips on his +forehead as she bent over to give him a goodnight +kiss. All that she had ever done for him +came rushing through his memory so overwhelmingly +that he broke down utterly, and +began to sob like a child. "O, I can't give her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +up," he groaned. "My dear old mother! I +can't grieve her so!"</p> + +<p>All that morning he clung to her picture, +sometimes walking the floor in his agony, sometimes +falling on his knees to pray. "God in +heaven have pity," he cried. "That a man +should have to choose between his mother and +his Christ!" At last he rose, and, with one more +long look at the picture, laid it reverently away +with shaking hands. He had surrendered everything.</p> + +<p>He did not tell all this to his sympathizing +listeners. They could read part of the pathos +of that struggle in his face, part in the voice +that trembled occasionally, despite his strong +effort to control it.</p> + +<p>Frank Marion's thoughts went back to his +own gentle mother in the old homestead among +the green hills of Kentucky. As he thought +of the great pillar of strength her unfaltering +faith had been to him, of how from boyhood it +had upheld and comforted and encouraged him, +of how much he had always depended upon her +love and her prayers, his sympathies were stirred +to their depths. He reached out and took Lessing's +hand in his strong grasp.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"God help you, brother!" he said, fervently.</p> + +<p>Bethany turned her head aside, and looked +away into the hazy distances. She knew what +it meant to feel the breaking of every tie that +bound her best beloved to her. She knew what +it was to have only pictured faces to look into, +and lay away with the pain of passionate longing. +The question flashed into her mind, could +she have made the voluntary surrender that he +had made? She put it from her with a throb +of shame that she was glad that she had not +been so tested.</p> + +<p>Some acquaintance of Mr. Marion, passing +down the steps, recognized him, and called back:</p> + +<p>"What time does your speech come on the +program, Frank? I understand you are to hold +forth to-day."</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion hastily excused himself for a +moment, to speak to his friend.</p> + +<p>Bethany sat silent, thinking intently, while +she drew unmeaning dots and dashes over the +cover of her note-book.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lessing turned to her abruptly. "Did +you ever speak to a Jew about your Savior?" +he asked, with such startling directness, that +Bethany was confused.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," she said, hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"Why?" he asked.</p> + +<p>He was looking at her with a penetrating +gaze that seemed to read her thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Really," she answered, "I have never considered +the question. I am not very well acquainted +with any, for one reason; besides, I +would have felt that I was treading on forbidden +grounds to speak to a Jew about religion. +They have always seemed to me to be so intrenched +in their beliefs, so proof against argument, +that it would be both a useless and thankless +undertaking."</p> + +<p>"They may seem invulnerable to arguments," +he answered, "but nobody is proof +against a warm, personal interest. Ah, Miss +Hallam, it seems a terrible thing to me. The +Church will make sacrifices, will cross the seas, +will overcome almost any obstacle to send the +gospel to China or to Africa, anywhere but to +the Jews at their elbows. O, of course, I know +there are a few Hebrew missions, scattered here +and there through the large cities, and a few +earnest souls are devoting their entire energy +to the work. But suppose every Christian in +the country became an evangel to the little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +community of Jews within the radius of his influence. +Suppose a practical, prayerful, individual +effort were made to show them Christ, +with the same zeal you expend in sending 'the +old story' to the Hottentots. What would be +the result? O, if I had waited for a grown +person to speak to me about it, I might have +waited until the day of my death. I was restless. +I was dissatisfied. I felt that I needed +something more than my creed could give me. +For what is Judaism now? I read an answer +not long ago: 'A religion of sacrifice, to which, +for eighteen centuries, no sacrifice has been +possible; a religion of the Passover and the Day +of Atonement, on which, for well-nigh two millenniums, +no lamb has been slain and no atonement +offered; a sacerdotal religion, with only +the shadow of a priesthood; a religion of a +temple which has no temple more; its altar is +quenched, its ashes scattered, no longer kindling +any enthusiasm, nor kindled by any hope.'<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> +No man ever took me by the hand and told me +about the peace I have now. No man ever +shared with me his hope, or pointed out the way +for me to find it. If it had not been for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +blessed guiding influence of a little child, my +hungry heart might still be crying out unsatisfied."</p> + +<p>He went on to repeat several conversations +he had had with men of his own race, to show +her how this indifference of Christians was +reckoned against them as a glaring inconsistency +by the Jews. Almost as if some one had spoken +the words to her, she seemed to hear the condemnation, +"I was a hungered, and ye gave me +no meat. I was thirsty, and ye gave me no +drink. I was a stranger, and ye took me not +in. Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the +least of these my brethren, ye did it not to me."</p> + +<p>Strange as it may seem, Bethany's interpretation +of that Scripture had always been in a +temporal sense. More than once, when a child, +she had watched her mother feed some poor +beggar, with the virtuous feeling that that condemnation +could not apply to the Hallam family. +But now Lessing's impassioned appeal had +awakened a different thought. Who so hungered +as those who, reaching out for bread, +grasped either the stones of a formal ritualism +or the abandoned hope of prophecy unfulfilled? +Who such "strangers within the gates" of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +nations as this race without a country? From +the brick-kilns of Pharaoh to the willows of +Babylon, from the Ghetto of Rome to the +fagot-fires along the Rhine, from Spanish +cruelties to English extortions, they had been +driven—exiles and aliens. The New World had +welcomed them. The New World had opened +all its avenues to them. Only from the door +of Christian society had they turned away, saying, +"I was a stranger, and ye took me not in."</p> + +<p>In the pause that followed, Bethany's heart +went out in an earnest prayer: "O God, in the +great day of thy judgment, let not that condemnation +be mine. Only send me some opportunity, +show me some way whereby I may +lead even one of the least among them to the +world's Redeemer!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion came back from his interview, +looking at his watch as he did so. It was so near +time for services to begin at the tent, that he +did not resume his seat.</p> + +<p>"We may never meet again, Mr. Lessing," +said Bethany, holding out her hand as she bade +him good-bye. "So I want to tell you before +I go, what an impression this conversation has +made upon me. It has aroused an earnest desire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +to be the means of carrying the hope that +comforts me, to some one among your people."</p> + +<p>"You will succeed," he said, looking into +her earnest upturned face. Then he added +softly, in Hebrew, the old benediction of an +olden day—"Peace be unto you."</p> + +<p>All that day, after the sunrise meeting, +David Herschel had been with Major Herrick, +going over the battle-fields, and listening to personal +reminiscences of desperate engagements. +A monument was to be erected on the spot +where nearly all the major's men had fallen +in one of the most hotly-contested battles of the +war. He had come down to help locate the +place.</p> + +<p>"It's a very different reception they are +giving us now," remarked the major, as they +drove through the city.</p> + +<p>Epworth League colors were flying in all directions. +Every street gleamed with the white +and red banners of the North, crossed with the +white and gold of the South.</p> + +<p>"Chattanooga is entertaining her guests +royally; people of every denomination, and of +no faith at all, are vying with each other to +show the kindliest hospitality. We are missing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +it by being at the hotel. I told Mrs. Herrick +and the girls I would meet them at the tent this +evening. Will you come, too?"</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," replied David, "my curiosity +was satisfied this morning. I'll go on +up to the inn. I have a letter to write."</p> + +<p>The major laughed.</p> + +<p>"It's a letter that has to be written every +day, isn't it?" he said, banteringly. "Well, +I can sympathize with you, my boy. I was +young myself once. Conferences aren't to be +taken into account at all when a billet-doux +needs answering."</p> + +<p>The next day David kept Marta with him +as much as possible. He could see that she +was becoming greatly interested, and catching +much of Albert Herrick's enthusiasm. The boy +was a great League worker, and attended every +meeting.</p> + +<p>David took Marta a long walk over the +mountain paths. They sat on the wide, vine-hung +veranda of the inn, and read together. +Then, as it was their Sabbath, he took her up +to his room, and read some of the ritual of the +day, trying to arouse in her some interest for +the old customs of their childhood.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>To his great dismay, he found that she had +drifted away from him. She was not the yielding +child she had been, whom he had been able +to influence with a word.</p> + +<p>She showed a disposition to question and +contend, that annoyed him. The rabbi was +right. She had been left too long among contaminating +influences.</p> + +<p>It was with a feeling of relief that he woke +Sunday morning to hear the rain beating violently +against the windows. He was glad on +her account that the storm would prevent them +going down into the city. But toward evening +the sun came out, and Frances Herrick began +to insist on going down to the night service +in the tent.</p> + +<p>"It is the last one there will be!" she exclaimed. +"I wouldn't miss it for anything."</p> + +<p>"Neither would I," responded Marta. +"There is something so inspiring in all that great +chorus of voices."</p> + +<p>When David found that his sister really intended +to go, notwithstanding his remonstrances, +and that the family were waiting for her in +the hall below, he made no further protest,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +but surprised her by taking his hat, and tucking +her hand in his arm.</p> + +<p>"Then I will go with you, little sister," he +said. "I want to have as much of your company +as possible during my short visit."</p> + +<p>Albert Herrick, who was waiting for her +at the foot of the stairs, divined David's purpose +in keeping his sister so close. He lifted +his eyebrows slightly as he turned to take his +mother's wraps, leaving Frances to follow with +the major.</p> + +<p>The tent was crowded when they reached +it. They succeeded with great difficulty in obtaining +several chairs in one of the aisles.</p> + +<p>"Herschel and I will go back to the side," +said Albert. "The audience near the entrance +is constantly shifting, and we can slip into the +first vacant seat; some will be sure to get +tired and go out before long. They always do."</p> + +<p>It was the first time David had been in +the tent, and he was amazed at the enormous +audience. He leaned against one of the side +supports, watching the people, still intent on +crowding forward. Suddenly his look of idle +curiosity changed to one of lively interest. He +recognized the face of the Jew who had attracted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +him in the mountain meeting. Isaac +Lessing was in the stream of people pressing +slowly towards him.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer he came. The crowd +at the door pushed harder. The fresh impetus +jostled them almost off their feet, and in the +crush Lessing was caught and held directly in +front of David. Some magnetic force in the +eyes of each held the gaze of the other for +a moment. Then Lessing, recognizing the common +bond of blood, smiled.</p> + +<p>That ringing cry, "I am a converted Jew," +had sounded in David's ears ever since it first +startled him. He felt confident that the man +was laboring under some strong delusion, and +he wished that he might have an opportunity +to dispel it by skillful arguments, and win him +back to the old faith.</p> + +<p>Seized by an impulse as sudden as it was +irresistible, he laid his hand on the stranger's +arm.</p> + +<p>"I want to speak with you," he said, hurriedly, +and in a low tone. "Come this way. +I will not detain you long."</p> + +<p>He drew him out of the press into one of +the side aisles, and thence towards the exit.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Will you walk a few steps with me?" he +asked; "I want to ask you several questions."</p> + +<p>Lessing complied quietly.</p> + +<p>The sound of a cornet followed them with +the pleading notes of an old hymn. It was +like the mighty voice of some archangel sounding +a call to prayer. Then the singing began. +Song after song rolled out on the night air +across the common to a street where two men +paced back and forth in the darkness. They +were arm in arm. David was listening to the +same story that Bethany and Frank Marion +had heard the day before. He could not help +but be stirred by it. Lessing's voice was so +earnest, his faith was so sure. When he was +through, David was utterly silenced. The questions +with which he had intended to probe this +man's claims were already answered.</p> + +<p>"We might as well go back," he said at last. +As they walked slowly towards the tent, he said: +"I can't understand you. I feel all the time +that you have been duped in some way; that +you are under the spell of some mysterious power +that deludes you."</p> + +<p>Just as they passed within the tent, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +cornet sounded again, the great congregation +rose, and ten thousand voices went up as one:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"All hail the power of Jesus' name,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Let angels prostrate fall!"</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>The sight was a magnificent one; the sound +like an ocean-beat of praise. Lessing seized +David's arm.</p> + +<p>"That is the power!" he exclaimed. "Not +only does it uplift all these thousands you see +here, but millions more, all over this globe. It is +nearly two thousand years since this Jesus was +known among men. Could he transform lives +to-night, as mine has been transformed, if his +power were a delusion? What has brought +them all these miles, if not this same power? +Look at the class of people who have been +duped, as you call it." He pointed to the platform. +"Bishops, college presidents, editors, +men of marked ability and with world-wide reputation +for worth and scholarship."</p> + +<p>At the close of the hymn some one moved +over, and made room for David on one of the +benches. Lessing pushed farther to the front. +David listened to all that was said with +a sort of pitying tolerance, until the sermon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +began. The bishop's opening words caught his +attention, and echoed in his memory for months +afterward.</p> + +<p>"Paul knew Christ as he had studied him, +and as he appeared to him when he did not +believe in him—when he despised him. Then +he also knew Christ after his surrender to him; +after Christ had entered into his life, and +changed the character of his being; after new +meanings of life and destiny filled his horizon, +after the Divine tenderness filled to completeness +his nature; then was he in possession of +a knowledge of Christ, of an experience of his +presence and of his love that was a benediction +to him, and has through the centuries since +that hour been a blessing to men wherever the +gospel has been preached.</p> + +<p>"It is such a man speaking in this text. A +man with a singularly strong mind, well disciplined, +with great will-power; a man with a +great ancestry; a man with as mighty a soul as +ever tabernacled in flesh and blood. He proclaimed +everywhere that, if need be, he was +ready to die for the principles out of which had +come to him a new life, and which had brought +to his heart experiences so rich and so overwhelming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +in happiness, that he was led to do +and undertake what he knew would lead at the +last to a martyr's death and crown. Why? +Hear him: 'For the love of Christ constraineth +us.'"</p> + +<p>There was a testimony service following the +sermon. As David watched the hundreds rising +to declare their faith, he wondered why they +should thus voluntarily come forward as witnesses. +Then the text seemed to repeat itself +in answer, "For the love of Christ constraineth +us!"</p> + +<p>He dreamed of Lessing and Paul all night. +He was glad when the conference was at an +end; when the decorations were taken down +from the streets, and the last car-load of irrepressible +enthusiasts went singing out of the +city.</p> + +<p>Albert Herrick went to the seashore that +week. David proposed taking Marta home with +him; but her objections were so heartily re-enforced +by the whole family that he quietly +dropped the subject, and went back to Rabbi +Barthold alone.</p> +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Archdeacon Farrar.</p></div></div> +<hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>"TRUST."</div> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>"Alas! we can not draw habitual breath in the +thin air of life's supremer heights. We can not make +each meal a sacrament."—Lowell.</p></div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_i.png" width="91" height="100" alt="I" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />T had seemed to Bethany, in the +experience of that sunrise on Lookout +Mountain, she could never feel +despondent again; but away from +the uplifting influences of the place, back +among the painful memories of the old home, +she fought as hard a fight with her returning +doubts as ever Christian did in his Valley of +Humiliation.</div> + +<p>For a week since her return the weather +had been intensely warm. It made Jack irritable, +and sapped her own strength.</p> + +<p>There came a day when everything went +wrong. She had practiced her shorthand exercises +all morning, until her head ached almost beyond +endurance. The grocer presented a bill +much larger than she had expected. While he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +was receipting it, a boy came to collect for the +gas, and there were only two dimes left in her +purse. Then Jack upset a little cut-glass vase +that was standing on the table beside him. It +was broken beyond repair, and the water ruined +the handsome binding of a borrowed book that +would have to be replaced.</p> + +<p>About noon Dr. Trent called to see Jack. +He had brought a new kind of brace that he +wanted tried.</p> + +<p>"It will help him amazingly," he said, "but +it is very expensive."</p> + +<p>Bethany's heart sank. She thought of the +pipes that had sprung a leak that morning, of +the broken pump, and the empty flour-barrel. +She could not see where all the money they +needed was to come from.</p> + +<p>"It's too small," said the doctor, after a +careful trial of the brace. "The size larger +will be just the thing. I will bring it in the +morning."</p> + +<p>He wiped his forehead wearily as he stopped +on the threshold.</p> + +<p>"A storm must be brewing," he remarked. +"It is so oppressively sultry."</p> + +<p>It was not many hours before his prediction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +was verified by a sudden windstorm that +came up with terrific force. The trees in the +avenue were lashed violently back and forth +until they almost swept the earth. Huge limbs +were twisted completely off, and many were +left broken and hanging. It was followed by +hail and a sudden change of temperature, that +suggested winter. The roses were all beaten off +the bushes, their pink petals scattered over the +soaked grass. The porch was covered with +broken twigs and wet leaves.</p> + +<p>As night dropped down, the trees bordering +the avenue waved their green, dripping boughs +shiveringly towards the house.</p> + +<p>"How can it be so cold and dreary in July?" +inquired Jack. "Let's have a fire in the library +and eat supper there to-night."</p> + +<p>Bethany shivered. It had been the judge's +favorite room in the winter, on account of its +large fireplace, with its queer, old-fashioned +tiling. She rarely went in there except to dust +the books or throw herself in the big arm-chair +to cry over the perplexities that he had always +shielded her from so carefully. But Jack insisted, +and presently the flames went leaping up +the throat of the wide chimney, filling the room<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +with comfort and the cheer of genial companionship.</p> + +<p>"Look!" cried Jack, pointing through the +window to the bright reflection of the fire in +the garden outside. "Don't you remember +what you read me in 'Snowbound?'</p> + +<div class='poem'> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">'Under the tree,</span><br /> +When fire outdoors burns merrily,<br /> +There the witches are making tea.'<br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>This would be a fine night for witch stories. +The wind makes such queer noises in the chimney. +Let's tell 'em after supper, all the awful +ones we can think of, 'specially the Salem ones."</div> + +<p>As usual, Jack's wishes prevailed. Afterward, +when Bethany had tucked him snugly in +bed, and was sitting alone by the fire, listening +to the queer noises in the chimney, she wished +they had not dwelt so long on such a grewsome +subject. She leaned back in her father's great +arm-chair, with her little slippered feet on the +brass fender, and her soft hair pressed against +the velvet cushions. Her white hands were +clasped loosely in her lap; small, helpless looking +hands, little fitted to cope with the burdens +and responsibilities laid upon her.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<p>The judge had never even permitted her +to open a door for herself when he had been +near enough to do it for her. But his love +had made him short-sighted. In shielding her +so carefully, he did not see that he was only +making her more keenly sensitive to later +troubles that must come when he was no longer +with her. Every one was surprised at the course +she determined upon.</p> + +<p>"I supposed, of course," said Mrs. Marion, +"that you would try to teach drawing or watercolors, +or something. You have spent so much +time on your art studies, and so thoroughly enjoy +that kind of work. Then those little dinner-cards, +and german favors you do, are so beautiful. +I am sure you have any number of +friends who would be glad to give you orders."</p> + +<p>"No, Cousin Ray," answered Bethany decidedly; +"I must have something that brings +in a settled income, something that can be depended +on. While I have painted some very +acceptable things, I never was cut out for a +teacher. I'd rather not attempt anything in +which I can never be more than third-rate. +I've decided to study stenography. I am sure +I can master that, and command a first-class<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +position. I have heard papa complain a great +many times of the difficulty in obtaining a really +good stenographer. Of the hundreds who attempt +the work, such a small per cent are really +proficient enough to undertake court reporting."</p> + +<p>"You're just like your father," said Mrs. +Marion. "Uncle Richard would never be anything +if he couldn't be uppermost."</p> + +<p>It had been nearly a year since that conversation. +Bethany had persevered in her undertaking +until she felt confident that she had accomplished +her purpose. She was ready for +any position that offered, but there seemed to +be no vacancies anywhere. The little sum in +the bank was dwindling away with frightful +rapidity. She was afraid to encroach on it any +further, but the bills had to be met constantly.</p> + +<p>Presently she drew her chair over to the +library table, and spread out her check-book +and memoranda under the student-lamp, to look +over the accounts for the month just ended. +Then she made a list of the probable expenses +of the next two months. The contrast between +their needs and their means was appalling.</p> + +<p>"It will take every cent!" she exclaimed, +in a distressed whisper. "When the first of September<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +comes, there will be nothing left but to +sell the old home and go away somewhere to a +strange place."</p> + +<p>The prospect of leaving the dear old place, +that had grown to seem almost like a human +friend, was the last drop that made the day's +cup of misery overflow. The old doubt came +back.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if God really cares for us in a +temporal way?" she asked herself.</p> + +<p>The frightful tales of witchcraft that Jack +had been so interested in, recurred to her. Many +of the people who had been so fearfully tortured +and persecuted as witches were Christians. +God had not interfered in their behalf, +she told herself. Why should he trouble himself +about her?</p> + +<p>She went back to her seat by the fender, +and, with her chin resting in her hand, looked +drearily into the embers, as if they could answer +the question. She heard some one come +up on the porch and ring the bell. It was Dr. +Trent's quick, imperative summons.</p> + +<p>"Jack in bed?" he asked, in his brisk way, +as she ushered him into the library. "Well, it +makes no difference; you know how to adjust<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +the brace anyway. He will be able to sit up all +day with that on."</p> + +<p>He gave an appreciative glance around the +cheerful room, and spread his hands out towards +the fire.</p> + +<p>"Ah, that looks comfortable!" he exclaimed, +rubbing them together. "I wish I could stay +and enjoy it with you. I have just come in +from a long drive, and must answer another call +away out in the country. You'd be surprised +to find how damp and chilly it is out to-night."</p> + +<p>"I venture you never stopped at the +boarding-house at all," answered Bethany, "and +that you have not had a mouthful to eat since +noon. I am going to get you something. Yes, +I shall," she insisted, in spite of his protestations. +Luckily, Jack wanted the kettle hung +on the crane to-night, so that he could hear it +sing as he used to. "The water is boiling, and +you shall have a cup of chocolate in no time."</p> + +<p>Before he could answer, she was out of the +room, and beyond the reach of his remonstrance. +He sank into a big chair, and laying his gray +head back on the cushions, wearily closed his +eyes. He was almost asleep when Bethany came +back.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The fire made me drowsy," he said, apologetically. +"I was quite exhausted by the intense +heat of this morning. These sudden +changes of temperature are bad for one."</p> + +<p>"Why, my child!" he exclaimed, seeing the +heavy tray she carried, "you have brought me +a regular feast. You ought not to have put +yourself to such trouble for an old codger +used to boarding-house fare."</p> + +<p>"All the more reason why you should have +a change once in a while," said Bethany, gayly, +as she filled the dainty chocolate-pot.</p> + +<p>The sight of the doctor's face as she entered +the room had almost brought the tears. It +looked so worn and haggard. She had not noticed +before how white his hair was growing, +or how deeply his face was lined.</p> + +<p>He had been such an intimate friend of her +father's that she had grown up with the feeling +that some strong link of kinship certainly existed +between them. She had called him "Uncle +Doctor" until she was nearly grown. He had +been so thoughtful and kind during all her +troubles, and especially in Jack's illness, that +she longed to show her appreciation by some of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +the tender little ministrations of which his life +was so sadly bare.</p> + +<p>"This is what I call solid comfort," he remarked, +as he stretched his feet towards the +fire and leisurely sipped his chocolate. "I +didn't realize I was so tired until I sat down, +or so hungry until I began to eat." Then he +added, wistfully, "Or how I miss my own fireside +until I feel the cheer of others'."</p> + +<p>The doubts that had been making Bethany +miserable all evening, and that she had forgotten +in her efforts to serve her old friend, came back +with renewed force.</p> + +<p>"Does God really care?" she asked herself +again. Here was this man, one of the best she +had ever known, left to stumble along under the +weight of a living sorrow, the things he cared for +most, denied him.</p> + +<p>"Baxter Trent is one of the world's heroes," +she had heard her father say.</p> + +<p>There were two things he held dearer than +life—the honor of the old family name that had +come down to him unspotted through generations, +and his little home-loving wife. For fifteen +years he had experienced as much of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +happiness of home-life as a physician with a +large practice can know. Then word came to +him from another city that his only brother +had killed a man in a drunken brawl, and then +taken his own life, leaving nothing but the +memory of a wild career and a heavy debt. He +had borrowed a large amount from an unsuspecting +old aunt, and left her almost penniless.</p> + +<p>When Dr. Trent recovered from the first +shock of the discovery, he quietly set to work to +wipe out the disgraceful record as far as lay in +his power, by assuming the debt. He could +eradicate at least that much of the stain on the +family name. It had taken years to do it. Bethany +was not sure that it was yet accomplished, +for another trial, worse than the first, had come +to weaken his strength and dispel his courage.</p> + +<p>The idolized little wife became affected by +some nervous malady that resulted in hopeless +insanity.</p> + +<p>Bethany had a dim recollection of the doctor's +daughter, a little brown-eyed child of her +own age. She could remember playing hide-and-seek +with her one day in an old peony-garden. +But she had died years ago. There was only one +other child—Lee. He had grown to be a big<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +boy of ten now, but he was too young to feel +his mother's loss at the time she was taken away. +Bethany knew that she was still living in a private +asylum near town, and that the doctor +saw her every day, no matter how violent she +was. Lee was the one bright spot left in his +life. Busy night and day with his patients, he +saw very little of the boy. The child had never +known any home but a boarding-house, and was +as lawless and unrestrained as some little wild +animal. But the doctor saw no fault in him. +He praised the reports brought home from school +of high per cents in his studies, knowing +nothing of his open defiance to authority. He +kissed the innocent-looking face on the pillow +next his own when he came in late at night, +never dreaming of the forbidden places it had +been during the day.</p> + +<p>Everybody said, "Poor Baxter Trent! It's +a pity that Lee is such a little terror;" but no +one warned him. Perhaps he would not have +believed them if they had. The thought of +all this moved Bethany to sudden speech.</p> + +<p>"Uncle Doctor," she broke out impetuously—she +had unconsciously used the old +name—as she sat down on a low stool near his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +knee, "I was piling up my troubles to-night +before you came. Not the old ones," she added, +quickly, as she saw an expression of sympathy +cross his face, "but the new ones that confront +me."</p> + +<p>She gave a mournful little smile.</p> + +<p>"'Coming events cast their shadow before,' +you know, and these shadows look so dark and +threatening. I see no possible way but to sell +this home. You have had so much to bear yourself +that it seems mean to worry you with my +troubles; but I don't know what to do, and I +don't know what's the matter with me—"</p> + +<p>She stopped abruptly, and choked back a +sob. He laid his hand softly on her shining +hair.</p> + +<p>"Tell me all about it, child," he said, in a +soothing tone. Then he added, lightly, "I can't +make a diagnosis of the case until I know all +the symptoms."</p> + +<p>When he had heard her little outburst of +worry and distrust, he said, slowly:</p> + +<p>"You have done all in your power to prepare +yourself for a position as stenographer. You +have done all you could to secure such a position, +and have been unsuccessful. But you still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +have a roof over your head, you still have enough +on hands to keep you two months longer without +selling the house or even renting it—an arrangement +that has not seemed to occur to you." +He smiled down into her disconsolate face. "It +strikes me that a certain little lass I know has +been praying, 'Give us this day our to-morrow's +bread.' O Bethany, child, can you never learn +to trust?"</p> + +<p>"But isn't it right for me to be anxious +about providing some way to keep the house?" +she cried. "Isn't it right to plan and pray +for the future? You can't realize how it would +hurt me to give up this place."</p> + +<p>"I think I can," he answered, gently. "You +forget I have been called on to make just such +a sacrifice. You can do it, too, if it is what the +All-wise Father sees is best for you. Folks may +not think me much of a Christian. They rarely +see me in Church—my profession does not allow +it. I am not demonstrative. It is hard for +me to speak of these sacred things, unless it is +when I see some poor soul about to slip into +eternity; but I thank the good Father I know +how to trust. No matter how he has hurt me, +I have been able to hang on to his promises,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +and say, 'All right, Lord. The case is entirely +in your hands. Amputate, if it is necessary; +cut to the very heart, if you will. You know +what is best.'"</p> + +<p>He pushed the long tray of dishes farther +on the table, and, rising suddenly, walked over +to the book-shelves nearest the chimney. After +several moments' close scrutiny, he took out a +well-worn book.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I thought it was here," he remarked. +"I want to read you a passage that caught my +eyes in here once. I remember showing it to +your father."</p> + +<p>He turned the pages rapidly till he found the +place. Then seating himself by the lamp +again, he began to read:</p> + +<p>"It came to my mind a week or two ago, +so full an' sweet an' precious that I can hardly +think of anything else. It was during them +cold, northeast winds; these winds had made my +cough very bad, an' I was shook all to bits, and +felt very ill. My wife was sitting by my side, +an' once, when I had a sharp fit of it, she put +down her work, an' looked at me till her eyes +filled with tears, an' she says, 'Frankie, Frankie, +whatever will become of us when you be gone?'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +She was making a warm little petticoat for the +little maid; so, after a minute or two, I took hold +of it, an' says, 'What are 'ee making, my dear?' +She held it up without a word; her heart was +too full to speak. 'For the little maid?' I says. +'An' a nice, warm thing, too. How comfortable +it will keep her! Does she know about it yet?'</p> + +<p>"'Know about it? Why, of course not,' said +the wife, wondering. 'What should she know +about it for?'</p> + +<p>"I waited another minute, an' then I said: +'What a wonderful mother you must be, wifie, +to think about the little maid like that!'</p> + +<p>"'Wonderful, Frankie? Why, it would be +more like wonderful if I forgot that the cold +weather was a-coming, and that the little maid +would be a-wanting something warm.'</p> + +<p>"So, then, you see, I had got her, my friends, +and Frankie smiled. 'O wife,' says I, 'do you +think that you be going to take care o' the little +maid like that an' your Father in heaven be +a-going to forget you altogether? Come now +(bless him!), isn't he as much to be trusted as +you are! An' do you think that he'd see the +winter coming up sharp and cold, an' not have +something waiting for you, an' just what you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +want, too? An' I know, dear wifie, that you +wouldn't like to hear the little maid go a-fretting, +and saying: "There the cold winter be +a-coming, an' whatever shall I do if my mother +should forget me?" Why, you'd be hurt an' +grieved that she should doubt you like that. +She knows that you care for her, an' what more +does she need to know? That's enough to keep +her from fretting about anything. "Your heavenly +Father knoweth that you have need of all +these things." That be put down in his book +for you, wifie, and on purpose for you; an' you +grieve an' hurt him when you go to fretting +about the future, an' doubting his love.'"</p> + +<p>Dr. Trent closed the book, and looked into +his listener's thoughtful eyes.</p> + +<p>"There, Bethany," he said, "is the lesson +I have learned. Nothing is withheld that we +really need. Sometimes I have thought that +I was tried beyond my power of endurance, but +when His hand has fallen the heaviest, His infinite +fatherliness has seemed most near; and +often, when I least expected it, some great blessing +has surprised me. I have learned, after a +long time, that when we put ourselves unreservedly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +in His hands, he is far kinder to us +than we would be to ourselves.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'Always hath the daylight broken,<br /> +Always hath he comfort spoken,<br /> +Better hath he been for years<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Than my fears.'</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>I can say from the bottom of my heart, Bethany, +Though he slay me, yet will I trust him."</div> + +<p>The tears had gathered in Bethany's eyes +as she listened. Now she hastily brushed them +aside. The face that she turned toward her old +friend reminded him of a snowdrop that had +caught a gleam of sunshine in the midst of an +April shower.</p> + +<p>"You have brushed away my last doubt and +foreboding, Uncle Doctor!" she exclaimed. +"Really, I have been entertaining an angel unawares."</p> + +<p>The old clock in the hall sounded the half-hour +chime, and he rose to go.</p> + +<p>"You have beguiled me into staying much +longer than I intended," he answered. "What +will my poor patients in the country think of +such a long delay?"</p> + +<p>"Tell them you have been opening blind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +eyes," she said, gravely. "Indeed, Uncle Doctor, +the knowledge that, despite all you have +suffered, you can still trust so implicitly, +strengthens my faith more than you can imagine."</p> + +<p>At the hall door he turned and took both her +hands in his:</p> + +<p>"There is another thing to remember," he +said. "You are only called on to live one day at +a time. One can endure almost any ache until +sundown, or bear up under almost any load if +the goal is in sight. Travel only to the mile-post +you can see, my little maid. Don't worry +about the ones that mark the to-morrows."</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>TWO TURNINGS IN BETHANY'S LANE.</div> + +<div class='center'> +"Sunshine and hope are comrades."<br /> +</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_t.png" width="91" height="100" alt="T" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />HE early morning light streaming +into Bethany's room, aroused her to +a vague consciousness of having been +in a storm the night before. Then +she remembered the garden roses beaten to earth +by the hail, and the flood of doubt and perplexity +that had swept through her heart with such +overwhelming force. The same old problems +confronted her; but they did not assume such +gigantic proportions in the light of this new +day, with its infinite possibilities.</div> + +<p>All the time she was dressing she heard +Jack singing lustily in the next room. He was +impatient to try the new brace, and paused between +solos to exhort her to greater haste. She +knelt just an instant by the low window-seat. +The prayer she made was one of the shortest +she had ever uttered, and one of the most heartfelt:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +"Give me this day my daily bread." That +was all; yet it included everything—strength, +courage, temporal help, disappointments or blessings—anything +the dear Father saw she needed +in her spiritual growth. When she arose from +her knees, it was with a feeling of perfect security +and peace. No matter what the day might +bring forth, she would take it trustingly, and be +thankful.</p> + +<p>About an hour after breakfast she wheeled +Jack to a front window. It was growing very +warm again.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't hurt me at all to sit up with this +brace on," he said. "If you like, I'll help you +practice, while I watch people go by on the +street." He had often helped her gain stenographic +speed by dictating rapid sentences. He +read too slowly to be of any service that way, +but he knew yards of nursery rhymes that he +could repeat with amazing rapidity.</p> + +<p>"I know there isn't a lawyer living that can +make a speech as fast as I can say the piece +about 'Who killed Cock Robin,'" he remarked +when he first proposed such dictation; "and I +can say the 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled +peppers' verse fast enough to make you dizzy."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bethany's pencil was flying as rapidly as +the boy's tongue, when they heard a cheery +voice in the hall.</p> + +<p>"It's Cousin Ray!" cried Jack. "I have +felt all morning that something nice was going +to happen, and now it has." Then he called +out in a tragic tone, "'By the pricking of my +thumbs, something wicked this way comes.'"</p> + +<p>"You saucy boy!" laughed Mrs. Marion, as +she appeared in the doorway. "I think he is decidedly +better, Bethany; you need not worry +about him any longer."</p> + +<p>She stooped to kiss his forehead, and drop a +great yellow pear in his lap.</p> + +<p>"No; I haven't time to stay," she said, when +Bethany insisted on taking her hat. "I am to +entertain the Missionary Society this afternoon, +and Dr. Bascom has given me an unusually +long list of the 'sick and in prison' kind to look +after this month. It gives me an 'all out of +breath' sensation every time I think of all that +ought to be attended to."</p> + +<p>She dropped into a chair near a window, +and picked up a fan.</p> + +<p>"You never could guess my errand," she +began, hesitatingly.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know it is something nice," said Jack, +"from the way your eyes shine."</p> + +<p>"I think it is fine," she answered; "but I +don't know how it will impress Bethany."</p> + +<p>She plunged into the subject abruptly.</p> + +<p>"The Courtney sisters want to come here +to live."</p> + +<p>"The Courtney sisters!" echoed Bethany, +blankly. "To live! In our house? O Cousin +Ray! I have realized for some time that we +might have to give up the dear old place; but I +did hope that it need not be to strangers."</p> + +<p>"Why, they are not strangers, Bethany. +They went to school with your mother for years +and years. You have heard of Harry and +Carrie Morse, I am sure."</p> + +<p>"O yes," answered Bethany, quickly. +"They were the twins who used to do such outlandish +things at Forest Seminary. I remember, +mamma used to speak of them very often. +But I thought you said it was the Courtney +sisters who wanted the house."</p> + +<p>"I did. They married brothers, Joe and +Ralph Courtney, who were both killed in the +late war. They have been widows for over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +thirty years, you see. They are just the +dearest old souls! They have been away so +many, many years, of course you can't remember +them. I did not know they were in the city +until last night. But just as soon as I heard +that they had come to stay, and wanted to go +to housekeeping, I thought of you immediately. +I couldn't wait for the storm to stop. I went +over to see them in all that rain."</p> + +<p>"Well," prompted Bethany, breathlessly, +as Mrs. Marion paused.</p> + +<p>She gave a quick glance around the room. +She felt sick and faint, now that the prospect +of leaving stared her in the face. Yet she +felt that, since it had been unsolicited, +there must be something providential in the +sending of such an opportunity.</p> + +<p>"O, they will be only too glad to come," +resumed Mrs. Marion, "if you are willing. They +remembered the arrangement of the house perfectly, +and we planned it all out beautifully. +Since Jack's accident you sleep down-stairs anyhow. +You could keep the library and the two +smaller rooms back of it, and may be a couple +of rooms up-stairs. They would take the rest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +of the house, and board you and Jack for the +rent. Your bread and butter would be assured +in that way. They are model housekeepers, +and such a comfortable sort of bodies to have +around, that I couldn't possibly think of a nicer +arrangement. Then you could devote your time +and strength to something more profitable than +taking care of this big house."</p> + +<p>"O, Cousin Ray!" was all the happy girl +could gasp. Her voice faltered from sheer gladness. +"You can't imagine what a load you have +lifted from me. I love every inch of this place, +every stone in its old gray walls. I couldn't +bear to think of giving it up. And, just to +think! last night, at the very time I was most +despondent, the problem was being solved. I +can never thank you enough."</p> + +<p>"The idea!" exclaimed Mrs. Marion, as she +rose to go. "No thanks are due me, child. And +Miss Caroline and Miss Harriet, as everybody +still calls them, are just as anxious for such an +arrangement as you can possibly be. They'll +be over to see you to-morrow, for they are quite +anxious to get settled. They have roamed about +the world so long they begin to feel that 'there's +no place like home.' Jack, they've been in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +China and Africa and the South Sea Islands. +Think of the charming tales in store for you!"</p> + +<p>"Goodness, Bethany!" exclaimed Jack, when +she came back into the room after walking to +the gate with Mrs. Marion. "Your face shines +as if there was a light inside of you."</p> + +<p>"O, there is, Jackie boy," she answered, +giving him an ecstatic hug. "I am so very +happy! It seems too good to be true."</p> + +<p>"Cousin Ray is awful good to us," remarked +the boy, thoughtfully. "Seems to me she is +always busy doing something for somebody. +She never has a minute for herself. I remember, +when I used to go up there, people kept +coming all day long, and every one of them +wanted something. Why do you suppose they +all went to her? Did she tell them they might?"</p> + +<p>"Jack, do you remember the plant you had +in your window last winter?" she replied. "No +matter how many times I turned the jar that +held it, the flower always turned around again +towards the sun. People are the same way, dear. +They unconsciously spread out their leaves +towards those who have help and comfort to +give. They feel they are welcome, without +asking."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>"She makes me think of that verse in +'Mother Goose,'" said Jack. "'Sugar and spice +and everything nice.' Doesn't she you, sister?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Bethany, with an amused smile. +"Lowell has described her:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'So circled lives she with love's holy light,<br /> +That from the shade of self she walketh free.'"<br /> +</div> + +<p>"I don't 'zactly understand," said Jack, +with a puzzled expression.</p> + +<p>She explained it, and he repeated it over and +over, until he had it firmly fixed in his mind.</p> + +<p>Then they went back to the dictation exercises. +It was almost dark when they had another +caller. Mr. Marion stopped at the door +on his way home to dinner.</p> + +<p>"I have good news for you, Bethany," he +said, with his face aglow with eager sympathy. +"Did Ray tell you?"</p> + +<p>"About the house?" she said. "Yes. I've +been on a mountain-top all day because of it."</p> + +<p>"O, I don't mean that!" he exclaimed, +hastily. "It's better than that. I mean about +Porter & Edmunds."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how anything could be better +than the news she brought," said Bethany.</p> + +<p>"Well, it is. Mr. Porter asked me to see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +their new law-office to-day. They have just +moved into the Clifton Block. They have an +elegant place. As I looked around, making +mental notes of all the fine furnishings, I +thought of you, and wished you had such a position. +I asked him if he needed a stenographer. +It was a random shot, for I had no idea they +did. The young man they have has been there +so long, I considered him a fixture. To my +surprise he told me the fellow is going into business +for himself, and the place will be open +next week. I told him I could fill it for him +to his supreme satisfaction. He promised to +give you the refusal of it until to-morrow noon. +I leave to-night on a business-trip, or I would +take you over and introduce you."</p> + +<p>"O, thank you, Cousin Frank!" she exclaimed. +"I know Mr. Edmunds very well. He +was a warm friend of papa's."</p> + +<p>Then she added, impulsively:</p> + +<p>"Yesterday I thought I had come to such a +dark place that I couldn't see my hand before +my face. I was just so blue and discouraged I +was ready to give up, and now the way has +grown so plain and easy, all at once, I feel that +I must be living in a dream."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bless your brave little soul!" he exclaimed, +holding out his hand. "Why didn't you come +to me with your troubles? Remember I am always +glad to smooth the way for you, just as +much as lies in my power."</p> + +<p>When he had gone, Bethany crept away into +the quiet twilight of the library, and, kneeling before +the big arm-chair, laid her head in its cushioned +seat.</p> + +<p>"O Father," she whispered, "I am so +ashamed of myself to think I ever doubted thee +for one single moment. Forgive me, please, +and help me through every hour of every day +to trust unfalteringly in thy great love and +goodness."</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>JUDGE HALLAM'S DAUGHTER, +STENOGRAPHER.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_t.png" width="91" height="100" alt="T" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />HERE was so much to be done next +morning, setting the rooms all in order +for the critical inspection of Miss +Caroline and Miss Harriet, that Bethany +had little time to think of the dreaded interview +with Porter & Edmunds.</div> + +<p>She wheeled Jack out into the shady, vine-covered +piazza, and brought him a pile of things +for him to amuse himself with in her absence.</p> + +<p>"Ring your bell for Mena if you need anything +else," she said. "I will be back before the +sun gets around to this side of the house, maybe +in less than an hour."</p> + +<p>He caught at her dress with a detaining +grasp, and a troubled look came over his face.</p> + +<p>"O sister! I just thought of it. If you do +get that place, will I have to stay here all day +by myself?"</p> + +<p>"O no," she answered. "Mena can wheel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +you around the garden, and wait on you; and +I will think of all sorts of things to keep you +busy. Then the old ladies will be here, and I +am sure they will be kind to you. I'll be home +at noon, and we'll have lovely long evenings together."</p> + +<p>"But if those people come, Mena will have +so much more to do, she'll never have any time +to wheel me. Couldn't you take me with you?" +he asked, wistfully. "I wouldn't be a bit of +bother. I'd take my books and study, or look +out of the window all the time, and keep just +as quiet! Please ask 'em if I can't come too, +sister!"</p> + +<p>It was hard to resist the pleading tone.</p> + +<p>"Maybe they'll not want me," answered +Bethany. "I'll have to settle that matter before +making any promises. But never mind, +dear, we'll arrange it in some way."</p> + +<p>It was a warm July morning. As Bethany +walked slowly toward the business portion of +the town, several groups of girls passed her, +evidently on their way to work, from the few +words she overheard in passing. Most of them +looked tired and languid, as if the daily routine +of such a treadmill existence was slowly draining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +their vitality. Two or three had a pert, +bold air, that their contact with business life +had given them. One was chewing gum and repeating +in a loud voice some conversation she +had had with her "boss."</p> + +<p>Bethany's heart sank as she suddenly realized +that she was about to join the great working-class +of which this ill-bred girl was a member. +Not that she had any of the false pride +that pushes a woman who is an independent +wage-winner to a lower social scale than one +whom circumstances have happily hedged about +with home walls; but she had recalled at that +moment some of her acquaintances who would +do just such a thing. In their short-sighted, +self-assumed superiority, they could make no +discrimination between the girl at the cigar-stand, +who flirted with her customer, and the +girl in the school-room, who taught her pupils +more from her inherent refinement and gentleness +than from their text-books.</p> + +<p>She had remembered that Belle Romney +had said to her one day, as they drove past a +great factory where the girls were swarming +out at noon: "Do you know, Bethany dear, I +would rather lie down and die than have to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +work in such a place. You can't imagine what +a horror I have of being obliged to work for a +living, no matter in what way. I would feel +utterly disgraced to come down to such a thing; +but I suppose these poor creatures are so accustomed +to it they never mind it."</p> + +<p>Bethany's eyes blazed. She knew Belle +Romney's position was due entirely to the tolerance +of a distant relative. She longed to answer +vehemently: "Well, I would starve before +I would deliberately sit down to be a willing dependent +on the charity of my friends. It's +only a species of genteel pauperism, and none +the less despicable because of the purple and +fine linen it flaunts in."</p> + +<p>She had not made the speech, however. +Belle leaned back in the carriage, and folded +her daintily-gloved hands, as they passed the factory-girls, +with an air of complacency that +amused Bethany then. It nettled her now to +remember it.</p> + +<p>She turned into the street where the Clifton +Block stood, an imposing building, whose +first two floors were occupied by lawyers' offices. +Porter & Edmunds were on the second floor. +The elevator-boy showed her the room. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +door stood open, exposing an inviting interior, +for the walls were lined with books, and the +rugs and massive furniture bespoke taste as well +as wealth.</p> + +<p>An elderly gentleman, with his heels on the +window-sill and his back to the door, was vigorously +smoking. He was waiting for a backwoods +client, who had an early engagement. +His feet came to the floor with sudden force, +and his cigar was tossed hastily out of the window +when he heard Bethany's voice saying, +timidly,</p> + +<p>"May I come in, Mr. Edmunds?"</p> + +<p>He came forward with old-school gallantry. +It was not often his office was brightened by +such a visitor.</p> + +<p>"Why, it is Miss Hallam!" he exclaimed, +in surprise, secretly wondering what had brought +her to his office.</p> + +<p>He had met her often in her father's house, +and had seen her the center of many an admiring +group at parties and receptions. She had +always impressed him as having the air of one +who had been surrounded by only the most refined +influences of life. He thought her unusually +charming this morning, all in black,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +with such a timid, almost childish expression +in her big, gray eyes.</p> + +<p>"Take this seat by the window, Miss Hallam," +he said, cordially. "I hope this cigar +smoke does not annoy you. I had no idea I +should have the honor of entertaining a lady, +or I should not have indulged."</p> + +<p>"Didn't Mr. Marion tell you I was coming +this morning?" asked Bethany, in some embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"No, not a word. I believe he said something +to Mr. Porter about a typewriter-girl that +wants a place, but I am sure he never mentioned +that you intended doing us the honor +of calling."</p> + +<p>Bethany smiled faintly.</p> + +<p>"I am the typewriter-girl that wants the +place," she answered.</p> + +<p>"You!" ejaculated Mr. Edmunds, standing +up in his surprise, and beginning to stutter as +he always did when much excited. "You! w'y-w'y-w'y, +you don't say so!" he finally managed +to blurt out.</p> + +<p>"What is it that is so astonishing?" asked +Bethany, beginning to be amused. "Do you +think it is presumptuous in me to aspire to such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +a position? I assure you I have a very fair +speed."</p> + +<p>"No," answered Mr. Edmunds, "it's not +that; but I never any more thought of your +going out in the world to make a living than +a-a-a pet canary," he added, in confusion.</p> + +<p>He seated himself again, and began tapping +on the table with a paper-knife.</p> + +<p>"Can't you paint, or give music lessons, or +teach French?" he asked, half impatiently. "A +girl brought up as you have been has no business +jostling up against the world, especially +the part of a world one sees in the court-room."</p> + +<p>Bethany looked at him gravely.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered, "I can do all those +things after a fashion, but none of them well +enough to measure up to my standard of proficiency, +which is a high one. I do understand +stenography, and I am confident I can do thorough, +first-class work. I think, too, Mr. Edmunds, +that it is a mistaken idea that the girl +who has had the most sheltered home-life is +the one least fitted to go into such places. Papa +used to say we are like the planets; we carry +our own atmosphere with us. I am sure one +may carry the same personality into a reporter's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +stand that she would into a drawing-room. We +need not necessarily change with our surroundings."</p> + +<p>As she spoke, a slight tinge of pink flushed +her cheeks, and she unconsciously raised her +chin a trifle haughtily. Mr. Edmunds looked +at her admiringly, and then made a gallant bow.</p> + +<p>"I am sure, Miss Hallam would grace any +position she might choose to fill," he said +courteously.</p> + +<p>"Then you will let me try," she asked, +eagerly. She slipped off her glove, and took +pencil and paper from the table. "If you will +only test my speed, maybe you can make a decision +sooner."</p> + +<p>He dictated several pages, which she wrote +to his entire satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"You are not half as rapid as Jack," she said, +laughingly; and then she told him of the practice +she had had writing nursery rhymes.</p> + +<p>He seemed so interested that she went on +to tell him more about the child, and his great +desire to be in the office with her.</p> + +<p>"I told him I would ask you," she said, +finally; "but that it was a very unusual thing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +to do, and that I doubted very much if any +business firm would allow it."</p> + +<p>He saw how hard it had been for her to +prefer such a request, and smiled reassuringly.</p> + +<p>"It would be a very small thing for me to +do for Richard Hallam's boy," he said. "Tell +the little fellow to come, and welcome. He +need not be in any one's way. We have three +rooms in this suite, and you will occupy the +one at the far end."</p> + +<p>It was hard for Bethany to keep back the +tears.</p> + +<p>"I can never thank you enough, Mr. Edmunds," +she said. "The legacy papa thought +he had secured to us was swept away, but he +has left us one thing that more than compensates—the +heritage of his friendships. I have +been finding out lately what a great thing it +is to be rich in friends."</p> + +<p>Bethany went home jubilant. "Now if my +twin tenants turn out to be half as nice," she +thought, "this will be a very satisfactory day."</p> + +<p>She tried to picture them, as she walked +rapidly on, wondering whether they would be +prim and dignified, or nervous and fussy. Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +Marion had said they were fine housekeepers. +That might mean they were exacting and hard +to please.</p> + +<p>"What's the use of borrowing trouble?" +she concluded, finally. "I'll take Uncle Doctor's +advice, and not try to count to-morrow's +milestones."</p> + +<p>She found them sitting on the side piazza, +being abundantly entertained by Jack.</p> + +<p>"Sister!" he called, excitedly, as she came +up the steps to meet them; "this one is Aunt +Harry—that's what she told me to call her—and +the other one is Aunt Carrie; and they've +both been around the world together, and both +ridden on elephants."</p> + +<p>There was a general laugh at the unceremonious +introduction.</p> + +<p>Miss Caroline took Bethany's hands in her +own little plump ones, and stood on tiptoe to +give her a hearty kiss. Miss Harriet did the +same, holding her a moment longer to look +at her with fond scrutiny.</p> + +<p>"Such a striking resemblance to your dear +mother," she said. "Sister and I hoped you +would look like her."</p> + +<p>"They are homely little bodies, and dreadfully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +old-fashioned," was Bethany's first impression, +as she looked at them in their plain +dresses of Quaker gray. "But their voices are +so musical, and they have such good, motherly +faces, I believe they will prove to be real restful +kind of people."</p> + +<p>"Sister and I have been such birds of passage, +that it will seem good to settle down in +a real home-nest for a while," said Miss Harriet, +as they were going over the house together.</p> + +<p>"When one has lived in a trunk for a decade, +one appreciates big, roomy closets and wardrobes +like these."</p> + +<p>They went all over the place, from garret +to cellar, and sat down to rest beside an open +window, where a climbing rose shook its fragrance +in with every passing breeze.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Marion thought you might not be +ready for us before next week," sighed Miss +Caroline; "but these cool, airy rooms do tempt +me so. I wish we could come this very afternoon." +She smiled insinuatingly at Bethany. +"We have nothing to move but our trunks."</p> + +<p>"Well, why not?" answered Bethany. "I +shall be glad to surrender the reins any time +you want to assume the responsibility."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then it's settled!" cried Miss Caroline, +exultingly. "O, I'm so glad!" and, catching +Miss Harriet around her capacious waist, she +whirled her around the room, regardless of her +protestations, until their spectacles slid down +their noses, and they were out of breath.</p> + +<p>Bethany watched them in speechless amazement. +Miss Caroline turned in time to catch +her expression of alarm.</p> + +<p>"Did you think we had lost our senses, +dear?" she asked. "We do not often forget +our dignity so; but we have been so long like +Noah's dove, with no rest for the sole of our +foot, that the thought of having at last found +an abiding-place is really overwhelming."</p> + +<p>"I wish you wouldn't always say 'we,'" +remarked Miss Harriet, with dignity. "I am +very sure I have outgrown such ridiculous exhibitions +of enthusiasm, and it is fully time that +you had too."</p> + +<p>"O, come now, Harry," responded Miss +Caroline, soothingly. "You're just as glad as +I am, and there's no use in trying to hide our +real selves from people we are going to live +with."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then she turned to Bethany with an apologetic +air.</p> + +<p>"Sister thinks because we have arrived at +a certain date on our calendar, we must conform +to that date. But, try as hard as I can, +I fail to feel any older sometimes than I used +to at Forest Seminary, when we made midnight +raids on the pantry, and had all sorts of larks. +I suppose it does look ridiculous, and I'm sorry; +but I can't grow old gracefully, so long as I +am just as ready to effervesce as I ever was."</p> + +<p>Bethany was amused at the half-reproachful, +half-indulgent look that Miss Harriet bestowed +on her sister.</p> + +<p>"They'll be a constant source of entertainment," +she thought. "I wonder how we ever +happened to drift together."</p> + +<p>Something of the last thought she expressed +in a remark to the sisters as they went down +stairs together.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, we did not drift!" exclaimed Miss +Caroline, decidedly. "You needed us, and we +needed you, and the great Weaver crossed our +life-threads for some purpose of his own."</p> + +<p>By nightfall the sisters had taken their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +places in the old house, as quietly and naturally +as twin turtle-doves tuck their heads under their +wings in the shelter of a nest. Their presence +in the house gave Bethany such a care-free, +restful feeling, and a sense of security that she +had not had since she had been left at the head +of affairs.</p> + +<p>After Jack had gone to bed, she drew a +rocking-chair out into the wide hall, and sat +down to enjoy the cool breeze that swept +through it.</p> + +<p>Miss Caroline was down in the kitchen, interviewing +Mena about breakfast. How delightful +it was to be freed from all responsibility +of the meals and the marketing! After +the next week she would not have even the +rooms to attend to, for Miss Caroline had engaged +a stout maid to do the housework, that +Bethany's inexperienced hands had found so +irksome.</p> + +<p>Up-stairs, Miss Harriet was stepping briskly +around, unpacking one of the trunks. Bethany +could hear her singing to herself in a thin, sweet +voice, full of old-fashioned quavers and turns. +Some of the notes were muffled as she disappeared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +from time to time in the big closet, and +some came with jerky force as she tugged at a +refractory bureau drawer.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The clouds ye so much dread</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Are big with mercy, and shall break</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">In blessings on your head."</span><br /> +</div><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A KINDLING INTEREST.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 90px;"> +<img src="images/drop_f.png" width="90" height="100" alt="F" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />RANK Marion, on his way to the store +one morning, stopped at the office +where Bethany had been installed +just a week.</div> + +<p>"You will find me dropping in here quite +often," he said to Mr. Edmunds, whom he met +coming out of the door. "Since that little cousin +of mine is never to be found at home in the day-time +any more, I shall have to call on him here. +He is my right-hand man in Junior League +work."</p> + +<p>"Who? Jack?" inquired Mr. Edmunds. +"He's the most original little piece I ever saw. +Sorry I'm called out just now, Frank. You're +always welcome, you know."</p> + +<p>Bethany was seated at her typewriter, so +intent on her manuscript that she did not notice +Mr. Marion's entrance. Jack, in his chair by +the window, was working vigorously with slate +and pencil at an arithmetic lesson. As Bethany<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +paused to take the finished page from the machine, +Jack looked up and saw Mr. Marion's +tall form in the doorway.</p> + +<p>"O, come in!" he cried, joyfully. "I want +you to see how nice everything is here. We +have the best times."</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion looked across at Bethany, and +smiled at the child's delight.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about it," he said, drawing a chair +up to the window, and entering into the boy's +pleasure with that ready sympathy that was the +secret of his success with all children.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, Bethany wheels me onto +the elevator, and up we come. And it's so nice +and cool up here. She hasn't been very busy +yet. While she writes I get my lessons, or draw, +or work puzzles. Then, when Mr. Edmunds +and Mr. Porter go off, and she hasn't anything +to do, I recite to her. But the best fun is +grocery tales."</p> + +<p>"What's 'grocery tales?'" asked Mr. Marion, +with flattering interest.</p> + +<p>"Do you see that wholesale grocery-store +across the street?" asked Jack, "and all the +things sitting around in front? There's almost +everything you can think of, from a broom to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +a banana. I choose the first thing I happen to +look at, and she tells me a story about it. If it's +a tea-chest, that makes her think of a Chinese +story; or if it's a bottle of olives, something about +the knights and ladies of Spain. Yesterday it +was a chicken-coop, and she told me about a +lovely visit she had once on a farm. She says +when we come to that coil of rope, it will remind +her of a storm she was in on the Mediterranean; +and the coffee means a South American +story; and the watermelons a darkey story; +and the brooms something she read once about +an old, blind broom-maker. Then I have lots +of fun watching people pass. So many teams +stop at the watering-trough over there. I like +to wonder where everybody comes from, and imagine +what their homes are like. It is almost as +good as reading about them in a book."</p> + +<p>"You are a very happy little fellow," said +Mr. Marion, patting his cheek, approvingly. +"I am glad you are getting strong so fast, so that +you can go out into this big, discontented world +of ours, and teach other people how to be happy. +I've brought you some more work to do. I want +you to look up all these references, and copy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +them on separate slips of paper for our next +meeting. By the way, Bethany," he said, as +he rose to go, "I had a letter from our Chattanooga +Jew this morning. He is as much in +earnest as ever. I wish we could get our League +interested in him and his mission."</p> + +<p>"It is a very unpopular movement, Cousin +Frank," she answered. "Think of the prejudices +to overcome. How little the general membership +of the Church know or care about the +Jews! It seems almost impossible to combat +such indifference. Carlyle says, 'Every noble +work is at first impossible.'"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Bethany," he answered, "and Paul +says: 'I can do all things through Christ who +strengthened me.' I can't get away from the +feeling that God wants me to take some forward +step in the matter. Every paper I pick up +seems to call my attention to it in some way. +All the time in my business I am brought in +contact with Jews who want to talk to me about +my religion. They introduce the subject themselves. +Ray and I have been reading Graetz's +history lately. I declare it's a puzzle to me how +any one can read an account of all the race endured<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +at the hands of the Christianity of the +Middle Ages, and not be more lenient toward +them. Pharaoh's cruelties were not a tithe of +what was dealt out to them in the name of the +gentle Nazarene. No wonder their children +were taught to spit at the mention of such a +name."</p> + +<p>"O, is that history as bad as 'Fox's Book of +Martyrs?'" asked Jack, eagerly. "We've got +that at home, with the awfullest black and +yellow pictures in it of people being burned to +death and tortured. I hope, if it is as interesting, +sister will read it out loud."</p> + +<p>Bethany made such a grimace of remonstrance +that Mr. Marion laughed.</p> + +<p>"I'll send the books over to-morrow. You'll +not care to read all five volumes, Jack; but Bethany +can select the parts that will interest you +most."</p> + +<p>Jack's tenacious memory brought the subject +up again that evening at the table.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Harry," he asked, abruptly, pausing +in the act of helping himself to sugar, "do you +like the Jews?"</p> + +<p>"Why, no, child," she said, hesitatingly. +"I can't say that I take any special interest in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +them, one way or another. To tell the truth, +I've never known any personally."</p> + +<p>"Would you like to know more about them?" +he asked, with childish persistence. "'Cause +Bethany's going to read to me about them when +Cousin Frank sends the books over, and you can +listen if you like."</p> + +<p>"Anything that Bethany reads we shall be +glad to hear," answered Miss Harriet. "At +first sister and I thought we would not intrude +on you in the evenings; but the library does +look so inviting, and it is so dull for us to sit +with just our knitting-work, since we have +stopped reading by lamp-light, that we can not +resist the temptation to go in whenever she begins +to read aloud."</p> + +<p>"O, you're home-folks," said Jack.</p> + +<p>Bethany had excused herself before this conversation +commenced, and was in the library, +opening the mail Miss Caroline had forgotten to +give her at noon. When the others joined her, +she held up a little pamphlet she had just +opened.</p> + +<p>"Look, Jack! It is from Mr. Lessing, from +Chattanooga. It is an article on 'What shall +become of the Jew?' I suppose it is written by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +one of them, at least his name would indicate +it—Leo N. Levi. It will be interesting to look +at that question from their standpoint."</p> + +<p>"Will I like it?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"No, I think not," she answered, after a +rapid glance through its pages. "We'll have +some more of the 'Bonnie Brier-Bush' to-night, +and save this until you are asleep."</p> + +<p>Bethany read well, and excelled in Scotch +dialect. When she laid down the book after +the story of "A Doctor of the Old School," +she saw a big tear splash down on Miss Harriet's +knitting-work, and Miss Caroline was furtively +wiping her spectacles.</p> + +<p>"Leave the door open," called Jack, when +he had been tucked away for the night. "Then +I can listen if it's nice, or go to sleep if it's dull."</p> + +<p>"Do you really care to hear this?" asked +Bethany, picking up the pamphlet.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Miss Caroline, with several emphatic +nods. "I'll own I am very ignorant on +the subject; and after something so highly entertaining +as these sweet Scotch tales, it's no +more than right that we should take something +improving."</p> + +<p>"O sister," called Jack's voice from the next<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +room, "you never told them about Mr. Lessing, +did you?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered Bethany. "I never told +them any of my Chattanooga experiences. +Maybe it would be better to begin with them, +and then you can understand how I happened +to become so interested in the Hebrew people. +The pamphlet can wait until another time."</p> + +<p>She tossed it back on the table, and settled +herself comfortably in a big chair.</p> + +<p>"I'll begin at the beginning," she said, +"and tell you how I was persuaded into going, +and how strangely events linked into each +other."</p> + +<p>"Can't you just see it all?" murmured Miss +Caroline, as Bethany drew a graphic picture +of the mountain outlook, the sunrise, and the +crowded tent. When she came to Lessing's +story, Miss Harriet dropped her work in her lap, +and Miss Caroline leaned forward in her chair.</p> + +<p>"Dear! dear! It sounds like a chapter out +of a romance!" exclaimed Miss Caroline, when +Bethany had finished. "That part about the +mother's curse and being buried in effigy makes +me think of the novels that we used to smuggle +into our rooms at school. I wish you could go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +on and give us the next chapter. It is intensely +interesting."</p> + +<p>"Ah, the next chapter," replied Bethany, +sadly. "I thought of that at the time. What +can it be but the daily repetition of commonplace +events? He will simply go on to the end in a +routine of study and work. He will preach to +whatever audiences he can gather around him. +That is all the world will see. The other part +of it, the burden of loneliness laid upon him +because of Jewish scorn and Christian distrust, +the soul-struggles, the spiritual victories, the +silent heroism, will be unwritten and unapplauded, +because unseen."</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder you are interested," said +Miss Harriet. "Would you believe it, I don't +know the difference between an orthodox and +a reform Jew? I think I shall look it up to-morrow +in the encyclopedia."</p> + +<p>She picked up the little pamphlet, and +opened at random.</p> + +<p>"Here is a marked paragraph," she said. +"'The Jew is everywhere in evidence. He sells +vodki in Russia; he matches his cunning against +Moslem and Greek in Turkey; he fights for existence +and endures martyrdom in the Balkan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +provinces; he crowds the professions, the arts, +the market-place, the bourse, and the army, in +France, England, Austria, and Germany. He +has invaded every calling in America, and everywhere +he is seen; and, what is more to the point, +he is felt. He runs through the entire length of +history, as a thin but well-defined line, touched +by the high lights of great events at almost every +point.'"</p> + +<p>"Where did we leave off with him, sister?" +she asked, turning to Miss Caroline. "Wasn't +it at the destruction of the temple, somewhere +in the neighborhood of 70 A. D.? We shall +have to trace that line back a considerable distance, +I am thinking, if we would know anything +on the subject."</p> + +<p>"Let's trace it then," said Miss Caroline, +with her usual alacrity.</p> + +<p>Several evenings after, when Bethany came +home from the office, she found a new book on +the table, with Miss Caroline's name on the +fly-leaf. It was "The Children of the Ghetto."</p> + +<p>"I bought it this afternoon," she explained, +a little nervously. "It is one of Zangwill's. The +clerk at the bookstore told me he is called the +Jewish Dickens, and that it is very interesting.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +Of course, I am no critic, but it looked interesting, +and I thought you might not mind reading +it aloud. Several sentences caught my eye +that made me think it might be as entertaining +as 'Old Curiosity Shop,' or 'Oliver Twist.'"</p> + +<p>Bethany rapidly scanned several pages. "I +believe it is the very thing to give us an insight +into the later day customs and beliefs of the +masses."</p> + +<p>She read the headings of several of the +chapters aloud, and a sentence here and there.</p> + +<p>"Listen to this!" she exclaimed. "'We are +proud and happy in that the dread unknown +God of the infinite universe has chosen our race +as the medium by which to reveal his will to +the world. History testifies that this has verily +been our mission, that we have taught the world +religion as truly as Greece has taught beauty +and science. Our miraculous survival through +the cataclysms of ancient and modern dynasties +is a proof that our mission is not yet over.'"</p> + +<p>"O, I thought it was going to be a story!" +exclaimed Jack, in a disappointed tone.</p> + +<p>"It is, dear," answered Bethany. "You can +understand part, and I will explain the rest."</p> + +<p>So it came about that, after the Scotch tales<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +were laid aside, the little group in the library +nightly turned their sympathies toward the +children of the London Ghetto, as it existed in +the early days of the century.</p> + +<p>"I can never feel the same towards them +again," said Miss Caroline, the night they finished +the book. "I understand them so much +better. It is just as the proem says: 'People +who have been living in a ghetto for a couple +of centuries are not able to step outside merely +because the gates are thrown down, nor to efface +the brands on their souls by putting off the +yellow badges. Their faults are bred of its +hovering miasma of persecution.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Bethany, "I am glad he +has given us such a diversity of types. You +know that article that Mr. Lessing sent me says: +'No people can be fairly judged by its superlatives. +It would be silly to judge all the Chinese +by Confucius, or all the Americans by Benedict +Arnold. If the Jews squirm and indignantly +protest against Shylock and Fagin and Svengali, +they must be consistent, and not claim as types +Scott's Rebecca and Lessing's Nathan the Wise.' +Now, Zangwill has given us a glimpse of all +sorts of people—the 'pots and pans' of material<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +Judaism, as well as the altar-fires of its most spiritual +idealists. I hope you'll go on another investigating +tour, Miss Caroline, and bring home +something else as instructive."</p> + +<p>But before Miss Caroline found time to go +on another voyage of discovery among the book-stores, +something happened at the office that +gave a deeper interest to their future investigations.</p> + +<p>Mr. Edmunds sat at the table a few minutes +longer than usual, one morning after he had +finished dictating his letters, to say: "We are +about to make some changes in the office, Miss +Hallam. Mr. Porter has decided to go abroad +for a while. Family matters may keep him +there possibly a year. During his absence it is +necessary to have some one in his place; and, +after mature deliberation, we have decided to +take in a young lawyer who has two points +decidedly in his favor. He has marked ability, +and he will attract a wealthy class of clients. +He is a young Jew, a protege of Rabbi +Barthold's. Personally, I have the highest respect +for him, although Mr. Porter is a little +prejudiced against him on account of his nationality.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +I wondered if you shared that feeling."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed!" answered Bethany, quickly. +"I have been greatly interested in studying their +history this summer."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have never given their past much +thought," responded Mr. Edmunds; "but their +relation to the business world has recently attracted +my attention. It is wonderful to me +the way they are filling up the positions of +honor and trust all over the world. Statistics +show such a large proportion of them have acquired +wealth and prominence. Still, it is only +what we ought to expect, when we remember +their characteristics. They have such 'mental +agility,' such power of adapting themselves to +circumstances, and such a resistless energy. +Maybe I should put their temperate habits first, +for I can not remember ever seeing a Jew intoxicated; +and as to industry, the records of our +county poor-house show that in all the seventy +years of its existence, it has never had a Jewish +inmate. People with such qualities are like +cream, bound to rise to the top, no matter what +kind of a vessel they are poured into."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who is this young man?" asked Bethany, +coming back to the first subject.</p> + +<p>"David Herschel," responded Mr. Edmunds. +"You may have met him."</p> + +<p>"David Herschel!" repeated Bethany, incredulously. +She caught her breath in surprise. +Was there to be a deliberate crossing of life-threads +here, or had she been caught in some +tangle of chance? Maybe this was the opportunity +she had prayed for that morning when +she had listened to Lessing's story, and caught +the inspiration of his consecrated life.</p> + +<p>A feeling of awe crept over her, that a human +voice could so reach the ear of the Infinite, +and draw down an answer to its petition. She +was almost frightened at the thought of the responsibility +such an answer laid upon her. O, +the childishness with which we beat against +the portals as we importune high Heaven for opportunities, +and then shrink back when the Almighty +hands them out to us, afraid to take and +use what we have most cried for!</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A JUNIOR TAKES IT IN HAND.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_i.png" width="91" height="100" alt="I" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />T was a sultry morning in August +when David Herschel took his place +in the law-office of Porter & Edmunds.</div> + +<p>The sun beat against the tall buildings until +the radiated heat of the streets was sickening +in its intensity. Clerks went to their work with +pale faces and languid movements. Everything +had a wilted look, and the watering-carts left a +steam rising in their trail, almost as disagreeable +as the clouds of dust had been before.</p> + +<p>Miss Caroline had insisted on Jack's remaining +at home, and Bethany's wearing a thin white +dress in place of her customary suit of heavy +black. They had both protested, but as Bethany +went slowly towards the office she was glad that +the sensible old lady had carried her point.</p> + +<p>To shorten the distance, she passed through +one of the poorer streets of the town. Disagreeable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +odors, suggestive of late breakfasts, floated +out from steamy kitchens. Neglected, half-dressed +children cried on the doorsteps and +quarreled in the gutters.</p> + +<p>A great longing came over Bethany for a +breath from wide, fresh fields, or green, shady +woodlands. This was the first summer she had +ever passed in the city. August had always +been associated in her mind with the wind in +the pine woods, or the sound of the sea on some +rocky coast. It recalled the musical drip of the +waterfalls trickling down high banks of thickly-growing +ferns. It brought back the breath of +clover-fields and the mint in hillside pastures.</p> + +<p>A strong repugnance to her work seized her. +She felt that she could not possibly bear to go +back to the routine of the office and the monotonous +click of her typewriter. The longer +she thought of those old care-free summers, the +more she chafed at the confinement of the present +one.</p> + +<p>She sighed wearily as she reached the entrance +of the great building. Every door and +window stood open. While she waited for the +elevator-boy to respond to her ring, she turned +her eyes toward the street. A blind man passed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +by, led by a wan, sad-eyed child. The sun was +beating mercilessly on the man's gray head, +for his cap was held appealingly in his outstretched +hand.</p> + +<p>"How dared I feel dissatisfied with my lot?" +thought Bethany, with a swift rush of pity, as +the contrast between this blind beggar's life +and hers was forced upon her.</p> + +<p>There was no one in the office when she +entered. After the glare of the street, it seemed +so comfortable that she thought again of the +blind beggar and the child who led him, with a +feeling of remorse for her discontent.</p> + +<p>A great bunch of lilies stood in a tall glass +vase on the table, filling the room with their fragrance. +She took out a card that was half hidden +among them. Lightly penciled, in a small, +running hand, was the one word—"Consider!"</p> + +<p>"That's just like Cousin Ray," thought +Bethany, quickly interpreting the message. "She +knew this would be an unusually trying day +on account of the heat, so she gives me something +to think about instead of my irksome confinement. +'They toil not, neither do they +spin,'" she whispered, lifting one snowy chalice +to her lips; "but what help they bring to those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +who do—sweet, white evangels to all those who +labor and are heavy laden!"</p> + +<p>She fastened one in her belt, then turned to +her work. She had been copying a record, and +wanted to finish it before Mr. Edmunds was +ready to attend to the morning mail. Her +fingers flew over the keys without a pause, except +when she stopped to put in a new sheet +of paper. When she was nearly through, she +heard Mr. Edmunds's voice in the next room, +and increased her speed. She had forgotten +that this was the day David Herschel was to +come into the office. He had taken the desk +assigned him, and was so busily engaged in conversation +with Mr. Edmunds that for a while +he did not notice the occupant of the next room. +When, at last, he happened to glance through +the open door, he did not recognize Bethany, +for she was seated with her back toward him.</p> + +<p>He noticed what a cool-looking white dress +she wore, the graceful poise of her head, and +her beautiful sunny hair. Then he saw the lilies +beside her, and wished she would turn so that +he could see her face.</p> + +<p>"Some fair Elaine—a lily-maid of Astolat," +he thought, and then smiled at himself for having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +grown Tennysonian over a typewriter before +he had even heard her name or seen her +face.</p> + +<p>At last Bethany finished the record, with a +sigh of relief. Quickly fastening the pages, +she rose to take it into the next room. Just on +the threshold she saw Herschel, and gave an involuntary +little start of surprise.</p> + +<p>As she stood there, all in white, with one +hand against the dark door-casing, she looked +just as she had the night David first saw her. +He arose as she entered.</p> + +<p>Mr. Edmunds was not usually a man of +quick perceptions, but he noticed the look of +admiration in David's eyes, and he thought they +both seemed a trifle embarrassed as he introduced +them.</p> + +<p>They had recalled at the same moment the +night in the Chattanooga depot, when she had +distinctly declared to Mr. Marion that she did +not care to make his acquaintance.</p> + +<p>For once in her life she lost her usual self-possession. +That gracious ease of manner which +"stamps the caste of Vere de Vere" was one +of her greatest charms. But just at this moment, +when she wished to atone for that unfortunate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +remark by an especially friendly +greeting, when she wanted him to know that her +point of view had changed entirely, and that +not a vestige of the old prejudice remained, she +could not summon a word to her aid.</p> + +<p>Conscious of appearing ill at ease, she +blushed like a diffident school-girl, and bowed +coldly.</p> + +<p>David courteously remained standing until +she had laid the record on Mr. Edmunds's desk +and left the room.</p> + +<p>Mr. Edmunds glanced at him quickly, as he +resumed his seat; but there was not the slightest +change of expression to show that he had noticed +what appeared to be an intentional haughtiness +of manner in Bethany's greeting. But he had +noticed it, and it stung his sensitive nature more +than he cared to acknowledge, even to himself.</p> + +<p>Nothing more passed between them for several +days, except the formal morning greeting. +Then Jack came back to the office. He had +gained rapidly since the new brace had been +applied. During his enforced absence on account +of the heat, he found that he could wheel +himself short distances, and proudly insisted on +doing so, as they went through the hall. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +a great favorite in the building. Everybody, +from the janitor to the dignified judge on the +same floor, stopped to speak to him. He was +such a thorough boy, so full of fun and spirits, +despite the misfortune that chained him to the +chair and had sometimes made him suffer extremely, +that the sight of him oftener provoked +pleasure than pity. He was so glad to get back +to the office that he was bubbling over with +happiness. It seemed to him he had been away +for an age. The cordial reception he met on +every hand made his eyes twinkle and the +dimples show in his cheeks.</p> + +<p>Mr. Edmunds had not come down, but David +was at his desk, busily writing. Bethany +paused as they passed through the room.</p> + +<p>"Allow me to introduce my little brother, +Mr. Herschel," she said. "Jack is very anxious +to meet you."</p> + +<p>He glanced up quickly. This friendly-voiced +girl, leaning over Jack's chair, with the +brightness of his roguish face reflected in her +own, was such a transformation from the dignified +Miss Hallam he had known heretofore, that +he could hardly credit his eyesight. He was +surprised into such an unusual cordiality of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +manner, that Jack straightway took him into +his affections, and set about cultivating a very +strong friendship between them.</p> + +<p>One afternoon Bethany was called into another +office to take a deposition. She left Jack +busy drawing on his slate.</p> + +<p>David, who had been reading several hours, +laid down the book after a while, with a yawn, +and glanced into the next room. The steady +scratch of the slate pencil had ceased, and Jack +was gazing disconsolately out of the window.</p> + +<p>As he heard the book drop on the table he +turned his head quickly. "May I come in +there?" he asked David eagerly.</p> + +<p>David nodded assent. "You may come in +and wake me up. The heat and the book together, +have made me drowsy."</p> + +<p>Jack pushed his chair over by a window, and +looked out towards the court house. It was late +in the afternoon, and the massive building threw +long shadows across the green sward surrounding +it.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to see if the flag is flying," said +Jack. "I can't tell from my window. Don't +you love to watch it flap? I do, for it always +makes me think of heroes. I love heroes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +and I love to listen to stories about +'em. Don't you? It makes you feel so +creepy, and your hair kind o' stands up, and you +hold your breath while they're a-risking their +lives to save somebody, or doing something +else that's awfully brave. And then, when +they've done it, there's a lump in your throat; +but you feel so warm all over somehow, and you +want to cheer, and march right off to 'storm the +heights,' and wipe every thing mean off the face +of the earth, and do all sorts of big, brave things. +I always do. Don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered David, amused by his boyish +enthusiasm, yet touched by the recognition +of a kindred spirit. "May be you will be a hero +yourself, some day," he suggested in order to +lead the boy further on.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm afraid not," answered Jack, sadly. +"Papa wanted me to be a lawyer. He was in the +war till he got wounded so bad he had to come +home. We've got his sword and cap yet. I used +to put 'em on sometimes, and say I was going +to go to West Point and learn to be a soldier. +But he always shook his head and said, 'No, son, +that's not the highest way you can serve your +country now.' Then sometimes I think I'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +have to be a preacher like my grandfather, John +Wesley Bradford, because he left me all his +library, and I am named for him. Jack isn't +my real name, you know."</p> + +<p>"Would you like to be a preacher?" asked +David, as the boy paused to catch a fly that was +buzzing exasperatingly around him.</p> + +<p>"No!" answered Jack, emphasizing his answer +by a savage slap at the fly. "Only except +when we get to talking about the Jews. You +know we are very much interested in your people +at our house."</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't know it," answered David, +amused by the boy's matter-of-fact announcement. +"How did you come to be so interested?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it started with the Epworth League +Conference at Chattanooga. There was a converted +Jew up there on the mountain that spoke +in the sunrise meeting. Cousin Frank went to +see him afterwards. He took Bethany with him +to write down what they said in shorthand. O, +he had the most interesting history! You just +ought to hear sister tell it. You know the two +old ladies I told you about, that live at our house. +Well, may be it isn't polite to tell you so, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +they didn't have the least bit of use for the Jews +before that. Now, since we've been reading +about the awful way they were persecuted, and +how they've hung together through thick and +thin, they've changed their minds."</p> + +<p>"And you say that it is only when you are +talking about the Jews that you would like to be +a preacher," said David, as the boy stopped, and +began whistling softly. He wanted to bring +him back to the subject.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Jack. "When I think how +that man's whole life was changed by a little +Junior League girl; how she started him, and +he'll start others, and they'll start somebody +else, and the ball will keep rolling, and so much +good will be done, just on her account, I'd like +to do something in that line myself. I'm first +vice-president of our League, you know," he +said, proudly displaying the badge pinned on +his coat.</p> + +<p>"But I wouldn't like to be a regular +preacher that just stands up and tells people +what they already believe. That's too much like +boxing a pillow." He doubled up his fist and +sparred at an imaginary foe.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'd like to go off somewhere, like Paul did, +and make every blow count. We studied the life +of Paul last year in the League. Talk about +heroes—there's one for you. My, but he was +game! Thrashed and stoned, and shipwrecked +and put in prison, and chained up to another +man—but they couldn't choke him off!" Jack +chuckled at the thought.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever notice," he continued, "that +when a Jew does turn Christian he's deader in +earnest than anybody else? Cousin Frank told +us to notice that. There's Matthew. He was +making a good salary in the custom-house, and +he quit right off. And Peter and Andrew and +the rest of 'em left their boats and all their fishing +tackle, and every thing in the wide world +that they owned. Mr. Lessing had even to give +up his family. Cousin Frank told us about ever +so many that had done that way. So that's why +I'd rather preach to them than other people. +They amount to so much when you once get +them made over."</p> + +<p>"You might commence on me," said David.</p> + +<p>Jack colored to the roots of his hair, and +looked confused. He stole a sidelong glance at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +David, and began to wheel his chair slowly back +into the other room.</p> + +<p>"I haven't gone into the business yet," he +called back over his shoulder, recovering his +equanimity with young American quickness, +"But when I do I'll give you the first call."</p> + +<p>David was so amused by the conversation +that he could not refrain from recounting part +of it to Bethany when she returned. It seemed +to put them on a friendlier footing.</p> + +<p>Finding that she was really making a study +of the history of his people, he gave her many +valuable suggestions, and several times brought +Jewish periodicals with articles marked for her +to read.</p> + +<p>"My Sunday-school class have become so interested," +she told him. "They are very well +versed in the ancient history, but this is something +so new to them."</p> + +<p>"I wish you knew Rabbi Barthold," he exclaimed. +"He would be an inspiration in any +line of study, but especially in this, for he has +thrown his whole soul into it. Ah, I wish you +read Hebrew. One loses so much in the translation. +There are places in the Psalms and Job<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +where the majesty of the thought is simply untranslatable. +You know there are some pebbles +and shells that, seen in water, have the most exquisite +delicacy of coloring; yet taken from +that element, they lose that brilliancy. I have +noticed the same effect in changing a thought +from the medium of one language to another."</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Bethany, "I have recognized +that difficulty, too, in translating from the +German. There is a subtle something that escapes, +that while it does not change the substance, +leaves the verse as soulless as a flower +without its fragrance."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I see you understand me," he responded. +"That is why I would have you read +the greatest of all literature in its original setting. +Are you fond of language?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered, "though not an enthusiast. +I took the course in Latin and German +at school, and got a smattering of French the +year I was abroad. Afterwards I read Greek +a little at home with papa, to get a better understanding +of the New Testament. But Hebrew +always seemed to me so very difficult that only +spectacled theologians attempted it. You know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +ordinary tourists ascend the Rigi and Vesuvius +as a matter of course. Only daring climbers +attempt the Jungfrau. I scaled only the heights +made easy of ascent by a system of meister-schafts +and mountain railways."</p> + +<p>He laughed. "Hebrew is not so difficult as +you imagine, Miss Hallam. Any one that can +master stenography can easily compass that. +There is a similarity in one respect. In both, +dots and dashes take the place of vowels. I will +bring you a grammar to-morrow, and show you +how easy the rudiments are."</p> + +<p>Jack was more interested than Bethany. He +had never seen a book in Hebrew type before. +The square, even characters charmed him, and +he began to copy them on his slate.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to learn this," he announced. +"The letters are nothing but chairs and tables."</p> + +<p>"It was a picture language in the beginning," +said David, leaning over his chair, much +pleased with his interest. "Now, that first letter +used to be the head of an ox. See how the horns +branch? And this next one, Beth, was a house. +Don't you remember how many names in the +Bible begin with that—Beth-el, Beth-horon,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +Beth-shan—they all mean house of something; +house of God, house of caves, house of rest."</p> + +<p>Jack gave a whistled "whe-ew!" "It would +teach a fellow lots. What are you a house of, +Beth-any?"</p> + +<p>He looked up, but his sister had been called +into the next room.</p> + +<p>"Would you really like to study it, Jack?" +asked David. "It will be a great help to you +when you 'go into the business' of preaching to +us Jews."</p> + +<p>Jack tilted his head to one side, and thrust his +tongue out of the corner of his mouth in an embarrassed +way. Then he looked up, and saw that +David was not laughing at him, but soberly +awaiting his answer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I really would," he answered, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll teach you as long as you are in +the office."</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion came in one day and saw David's +dark head and Jack's yellow one bending over +the same page, and listened to the boy's enthusiastic +explanation of the letters.</p> + +<p>"I wish we could form a class of our Sabbath-school<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +teachers," said Mr. Marion. "Would you +undertake to teach it, Herschel?"</p> + +<p>The young man hesitated. "If it were convenient +I might make the attempt," he said. +"But I do not live in the city. My home is out +at Hillhollow."</p> + +<p>Then, after a pause, while some other plan +seemed to be revolving in his mind, he asked: +"Why not get Rabbi Barthold? He is a born +teacher, and nothing would delight him more +than to imbue some other soul with a zeal for his +beloved mother-tongue."</p> + +<p>"I'll certainly take the matter into consideration," +responded Mr. Marion, "if you will get +his consent, and find what his terms are. Bethany, +I'll head the list with your name. Then +there's Ray and myself. That makes three, and +I know at least three of my teachers that I am +sure of. I wish George Cragmore were here. +Do you know, Bethany, it would not surprise me +very much if the Conference sends him here this +fall?"</p> + +<p>"Not in Dr. Bascom's place," she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"O no, he is too young a man for Garrison +Avenue, and unmarried besides. But I heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +that the Clark Street Church had asked for him. +I hope the bishop will consider the call."</p> + +<p>"Don't set your heart on it, Cousin Frank," +she answered. "You know what is apt to befall +'the best laid schemes of mice and men.'"</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE DEACONESS'S STORY.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 86px;"> +<img src="images/drop_a.png" width="86" height="100" alt="A" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />UGUST slipped into September. The +vase on Bethany's desk, that Mrs. +Marion had kept filled with lilies, +brightened the room with the glow +of the earliest golden-rod.</div> + +<p>"Isn't it pretty?" said Jack, drawing a spray +through his fingers. "It makes me think of +your hair, sister. They are both so soft and +fuzzy-looking."</p> + +<p>"And like the sunshine," added David mentally, +wishing he dared express his admiration +as openly as Jack. His desk was at an angle +overlooking Bethany's, and he often studied her +face while she worked, as he would have studied +some rare portrait—not so much for the perfect +contour and delicacy of coloring as for the soul +that shone through it.</p> + +<p>She had seldom spoken to him of spiritual +things. It was from Jack he learned how interested +she was in all her Church relationships.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +Still he felt forcibly an influence that he could +not define; that silent charm of a consecrated +life, linked close with the perfect life of the +Master.</p> + +<p>One day when he was thus idly occupied, +the janitor tiptoed into the room, ushering a lady +past to Bethany's desk. David looked up as she +passed, attracted by her unusual costume. It +was all black, except that there were deep, white +cuffs rolled back over the sleeves, and a large, +white collar. The close-fitting black bonnet was +tied under the chin with broad white bows. She +was a sweet-faced woman, with strong, capable +looking hands.</p> + +<p>David heard Bethany exclaim, "Why, Josephine +Bentley!" as if much surprised to see +her. Then they stood face to face, holding each +other's hands while they talked in low, rapid +tones.</p> + +<p>The stranger staid only a few moments. +After she passed out, David strolled leisurely up +to Bethany's desk.</p> + +<p>"I hope you'll excuse my curiosity, Miss +Hallam," he said. "I am interested in the costume +of the lady who was here just now. I've +seen one like it before. Can you tell me to what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +order she belongs? Is it anything like the Sisters +of Charity?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, something like it," she answered. +"She is a deaconess. There is this difference. +They take no vows of perpetual service to the +order, but their lives are as entirely consecrated +to their work as though they had 'taken the veil,' +as the nuns call it. This friend of mine who was +just here, is a visiting deaconess. She goes about +doing good in the Master's own way, to rich and +poor alike. She came in just now to report a +case of destitution she had discovered. I am +chairman of the Mercy and Help Department +in our League."</p> + +<p>"Is that all they do?" asked David.</p> + +<p>"All!" repeated Bethany. "You should see +the Deaconess Home on Clark Street. They +have a hospital there, and a Kitchen-garten. It +is the work of some of these women to gather in +all the poor, neglected girls they can find. They +make it so very attractive that the poor children +are taught to be respectable little housekeepers, +without suspecting that the music and games +are really lessons. Homes that could be reached +in no other way have some wonderful changes +wrought in them."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You have so many different organizations +in your Church," said David. "Seems to me I +am always hearing of a new one. There is an +old saying, 'Too many cooks spoil the broth.' +Did you never prove the truth of that?"</p> + +<p>"Now, that's one beauty of Methodism," +exclaimed Bethany. "The little wheels all fit +into the big one like so many cogs, and all help +each other. For instance, here is the deaconess +work. It goes hand in hand with the League, +only reaching out farther, with our motto of 'Lift +Up,' for they have an 'open sesame' that unbars +all avenues to them. Of all hard, self-sacrificing +lives, it seems to me a nurse deaconess has the +hardest. She goes only into homes unable to +pay for such services, and whatever there is to +do in the way of nursing, or of cleansing these +poverty-stricken homes, she does unflinchingly."</p> + +<p>"The reason I asked," answered David, "is +that one day last week I went down to that terrible +quarter of the city near the lower wharves. +I wanted to find a man who I knew would be +a valuable witness in the Dartmon murder case. +I had been told that the only time to find him +would be before six o'clock, as he was a deckhand +on one of the early boats. I had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +directed to a laundry-office in a row of rotten +old tenements near the river. I found the room +used as an office was down in a damp basement. +It was about half-past five when I reached there. +I went down the rickety old stairs and knocked +several times. You can imagine my surprise +when the door was opened by a refined-looking +woman, in just such a costume as your friend +wore, except, of course, the little bonnet. When +I told her my errand, she asked me to step inside +a moment. The smell of sewer-gas almost stifled +me at first. There was a narrow counter where +a few bundles were lying, still uncalled for. I +learned afterward, that the laundry had failed, +and these were left to await claimants. There +was a calico curtain stretched across the room +to form a partition. She drew it aside, and +motioned me to look in. There was a table, two +chairs, a gasoline stove, and an old bed. Lying +across the foot of the bed, as if utterly worn-out +with weariness and sorrow, lay a young girl +heavily sleeping. A baby, only a few months +old, was lying among the pillows, as white and +still as if it were dead. The woman dropped the +curtain with a shudder. 'It is the poor girl's +husband you are looking for,' she said. 'He is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +a rough, drunken fellow, and has been away for +days, nobody knows where. The baby is dying. +I was called here at three o'clock this morning. +A physician came for me, but he said it could not +live many hours. O, it was awful! The cockroaches +swarmed all over the floor, and the rats +were so bad they fairly ran over our feet. The +poor girl sank in a heavy stupor soon after I +came, from sheer exhaustion. There is nothing +to eat in the house, and the milk I brought with +me for the baby has soured. It seems a dreadful +thing to say, but I dare not leave the baby while +she is asleep long enough to get anything—on +account of the rats.' Of course I went out and +got the things she needed. Then there was +nothing more I could do, she said. The +wretched poverty of the scene, and the woman's +bravery, have been in my thoughts ever since."</p> + +<p>"I heard of that case yesterday," Bethany +said, when he had finished. "I know the nurse, +Belle Carleton. The baby died, and they took +the mother to the Deaconess Hospital. She has +typhoid fever. Belle told me of another experience +she had. Her life is full of them. She was +sent to a family where drunkenness was the cause +of the poverty. The man had not had steady<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +work for a year, because he was never sober more +than a few days at a time. They lived in three +rooms in the rear basement of a large tenement-house. +Belle said, when she opened the door of +the first room, it seemed the most forlorn place +she had ever seen. There was a table piled full +of dirty dishes, and a cooking-stove covered with +ashes, on which stood a wash-boiler filled with +half-washed clothes. The floor looked as if it +had never known the touch of a broom. The +odor of the boiling suds was sickening. A slatternly, +half-grown girl, one of the neighbors, +stood beside a leaky tub, washing as best she +knew how. Four dirty, half-starved children +were playing on the bare floor. Their mother +was sick in the next room. I couldn't begin to +repeat Belle's description of that bedroom, it +was so filthy and infested with vermin. She +said, when she saw all that must be done, that +repulsive creature bathed, the dishes washed, +and the floor scrubbed, a great loathing came +over her. She felt that she could not possibly +touch a thing in the room. She wanted to turn +and run away from it all. I said to her, 'O, +Belle, how could you force yourself to do such +repulsive things?'"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What did she say?" exclaimed Herschel.</p> + +<p>Bethany's face reflected some of the tenderness +that must have shone in Belle Carleton's, +as she repeated her answer softly, "For Jesus' +sake!"</p> + +<p>There was a long pause, which Herschel +broke by saying: "And she staid there, I suppose, +forced her shrinking hands into contact +with what she despised, did the most menial +services, from a sense of duty to a man whom +she had never seen, who died centuries ago? +Miss Hallam, how could she? I find it very hard +to understand."</p> + +<p>"No, not from a sense of duty," corrected +Bethany, "so much as love."</p> + +<p>"Well, for love then. What was there in +this man of Nazareth to inspire such devotion +after such a lapse of time? I understand how +one might admire his ethical teaching, how one +might even try to embody his precepts in a code +to live by; but how he can inspire such sublime +annihilation of self, surpasses my comprehension. +He was no greater lawgiver than Moses, +yet who makes such sacrifices for the love of +Moses? Peter suffered martyrdom, and Paul;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +yet who is ready to lay down his life cheerfully +and say, 'I do it for the sake of Peter—or +Paul?'"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Herschel," said Bethany, looking up +at him wistfully, "don't you see that it is no +mere man who exercises such power; that he +must be what he claimed—one with the +Father?"</p> + +<p>Cragmore's passionate exclamation that day +on the train came back to him: "O, my friend, +if you could only see my Savior as he has been +revealed to me!"</p> + +<p>Then he seemed to hear Lessing's voice as +they paced back and forth in front of the tent, +arm in arm in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Of a truth you can not understand these +things, unless you be born again—be born of +the Spirit, into a realm of spiritual knowledge +you have never yet even dreamed of. Winged life +is latent in the worm, even while it has no conception +of any existence higher than the cabbage-leaf +it crawls upon. But how is it possible +for it to conceive of flight until it has passed +through some change that bursts the chrysalis +and provides the wings?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>The silence was growing oppressive. David +shook his head, rose, and slowly walked out of +the room.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Sister," said Jack, a few days after, as she +wheeled him homeward from the office at noon-time, +"Mr. Herschel keeps teasing me all the +time about something I said once about preaching +to the Jews. He brings it up so often, that +if he doesn't look out I'll begin on him sure +enough."</p> + +<p>Whatever answer Bethany might have made +was interrupted by Miss Caroline, who met them +as they turned a corner.</p> + +<p>"Do tell!" she exclaimed in surprise. "You +were in my mind just this minute. I wondered +if I might not chance to meet you."</p> + +<p>"Where have you been, Aunt Carrie?" asked +Jack, seeing that she carried several small +parcels.</p> + +<p>"Shopping," she said. "Just think of it! +Caroline Courtney actually out shopping in the +dry-goods stores."</p> + +<p>"What's the occasion?" asked Bethany. +"It must be something important. I can't remember +that you have done such a thing before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +since I have known you. Have you been invited +to a ball, a wedding, or a wake?"</p> + +<p>Miss Caroline beamed on them through her +spectacles. "Really, my dears, that is just what +I would like to know myself. That's why I had +to make these purchases. Your cousin Ray +came in this morning, just after you had gone, +to invite us all to go to her house at half-past six +this evening. She wouldn't tell us what sort +of an occasion she was planning, only that it was +a surprise for everybody, Mr. Marion most of +all. He has been gone a week on a business trip, +but will get home to-night at six. Sister and I +have been trying to think what kind of an occasion +it could be. I know it isn't their wedding +anniversary, nor her birthday. Maybe it is his. +So you see we couldn't decide just how we ought +to dress—whether to wear our very best dove-colored +silks and point lace, or the black crepon +dresses we have had two seasons. Sister absolutely +refuses to carry her elegant fan that she +got in Brussels, although I want very much to +take mine, especially if we wear the gray dresses. +My second best is broken, and of course we +wouldn't want to carry a palm-leaf. There was +no other way but to take the second best fan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +down and match it. Then she had lost one of the +bows of ribbon that was on her gray dress, and +I had to match that, in case we decided to wear +the grays. Here I have spent the whole morning +over my fan and her ribbon."</p> + +<p>"Dear me!" said Jack. "Why don't you +carry your Brussels fan and wear your gray +dress, and let her wear her black dress and take +the kind of fan she wanted?"</p> + +<p>"O, my child!" exclaimed Miss Caroline, +"Neither of us would have taken a mite of comfort +so. You don't understand how it feels +when there are two of you. When you have +spent—well, a great many years, in having +things alike, you don't feel comfortable unless +you are in pairs."</p> + +<p>It was arranged that Jack should not go back +to the office that afternoon. The sisters volunteered +to take him with them.</p> + +<p>Bethany hurried through her work, but it +seemed to her she had never had so many interruptions, +or so much to do.</p> + +<p>It was after six when she closed her desk. +Mr. Edmunds noticed the tired look on her +flushed face, and said:</p> + +<p>"Miss Hallam, my carriage is waiting down<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +stairs. I have to stay here some time longer to +meet a man who is late in keeping his engagement. +Jerry may as well take you home while +he is waiting." He went down on the elevator +with her, and handed her into the carriage.</p> + +<p>"Better stay out in the fresh air a little before +you start home," he said, kindly. "It will +do you good."</p> + +<p>Bethany sank back gratefully among the +cushions. Jerry had been her father's coachman +at one time. He grinned from ear to ear +as she took her seat.</p> + +<p>"We'll take a spin along the river road," +she said. "Give me a glimpse of the fields and +the golden-rod, and then take me to Mrs. Marion's, +on Phillips Avenue."</p> + +<p>"Yes, miss," said Jerry, touching his hat. +"I know all the roads you like best!"</p> + +<p>The impatient horses needed no urging. +They fairly flew down the beaten track that led +from the noisy, bouldered streets into the grassy +byways. On they went, past suburban orchards +and outlying pastures, to the sights and sounds +of the real country.</p> + +<p>Bethany heard the slow, restful tinkle of +bells in a quiet lane where the cows stood softly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +lowing at the bars. She heard the coo of doves +in the distance, and the call of a quail in a brown +stubble-field near by. Then the wind swept up +from the river, now turning red in the sunset. +It put new life into her pulses, and a new light +in her eyes. The weariness was all gone. The +wind had blown the light, curly hair about her +face, and she put up her hands to smooth it back, +as they came in sight of Mrs. Marion's house.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't make any difference," she +thought. "I can run up into Cousin Ray's room +and put myself in order before any one sees me."</p> + +<p>As the carriage stopped, some one stepped +up quickly to assist her alight. It was David +Herschel.</p> + +<p>"Of all times!" she thought; "when I am +literally blown to pieces. How queerly things +do happen in this world!"</p> + +<p>To her still greater wonderment, instead of +closing the gate after her and going on down +the street, he followed her up the steps.</p> + +<p>"Cousin Ray said this was to be a surprise," +she thought. "This must be part of it."</p> + +<p>Miss Harriet and Miss Caroline had just +smoothed their plumage in the guest-chamber,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +and were coming down the stairs hand in hand +as David and Bethany entered the reception-hall.</p> + +<p>This was their first glimpse of David. They +had been very curious to see him. Jack had +talked about him so much that they recognized +him instantly from his description.</p> + +<p>Miss Caroline squeezed Miss Harriet's hand, +and said in a dramatic whisper, "Sister! the +surprise."</p> + +<p>"Look at Bethany," remarked Miss Harriet. +"How unusually bright she looks, and yet a +little flushed and confused. I wonder if he has +been saying anything to her. They came in +together."</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" puffed Miss Caroline. Then they +both moved forward with their most beaming +"company smile," as Jack called it, to meet Mr. +Herschel.</p> + +<p>"Come in here," said Mrs. Marion, leading +the way into the drawing-room, while Bethany +made her escape up stairs.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Courtney, allow me to introduce Mrs. +Dameron."</p> + +<p>"Sally Atwater!" fairly shrieked Miss Caroline<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +and Miss Harriet in chorus, as a tall, thin +woman, with gray hair and sharp, twinkling +eyes rose to meet them; "Sally Atwater, for the +land's sake! how did you ever happen to get +here?"</p> + +<p>"It's an old school friend of theirs," explained +Mrs. Marion to David, as the twins stood +on tiptoe to grasp her around the neck and kiss +her repeatedly between their exclamations of +joyful surprise. "They haven't seen her since +they were married. I'll present you, and then +we'll leave them to have a good old gossip."</p> + +<p>During the introductions in the drawing-room, +Mr. Marion came into the hall, with his +gripsack in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Why, hello, Jack!" he called cheerily. +"How are you, my boy? I'm so glad to see +you."</p> + +<p>He hung up his hat, and went forward to clap +him on the shoulder and hold the little hands +lovingly in his big, strong ones. While he still +sat on the arm of Jack's chair, there was a sudden +parting of the portieres behind them, a swift +rustle, and two white hands met over his eyes +and blindfolded him.</p> + +<p>"O! O!" cried Jack ecstatically, and then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +clapped his hand over his mouth as he heard a +warning "Sh!"</p> + +<p>"It's Ray, of course," said Mr. Marion, +laughing and reaching backwards to seize whoever +had blindfolded him. "Nobody else would +take such liberties."</p> + +<p>"O, wouldn't they?" cried a mocking voice. +"What about Ray's younger sister?"</p> + +<p>He turned around, and catching her by the +shoulders, held her out in front of him.</p> + +<p>"Well, Lois Denning!" he exclaimed in +amazement. "When did you get here, little +sister? I never imagined you were within two +hundred miles of this place."</p> + +<p>"Neither did Ray until this morning. I +just walked in unannounced."</p> + +<p>When he had given her a hearty welcome +she said: "O, I'm not the only one to surprise +you. Just go in the other room, Brother Frank, +and see who all's there, while I talk with this +young man I haven't seen for a year."</p> + +<p>Lois Denning had been Jack's favorite cousin +since he was old enough to fasten his baby fingers +in her long, brown hair. In her yearly +visits to her sister she had devoted so much of +her time to him, and been such a willing slave,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +that he looked forward to her coming even a +shade more eagerly than he watched for Christmas.</p> + +<p>There was one thing that remained longest +in the memory of every guest who had ever enjoyed +the hospitality of the Marion home. It +was the warm welcome that made itself continually +felt. It met them even in the free swing +of the wide front door that seemed to say, "Just +walk right in now, and make yourself at home."</p> + +<p>There was an atmosphere of genial comfort +and cheer that cast its spell on all who strayed +over its inviting threshold. It made them long +to linger, and loath to leave.</p> + +<p>David Herschel was quick to appreciate the +warm cordiality of his greeting. He had not +been in the house five minutes until he felt himself +on the familiar footing of an old friend. At +first he wondered at the strange assortment of +guests, and thought it queer he had been asked +to meet the elderly twins and their old friend, +who were so absorbed in each other.</p> + +<p>Then Mrs. Marion brought in her sister, Lois +Denning—a slim, graceful girl in a white duck +suit, with a red carnation in the lapel of the +jaunty jacket. She was a lively, outspoken girl,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +decided in her opinions, and original in her +remarks.</p> + +<p>"That red carnation just suits her," said +David to himself, as they talked together. "She +is so bright and spicy."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it time for dinner, Ray?" asked Mr. +Marion, anxiously. "It's getting dark, and I'm +as hungry as a schoolboy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and your guests will think you are as +impatient as one," she answered, laughingly. +"We must wait a few minutes longer. Mr. +Cragmore hasn't come yet."</p> + +<p>"Cragmore!" cried Mr. Marion, starting to +his feet.</p> + +<p>"O dear," exclaimed his wife, "I didn't intend +to tell you he was coming. I knew you +hadn't seen the report from Conference yet, and +I wanted to surprise you. He has been sent to +the Clark Street Church. I met him coming +up from the depot this morning, and asked him +to dine with us to-night."</p> + +<p>"Now I do wish I were a school-boy!" exclaimed +Mr. Marion, "so that I might give vent +to my delight as I used to."</p> + +<p>"I remember how loud you could whoop +when you were two feet six," remarked Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +Dameron. "I should not care to risk hearing +you, now that you are six feet two."</p> + +<p>There was a quick ring at the front door, +and the next instant Frank Marion and George +Cragmore were shaking hands as though they +could never stop.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to see if they fall on each other's +necks and weep a la Joseph and his brethren," +said Lois, tiptoeing towards the hall. "I've +heard so much about George Cragmore, that I +feel that I am about to be presented to a whole +circus—menagerie and all."</p> + +<p>"And how are ye, Mistress Marion?" they +heard his musical voice say.</p> + +<p>"Will ye moind that now," commented Lois +in an undertone. "How's that for a touch of +the rale auld brogue?"</p> + +<p>He was introduced to the old ladies first, +then to the saucy Lois and Jack. Then he +caught sight of Herschel. They met with mutual +pleasure, and were about cordially to renew +their acquaintance, begun that day on the car, +when Cragmore glanced across the room and saw +Bethany.</p> + +<p>Both Lois and David noticed the way his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +face lighted up, and the eagerness with which he +went forward to speak to her.</p> + +<p>That evening was the beginning of several +things. The Hebrew class was organized. Mr. +Marion had found only two of his teachers willing +to undertake the work, but Lois cheerfully +allowed herself to be substituted for the third +one he had been so sure would join them.</p> + +<p>"I'll not be here more than long enough to +get a good start," she said, "but I'm in for anything +that's going—Hebrew or Hopscotch, +whichever it happens to be."</p> + +<p>The twins declined to take any part. "I +know it is beyond us," sighed Miss Harriet. +"The Latin conjugations were always such a +terror to me, and sister never did get her bearings +in the German genders."</p> + +<p>When it came time for the merry party to +break up, Frank Marion would not listen to any +good-nights from Cragmore.</p> + +<p>"You're not going away. That's the end +of it," he declared. "I'll walk down with you +to the hotel, and have your trunk sent up. +You're to stay here until you get a boarding +place to suit you. I wouldn't let you go then,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +if I did not know it was essential for you to live +nearer your congregation."</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion walked on ahead, pushing Jack's +chair, with Miss Caroline on one side, and Miss +Harriet on the other.</p> + +<p>Bethany followed with George Cragmore. +There was a brilliant moonlight, and they +walked slowly, enjoying to the utmost the rare +beauty of the night.</p> + +<p>"Come in a moment, George," called Mr. +Marion, as he wheeled Jack up the steps. "I +want to finish spinning this yarn."</p> + +<p>They all went into the hall.</p> + +<p>Bethany opened the door into the library +and struck a match. Cragmore took it from her +and lighted the gas.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Marion still stood in the hall with +his attentive audience of three.</p> + +<p>"I'll be through in a moment," he called. +The sisters dropped down in a large double +rocker.</p> + +<p>"You might as well sit down, too, Mr. Cragmore," +said Bethany. "His minute may prove +to be elastic."</p> + +<p>Cragmore looked around the homelike old +room, and then down at the fair-haired woman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +at his side. "Not to-night, thank you," he responded; +"but I should like to come some other +time. Yes, I think I should like to come here +very often, Miss Hallam."</p> + +<p>The admiration in his eyes, and the tone, +made the remark so very personal that Bethany +was slightly annoyed.</p> + +<p>"O, our latch-string is always out to the +clergy," she said lightly, and then led the way +back to the hall to join the others.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>"YOM KIPPUR."</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_t.png" width="91" height="100" alt="T" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />HE morning after the first meeting +of the Hebrew class at Rabbi Barthold's, +Frank Marion came into the +office.</div> + +<p>"Herschel," he said, "when do you have +your Day of Atonement services? Is it this week +or next? Rabbi Barthold invited us to attend, +but I am not sure about the date. He is going +to preach a series of sermons that are to set forth +the views now held by the Reform school, and +Cragmore and I are anxious to hear them."</p> + +<p>"It is the week after this," said David, consulting +the calendar.</p> + +<p>"Then I can arrange to get in from my trip +in time for the Friday night service."</p> + +<p>"What do you think of Rabbi Barthold?" +asked David. "Isn't he a magnificent old +fellow?"</p> + +<p>Marion stroked his mustache thoughtfully.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +"Well," he said after some deliberation, "I +hardly know where to place him. He doesn't +belong to this age. If I believed in the transmigration +of souls, I should say that some old +Levite, whose life-work had been to keep the +Temple lamps perpetually burning, had strayed +back to earth again.</p> + +<p>"That seems to be his mission now. He is +trying to rekindle the pride and zeal and hope +of an ancient day. Excuse me for saying it, +Herschel, but there are few in his congregation +who understand him. Their vision is so obscured +by this dense fog of modern indifference +that they fail to appreciate his aims. They are +still in the outer courts, among the tables of the +money-changers, and those who sell doves. +They have never entered the inner sanctuary +of a spiritual life. Their religion stops with the +altar and the censer—the material things. Understand +me," he said hastily, as David interrupted +him, "I know there are a number you +have in mind, who are loyally true to the spirit +of Judaism, but they are few and far between. +I am not speaking of them, but of the great +mass of the congregation. I believe the services<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +of the synagogue, and their religion itself, +is only a form observed from a cold sense of +duty, merely to avert the evil decree."</p> + +<p>David drew himself up rather stiffly.</p> + +<p>"And you are the disciple of the man who +said, 'Let him that is without sin among you +cast the first stone!' What do you suppose the +Jew has to say about the dead-heads in your +Churches? What proportion of your membership +has passed beyond the tables of the money-changers? +How many in your pews, who mumble +the creed and wear the label 'Christian,' will +be able at the passages of God's Jordan to meet +the challenge of his Shibboleth?"</p> + +<p>Marion laid his hand on David's shoulder. +"You misunderstand me, my boy," he said. "I +have no harsher denunciation for the indifferent +Jew than for the indifferent Christian. God +pity them both! I was simply drawing a contrast +between Rabbi Barthold and his people, +as it appears to me—a shepherd who longs to +lead his flock up to the source of all living water; +but they prefer to dispense with climbing the +spiritual heights, jostle each other for the richest +herbage of the lowlands, and are satisfied. You +know that is so, David."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted David, with a sigh. "He +can not even arouse them to the necessity of +teaching their children Hebrew, if they would +perpetuate loyalty to its traditions."</p> + +<p>David was about to repeat what the Rabbi +had said the night he consented to take the +Hebrew class, but his pride checked him: +"What are we coming to, my son? Protestantism +is having a wonderful awakening in regard +to the study of the Bible. Never has there been +such a widespread interest in it as now. But +among our people, how many of the younger +generation make it a text-book of daily study? +Such negligence will surely write its 'Ichabod' +upon the future of our beloved Israel."</p> + +<p>"What a discussion we have drifted into!" +exclaimed Mr. Marion. "I had only intended +dropping in here to ask you a simple question. +Come to think, I believe I have not answered +yours. You asked me my opinion of Rabbi +Barthold. Well, I think he is a sincere, noble +soul, a true seeker of the truth, and a man whose +friendship I would value very highly."</p> + +<p>Herschel looked much pleased.</p> + +<p>"I hope you may be able to hear him on +'Yom Kippur,'" he said.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I shall certainly try to be there," Marion +answered.</p> + +<p>As his footsteps died away in the hall, David +said to himself: "If every Gentile were like that +man, and every Jew like Uncle Ezra, what an +ideal state of society there would be! But then," +he added as an after-thought, "what would become +of the lawyers? We would starve."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>In the waning light of the afternoon, that +Day of the Atonement, there was no more devout +worshiper in all the temple than George +Cragmore. He had just finished reading a book +of M. Leroy Beaulieu's, "Israel Among the +Nations," and as he turned the leaves of the +prayer-book some one handed him, he was impressed +with the truth of this sentence which +recurred to him:</p> + +<p>"The Hebrew genius was confined to a narrow +bed between two rocky walls, whence only +the sky could be seen; but it channeled there a +well so deep that the ages have not dried it up, +and the nations of the four corners of the earth +have come to slake their thirst at its waters."</p> + +<p>It seemed to him that all that was purest,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +most heart-searching and sublime in the Old +Covenant; all that time has proven most precious +and comforting of its promises; all therein +that best satisfies the human yearnings toward +the Infinite, and gives wings to the God-instinct +in man, might be found somewhere in the exquisite +mosaic of this day's ritual.</p> + +<p>Marion, concentrating his attention chiefly +on the sermons, admired their scholarly style, +and indorsed most of their substance, but he +came away with a feeling of sadness.</p> + +<p>It seemed so pitiful to him to see these people +with their backs turned on the sacrifice a +divine love had already provided, trying to make +their own empty-handed atonement, simply by +their penitent pleadings and good deeds.</p> + +<p>Herschel's devotions were interfered with +by a spirit of criticism heretofore unknown to +him. His thoughts were so full of doubts that +had been having an almost imperceptible +growth that he could not enter into the service +with his usual abandon. He was continually +contrasting those around him with that never-to-be-forgotten +gathering on Lookout, and the congregation +in the tent.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>What made them to differ? He could not +tell, but he felt that something was lacking here +that had made the other such a force.</p> + +<p>Cragmore had not been able to attend the +Friday night service, nor the one on the following +morning. He came in just after the noon +recess, and was ushered to a pew near the center +of the room, where he immediately became absorbed +in the ritual. He followed devoutly +through the meditations and the silent devotions, +and when they came to the responsive readings, +his voice joined in as earnestly as any son of +Abraham there.</p> + +<p>The synagogue, with its modern trappings +and fashionably-dressed congregation, seemed to +disappear. He saw the old Temple take its place, +with its solemn ceremonials of scapegoat and +burnt-offering. Through the chanting of the +choir in the gallery back of him he heard the +thousand-voiced song of the Levites. He seemed +to see the clouds of incense, and the smoke arising +from the high brazen altar. He bowed his +head on the seat in front of him. His whole +soul seemed to go out in reverent adoration to +this great Jehovah, worshiped by both Hebrew +and Christian.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>The memorial service to the dead followed +the sermon.</p> + +<p>Cragmore's music-loving nature responded +like a quivering harp-string as the choir began +a minor chant:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Oh what is man, the child of dust?<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">What is man, O Lord?"</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>The low, moaning tones of the great organ +rose and fell like the beat of a far-off tide, as all +heads bowed in silent devotion, recalling in that +moment the lives that had passed out into the +great beyond.</p> + +<p>Cragmore whispered a fervent prayer of +thankfulness for the unbroken family circle +across the wide Atlantic.</p> + +<p>As he did so, a breath of blossoming hawthorn +hedges, a faint chiming of the Shandon +bells, and the blue mists of the Kerry hills +seemed to mingle a moment with his prayer.</p> + +<p>The sun had set, when in the concluding +service his eyes fell on the words the Rabbi was +reading—The Mission of Israel—"It's a pity," +he thought, "that every mentally cross-eyed +Christian, who, between ignorance and bigotry, +can get only a distorted impression of the Jews,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +couldn't have heard this service to-day, especially +that prayer for all mankind, and this one +he is reading now:</p> + +<p>"'This twilight hour reminds us also of the +eventide, when, according to Thy gracious +promise, Thy light will arise over all the children +of men, and Israel's spiritual descendants will +be as numerous as the stars in the heaven. Endow +us, our Guardian, with strength and patience +for our holy mission. Grant that all the +children of Thy people may recognize the goal +of our changeful career, so that they may exemplify, +by their zeal and love for mankind, the +truth of Israel's watchword: One humanity on +earth, even as there is but one God in heaven. +Enlighten all that call themselves by Thy name +with the knowledge that the sanctuary of wood +and stone, that erst crowned Zion's hill, was but +a gate, through which Israel should step out into +the world, to reconcile all mankind unto Thee! +Thou alone knowest when this work of atonement +shall be completed; when the day shall +dawn in which the light of Thy truth, brighter +than that of the visible sun, shall encircle the +whole earth. But surely that great day of +universal reconciliation, so fervently prayed for,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +shall come, as surely as none of Thy words return +empty, unless they have done that for +which Thou didst send them. Then joy shall +thrill all hearts, and from one end of the earth +to the other shall echo the gladsome cry: Hear, +O Israel, hear all mankind, the Eternal our God, +the Eternal is One. Then myriads will make +pilgrimage to Thy house, which shall be called +a house of prayer for all nations, and from their +lips shall sound in spiritual joy: Lord, open for +us the gates of thy truth. Lift up your heads, +O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting +doors, for the King of glory shall come in.'"</p> + +<p>And the choir chanting, replied:</p> + +<p>"Who is the King of glory? The Lord of +hosts—He is the King of glory."</p> + +<p>There was a short prayer, then a benediction +that made Cragmore and Marion look across the +congregation at each other and smile. It was +the Epworth benediction, with which the League +was always dismissed:</p> + +<p>"May the Lord bless thee, and keep thee. +May the Lord let his countenance shine upon +thee, and be gracious unto thee! The Lord lift +up his countenance upon thee, and give thee +peace."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>The two men met each other at the door, +and walked homeward together through the +twilight.</p> + +<p>Cragmore had found a boarding place. It +was not far from the temple.</p> + +<p>"Come up to my room," he said to Marion. +"I see you still have Herschel's prayer-book with +you. I want to compare the mission of Israel +as given there with the one I was reading to-day +of Leroy-Beaulieu's. I have never known before +to-day what special hope they clung to. Come +in and I will find the paragraph."</p> + +<p>He lighted the gas in his room, pushed a +chair over towards his guest, and, seating himself, +began rapidly turning the leaves of the +book.</p> + +<p>"Here it is," he said, and he read as follows:</p> + +<p>"Then at last Jewish faith, freed from all +tribal spirit and purified of all national dross, +will become the law of humanity. The world +that jeered at the long suffering of Israel, will +witness the fulfillment of prophecies delayed for +twenty centuries by the blindness of the scribes, +and the stubbornness of the rabbis. According +to the words of the prophets, the nations will +come to learn of Israel, and the people will hang<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +to the skirts of her garments, crying, 'Let us go +up together to the mountain of Jehovah, to the +house of the Lord of Israel, that he may teach +us to walk in his ways.' The true spiritual religion, +for which the world has been sighing +since Luther and Voltaire, will be imparted to +it through Israel. To accomplish this, Israel +needs but to discard her old practices, as in +spring the oak shakes off the dead leaves of +winter. The divine trust, the legacy of her +prophets, which has been preserved intact beneath +her heavy ritual, will be transmitted to the +Gentiles by an Israel emancipated from all enslavement +to form. Then only, after having +infused the spirit of the Thora into the souls of +all men, will Israel, her mission accomplished, +be able to merge herself in the nations."</p> + +<p>"See what a hopeless hope," said Cragmore, +as he closed the book. "And yet do you know, +Frank, I am becoming more and more sure that +Israel has some great part to play in the conversion +of humanity? Any one must see that nothing +short of Divine power could have kept them +intact as a race, and Divine power is never aimlessly +exerted. There must be some great reason +for such a miraculous preservation. What missionaries<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +of the cross these people would make! +What torch-bearers they have been! They have +carried the altar-fires of Jehovah to every alien +shore they have touched."</p> + +<p>Cragmore stood up in his earnestness, his +eyes alight with something akin to prophetic +fire.</p> + +<p>"The old thorny stem of Judaism shall yet +bud and blossom into the perfect flower of +Christianity!" he cried. "And when it does, O +when it does, the 'chosen people' will become +a veritable tree of life, whose leaves will be 'for +the healing of the nations.'"</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>DR. TRENT.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_i.png" width="91" height="100" alt="I" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />T was a cold, bleak night in November. +There was a blazing wood-fire +on the library hearth. Bethany sat +in a low chair in front of it, with a +large, flat book in her lap, which she was using +as a desk for her long-neglected letter-writing. +An appetizing smell of pop-corn and boiling +molasses found its way in from the cozy kitchen, +where the sisters were treating Jack to an old-fashioned +candy-pulling. The occasional gusts +that rattled the windows made Bethany draw +closer to the fire, with a grateful sense of warmth +and comfort. She thoroughly appreciated her +luxurious surroundings, and was glad she had +the long, quiet evening ahead of her.</div> + +<p>For half an hour the steady trail of her pen +along the paper, and the singing of the kettle +on the crane, was all that was audible.</p> + +<p>Then Jack came wheeling himself in, with +a radiant, sticky face, and a plate of candy.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O, we're having such lots of fun!" he cried. +"We're going to make some chocolate creams +now. Do come and help, sister?"</p> + +<p>She pointed to the pile of unanswered letters +on the table. "I must get these out of the way +first," she said. "Then I'll join you."</p> + +<p>"I guess you can eat and write at the same +time," he answered, holding out the plate.</p> + +<p>He waited only long enough for her to taste +his wares, and hurried back to the kitchen to +report her opinion of their skill as confectioners.</p> + +<p>Just as the dining-room door banged behind +him, she thought she heard some one coming up +on the front porch with slow, uncertain steps. +She paused in the act of dipping her pen into the +ink, and listened. Some one certainly tried the +bell, but it did not ring. Then the outside door +opened and shut. She started up slightly +alarmed, and half way across the room stopped +again to listen. There was a momentary rustling +in the hall. She heard something drop on +the hat-rack. Then there was a low knock at +the library door. She opened it a little way, and +saw Dr. Trent standing there.</p> + +<p>"O, Uncle Doctor!" she cried, throwing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +door wide open. "I never once thought of its +being you. I took you for a burglar."</p> + +<p>Then she stopped, seeing the worn, haggard +look on his face. He seemed to have grown ten +years older since the last time she had seen him. +Without noticing her proffered hand, he +pushed slowly past her, and stood shivering before +the fire. He had taken off his overcoat in +the hall. He was bent and careworn, as if some +unusual weight had been laid upon his patient +shoulders, already bowed to the limit of their +strength.</p> + +<p>Bethany knew from his firmly set lips and +stern face that he was in sore need of comfort.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Uncle Doctor?" she asked, following +him to the fire, and laying her hand +lightly on his trembling arm. She felt that +something dreadful must have happened to unnerve +him so. "What can I do for you?" she +asked with a tremble of distress in her voice.</p> + +<p>He dropped into a chair and covered his face +with his hands. When he raised his head his +eyes were blurred, and he had that helpless, +childish look that comes with premature age.</p> + +<p>"I have been with Isabel all day," he said, +huskily.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<p>Although Bethany had never heard Mrs. +Trent's given name before, she knew that he +was speaking of his wife.</p> + +<p>There was a long pause, which she finally +broke by saying, "Don't you see her every day? +I thought you were in the habit of going out to +her that often."</p> + +<p>"O, I have gone there," he answered wearily, +"day after day, and day after day, all these long +years; but I have never seen Isabel. It has only +been a poor, mad creature, who never recognized +me. She was always calling for me. The way +she used to rave, and pray to be sent back to her +husband, would have touched a heart of flint; +yet she never knew me when I came. She would +grow quiet when I put my arm around her, but +she would sit and stare at me in a dumb, confused +way that was pitiful. I always hoped that +some day she might recognize me. I would sing +her old songs to her, and talk about our old +home, although the thought of its shattered +happiness broke my heart. I tried in every way +to bring her to herself. She would listen awhile, +and look up at me with a recognition almost +dawning in her eyes. Then the tears would +begin to roll down her cheeks, and she would beg<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +me to go and find her husband. Yesterday she +knew me!" His voice broke. "She came back +to me for the first time in eight years,—my own +little Isabel! I knew it was only because the +frail body was worn out with its terrible struggle, +and I could not keep her long. O, such a +day as this has been! I have held her in my +arms every moment, with her poor, tired head +against my heart. She was so glad and happy +to find herself with me at last, but the happiness +was over so soon."</p> + +<p>He buried his face in his hands as before, +with a groan. When he spoke again, it was in +a dull, mechanical way.</p> + +<p>"She died at sundown!"</p> + +<p>The tears were running down Bethany's face. +She had been standing behind his chair. Now +she bent over him, lightly passing her hand over +his gray hair, with a comforting caress.</p> + +<p>"If I could only do something," she exclaimed, +in a voice tremulous with sympathy.</p> + +<p>"You can," he answered. "That is why I +came. None of her relatives are living. Only +my most intimate friends know that she did not +die eight years ago, when she was taken away +to a sanitarium. I want—" he stopped with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +choking in his throat. "The attendants have +been very kind, but I want some woman of her +own station—some woman who would have been +her friend—to put flowers about her—and—smooth +her hair, as she would have wanted it +done—and—and—see that everything is all +fine and beautiful when she is dressed for her last +sleep."</p> + +<p>He tried to keep his voice steady as he talked; +but his face was working pitifully, and the tears +were rolling down his face.</p> + +<p>"She would have wished it so. She knew +Richard Hallam. He was my best friend. I +do not know any one I could ask to do this +for my little Isabel, but Richard Hallam's +daughter."</p> + +<p>She leaned over and touched his forehead +with her lips.</p> + +<p>"Then let her have a daughter's place in +helping you bear this," she said. "Let her serve +her father's dear, old friend as she would have +served that father."</p> + +<p>He reached up and mutely took her hand, +resting his face against it a moment, as if the +touch of its sympathy strengthened him. Then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +he rose, saying, "I shall send for you in the +morning."</p> + +<p>"O, are you going home so soon?" she exclaimed. +"You have hardly been here long +enough to get thoroughly warm."</p> + +<p>"No, not home, but back to Isabel. It will +be only a few hours longer that I can sit beside +her. I have staid away now longer than I +intended, but I had to come in town to see that +Lee was all right."</p> + +<p>"O, does he know?" asked Bethany.</p> + +<p>"No, he was only two years old when they +were separated. She has always been dead to +him. Poor, little fellow! Why should I shadow +his life with such a grief?"</p> + +<p>Bethany helped him on with his overcoat, +turned up the collar, and buttoned it securely. +Then she gave him his gloves; but instead of +putting them on, he stood snapping the clasps +in an absent-minded way.</p> + +<p>"I suppose Richard told you about that debt +I have been wrestling with so long," he said, +finally. "I got that all paid off last week, the +last wretched cent. And now that Isabel is gone, +I seem to have lost all my old vigor and ambition.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +If it were not for Lee, it would be so good to stop, +and not try to take another step. I should like +to lie down and go to sleep, too."</p> + +<p>He opened the door. A raw, cold wind, +laden with snow, rushed in.</p> + +<p>Bethany watched him out of sight, then went +shivering back to the fire.</p> + +<p>A deep snowstorm kept Jack at home next +day, so no one questioned, or no one knew why +Bethany was excused from the office during the +morning.</p> + +<p>She carried out Dr. Trent's wishes faithfully. +She stood beside him in the dreary cemetery +till the white snow was laid back over the newly-made +mound. Then she rode silently back to +town with him. He sat with his hands over his +eyes all the way, never speaking until the carriage +stopped at the office, and the driver opened +the door for Bethany to alight.</p> + +<p>Next day she saw him drive past on his usual +round of professional visits. No one else noticed +any difference in him, except that he seemed a +little graver, and, if possible, more tender and +thoughtful in his ministrations, than he had been +before.</p> + +<p>To Bethany there was something very pathetic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +in the sudden aging of this man, who had +borne his burden so silently and bravely that +few had ever suspected he had one.</p> + +<p>He was making a stern effort to keep on in +the same old way. His profession had brought +him in contact with so much of the world's sorrow +and suffering that he would not lay even the +shadow of his burden on other lives, if he could +help it.</p> + +<p>Only Bethany noticed that his hair was fast +growing white, that he stooped more, and that +he climbed slowly and heavily into the buggy, +instead of springing in as he used to, with a +quick, elastic step. She ministered to his comfort +in all the little ways in her power, but it was +not much that any one could do.</p> + +<p>It must have been nearly two weeks before +he came again to the house. This time it was +to examine Jack.</p> + +<p>"What would you say, my son," he asked, +"if I should tell you I do not want you to go to +the office any more after this week?"</p> + +<p>Jack's face was a study. The tears came to +his eyes. "Why?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Because you will be strong enough then to +go through a certain exercise I want you to take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +many times during the day. If you keep it up +faithfully, I believe you will be walking by +Christmas."</p> + +<p>This was so much sooner than either Jack or +Bethany had dared hope, that they hardly knew +how to express their joy. Jack gave a loud +whoop, and went wheeling out of the room at +the top of his speed to tell Miss Caroline and +Miss Harriet.</p> + +<p>Dr. Trent looked after him with a fatherly +tenderness in his face. Then he sighed and +turned to Bethany. "I have another trouble +to bring to you, my dear. Lee has been getting +into so much mischief lately. I never knew till +yesterday that he has not been attending school +regularly this term. You see every allowance +ought to be made for the child—no home but a +boarding-house; no one to take an oversight—for +I am called out night and day. He is such +a bright boy, so full of life and spirit. I am satisfied +that his teachers do not understand him. +They have not been fair with him. He has been +transferred from one ward to another, and finally +expelled. He never told me until last night. +He said he knew it would grieve me, and that he +put it off from day to day, because he did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +want to trouble me when I was so worried over +several critical cases. That showed a sweet +spirit, Bethany. I appreciated it. He has always +been such an affectionate little chap. I wanted +to go and interview the superintendent; but he +insisted it would do no good, because they are +all prejudiced against him. I know Lee is a +good child. They ought not to expect a growing +boy, full of the animal spirits the Creator has +endowed him with, to always work like a prim +little machine. Maybe I am not acting wisely, +but he begged so hard to be allowed to go to work +for awhile, instead of being sent to any other +school, that I gave my consent. It is little a ten-year +old boy can do, but he has a taking way +with him, and he got a place himself. He is to +be elevator-boy in the same building where your +office is. You will see him every day, and I am +giving you the true state of affairs, so you will +not misjudge the child. I hope you will look +out a little for him, Bethany."</p> + +<p>"You may be sure I shall do that," she promised. +"We are already great friends. He used +to often join us on his way to school, and wheel +Jack part of the distance."</p> + +<p>Jack made as much as possible of the remaining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +time that he was allowed to go to the office. +He studied no lessons but the short Hebrew +exercises David still gave him. He called at all +the different offices where he had made friends, +and spent a great deal of time in the hall, talking +to Lee, who was soon installed in the building +as elevator-boy.</p> + +<p>"My! but Lee has been fooling his father," +exclaimed Jack to Bethany after his first interview. +"Dr. Trent thinks he is such a little angel, +but you ought to hear the things he brags about +doing. He's tough, I can tell you. He smokes +cigarettes, and swears like a trooper. He showed +me an old horse-pistol he won at a game of 'seven +up.' He shoots 'craps,' too. He has been playing +hooky half his time. One of the hostlers +at the livery-stable, where his father keeps his +horse, used to write his excuses for him. Lee paid +him for it with tobacco he stole out of one of the +warehouses down by the river. You just ought +to see the book he carries around in his pocket +to read when he isn't busy. It's called 'The +Pirate's Revenge; or, A Murderer's Romance.' +There is the awfulest pictures in it of people +being stabbed, and women cutting their throats. +I told him he showed mighty poor taste in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +stuff he read; and asked him how he would like +to be found dead with such a thing in his pocket. +He told me to shut up preaching, and said the +reason he has gone to work is to save up money +so's he could go to Chicago or New York, or +some big place, and have a 'howling good time.'"</p> + +<p>It made Bethany sick at heart to think of the +deception the boy had practiced on his father. +Much as she trusted Jack, she could not bear to +encourage any intimacy between the boys, and +was glad when the time came for him to stay +at home from the office. But in every way she +could she strengthened her friendship with Lee. +She brought him great, rosy apples, and pop-corn +balls that Jack had made. No ten-year-old boy +could be proof against the long twists of homemade +candy she frequently slipped into his +pocket. Sometimes when the weather was especially +stormy and bleak outside, she stopped +to put a bunch of violets or a little red rose in +his button-hole. She was so pretty and graceful +that she awakened the dormant chivalry within +him, and he would not for worlds have had her +suspect that he was not all his father believed +him to be.</p> + +<p>One day she told David enough of his history<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +to enlist his sympathy. After that the +young lawyer began to take considerable notice +of him, and finally won his complete friendship +by the gift of a little brown puppy, that he +brought down one morning in his overcoat +pocket.</p> + +<p>There was no more time to read "The Pirate's +Revenge." The helpless, sprawling little pup +demanded all his attention. He kept it swung +up in a basket in the elevator, when he was busy, +but spent every spare moment trying to develop +its limited intelligence by teaching it tricks. +That was one occupation of which he never +wearied, and in which he never lost patience. +From the moment he took the soft, warm, little +thing in his arms, he loved it dearly.</p> + +<p>"I shall call him Taffy," he said, hugging it +up to him, "because he's so sweet and brown."</p> + +<p>Bethany had intended for Dr. Trent and Lee +to dine with them on Thanksgiving day, but the +sisters were invited to Mrs. Dameron's, and Mrs. +Marion was so urgent for her and Jack to spend +the day with them, that she reluctantly gave up +her plan.</p> + +<p>"I shall certainly have them Christmas," she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +promised herself, "and a big tree for Lee and +Jack. Lois will help me with it."</p> + +<p>It was a genuine Thanksgiving-day, with +gray skies, and snow, to intensify the indoor +cheer.</p> + +<p>"Didn't the altar look beautiful this morning +with its decorations of fruit and vegetables, +and those sheaves of wheat?" remarked Miss +Harriet. She had just come home from Mrs. +Dameron's, and was holding her big mink muff +in front of the fire to dry. She had dropped it +in the snow.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and wasn't that salad-dressing fine?" +chimed in Miss Caroline. "Sally always did +have a real talent for such things."</p> + +<p>"It couldn't have been any better than we +had," insisted Jack. "I don't believe I'll want +anything more to eat for a week."</p> + +<p>"That's very fortunate," answered Miss +Caroline, "for I gave Mena an entire holiday. +We'll only have a cup of tea, and I can make +that in here."</p> + +<p>They sat around the fire in the gloaming, +quietly talking over the happy day. One of +Bethany's greatest causes for thanksgiving was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +that these two gentle lives had come in contact +with her own. Their simple piety and childlike +faith sweetened the atmosphere around them, +like the modest, old-fashioned garden-flowers +they loved so dearly. Well for Bethany that she +had the constant companionship of these loving +sisters. Happy for Jack that he found in them +the gracious grandmotherly tenderness, without +which no home is complete. They were very +proud of their boy, as they called him. Between +the Junior League and their conscientious instruction, +Jack was pretty firmly "rooted and +grounded" in the faith of his fathers. Night +stole on so gradually, and the firelight filled the +room with such a cheerful glow, they did not +notice how dark it had grown outside, until a +sudden peal of the door-bell startled them.</p> + +<p>"I'll go," said Miss Caroline, adjusting the +spectacles that had slipped down when the sudden +sound made her start nervously up from her +chair. She waited to light the gas, and hastily +arrange the disordered chairs.</p> + +<p>When she opened the door she saw David +Herschel patiently awaiting admittance. It +was the first time he had ever called. She was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +all in a flutter of surprise as she ushered him +into the library. He declined to take a seat.</p> + +<p>"I have just come home from Dr. Trent's," +he said. "You know he boards across the street +from Rabbi Barthold's, where I have been +spending the day. He was called out to see a +patient last night, and came home late, with a +hard chill. Lee saw me coming out of the gate +a little while ago, and came running over to tell +me. He had been out skating all morning. +After dinner, when he went up-stairs, he found +his father delirious, and had telephoned for Dr. +Mills. He was very much frightened, and +wanted me to stay with him until the doctor +came. As soon as Dr. Mills examined him, he +called me aside and asked me to get into his +buggy and drive out to the Deaconess Home. I +have just come from there," he said, "and Miss +Carleton has no case on hands. Tell her if +ever she was needed in her life, she is needed +now. He has pneumonia, and it has been neglected +too long, I'm afraid. It may be a matter +of only a few hours."</p> + +<p>Bethany started up, looking so white and +alarmed that David thought she was going to +faint. He arose, too.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I must go over there at once," she said.</p> + +<p>"It is quite dark," answered David. "I am +at your service, if you want me to wait for you."</p> + +<p>"O, I shall not keep you waiting a moment," +she answered. "Jack, I'll be back in time to +help you to bed."</p> + +<p>As she spoke she began putting on her wraps, +which were still lying on the chair, where she +had thrown them off on coming in, a little while +before.</p> + +<p>David offered his arm as they went down the +icy steps.</p> + +<p>"It was so good of you to come at once," she +said, as she accepted his assistance. "Is Miss +Carleton there now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered, "she was ready almost +instantly. She is the same nurse that I met early +one morning in that laundry office. She told +me on the way back that Dr. Trent has done so +much for the Home and for the poor. She says +she owes her own life to his skill and care, and +that no service she could render him would be +great enough to express her gratitude. They +all feel that way about him at the Home."</p> + +<p>Belle <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Cartleton'">Carleton</ins> met them at the bedroom +door. "Dr. Trent has just spoken about you,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +she said in a low tone to Bethany. "He has had +several lucid intervals. Take off your hat before +you go to him."</p> + +<p>Lee sat curled up in a big chair in a dark +corner of the room, with Taffy hugged tight in +his arms. An undefinable dread had taken possession +of him. He looked up at Bethany, with +a frightened, tearful expression, as she patted +him on the cheek in passing.</p> + +<p>Dr. Trent opened his eyes when she sat down +beside him, and took his hand. He smiled +brightly as he recognized her.</p> + +<p>"Richard's little girl!" he said in a hoarse +whisper, for he could not speak audibly. "Dear +old Dick."</p> + +<p>Then he grew delirious again. It was only +at intervals he had these gleams of consciousness.</p> + +<p>After awhile his eyes closed wearily. He +seemed to sink into a heavy stupor. Bethany +sat holding his hand, with the tears silently dropping +down into her lap as she looked at the worn +fingers clasped over hers.</p> + +<p>What a world of good that hand had done! +How unselfishly it had toiled on for others, to +wipe out the brother's disgrace, to surround the +little wife with comforts, to provide the boy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +with the best of everything! Besides all that, +it had filled, as far as lay in its power, every +other needy hand, stretched out toward its sympathetic +clasp.</p> + +<p>She sat beside him a long time, but he did +not waken from the heavy sleep into which he +had fallen, even when she gently withdrew +her fingers, and moved away to let Dr. Mills +take her place. He had just come in again.</p> + +<p>"Will you need me here to-night, Belle?" +asked Bethany.</p> + +<p>The nurse turned to Dr. Mills inquiringly. +He shook his head. "Miss Carleton can do all +that is necessary," he said. "I shall come again +about midnight, and stay the rest of the night, +if I am needed. He will probably have no more +rational awakenings while this fever keeps at +such a frightful heat. If we can subdue that +soon, he has such great vitality he may pull +through all right."</p> + +<p>"You'd better go back, dear," urged the +nurse. "You have your work ahead of you +to-morrow, and you look very tired."</p> + +<p>"I have an almost unbearable headache," +admitted Bethany, "or I would not think of +leaving. I would not go even for that, if I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +thought he would have conscious intervals of +any length; but the doctor thinks that is hardly +probable to-night. I'll come back early in the +morning. Maybe he will know me then."</p> + +<p>"Are you going, too?" asked Lee, clinging +wistfully to David's hand, as Bethany put on her +hat.</p> + +<p>"Would you like me to stay?" he asked, +kindly.</p> + +<p>Lee swallowed hard, and winked fast to keep +back the tears.</p> + +<p>"Everybody else is strangers," he said, with +his lip trembling.</p> + +<p>David put his arm around him caressingly. +His sympathies went out strongly to the little +lad, who might so soon be left fatherless.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll come back and stay with you till +you go to sleep, after I take Miss Hallam home," +he promised.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A LITTLE PRODIGAL.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 92px;"> +<img src="images/drop_l.png" width="92" height="100" alt="L" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />EE was waiting disconsolately on the +stairs, with Taffy beside him, when +David opened the door and stepped +into the hall. The landlady was up-stairs +with the nurse, and all the boarders had +gone to a concert, so the parlor was vacant, and +David took the boy in there. He gave him an +intricate chain-puzzle to work first, and afterward +told him such entertaining stories of his +travels that Lee forgot his painful forebodings. +The clock in the hall struck ten before either of +them was aware how swiftly the time had passed.</div> + +<p>"Here's a little fellow who doesn't know +where he is to sleep," David said to the nurse, +when they had noiselessly entered Dr. Trent's +room.</p> + +<p>"We'll cover him up warm on the sofa," +she said, kindly. "He'd better not undress."</p> + +<p>David looked quickly across to the bed. "Is +there any change?" he asked, anxiously.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + +<p>She nodded, and then motioned him aside. +"Would it be too much to ask you to stay a +couple of hours longer, until Dr. Mills comes? +Lee clings to you so, and the end may be much +nearer than we thought."</p> + +<p>"If I can be of any use, I'll stay very willingly," +he replied.</p> + +<p>They moved the sofa to the other side of the +room, and the nurse began folding some blankets +the landlady brought her to lay over it.</p> + +<p>"Can't you put some more coal on the fire, +dear?" she asked Lee.</p> + +<p>He picked up a larger lump than he could +well manage. The tongs slipped, and it fell with +a great noise on the fender, breaking in pieces +as it did so, then rattling over the hearth.</p> + +<p>They all turned apprehensively toward the +bed. The heavy jarring sound had thoroughly +aroused Dr. Trent from his stupor. He looked +around the room as if trying to comprehend the +situation. He seemed puzzled to account for +David's presence in the room, and drew his hand +wonderingly across his burning forehead, then +pressed it against his aching throat.</p> + +<p>The nurse bent over him to moisten his +parched lips with a spoonful of water.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then he understood. A look of awe stole +over his face, as he realized his condition. He +held his hand out towards Lee, and the nurse, +turning, beckoned the child to come. He folded +the cold, trembling little fingers in his hot hands. +"Papa's—dear—little son!" he gasped in whispers.</p> + +<p>David turned his head away, his eyes suffused +with hot tears. The scene recalled so +vividly the night he had crept to his father's +bedside for the last time. His heart ached for +the little fellow.</p> + +<p>"God—keep—you!" came in the same +hoarse whisper.</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the nurse, and with great +effort spoke aloud, "Belle, pray!"</p> + +<p>David, standing with bowed head, while she +knelt with her arm around the frightened boy, +listened to such a prayer as he had never heard +before. He had wondered one time how this +woman could sacrifice everything in life for the +sake of a man who died so many centuries ago. +But as he listened now, to her low, earnest voice, +he felt an unseen Presence in the room, as of the +Christ to whom she spoke so confidingly.</p> + +<p>As she prayed that the Everlasting Arms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +might be underneath as this soul went down +into the "valley of the shadow," the doctor cried +out exultingly, "There is no valley!"</p> + +<p>David looked up. The doctor's worn face +was shining with an unspeakable happiness. He +stretched out his arms.</p> + +<p>"Jesus saves me! O, the wonder of it!"</p> + +<p>His hands dropped. Gradually his eyes +closed, and he relapsed into a stupor, from which +he never aroused. When Dr. Mills came at +midnight he was still breathing; but the street +lights were beginning to fade in the gray, wintry +dawn when Belle Carleton reverently laid the +lifeless hands across the still heart, and turned +to look at Lee.</p> + +<p>The child had sobbed himself to sleep on the +sofa, and David had gone.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>O, the pity of it, that we keep the heart's-ease +of our appreciation to wreathe cold coffin-lids, +and cover unresponsive clay!</p> + +<p>There was a constant stream of people passing +in and out of the boarding-house parlor all +day.</p> + +<p>Bethany was not surprised at the great number +who came to do honor to Baxter Trent, nor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +at the tearful accounts of his helpful ministrations +from those he had befriended. But as she +arranged the great masses of flowers they +brought, she thought sadly, "O, why didn't +they send these when he was in such sore need +of love and sympathy? Now it's too late to +make any difference."</p> + +<p>All sorts of people came. A man whose +wrists had not yet forgotten the chafing of a +convict's shackles, touched one of the lilies that +Bethany had placed on the table at the head of +the casket.</p> + +<p>"He lived white!" the man said, shaking his +head mournfully. "I reckon he was ready to +go if ever any body was."</p> + +<p>They happened to be alone in the room, +and Bethany repeated what the nurse had told +her of the doctor's triumphant passing.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon there was a timid +knock at the door. Bethany opened it, and saw +two little waifs holding each other's cold, red +hands. One had a ragged shawl pinned over +her head, and the other wore a big, flapping +sunbonnet, turned back from her thin, pitiful +face. Their teeth were chattering with cold +and bashfulness.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Missus," faltered the larger one, "we +couldn't get no wreaves or crosses, but granny +said he would like this ''cause it's so bright and +gold-lookin'.'"</p> + +<p>The dirty little hand held out a stemless, +yellow chrysanthemum.</p> + +<p>"Come in, dears," said Bethany softly, opening +the door wide to the little ragamuffins.</p> + +<p>They glanced around the mass of blossoms +filling the room, with a look of astonishment that +so much beauty could be found in one place.</p> + +<p>"Jess," whispered the oldest one to her sister, +"'Pears like our 'n don't show up for much, beside +all these. I wisht he knowed we walked a +mile through the snow to fetch it, and how sorry +we was."</p> + +<p>Bethany heard the disappointed whisper. +"Did you know him well?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I should rather say," answered the child. +"He kep' us from starvin', all the time granny +was down sick so long."</p> + +<p>"An' once he took me and Jess ridin' with +him, away out in the country, and he let us get +out in a field and pick lots of yellow flowers, +something like this, only littler. Didn't he, +Jess?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> + +<p>The other child nodded, saying, as she wiped +her eyes with the corner of her sister's shawl, +"Granny says we'll never have another friend +like him while the world stands."</p> + +<p>Deeply touched, Bethany held up the stemless +chrysanthemum. "See," she said, "I'm +going to put it in the best place of all, right here +by his hand."</p> + +<p>The door opened again to admit David Herschel. +Before it closed the children had slipped +bashfully away, still hand in hand.</p> + +<p>Bethany told him of their errand. "Who +could have brought more?" she said, touching +the shining yellow flower; "for with this little +drop of gold is the myrrh of a childish grief, +and the frankincense of a loving remembrance."</p> + +<p>She felt that he could appreciate the pathos +of the gift, and the love that prompted it. They +had grown so much closer together in the last +twenty-four hours.</p> + +<p>"You've been here nearly all day, haven't +you?" he asked, noticing her tired face. "I wish +you would go home and rest, and let me take +your place awhile."</p> + +<p>He insisted so kindly that at last she yielded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +Her sympathies had been sorely wrought upon +during the day, and she was nearly exhausted.</p> + +<p>After she had gone, he sat down with his +overcoat on, near the front window. There was +only a smoldering remnant of a fire in the +grate.</p> + +<p>The last rays of the sunset were streaming in +between the slats of the shutters. He could hear +the boys playing in the snowy streets, and the +occasional tinkle of passing sleighbells.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where Lee is," he thought. He +had not seen the child since morning.</p> + +<p>Two working men came in presently. They +looked long and silently at the doctor's peaceful +face, and tiptoed awkwardly out again.</p> + +<p>The minutes dragged slowly by.</p> + +<p>The heavy perfume of the flowers made +David drowsy, and he leaned his head on his +hand.</p> + +<p>The door opened cautiously, and Lee looked +in. His eyes were swollen with crying. He did +not see David sitting back in the shadow. Only +one long ray of yellow sunlight shone in now, +and it lay athwart the still form in the center of +the room.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lee paused just a moment beside it, then +slipped noiselessly over to the grate. There was +a pile of books under his arm. He stirred the +dying embers as quietly as he could, and one by +one laid the books on the red coals. They were +the ones Jack had so unreservedly condemned. +Last of all he threw on a dogeared deck of cards. +They blazed up, filling the room with light, and +revealing David in his seat by the window.</p> + +<p>"O," cried Lee in alarm, "I didn't know any +one was in here."</p> + +<p>Then leaning against the wall, he put his +head on his arm, and began to sob in deeper distress +than he had yet shown. He felt in his +pocket for a handkerchief, but there was none +there.</p> + +<p>David took out his own and wiped the boy's +wet face, as he drew him tenderly to his knee.</p> + +<p>"Now tell me all about it," he said.</p> + +<p>Lee nestled against his shoulder, and cried +harder for awhile. Then he sobbed brokenly: +"O, I've been so bad, and he never knew it! I +came in here early this morning before anybody +was up, to tell him I was sorry—that I would be +a good boy—but he was so cold when I touched +him, and he couldn't answer me! O, papa,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +papa!" he wailed. "It's so awful to be left all +alone—just a little boy like me!"</p> + +<p>David folded him closer without speaking. +No words could touch such a grief.</p> + +<p>Presently Lee sat up and unfolded a piece of +paper. It was only the scrap of a fly-leaf, its +jagged edges showing it had been torn from some +school-book.</p> + +<p>"Do you think it will hurt if I put this in his +pocket?" he asked in a trembling voice. "I +want him to take it with him. I felt like if I +burned up those books in here, and put this in +his pocket, he'd know how sorry I was."</p> + +<p>David took the bit of paper, all blistered with +boyish tears, where a penitent little hand, out +of the depths of a desolate little heart, had +scrawled the promise: "Dear Papa,—I will be +good."</p> + +<p>A sob shook the man's strong frame as he +read it.</p> + +<p>"I think he will be very glad to have you give +him that," he answered. "You'd better put it +in his pocket before any one comes in."</p> + +<p>Lee slipped down from his lap, and crossed +the room. "O, I can't," he moaned, attempting +to lift the lifeless hands.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> + +<p>David reached down, and unbuttoning the +coat, laid the promise of the little prodigal +gently on his father's heart, to await its reading +in the glad light of the resurrection morning. +Then he called some one else to take his place, +and went to telephone for a sleigh. In a little +while he was driving through the twilight out +one of the white country roads, with Lee beside +him, that nature's wintry solitudes might lay a +cool hand of healing sympathy on the boy's sore +heart.</p> + +<p>Bethany took him home with her after the +funeral, and kept him a week.</p> + +<p>Miss Caroline and Miss Harriet petted him +with all the ardor of their motherly old hearts. +Jack did his best to amuse him, and with the +elasticity of childhood, he began to recover his +usual vivacity.</p> + +<p>"This can not go on always," Mr. Marion +said to Bethany one day. He had gone up to the +office to talk to her about it.</p> + +<p>Dr. Trent had left a small insurance, requesting +that Frank Marion be appointed guardian.</p> + +<p>"Ray wants him," continued Mr. Marion. +"She would have turned the house into an orphan +asylum long ago if I had allowed it. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +she has so many demands on her time and +strength that I am unwilling to have her taxed +any more. You see, for instance, if we should +take Lee, I am away from home so much, that +the greater part of the care and responsibility +would fall on her. Just now his father's death +has touched him, and he is making a great effort +to do all right; but it will be a hard fight for him +in a big place like this, so full of temptations to +a boy of his age. He would be a constant care. +The only thing I can see is to put him in some +private school for a few years."</p> + +<p>"Let me keep him till after Christmas," +urged Bethany. "I can't bear to let the little +fellow go away among strangers this near the +holiday season. I keep thinking, What if it +were Jack?"</p> + +<p>"How would it do for me to take him out on +my next trip?" suggested Mr. Marion. "I will +be gone two weeks, just to little country towns +in the northern part of the State, where he could +have a variety of scenes to amuse him."</p> + +<p>"That will be fine!" answered Bethany. +"I'm sure he will like it."</p> + +<p>Lee was somewhat afraid of his tall, dignified +guardian. He had a secret fear that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +would always be preaching to him, or telling him +Bible stories. He hoped that the customers +would keep him very busy during the day, and +he resolved always to go to bed early enough to +escape any curtain lectures that might be in +store for him.</p> + +<p>To his great relief, Mr. Marion proved the +jolliest of traveling companions. There was no +preaching. He did not even try to make sly +hints at the boy's past behavior by tacking a +moral on to the end of his stories, and he only +laughed when Taffy crawled out of the innocent-looking +brown paper bundle that Lee would not +put out of his arms until after the train had +started.</p> + +<p>Such long sleigh-rides as they had across the +open country between little towns! Such fine +skating places he found while Mr. Marion was +busy with his customers! It was a picnic in ten +chapters, he told one of the drivers.</p> + +<p>One afternoon, as they drove over the hard, +frozen pike, one of the horses began to limp.</p> + +<p>"Shoe's comin' off," said the driver. +"Lucky we're near Sikes's smithy. It's jes' +round the next bend, over the bridge."</p> + +<p>The smoky blacksmith-shop, with its flying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +sparks and noisy anvils, was nothing new to +Lee. He had often hung around one in the city. +In fact, there were few places he had not explored.</p> + +<p>The smith was a loud, blatant fellow, so in +the habit of using rough language that every +sentence was accompanied with an oath.</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion had taken Lee in to warm by the +fire.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what that horrible noise is!" he +said. They had heard a harsh, grating sound, +like some discordant grinding, ever since they +came in sight of the shop.</p> + +<p>Sikes pointed over his shoulder with his sooty +thumb.</p> + +<p>"It's an ole mill back yender. It's out o' +gear somew'eres. It set me plumb crazy at first, +but I'm gettin' used to it now."</p> + +<p>"Let's go over and investigate," said Mr. +Marion, anxious to get Lee out of such polluted +atmosphere.</p> + +<p>The miller, an easy-going old fellow, nearly +as broad as he was long, did not even take the +trouble to remove the pipe from his mouth, as he +answered: "O, that! That's nothing but just +one of the cogs is gone out of one of the wheels.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +I keep thinking I'll get it fixed; but there's +always a grist a-waiting, so somehow I never get +'round to it. Does make an or'nery sound for a +fact, stranger; but if I don't mind it, reckon +nobody else need worry."</p> + +<p>"Lazy old scoundrel," laughed Mr. Marion, +after they had passed out of doors again. "I +don't see how he stands such a horrible noise. +It is a nuisance to the whole neighborhood."</p> + +<p>When he reported the conversation at the +smithy, Sikes swore at the miller soundly.</p> + +<p>Frank Marion's eyes flashed, and he took a +step forward.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Sikes," he exclaimed, in a tone +that made every one in the shop pause to listen, +"you've got a bigger cog missing in you than +the old mill has, and it makes you a sight bigger +nuisance to the neighborhood. You have lost +your reverence for all that is holy. You go +grinding away by yourself, leaving out God, +leaving out Christ, making a miserable failure +of your life grist, and every time you open your +lips, your blasphemous words tell the story of +the missing cog. If that old mill-wheel makes +such a hateful sound, what kind of a discord do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +you suppose your life is making in the ears of +your Heavenly Father?"</p> + +<p>Sikes looked at him an instant irresolutely. +His first impulse was to knock him over with +the heavy hammer he held; but the truth of the +fearless words struck home, and he could not +help respecting the man who had the courage +to utter them.</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon, sir," he said at last. "I had no +idee you was a parson. I laid out as you was a +drummer."</p> + +<p>"I am a drummer," answered Marion. "I +am a wholesale shoe-merchant now; but I spent +so many years on the road for this same house +before I went into the firm, that I often go out +over my old territory."</p> + +<p>Sikes regarded him curiously. "Strikes me +you've got sermons and shoe-leather pretty +badly mixed up," he said.</p> + +<p>Afterward, when he had watched the sleigh +disappear down the road, he picked up the bellows +and worked them in an absent-minded sort +of a way.</p> + +<p>"A drummer!" he repeated under his breath. +"A drummer! I'll be—blowed!"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> + +<p>The incident made a profound impression on +Lee. A loop in the road brought them in sight +of the old mill again.</p> + +<p>"We don't want to have any cogs missing, +do we, son!" said Mr. Marion, first pinching the +boy's rosy cheek, and then stooping to tuck the +buffalo robes more snugly around him.</p> + +<p>The subject was not referred to again, but +the lesson was not forgotten.</p> + +<p>Sunday was passed at a little country hotel. +They walked to the Church a mile away in the +morning. Time hung heavy on Lee's hands in +the afternoon while Mr. Marion was reading. +If it had not been for Taffy, it would have been +insufferably dull. He had a slight cold, so Mr. +Marion did not take him out to the night service. +He left him playing with the landlady's baby +in the hotel parlor. That amusement did not +last long, however. The baby was put to bed, +and some of the neighbors came in for a visit. +Lee felt out of place, and went up to their room.</p> + +<p>It was the best the house afforded, but it was +far from being an attractive place. The walls +were strikingly white and bare. A hideous +green and purple quilt covered the bed. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +rag carpet was a dull, faded gray. The lamp +smoked when he turned it up, and smelled +strongly of coal-oil when he turned it down.</p> + +<p>He felt so lonely and homesick that he concluded +to go to bed. It was very early. He +could not sleep, but lay there in the dark, listening +to somebody's rocking-chair, going +squeakety squeak in the parlor below.</p> + +<p>He wished he could be as comfortable and +content as Taffy, curled up in some flannel in a +shoe-box, on a chair beside the bed. He reached +out, and stroked the puppy's soft back.</p> + +<p>The feeling came over him as he did so, that +there wasn't anybody in all the world for him +really to belong to.</p> + +<p>It was the first time since Bethany took him +home that he had felt like crying. Now he lay +and sobbed softly to himself till he heard Mr. +Marion's step on the stairs.</p> + +<p>He grew quiet then, and kept his eyes closed. +Mr. Marion lighted the lamp, putting a high-backed +chair in front of it, so that it could not +shine on the bed. He picked up his Bible that +was lying on the table, and, turning the leaves +very quietly that he might not disturb Lee, +found the night's lesson.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> + +<p>A stifled sniffle made him pause. After a +long time he heard another. Laying down his +book, he stepped up to the bed. Lee was perfectly +motionless, but the pillow was wet, and +his face streaked with traces of tears. Marion, +with his hands thrust in his pockets, stood looking +at him.</p> + +<p>All the fatherly impulses of his nature were +stirred by the pitiful little face on the pillow.</p> + +<p>He knelt down and put his strong arm tenderly +over the boy.</p> + +<p>"Lee," he said, "look up here, son."</p> + +<p>Lee glanced timidly at the bearded face so +near his own.</p> + +<p>"You were lying here in the dark, crying +because you felt that there was nobody left to +love you. Now put your arms around my neck, +dear, while I tell you something. I had a little +child once. I can never begin to tell you how +I loved her. When she died it nearly broke my +heart. But I said, for her sake I shall love all +children, and try to make them happy. Because +her little feet knew the way home to God, I +shall try to keep all other children in the same +pure path. For her sake, first, I loved you;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +now, since we have been together, for your own. +I want you to feel that I am such a close friend +that you can always come to me just as freely +as you did to your father."</p> + +<p>The boy's clasp around his neck tightened.</p> + +<p>"But, Lee, there will be times in your life +when you will need greater help than I can give; +and because I know just how you will be tried, +and tempted, and discouraged, I want you to +take the best of friends for your own right now. +I want you to take Jesus. Will you do this?"</p> + +<p>Lee hesitated, and then said in a half-frightened +whisper, "I don't know how."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever ask your papa to forgive you +after you had been very naughty?" asked Mr. +Marion.</p> + +<p>"O yes," cried Lee, "but it was too late." +Between his choking sobs he told of the promise +lying on his father's heart, in the far-off grave +under the cemetery cedars.</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion controlled his voice with an +effort, as he pointed out the way so surely and +so simply that Lee could not fail to understand.</p> + +<p>Then, with his arm still around him, he +prayed; and the boy, following him step by step<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +through that earnest prayer, groped his way to +his Savior.</p> + +<p>It was a time never to be forgotten by either +Frank Marion or Lee. They lay awake till long +after midnight, too happy even to think of sleep.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>HERZENRUHE.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 86px;"> +<img src="images/drop_a.png" width="86" height="100" alt="A" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br /> STORY has come down to us of a +cricket that, hidden away in an old oak +chest, found its way to the New World +in the hold of the Mayflower. When +night came, and the strange loneliness of those +winter wilds made the bravest heart appalled; +when little children held with homesick longing +to their mother's hands, and talked of England's +bonny hedgerows, then the brave little +cricket came out on the hearthstone; and its +familiar chirp, bringing back the cheer of the +happy past, comforted the children, and sang +new hopes into the hearts of their elders.</div> + +<p>With every vessel that has touched the New +World's shores since that time have come these +fireside voices. Whether stowed away in the +ample chests of the first Virginians, or bound +in the bundles of the last steerage passengers +just landed at Castle Garden, some quaint custom +of a distant Fatherland has always folded its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +wings, ready to chirp on the new hearthstone, +the familiar even-song of the old.</p> + +<p>That is how the American celebration of +Christmas has become so cosmopolitan in its +character. It is a chorus of all the customs that, +cricket-like, have journeyed to us, each with its +song of an "auld lang syne."</p> + +<p>"I should like to have a little of everything +this year," remarked Miss Caroline, as, pencil +in hand, she prepared to make a long memorandum.</p> + +<p>It was two weeks before Christmas, and she +had called a family council in her room, after +Jack had gone to bed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marion and Lois were there, busily +embroidering.</p> + +<p>"It is the first time we have had a home of +our own for so many years, or been where there +is a child in the family," added Miss Harriet, +"that we ought to make quite an occasion of it."</p> + +<p>"Now, my idea," remarked Miss Caroline, +"is to begin back with the mistletoe of the +Druids, and then the holly and plum-pudding +of old England. I'm sorry we can't have the +Yule log and the wassail-bowl and the dear little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +Christmas waits. It must have been so lovely. +But we can have a tree Christmas eve, with all +the beautiful German customs that go with it. +Jack must hang up his stocking by the chimney, +whether he believes in Santa Claus or not. Then +we must read up all the Scandinavian and Dutch +and Flemish customs, and observe just as many +as we can."</p> + +<p>"And all this just for Jack and Lee," said +Mrs. Marion, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Bless you, no," exclaimed Miss Caroline. +"Jack is going to invite ten poor children that +the Junior Mercy and Help Department have +reported. He is so grateful for being able to +walk a little, that he wants to give up his whole +Christmas to them."</p> + +<p>"What do you want me to do?" asked Lois. +"I'm through with my last present now, and +am ready for anything, from serving a dinner to +the slums to playing a bagpipe for its entertainment."</p> + +<p>As she spoke she snipped the last thread of +silk with her little silver scissors, and tossed the +piece of embroidery into Bethany's lap.</p> + +<p>Bethany spread it out admiringly. "You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +are a true artist, Lois," she said. "These sweet +peas look as if they had just been gathered. +They would almost tempt the bees."</p> + +<p>"They're not as natural as Ray's buttercups," +answered Lois. "You can't guess whom +she's making that table-cover for?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marion held it up for them to see. "For +that dear old grandmother where we were entertained +at Chattanooga last summer," she said. +"Don't you remember Mrs. Warford, Bethany? +She couldn't hear well enough to enjoy the +meetings, or to talk to us much, but her face was +a perpetual welcome. She asked me into her +room one day, and showed me a great bunch of +red clover some one had sent her from the +country. She seemed so pleased with it, and +told me about the clover chains she used to make, +and the buttercups she used to pick in the meadows +at home, with all the artlessness of a child. +That is why I chose this design."</p> + +<p>"There never was another like you, Cousin +Ray," said Bethany. "You remember everything +and everybody at Christmas, and I don't +see how you ever manage to get through with so +much work."</p> + +<p>"Love lightens labor," quoted Miss Harriet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +sententiously. "At least that's what my old +copy-book used to say."</p> + +<p>"And it also said, if I remember aright," +said Miss Caroline, a little severely, "'Plan out +your work, and work out your plan.' It's high +time we were settling down to business, if we +expect to accomplish anything."</p> + +<p>While this Christmas council was in session +in Miss Caroline's room, another was being held +in an old farm-house in the northern part of +the State, by Gottlieb Hartmann's wife and +daughter. Everything in the room gave evidence +of German thrift and neatness, from the +shining brass andirons on the hearth, to the +geraniums blooming on the window-sill.</p> + +<p>"Herzenruhe" was the name of the home +Gottlieb Hartmann had left behind him in the +Fatherland, when he came to America a poor +emigrant boy; and that was the name now carved +on the arch that spanned the wide entrance-gate, +leading to the home and the well-tilled acres +that he had earned by years of steady, honest +toil.</p> + +<p>It was indeed "heart's-ease," or heart-rest, to +every wayfarer sheltered under its ample roof-tree.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<p>He had accumulated his property by careful +economy, but he gave out with the same conscientious +spirit with which he gathered in. No +matter when the summons might come, at nightfall +or at cock-crowing, he was ready to give an +account of his faithful stewardship. Not only +had he divided his bread with the hungry, but +he had given time and personal care, and a share +in his own home-life, to those who were in need.</p> + +<p>More than one young farmer, jogging past +Herzenruhe in a wagon of his own, looked gratefully +up the long lane, and remembered that he +owed the steady habits of his manhood and his +present prosperity to Gottlieb Hartmann. For +in all the years since he had had a place of his +own, there had seldom been a time when some +homeless boy or another had not been a member +of his household.</p> + +<p>He was an old man now, white-haired and +rheumatic, and called grandfather by all the +country side; but he was still young at heart, +sweet and sound to the very core, like a hardy +winter apple. His children had all married and +gone farther West, except his oldest daughter, +Carlotta, whom no one had ever been able to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +lure away from her comfortable home-nest. She +was an energetic, self-willed little body, and had +gradually assumed control until the entire household +revolved around her. Just now she had +wheeled her sewing-machine beside the table, on +which the evening lamp stood, and was preparing +to dress a whole family of dolls to be packed +in the Christmas boxes that were soon to be sent +West.</p> + +<p>Her mother sat on one side of the fireplace, +her sweet, wrinkled old face bright with the +loving thoughts that her needles were putting +into a little red mitten, destined for one of the +boxes.</p> + +<p>"It will be the first Christmas since I can +remember," said Carlotta, "that there will be no +little ones here, and no tree to light. Ben's boy +was here last year, and all of Mary's children +the year before. It's a pity they are so far away. +It will just spoil my Christmas."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hartmann laid down the German Advocate +he was reading.</p> + +<p>"Ach, Lotta," he said, "I forgot to tell you. +There will be a little lad here to-morrow to take +dinner with us. When I was in town to-day I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +met our good friend, Frank Marion, and he had +a boy with him whose father is just dead, and +he is the guardian."</p> + +<p>"How many years has it been since Mr. Marion +first came here?" asked Carlotta. "Seems +to me I was only a little girl, and now I have +pulled out lots of gray hairs already."</p> + +<p>"It has been twenty years at least," answered +her mother. "It was while we were building +the ice-house, I know."</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented her husband, "I had gone +into Ridgeville one Saturday to get some new +boots, and I met him in the shoestore. He was +just a young fellow making his first trip, and +he seemed so strange and homesick that when I +found he was a country boy and a strong Methodist, +I brought him out here to stay over Sunday +with us."</p> + +<p>"I remember you brought him right into the +kitchen where I was dropping noodles in the +soup," answered Mrs. Hartmann, "and he has +seemed to feel like one of the family ever since."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he has never missed coming out here +every time he has been in this part of the State, +from that day to this," said Mr. Hartmann, taking +up his paper again.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> + +<p>Meanwhile, in the Ridgeville Hotel, three +miles away, Mr. Marion was telling Lee of all +the pleasant things that awaited him at Herzenruhe. +The boy was so impatient to start that he +could hardly wait for the time to come, and he +dreamed all night of the country.</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion saw very little of him during the +visit. The delighted child spent all his time in +the barn, or in the dairy, helping Miss Carlotta. +"O, I wish we didn't ever have to go away," he +said. "There's the dearest little colt in the +barn, and six Holstein calves, and a big pond in +the pasture covered with ice!"</p> + +<p>Later he confided to Mr. Marion, "Miss Carlotta +makes doughnuts every Saturday, and she +says there's bushels of hickory-nuts in the +garret."</p> + +<p>When Miss Carlotta found that Mr. Marion +was going on to the next town before starting +home, she insisted on keeping Lee until his return.</p> + +<p>"Let him get some of 'the sun and wind into +his pulses.' It will be good for him," she said.</p> + +<p>"Nobody knows better than I," answered +Mr. Marion, "the sweet wholesomeness of +country living. I should be glad to leave him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +in such an atmosphere always. He would develop +into a much purer manhood, and I am +sure would be far happier."</p> + +<p>Miss Carlotta shook her head sagely. +"We'll see," she said. "Don't say anything to +him about it, but we'll try him while you're +gone, and then I'll talk to father. He seems +right handy about the chores, and there is a good +school near here."</p> + +<p>Two days later, when Mr. Marion came back, +he went out to the barn to find Lee. The boy +had just scrambled out of a haymow with his +hat full of eggs. His face was beaming.</p> + +<p>"I've learned to milk," he said proudly, +"and I rode to the post-office this afternoon, +horseback."</p> + +<p>"Do you like it here, my boy?" asked Mr. +Marion.</p> + +<p>"Like it!" repeated Lee, emphatically. +"Well I should say! Mr. Hartmann is just the +grandfatheriest old grandfather I ever knew, +and they're all so good to me."</p> + +<p>It proved to be a very eventful journey for +the boy; for after some discussion about his +board, it was arranged that he should come back +to the farm after the holidays.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do I have to wait till then?" he asked. +"Why couldn't I stay right on, now I'm here. +You could send my clothes to me, and it +wouldn't cost near as much as to go home first."</p> + +<p>"What will Bethany say?" asked Mr. Marion. +"She is planning for a big tree and lots +of fun Christmas."</p> + +<p>"But papa won't be there," pleaded Lee. +"I'd so much rather stay here than go back to +town and find him gone."</p> + +<p>"Then you shall stay," exclaimed Miss Carlotta, +touched by the expression of his face. +"We'll have a tree here. You can dig one up in +the woods yourself."</p> + +<p>When Mr. Marion drove away, Lee rode +down the lane with him to open the big gate. +After he had driven through he turned for one +more look.</p> + +<p>The boy stood under the archway waving +good-bye with his cap. The late afternoon sun +shone brightly on the happy face, and illuminated +the snow, still clinging to the quaintly +carved letters on the arch above, till it seemed +they were all golden letters that spelled the name +of Herzenruhe.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p><hr class="tb" /> + +<p>This holiday season would have been a sad +time for Bethany, had she allowed herself to +listen to the voices of Christmas past, but Baxter +Trent's example helped her. She turned resolutely +away from her memories, saying: "I will +be like him. No heart shall ever have the +shadow of my sorrow thrown across it."</p> + +<p>Full of one thought only, to bring some happiness +into every life that touched her own, she +found herself sharing the delight of every child +she saw crowding its face against the great show +windows. She anticipated the pleasure that +would attend the opening of each bundle carried +by every purchaser that jostled against her in +the street. It was impossible for her to breathe +the general air of festivity at home, and not carry +something of the Christmas spirit to the office +with her.</p> + +<p>"Everybody has caught the contagion," she +said gayly, coming into the office Saturday afternoon, +with sparkling eyes, and snowflakes still +clinging to her dark furs. "I saw that old bachelor, +Mr. Crookshaw, whom everybody thinks +so miserly, going along with a little red cart +under his arm, and a tin locomotive bulging out +of his pocket."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Jack is missing a great deal," said David, +"by not being down-town every day."</p> + +<p>"O no, indeed!" she exclaimed. "He is +nearly wild now with the excitement of the preparations +that are going on at home. That reminds +me, he has written a special invitation for +you to be present at the lighting of his tree +Christmas eve. He put it in my muff, so that I +could not possibly forget. I am sure you will +enjoy watching the children," she added, after +she had told him of their various plans, "and I +hope you will be sure to come."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he responded, warmly. "That +is the second invitation I have had this afternoon. +Mr. Marion has just been in to ask me to +attend the League's devotional meeting to-morrow +night. He says it will be especially interesting +on account of the season, and insists that +'turn about is fair play.' He went to our Atonement-day +services, and he wants me to be present +at his Christmas services."</p> + +<p>"We shall be very glad to have you come," +said Bethany. "Dr. Bascom is to lead the meeting +instead of any of the young people, who +usually take turns. I can not tell how such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +meeting might impress an outsider; to me they +are very inspiring and helpful."</p> + +<p>That night, as she sat in her room indulging +in a few minutes of meditation before putting +out the light, she reviewed her acquaintance +with David Herschel. Her conscience condemned +her for the little use she had made of +her opportunity.</p> + +<p>It had been four months since he had come +into the office, and while they had several times +discussed their respective religions, she had never +found an occasion when she could make a personal +appeal to him to accept Christ. Once when +she had been about to do so, he had abruptly +walked away, and another time, a client had +interrupted them.</p> + +<p>"I must speak to him frankly," she said. +Then she knelt and prayed that something might +be said or sung in the service of the morrow that +would prepare the way for such a conversation.</p> + +<p>David felt decidedly out of place Sunday +evening as he took a seat in the back part of the +room, in the least conspicuous corner he could +find.</p> + +<p>They were singing when he entered. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +recognized the tune. It was the one he had +heard at Chattanooga—"Nearer, my God, to +Thee." It seemed to bring the whole scene +before him—the sunrise—the vast concourse of +people, and the earnestness that thrilled every +soul.</p> + +<p>At the close of the song, another was announced +in a voice that he thought he recognized. +He leaned forward to make sure. Yes, +he had been correct. It was Hewson Raleigh's—one +of the keenest, most scholarly lawyers at +the bar, and a man he met daily.</p> + +<p>He was leaning back in his seat, beating time +with his left hand, as he led the tune with his +strong tenor voice. He sang as if he heartily +enjoyed it, and meant every word and note.</p> + +<p>David moved over to make room for a newcomer. +From his changed position he could see +a number of people he recognized: Mr. and Mrs. +Marion, Lois Denning, and the Courtney sisters. +Bethany was seated at the piano.</p> + +<p>Presently the door from the pastor's study +opened, and Dr. Bascom came in and took his +seat beside the president of the League.</p> + +<p>"Look at Dr. Bascom," he heard some one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +behind him whisper to her escort. "What do +you suppose could have happened? His face +actually shines."</p> + +<p>David had been watching it ever since he +took his seat. It was a benign, pleasant face at +all times, but just now it seemed to have caught +the reflection of a great light. Everybody in the +room noticed it. David, quick to make Old +Testament comparisons, thought of Moses coming +down the mountain from a talk with God. +He felt as positively, as if he had seen for himself, +that the minister had just risen from his +knees, and had come in among them, radiant +from the unspeakable joy of that communion. +Every one present began to feel its influence.</p> + +<p>The prophecy Dr. Bascom had chosen for +reading, was one they had heard many times, +but it seemed a new proclamation as he delivered +it:</p> + +<p>"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is +given."</p> + +<p>Something of the gladness that must have +rung through the song of the heralds on that +first Christmas night, seemed to thrill the minister's +voice as he read.</p> + +<p>Then he turned to Luke's account of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +shepherds abiding in the fields by night—that +beautiful old story, that will always be new until +the stars that still shine nightly over Bethlehem +shall have ceased to be a wonder.</p> + +<p>As the service progressed, David began to +feel that he was not in a church, but that he +had stumbled by mistake on some family reunion. +Everything was so informal. They told +the experiences of the past week, the blessings +and the trials that had come to them since they +had last seen each other.</p> + +<p>Sometimes they stood; oftener they spoke +from where they sat, just as they would have +talked in some home-circle.</p> + +<p>And through it all they seemed to recognize +a Divine presence in the room, to whom they +spoke at intervals with reverence, with humility, +but with the deepest love and gratitude.</p> + +<p>As David listened to voice after voice testifying +to a personal knowledge of Christ as a +Savior, he was forced to admit to himself that +they possessed something to which he was an +utter stranger.</p> + +<p>When Hewson Raleigh arose, David listened +with still greater interest. He knew him to be +an eloquent lawyer, and had heard him a number<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +of times in rousing political speeches, and once +in a masterly oration over the Nation's dead on +Memorial-day. He knew what a power the man +had with a jury, and he knew what respect even +his enemies had for his unimpeachable veracity +and honor.</p> + +<p>Raleigh stood up now, quiet and unimpassioned +as when examining a witness, to give his +own clear, direct, lawyer-like testimony.</p> + +<p>He said: "There may be some here to-night +to whom the prophecy that was read, and the +story of the Advent, are only of historic interest. +To such I do not come with the sayings of the +prophets, or to repeat the tidings of the shepherds, +or to ask any one's credence because the +apostles and martyrs and Christians of all times +believed. I tell you that which I myself do +know. The Holy Spirit has led me to the Christ. +If he were only an ethical teacher, if he were not +the Son of God, he could not have entered into +my life, and transformed it as he has done. My +star of hope is far more real to me than the +stars outside that lighted my way to this room +to-night. I have knelt at his feet and worshiped, +and gone on my way rejoicing. I +know that through the sacrifice he offered on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +Calvary my atonement is made, and I stand +before the Father justified, through faith in his +only-begotten. The voice that bears witness +to this may not be audible to you; but though +all the voices in the universe were combined +to dispute it, they would be as nothing to that +still, small voice within that whispers peace—the +witness of the Spirit."</p> + +<p>On the Day of Atonement Marion and Cragmore +had not been half so surprised at hearing +the League benediction intoned by rabbi and +choir, as was David when the familiar blessing +of the synagogue was repeated in unison by +those of another faith:</p> + +<p>"The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The +Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be +gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance +upon thee, and give thee peace."</p> + +<p>David had heard so much of Methodists that +he had expected noisy demonstrations and +great exhibitions of emotion. He had found +enthusiastic singing and hearty responses of +amen during the prayers; but while the prevailing +spirit seemed one of intense earnestness, +it had the depth and quiet of some great, resistless +under-current.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> + +<p>He slipped out of the room after the benediction, +fearful of meeting curious glances. A +member of the reception committee managed +to shake hands with him, but his friends had not +discovered his attendance.</p> + +<p>Two things followed him persistently. The +expression of Dr. Bascom's face, and Hewson +Raleigh's emphatic "I know."</p> + +<p>He took the last train out to Hillhollow, +wishing he had staid away from the League +meeting. It haunted him, and made him uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>He walked the floor until long after midnight. +Even sleep brought him no rest, for in +his dreams he was still groping blindly in the +dark for something—he knew not what—but +something wise men had found long years ago +in a starlit manger, earth's "Herzenruhe."</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>ON CHRISTMAS EVE.</div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_i.png" width="91" height="100" alt="I" /> +</div><div class='unindent'><br /><br />T was Christmas eve, and nearing the +time for Bethany to leave the office. +She stood, with her wraps on, by one +of the windows, waiting for Mr. Edmunds +to come back. She had a message to +deliver before she could leave, and she expected +him momentarily.</div> + +<p>In the street below people were hurrying +by with their arms full of bundles. She was +impatient to be gone, too. There were a great +many finishing touches for her to give the tall +tree in the drawing-room at home.</p> + +<p>She had worked till the last moment at noon, +and locked the door regretfully on the gayly-decked +room, with its mingled odors of pine +boughs and oranges, always so suggestive of +Christmas festivities.</p> + +<p>While she stood there, she heard steps in +the hall.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O, I thought you were Mr. Edmunds," she +exclaimed, as David entered. It was the first +time he had been at the office that day. "I have +a message for him. Have you seen him anywhere?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered David. "I have just come +in from Hillhollow. Marta has telegraphed +that she is coming home on the night train, so I +shall not be able to accept Jack's invitation. +She had not expected to come at all during the +holidays; but one of the teachers was called +home, and she could not resist the temptation +to accompany her, although she can only stay +until the end of the week."</p> + +<p>As Bethany expressed her regrets at Jack's +disappointment, David picked up a small package +that lay on his desk.</p> + +<p>"O, the expressman left that for you a little +while ago," she said. "Your Christmas is beginning +early."</p> + +<p>She turned again to the window, peering +out through the dusk, while David lighted the +gas-jet over his desk, and proceeded to open the +package.</p> + +<p>It occurred to her that here was a time, +while all the world was turning towards the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +Messiah on this anniversary eve of his coming, +that she might venture to speak of him. Before +she could decide just how to begin, David spoke +to her:</p> + +<p>"Do you care to look, Miss Hallam? I would +like for you to see it."</p> + +<p>He held a little silver case towards her, on +which a handsome monogram was heavily engraved.</p> + +<p>As she touched the spring it flew open, showing +an exquisitely painted miniature on ivory.</p> + +<p>She gave an involuntary cry of delight.</p> + +<p>"What a beautiful girl," she exclaimed. "It +is one of the loveliest faces I ever saw." She +scrutinized it carefully, studying it with an artist's +evident pleasure. Then she looked up with +a smile.</p> + +<p>"This must be the one Rabbi Barthold spoke +to me about," she said. "He said that she was +rightly named Esther, for it means star, and her +great, dark eyes always made him think of starlight."</p> + +<p>"How long ago since he told you that?" asked +David in surprise.</p> + +<p>"When we first began taking Hebrew lessons," +she answered.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And did he tell you we are bethrothed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>David felt annoyed. He knew intuitively +why his old friend had departed so from his +usual scrupulousness regarding a confidence. +He had intimated to David, when he had first +met Miss Hallam, that she was an unusually +fascinating girl, and he feared that their growing +friendship might gradually lessen the young +man's interest in Esther, whom he saw only at +long intervals, as she lived in a distant city.</p> + +<p>"I had hoped to have the pleasure of telling +you myself," said David.</p> + +<p>"I have often wondered what she is like," +answered Bethany, "and I am glad to have this +opportunity of offering my congratulations. I +wish that she lived here that I might make her +acquaintance. I do not know when I have seen +a face that has captivated me so."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," replied David, flushing with +pleasure. A tender smile lighted his eyes as he +glanced at the miniature again before closing +the case. "She will come to Hillhollow in the +spring," he added proudly.</p> + +<p>They heard Mr. Edmunds's voice in the hall. +Bethany held out her hand.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I shall not see you again until next week, +I suppose," she said, "so let me wish you a very +happy Christmas."</p> + +<p>He kept her hand in his an instant as he +repeated her greeting, then, looking earnestly +down into the upturned face, added gently in +Hebrew, the old benediction—"Peace be upon +you."</p> + +<p>It was quite dark when she stepped out into +the streets. She thought of David and Esther +all the way home.</p> + +<p>At first she thought of them with a tender +smile curving her lips, as she entered unselfishly +into the happiness of the little romance she had +discovered.</p> + +<p>Then she thought of them with tears in her +eyes and a chill in her heart, as some little waif +might stand shivering on the outside of a window, +looking in on a happy scene, whose warmth +and comfort he could not share. The joy of her +own betrothal, and the desolation that ended it, +surged back over her so overwhelmingly that she +was in no mood for merry-making when she +reached home.</p> + +<p>She longed to slip quietly away to her own +room, and spend the evening in the dark with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +her memories. She had to wait a moment on +the threshold before she could summon strength +enough to go in cheerfully.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marion and Lois were in the dining-room +helping the sisters decorate the long table, +where the children were to be served with supper +immediately on their arrival.</p> + +<p>"Frank and Jack have gone out in a sleigh +to gather them up," said Mrs. Marion. "They'll +soon be here, so you'll not have much time to +dress."</p> + +<p>"All right," responded Bethany, "I'll go in +a minute. Mr. Herschel can't come, so you may +as well take off one plate."</p> + +<p>"But George Cragmore can," said Miss Caroline, +pausing on her way to the kitchen. "I asked +him this morning, and forgot to say anything +about it."</p> + +<p>Then she trotted out for a cake-knife, blissfully +unconscious of the grimace Bethany made +behind her back.</p> + +<p>"O dear!" she exclaimed to Lois, "Miss Caroline +means all right, but she is a born matchmaker. +She has taken a violent fancy to Mr. +Cragmore, and wants me to do the same. She +thinks she is so very deep, and so very wary in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +the way she lays her plans, that I'll never suspect; +but the dear old soul is as transparent as +a window-pane. I can see every move she +makes."</p> + +<p>"What about Mr. Cragmore?" asked Lois. +"Is he conscious of her efforts in his behalf?"</p> + +<p>"O no. He thinks that she is a dear, motherly +old lady, and is always paying her some flattering +attention. It is well worth his while, for she +makes him perfectly at home here, keeps his +pockets full of goodies, as if he were an overgrown +boy (which he is in some respects), and +treats him with the consideration due a bishop. +She is always going out to Clarke Street to +hear him preach, and quoting his sermons to +him afterwards. There he is now!" she exclaimed, +as two short rings and one long one +were given the front door-bell.</p> + +<p>"So he even has his especial signals," +laughed Lois. "He must be on a very familiar +footing, indeed."</p> + +<p>"He got into that habit when he first started +to calling by to take me up to the Hebrew class," +she explained. "Miss Caroline encouraged him +in it."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just then Miss Caroline came hurrying +through the room to receive him.</p> + +<p>"Bethany, dear," she said in an excited +stage whisper, "you'd better run up the back +stairs. And do put on your best dress, and a +rose in your hair, just to please me. Now, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>Bethany and Lois looked at each other and +laughed.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to shock her by going in just as I +am," said Bethany; "but as it's Christmas-time +I suppose I must be good and please everybody."</p> + +<p>It was not long before a great stamping of +many snowy little feet announced the arrival +of the Christmas guests.</p> + +<p>They came into the house with such rosy, +happy faces, that no one thought of the patched +clothes and ragged shoes.</p> + +<p>"Dear hearts, I wish we could have a hundred +instead of ten," sighed Miss Harriet, as +she helped seat them at the table. "They look as +though they never once had enough to eat in all +their little lives."</p> + +<p>"They shall have it now," declared Miss +Caroline heartily, "if George Cragmore doesn't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +keep them laughing so hard they can't eat. Just +hear the man!"</p> + +<p>She had never seen him in such a gay humor, +or heard him tell such irresistibly funny stories +as the ones he brought out for the entertainment +of these poor little guests, who had never known +anything but the depressing poverty of the most +wretched homes.</p> + +<p>Mr. Marion was the good St. Nicholas who +had found them, and spirited them away to this +enchanted land; but Cragmore was the Aladdin +who rubbed his lamp until their eyes were +dazzled by the wonderful scenes he conjured up +for them.</p> + +<p>When the dinner was over, and everything +had been taken off the table but the flowers and +candles and bonbon dishes, he lifted the smallest +child of all from her high chair, and took her on +his knee.</p> + +<p>With his arms around her, he began to tell +the story of the first Christmas. His voice was +very deep and sweet, and he told it so well one +could almost see the dark, silent plains and the +white sheep huddled together, and the shepherds +keeping watch by night.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> + +<p>One by one the children slipped down from +their chairs, and crowded closer around him.</p> + +<p>He had never preached before to such a +breathless audience, and he had never put into +his sermons such gentleness and pathos and +power.</p> + +<p>He was thinking of their poor, neglected +lives, and how much they needed the love of +One who could sympathize to the utmost, because +he was born among the lowly, and "was +despised and rejected of men." When he had +finished, the tears stood in his eyes with the +intensity of his feeling, and the children were +very quiet.</p> + +<p>The little girl on his lap drew a long breath. +Then she smiled up in his face, and, putting her +arm around his neck, leaned her head against +him.</p> + +<p>There was a bugle-call from the library, and +Jack led the children away to listen to an +orchestra composed of boys from the League, +who had volunteered their services for the occasion.</p> + +<p>While they were playing some old carols, +Miss Caroline called Mr. Cragmore aside. "I've +sent Bethany to light the candles on the tree in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +the drawing-room," she said. "May be you can +help her."</p> + +<p>Lois heard the whisper, and his hearty response, +"May the saints bless you for that now!" +She hurried into the hall to intercept Bethany.</p> + +<p>"Ah ha, my lady," she said teasingly, +"you needn't be putting everything off onto +poor Aunt Caroline. I've just now discovered +that she is only somebody's cat's-paw."</p> + +<p>Bethany was irritated. She had been greatly +touched by the winning tenderness of Cragmore's +manner with the children. If there had +been no memory of a past love in her life, she +could have found in this man all the qualities +that would inspire the deepest affection; but +with that memory always present, she resented +the slightest word that hinted of his interest in +her.</p> + +<p>She made Lois go with her to light the tapers, +and that mischief-loving girl thoroughly enjoyed +forestalling the little private interview Miss +Caroline had planned for her protege.</p> + +<p>It was still early in the evening, while the +children were romping around the dismantled +tree, that Cragmore announced his intention of +leaving.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I promised to talk at a Hebrew mission +to-night," he explained, in answer to the remonstrances +that greeted him on all sides.</p> + +<p>"By the way," he exclaimed, "I intended +to tell you about that, and I must stay a moment +longer to do it."</p> + +<p>He hung his overcoat on the back of a tall +chair, and folded his arms across it.</p> + +<p>"The other day I made the acquaintance of +a Russian Jew, Sigmund Ragolsky. He has a +remarkable history. He married an English +Jewess, was a rabbi in Glasgow for a long time, +and is now a Baptist preacher, converted after a +fourteen years' struggle against a growing belief +in the truth of Christianity. The story of +his life sounds like a romance. He was so strictly +orthodox that he would not strike a match on +the Sabbath. He would have starved before +he would have touched food that had not been +prepared according to ritual. He is here for +the purpose of establishing a Hebrew mission. +You should see the people who come to hear +him. They are nearly all from that poor class +in the tenement district. One can hardly believe +they belong to the same race with Rabbi +Barthold and his cultured friends. Ragolsky,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +though, is a scholar, and I should like to hear +the two men debate. He says the Reform Jews +are no Jews at all—that they are the hardest +people in the world to convert, because they look +for no Messiah, accept only the Scripture that +suits them, and are so well satisfied with themselves +that they feel no need of any mediator +between them and eternal holiness. They feel +fully equal to the task of making their own atonement. +Rabbi Barthold says that the orthodox +are narrow fanatics, and that the majority of +them live two lives—one towards God, of slavish +religious observances; the other towards man, +of sharp practices and double-dealing. I want +you to hear Ragolsky preach some night. I'll +tell you his story some other time."</p> + +<p>"Tell me this much now," said Bethany, as +he picked up his overcoat again; "did he have to +give up his family as Mr. Lessing did?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed. Happily his wife and children +were converted also. He had two rich brothers-in-law +in Cape Colony, Africa, who cut them off +without a shilling, but he is not grieving over +that, I can assure you. O, he is so full of his +purpose, and is such a happy Christian! If we +were all as constantly about the Master's business<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +as he is, the millennium would soon be +here."</p> + +<p>Afterward, when the children had been +taken home, and the feast and the tree, and the +people who gave them, were only blissful memories +in their happy little hearts, Bethany stood +by the window in her room, holding aside the +curtain.</p> + +<p>Everything outside was covered with snow. +She was thinking of Ragolsky and Lessing, and +wondering which of the two fates would be +David Herschel's, if he should ever become a +Christian.</p> + +<p>Would Esther's love for her people be +stronger than her love for him?</p> + +<p>She knew how tenaciously the women of +Israel cling to their faith, yet she felt that it +was no ordinary bond that held these two together.</p> + +<p>Looking up beyond the starlighted heavens, +Bethany whispered a very heartfelt prayer for +David and the beautiful, dark-eyed girl who +was to be his bride; and like an answering omen +of good, over the white roofs of the city came +the joyful clangor of the Christmas chimes.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A "WATCH-NIGHT" CONSECRATION.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 91px;"> +<img src="images/drop_t.png" width="91" height="100" alt="T" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />THE office work for the old year was +all done. Mr. Edmunds had locked +his desk and gone home. David +would soon follow. He had only +some private correspondence to finish.</div> + +<p>Bethany sat nervously assorting the letters +in the different pigeon-holes of her desk. +Ninety-five was slipping out into the eternities. +It had brought her a prayed-for opportunity; +it was carrying away a far different record from +the one she had planned. She felt that she +could not bear to have it go in that way, yet an +unaccountable reticence sealed her lips.</p> + +<p>David had been in the office very little during +the past week, only long enough to get his +mail. This afternoon he had a worried, preoccupied +look that made it all the harder for +Bethany to say what was trembling on her lips.</p> + +<p>She heard him slipping the letter into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +envelope. He would be gone in just another +moment. Now he was putting on his overcoat. +O, she must say something! Her heart beat +violently, and her face grew hot. She shut her +eyes an instant, and sent up a swift, despairing +appeal for help.</p> + +<p>David strolled into the room with his hat in +his hand, and stood beside her table.</p> + +<p>"Well, the old year is about over, Miss Hallam," +he said, gravely. "It has brought me a +great many unexpected experiences, but the +most unexpected of all is the one that led to our +acquaintance. In wishing you a happy new +year, I want to tell you what a pleasure your +friendship has been to me in the old."</p> + +<p>Bethany found sudden speech as she took +the proffered hand.</p> + +<p>"And I want to tell you, Mr. Herschel, that +I have not only been wishing, but praying earnestly, +that in this new year you may find the +greatest happiness earth holds—the peace that +comes in accepting Christ as a Savior."</p> + +<p>He turned from her abruptly, and, with his +hands thrust in his overcoat pockets, began pacing +up and down the room with quick, excited +strides.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You, too!" he cried desperately. "I seem +to be pursued. Every way I turn, the same thing +is thrust at me. For weeks I have been fighting +against it—O, longer than that—since I first +talked to Lessing. Then there was Dr. Trent's +death, and that nurse's prayer, and the League +meeting Frank Marion persuaded me into attending. +Cragmore has talked to me so often, +too. I can answer arguments, but I can't answer +such lives and faith as theirs. Yesterday +morning I had a letter from Lee—little Lee +Trent—thanking me for a book I had sent him, +and even that child had something to say. He +told me about his conversion. Last night curiosity +led me down town to hear a Russian Jew +preach to a lot of rough people in an old warehouse +by the river. His text was Pilate's question, +'What shall I do then with Jesus, which is +called Christ?' It wasn't a sermon. There +wasn't a single argument in it. It was just a +tragically-told story of the Nazarene's trial and +death sentence—but he made it such a personal +matter. All last night, and all day to-day those +words have tormented me beyond endurance, +'What shall I do? What shall I do with this +Jesus called Christ!'"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> + +<p>He kept on restlessly pacing back and forth +in silence. Then he broke out again:</p> + +<p>"I saw a man converted, as you call it, down +there last night. He had been a rough, blasphemous +drunkard that I have seen in the police +courts many a time. I saw him fall on his knees +at the altar, groaning for mercy, and I saw him, +when he stood up after a while, with a face like +a different creature's, all transformed by a great +joy, crying out that he had been pardoned for +Christ's sake. I just stood and looked at him, +and wondered which of us is nearer the truth. +If I am right, what a poor, deluded fool he is! +But if he is right, good God—"</p> + +<p>He stopped abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Herschel," said Bethany, slowly, "if +you were convinced that, by going on some certain +pilgrimage, you could find Truth, but that +the finding would shatter your belief in the creed +you cling to now, would you undertake the +journey? Which is stronger in you, the love for +the faith of your fathers, or an honest desire for +Truth, regardless of long-cherished opinion?"</p> + +<p>For a moment there was no answer. Then +he threw back his shoulders resolutely.</p> + +<p>"I would take the journey," he said, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> +decision. "If I am wrong I want to know it." +Bethany slipped a little Testament out of one +of the pigeon-holes, and handed it to him, +opened at the place where the answer to Thomas +was heavily underscored:</p> + +<p>"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way and +the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the +Father but by me."</p> + +<p>"Follow that path," she said, simply. "The +door has never been opened to you, because you +have never knocked. You have no personal +knowledge of Christ, because you have never +sought for it. He has never revealed himself +to you, because you have never asked him to +do so."</p> + +<p>He turned to her impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Could you honestly pray to Confucius?" +he asked; "or Isaiah, or Elijah, or John the +Baptist? This Jewish teacher is no more to me +than any other man who has taught and died. +How can I pray to him, then?"</p> + +<p>Bethany fingered the leaves of her little +Testament, her heart fluttering nervously.</p> + +<p>"I wish you would take this and read it," +she said. "It would answer you far better than +I can."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have read it," he replied, "a number of +years ago. I could see nothing in it."</p> + +<p>"O, but you read it simply as a critic," she +answered. "See!" she cried eagerly, turning +the leaves to find another place she had marked. +"Paul wrote this about the children of Israel: +'Their minds were blinded: for until this day +remaineth the same veil' (the one told about +in Exodus, you know) 'untaken away, in +the reading of the Old Testament; which veil +is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, +when Moses is read, the veil is upon their +heart. Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the +Lord, the veil shall be taken away.'"</p> + +<p>"Where does it say that?" he asked, incredulously. +He took the book, and turning back to +the first of the chapter, commenced to read.</p> + +<p>The great bell in the court-house tower began +clanging six.</p> + +<p>"I must go," he said; "but I'll take this +with me and look through it another time."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would come to the watch-meeting +to-night," she said, wistfully. "It is from +ten until midnight. All the Leagues in the +city meet at Garrison Avenue."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p> + +<p>He slipped the book in his pocket, and buttoned +up his overcoat. A sudden reserve of +manner seemed to envelop him at the same time.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," he answered, drawing on +his gloves. "I have an informal invitation from +some friends in Hillhollow to dance the old year +out and the new year in."</p> + +<p>His tone seemed so flippant after the recent +depth of feeling he had betrayed, that it jarred +on Bethany's earnest mood like a discord. He +moved toward the door.</p> + +<p>"No matter where you may be," she said as +he opened it, "I shall be praying for you."</p> + +<p>After he had gone, Bethany still sat at her +desk, mechanically assorting the letters. She +was so absorbed in her thoughts that she had +quite forgotten it was time to go home.</p> + +<p>The door opened, and Frank Marion came +in. He was followed by Cragmore, who was +going home with him to dinner.</p> + +<p>"All alone?" asked Mr. Marion in surprise. +"Where's David? We dropped in to invite +him around to the watch-meeting to-night."</p> + +<p>"He has just gone," answered Bethany. "I +asked him, but he declined on account of a previous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> +engagement. O, Cousin Frank," she exclaimed, +"I do believe he is almost convinced +of the truth of Christianity!"</p> + +<p>She repeated the conversation that had just +taken place.</p> + +<p>"He has been fighting against that conviction +for some time," answered Mr. Marion. "I +had a talk with him last week."</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose Rabbi Barthold +would say if Mr. Herschel should become a +Christian?" asked Bethany.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I asked the old gentleman that very +question yesterday," exclaimed Mr. Cragmore. +"It astounded him at first. I could see that the +mere thought of such apostasy in one he loves +as dearly as his young David, wounded him +sorely. O, it grieved him to the heart! But +he is a noble soul, broad-minded and generous. +He did not answer for a moment, and when he +finally spoke I could see what an effort the words +cost him:</p> + +<p>"'David is a child no longer,' he said, slowly. +'He has a right to choose for himself. I would +rather read the rites of burial over his dead body +than to see him cut loose from the faith in which +I have so carefully trained him; but no matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +what course he pursues, I am sure of one thing, +his absolute honesty of purpose. Whatever he +does, will be from a deep conviction of right. I, +who was denounced and misunderstood in my +youth because I cast aside the weight of orthodoxy +that bound me down spiritually, should be +the last one to condemn the same independence +of thought in others.'"</p> + +<p>"Herschel would have less opposition to +contend with than any Jew I know," remarked +Mr. Marion.</p> + +<p>"That little sister of his would be rather +pleased than otherwise, and, I think, would soon +follow his example."</p> + +<p>Bethany thought of Esther, but said nothing.</p> + +<p>"We'll make it a subject of prayer to-night," +said Cragmore, who had been appointed +to lead the meeting.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Marion, clapping his friend +on the shoulder. Then he quoted emphatically: +"'And this is the confidence that we have +in Him, that if we ask anything according to +his will, he heareth us.'"</p> + +<p>"Let's ask him right now!" cried Cragmore, +in his impetuous way.</p> + +<p>He slipped the bolt in the door, and kneeling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +beside David's desk, began praying for his absent +friend as he would have pleaded for his +life. Then Marion followed with the same unfaltering +earnestness, and after his voice ceased, +Bethany took up the petition.</p> + +<p>"Nobody need tell me that those prayers are +not heard," exclaimed Marion, triumphantly, as +he arose from his knees. "I know better. Come, +Bethany; if you are ready to go, we will walk +as far as the avenue with you."</p> + +<p>As they went down-stairs together, he kept +singing softly under his breath, "Blessed be the +name, blessed be the name of the Lord!"</p> + +<p>By ten o'clock the League-room of the Garrison +Avenue Church was crowded.</p> + +<p>George Cragmore had prepared a carefully-studied +address for the occasion; but during the +half hour of the song service preceding it, while +he studied the faces of his audience, his heart +began to be strangely burdened for David and +his people. He covered his eyes with his hand +a moment, and sent up a swift prayer for guidance, +before he arose to speak.</p> + +<p>"My friends," he said in his deep, musical +voice, "I had thought to talk to you to-night of +'spiritual growth,' but just now, as I have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> +sitting here, God had put another message into +my mouth. We are all children of one Father +who have met in this room, and for that reason +you will bear with me now for the strangeness +of the questions I shall ask, and the seeming +harshness of my words. This is a time for honest +self-examination. I should like to know how +many, during the year just gone, have contributed +in any way to the support of Home and +Foreign Missions?"</p> + +<p>Every one in the room arose.</p> + +<p>"How many have tried, by prayer, daily influence, +and direct appeal, to bring some one to +Christ?"</p> + +<p>Again every one arose.</p> + +<p>"How many of you, during the past year, +have spoken to a Jew about your Savior, or in +any way evinced to any one of them a personal +interest in the salvation of that race?"</p> + +<p>Looks of surprise were exchanged among +the Leaguers, and many smiled at the question. +Only two arose, Mr. Marion and Bethany Hallam.</p> + +<p>When they had taken their seats again there +was a moment of intense silence. The earnest +solemnity of the minister was felt by every one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +present. They waited almost breathlessly for +what was coming.</p> + +<p>"There is a young Jew in this city to-night +whose heart is turning lovingly towards your +Savior and mine. I have come to ask your +prayers in his behalf, that the stumbling-blocks +in his way may be removed. But it is not for +him alone my soul is burdened. I seem to hear +Isaiah's voice crying out to me, 'Comfort ye, +comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak +ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her +that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity +is pardoned.' And then I seem to hear +another voice that through the thunderings of +Sinai proclaims, 'Thou shalt not bear false witness.' +Ah! the Christian Church has been +weighed in the balance and found wanting. It +must read a terrible handwriting on the wall +in the fact that Israel's eyes have not been +opened to the fulfillment of prophecy. For had +she seen Christ in the daily life of every follower +since he was first preached in that little +Church at Antioch, we would have had a race of +Sauls turned Pauls! We are Christ's witnesses +to all men. Do all men see Christ in us, or only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +a false, misleading image of him? He cherished +no racial prejudices. He turned away from no +man with a look of scorn, or a cold shrug of indifference. +He drew no line across which his +sympathies and love and helping hands should +not reach. When we do these things, are we +not bearing false witness to the character of him +whose name we have assumed, and the emblem +of whose cross we wear? I can not believe that +any of us here have been willfully neglectful +of this corner of the Lord's vineyard. It must +be because your hearts and hands were full of +other interests that you have been indifferent +to this."</p> + +<p>Then he told them of Lessing and Ragolsky +and David, and called on them to pray that his +friend might find the light he was seeking. A +dozen earnest prayers were offered in quick succession, +and every heart went out in sympathy +to this young Jew, whom they longed to see +happy in the consciousness of a personal Savior.</p> + +<p>David had not gone out to Hillhollow. He +dined at the restaurant, and was just starting +leisurely down to the depot when he found that +his watch told the same time as when he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +looked at it an hour before. It must have been +stopped even some time before that. At any +rate it had made him too late for the train. The +next one would not leave till nine o'clock. He +stood on a corner debating how to pass the time, +and finally concluded to go back to the office for +a magazine he had borrowed from Rabbi Barthold, +and take it home to him.</p> + +<p>His steps echoed strangely through the deserted +hall as he climbed the stairs to the office. +He lighted the gas, and sat down to look through +the papers on his desk for the magazine. But +when he had found it, he still sat there idly, +drumming with his fingers on the rounds of his +chair.</p> + +<p>After awhile he took Bethany's Testament +out of his pocket, and began to read. It was +marked heavily with many marginal notes and +underscored passages, that he examined with a +great deal of curiosity. Beginning with Matthew's +account of the wise men's search, he read +steadily on through the four Gospels, past Acts, +and through some of Paul's epistles. It was +after ten by the office clock when he finished the +letter to the Hebrews.</p> + +<p>He put the book down with a groan, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +folding his arms on the desk, wearily laid his +head on them.</p> + +<p>Just then Bethany's parting words echoed +in his ears, "No matter where you may be, I +shall be praying for you."</p> + +<p>It had irritated him at the moment. Now +there was comfort in the thought that she might +be interceding in his behalf. He loved the faith +of his fathers. He was proud of every drop of +Israelitish blood that coursed through his veins. +He felt that nothing could induce him to renounce +Judaism—nothing! Yet his heart went +out lovingly toward the Christ that had been +so wonderfully revealed to him as he read.</p> + +<p>The conviction was slowly forcing itself on +his mind that in accepting him he would not be +giving up Judaism, that he would only be accepting +the Messiah long promised to his own +people—only believing fulfilled prophecy.</p> + +<p>He wanted him so—this Christ who seemed +able to satisfy every longing of his heart, which +just now was 'hungering and thirsting after +righteousness;' this Christ who had so loved the +world that he had given himself a willing sacrifice +to make propitiation for its sins—for his—David +Herschel's sins.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p> + +<p>The old questions of the Trinity and the Incarnation +came back to perplex him, and he put +them resolutely away, remembering the words +that Bethany had quoted, that when Israel +should turn to the Lord, the veil should be taken +from its heart.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he started to his feet, and with his +hands clasped above his head, cried out: "O, +Thou Eternal, take away the veil! Show me +Christ! I will give up anything—everything +that stands in the way of my accepting him, if +thou wilt but make him manifest!"</p> + +<p>He threw himself on his knees in an agony +of supplication, and then rising, walked the +floor. Time and again he knelt to pray, and +again rose in despair to pace back and forth.</p> + +<p>He hardly knew what to expect, but Paul's +conversion had been attended by such miraculous +manifestations that he felt that some great +revelation must certainly be made to him.</p> + +<p>Opening the little Testament at random, he +saw the words, "If thou shalt confess with thy +mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine +heart that God hath raised him from the dead, +thou shalt be saved."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I do believe it," he said aloud. "And I will +confess it the first opportunity I have. Yes, I +will go right now and tell Uncle Ezra—no matter +what it may cause him to say to me."</p> + +<p>He looked at the clock again. The old year +was almost gone. It was nearly midnight. +Rabbi Barthold would be asleep. Then he remembered +the watch-night service Bethany +had asked him to attend. Cragmore and Marion +would be there. He would go and tell them.</p> + +<p>He started rapidly down the street, saying +to himself: "How queer this seems! Here am I, +a Jew, on my way to confess before men that +I believe a Galilean peasant is the Son of God. +I don't understand the mystery of it, but I do +believe in some way the promised atonement +has been made, and that it avails for me."</p> + +<p>He clung to that hope all the way down to +the Church. It was growing stronger every +step.</p> + +<p>Bethany had risen to take her place at the +piano at the announcement of another hymn, +when the door opened and David Herschel stood +in their midst. Not even glancing at the startled +members of the League, he walked across the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +room and held out one hand to Cragmore and +the other to Marion. His voice thrilled his listeners +with its intensity of purpose.</p> + +<p>"I have come to confess before you the belief +that your Jesus is the Christ, and that +through him I shall be saved."</p> + +<p>Then a look of happy wonderment shone in +his face, as the dawning consciousness of his acceptance +became clearer to him.</p> + +<p>"Why, I am saved! Now!" he cried in joyful +surprise.</p> + +<p>Glad tears sprang to many eyes, and only one +exclamation could express the depth of Frank +Marion's gratitude—an old-fashioned shout of +"Glory to God!" Yes, an old, old fashion—for +it came in when "the morning stars sang together, +and all the sons of God shouted for joy."</p> + +<p>"O, I must tell the whole world!" cried +David.</p> + +<p>"Come!" exclaimed Cragmore, turning to +those around him, and laying his hand on +David's shoulder; "here is another Saul turned +Paul. Who such missionaries of the cross as +these redeemed sons of Abraham? Leagued +with such an Israel, we could soon tell all the +world. Who will join the alliance?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> + +<p>In answer they came crowding around +David, with warm hand-clasps and sympathetic +words, till the bells all over the city began tolling +the hour of midnight.</p> + +<p>At a word from Cragmore they knelt in the +final prayer of consecration.</p> + +<p>There was a deep silence. Then the leader's +voice began:</p> + +<p>"The untried paths of the new year stretch +out into unknown distances. But trusting in an +Allwise Father, in a grace-giving Christ, and the +sustaining presence of the Holy Spirit, how +many will sing with me:</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/music.png" width="500" height="391" alt="Music: Where He Leads me I will Follow" /> +</div><div class="center"><small>[<i>Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking</i> <a href="music/whereheleads.mid">here</a>.]</small></div> + +<div class='poem'> +"Where He leads me I will follow,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Where He leads me I will follow,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Where He leads me I will follow.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I'll go with Him, with Him all the way."</span><br /> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p> + +<p>The melody arose, sweet and subdued, as +every voice covenanted with his.</p> + +<p>"But some of us may have planned out certain +paths for our own feet, that lead alluringly +to ease and approbation. Think! God may call +us into obscure bypaths, into ways that lead to +no earthly recompense, to lowly service and unrequited +toil. Can we still sing it? Let us +wait. Let us consider and be very sure."</p> + +<p>In the prayerful silence, David thought of +his profession and the hopes of the great success +that it was his ambition to attain. Could +he give it up, and spend his life in an unappreciated +ministry to his people? He wavered. But +just then he had a vision of the Christ. He +seemed to see a footsore, tired man, holding out +his hands in blessing to the motley crowds that +thronged him; and again he saw the same patient +form stumbling wearily along under a heavy +beam of wood, scourged, mocked, spit upon, +nailed to the cross, for—him!</p> + +<p>David shuddered, and he took up the refrain: +"I'll go with Him, with Him, all the +way."</p> + +<p>"It may be that, so far as ambition and personal +plans are concerned, we are willing to put<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> +ourselves entirely in God's hands; but suppose +he should call for our hearts' best beloved, are +we willing to make of this hour a Mount +Moriah, on which we sacrifice our Isaacs—our +all? Do we consecrate ourselves entirely? Will +we go with him all the way, no matter through +what dark Gethsemane he may see best to lead +us?"</p> + +<p>Again David wavered as Esther's beautiful +face came before him.</p> + +<p>"O God! anything but that!" he cried out +passionately.</p> + +<p>Cragmore felt him trembling, and, reaching +out, clasped his hand, and prayed silently that +strength might be given him to make the consecration +complete.</p> + +<p>"I'll go with Him, with Him, all the way!"</p> + +<p>David's voice sung it unfalteringly. When +they arose the tears were streaming down his +cheeks, but a great light was in his face, and a +great peace in his heart. The Christ had been +revealed to him. A new life and a new year +had been born together.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>No, the story is not done, but the rest of it +can not be written until it has first been lived.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span></p> + +<p>In God's good time the shuttles of his purposes +shall weave these life-webs to the finish. +Some threads may cross and twine, some be +widely parted, and some be snapped asunder. +Who can tell? The new year has only begun.</p> + +<p>But we know that all things work together +for good to those who give themselves into the +eternal keeping, and—"God's in his heaven."</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>SILENT KEYS.</h2> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 92px;"> +<img src="images/drop_o.png" width="92" height="100" alt="O" /> +</div> +<div class='unindent'><br /><br />NCE, in a shadowy old cathedral, a +young girl sat at the great organ, +playing over and over a simple melody +for a group of children to sing. +They were rehearsing the parts they were to +take in the Christmas choruses.</div> + +<p>It was not long before every voice had +caught the sweet old tune of "Joy to the World," +and as their little feet pattered down the solemn +aisles, the song was carried with them to the +work and play of the streets outside.</p> + +<p>As the girl turned to follow, she found the +old white-haired organist, a master-musician, +standing beside her.</p> + +<p>"Why did you not strike all the keys, little +sister?" he asked. "You have left silent some +of the sweetest and deepest. Listen! This is +what you should have put into your song."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, his powerful hands touched the +key-board, till the great cathedral seemed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> +tremble with the mighty symphony that filled +it—"Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"</p> + +<p>High, sweet notes, like the matin-songs of +sky-larks, fluttered away from his touch, and +went winging their flight—up and up—beyond +all mortal hearing. Down the deep, full chords +and majestic octaves rolled the triumphal gladness. +Every key seemed to find a voice, as the +hands of the old musician swept through the +variations of "Antioch."</p> + +<p>Tears filled the young girl's eyes, and when +he had finished she said sadly: "Ah, only a +master-hand could do that—bring out the varied +tones of those silent keys, and yet through it all +keep the thread of the song clear and unbroken. +All those divine harmonies were in my soul as +I played, yet had I tried to give expression to +them, I might have wandered away from the +simple motif that I would have the children +remember always. In trying to span those +fuller chords you strike so easily, or in reaching +always for the highest notes, I would have failed +to impress them with the part they are to take +in the choruses, and they would not have gone +out as they did just now, singing their joy to the +world."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span></p> + +<p>Maybe some such master may turn the pages +of this story, and feel the same impatience at +its incompleteness. Here in this place he would +have added, with strong touches, many a convincing +argument. There he would have spoken +with the voice of a sage or prophet, and he may +turn away, saying: "Why did you not strike all +the keys, little sister? You have left silent some +of the sweetest and deepest."</p> + +<p>The answer is the same. Only a master-hand +can sweep the gamut of history and human +weaknesses and dogmas and creeds, touch the +discordant elements of controversy and criticism +in all their variations, and at the same time keep +the simple theme constantly throbbing through +them, so strong and full and clear it can never +be forgotten.</p> + +<p>The purpose of this story is accomplished +if it has only attracted the attention of the +League to a neglected duty, and struck a higher +key-note of endeavor. But the League must not +stop with that.</p> + +<p>There is only one song that will ever bring +universal joy to this old, tear-blinded world, and +that is that the Lord is come, and that he is risen +indeed in the lives of his followers.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p> + +<p>True, the veriest child may lisp it; but the +League should not be content simply to do that. +It should be the master-musician, so familiar +with the great complexity of human doubts and +longings, that it will know just what chord to +touch in every heart it is striving to help.</p> + +<p>Go back to the days of the dispersion, and +follow this Ishmael through his almost limitless +desert of persecution—his hand against every +man because every man's hand was against him.</p> + +<p>Put yourself in his place until your vision +grows broad and your sympathy deep. Chafe +against his limitations. Stumble over his obstacles, +and in so doing learn where best to place +the stepping-stones.</p> + +<p>Dig down through the strata of tradition, +below all the manifold ceremonies of his formal +worship, until you come to the bed-rock of principle +underlying them.</p> + +<p>When you have thus studied Judaism, its +prophets, its priesthood, its patriots—when you +have traced its sinuous path from Abraham's +tent to the Temple gates, and then followed its +diverging lines on into almost every hamlet of +both hemispheres, you will have learned something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +more than the history of Judaism. You +will have read the story of the whole race of +Adam, and you will have fitted yourself far +better to serve humanity.</p> + +<p>Christ reached his hearers through his intimate +knowledge of them. He never talked to +shepherds of fishing-nets, nor to vine-dressers +of flocks. He gave the same water of life to +the woman at Jacob's well that he bestowed on +the ruler who came to him by night. Yet how +differently he presented it to the ignorant Samaritan +and the learned Nicodemus.</p> + +<p>To this end, then, study these creeds and +systems; for instance, the unity of God, clung +to alike by the Hebrew persistently reiterating +his Shemang, and the Moslem crying "God is +God, and Mohammed is his prophet!"</p> + +<p>Follow this belief in the Unity, as it goes +deeply channeling its way through centuries of +Semitic thought, until it enters the very life-blood. +You can trace its influence even down +into the early Christian Church, in the hot disputes +of Arius and his followers, at the Council +of Nicea.</p> + +<p>Not until you comprehend how idolatrous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +the worship of the Trinity seems to a Jew, can +you understand what a stumbling-block lies between +him and the acceptance of his Messiah.</p> + +<p>You will find this study of Judaism reaching +out like a banyan-tree, striking root and branching +again and again in so many different places +that it seems that it must certainly, by some one +of its manifold ramifications, shadow every +great problem and people.</p> + +<p>In the first conception of this story it was +purposed to place considerable emphasis on a +number of things that have been left untouched, +especially the colonization schemes of the philanthropic +Barons Hirsch and De Rothschild, +and the prophecies concerning the return of the +Jews to Palestine.</p> + +<p>But prophecy, while always a most interesting +and profitable subject for research and study, +leads into an unmapped country of speculation. +Many an enthusiast, not recognizing that on +God's great calendar a thousand years are but +as a day, has attempted to solve the mysteries +of Revelations by the same numerical system +with which he calculates his assets and liabilities. +As we examine this subject, we must not +forget the vast difference between our finite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> +yardsticks, and the reed of the angel who measured +the city.</p> + +<p>God grant that, as the tree thrown into the +stream of Marah changed its bitter waters into +wholesome, life-giving sweetness, so this study +of Israel, earnestly and honestly pursued, may +turn all bitterness of prejudice into the broad, +sweet spirit of true brotherhood!</p> + +<p> </p> +<hr class="chap" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Note:</h3> +<p>The cover for this HTML edition was created by the transcriber and is placed in the +public domain. The gray background was the original cover and the words and print were +taken from the original title page.</p> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.</p> +<p>The remaining corrections made are listed below and also indicated by dotted lines under the corrected text. Scroll the cursor over the marked text and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> + +<p>Page 6, "189" changed to "199" to show the actual location of the chapter "Dr. Trent".</p> + +<p>Page 23, "apearance" changed to "appearance" (greeted her appearance)</p> + +<p>Page 50, "Southener" changed to "Southerner" (who was an ardent Southerner)</p> + +<p>Page 55, "Nothwithstanding" changed to "Notwithstanding" (sudden curves. Notwithstanding)</p> + +<p>Page 216, "Cartleton" changed to "Carleton" (Belle Carleton met them)</p></div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN LEAGUE WITH ISRAEL***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 40527-h.txt or 40527-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/0/5/2/40527">http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/5/2/40527</a></p> +<p> +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p> +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. +</p> + +<h2>*** START: FULL LICENSE ***<br /> + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</h2> + +<p>To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">www.gutenberg.org/license</a>.</p> + +<h3>Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works</h3> + +<p>1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.</p> + +<p>1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below.</p> + +<p>1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.</p> + +<p>1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States.</p> + +<p>1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:</p> + +<p>1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed:</p> + +<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a +href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></p> + +<p>1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9.</p> + +<p>1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.</p> + +<p>1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.</p> + +<p>1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License.</p> + +<p>1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.</p> + +<p>1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.</p> + +<p>1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that</p> + +<ul> +<li>You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."</li> + +<li>You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works.</li> + +<li>You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work.</li> + +<li>You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.</li> +</ul> + +<p>1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.</p> + +<p>1.F.</p> + +<p>1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment.</p> + +<p>1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE.</p> + +<p>1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem.</p> + +<p>1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.</p> + +<p>1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.</p> + +<p>1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.</p> + +<h3>Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm</h3> + +<p>Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life.</p> + +<p>Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and +the Foundation information page at <a +href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></p> + +<h3>Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation</h3> + +<p>The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.</p> + +<p>The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at <a +href="http://www.gutenberg.org/contact">www.gutenberg.org/contact</a></p> + +<p>For additional contact information:<br /> + Dr. Gregory B. Newby<br /> + Chief Executive and Director<br /> + gbnewby@pglaf.org</p> + +<h3>Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation</h3> + +<p>Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS.</p> + +<p>The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit <a +href="http://www.gutenberg.org/donate">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a></p> + +<p>While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate.</p> + +<p>International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.</p> + +<p>Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: <a +href="http://www.gutenberg.org/donate">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a></p> + +<h3>Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works.</h3> + +<p>Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.</p> + +<p>Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.</p> + +<p>Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></p> + +<p>This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.</p> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/40527-h/images/cover.jpg b/40527-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d2a4d6 --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/40527-h/images/drop_a.png b/40527-h/images/drop_a.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d341c2a --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/drop_a.png diff --git a/40527-h/images/drop_b.png b/40527-h/images/drop_b.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..24ec8c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/drop_b.png diff --git a/40527-h/images/drop_f.png b/40527-h/images/drop_f.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..921393c --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/drop_f.png diff --git a/40527-h/images/drop_i.png b/40527-h/images/drop_i.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8267c24 --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/drop_i.png diff --git a/40527-h/images/drop_l.png b/40527-h/images/drop_l.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f3328d7 --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/drop_l.png diff --git a/40527-h/images/drop_n.png b/40527-h/images/drop_n.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..841c456 --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/drop_n.png diff --git a/40527-h/images/drop_o.png b/40527-h/images/drop_o.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a7b389d --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/drop_o.png diff --git a/40527-h/images/drop_t.png b/40527-h/images/drop_t.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4f7da42 --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/drop_t.png diff --git a/40527-h/images/leaves.png b/40527-h/images/leaves.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d2cf32 --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/leaves.png diff --git a/40527-h/images/music.png b/40527-h/images/music.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..95a65dd --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/images/music.png diff --git a/40527-h/music/whereheleads.mid b/40527-h/music/whereheleads.mid Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cee5096 --- /dev/null +++ b/40527-h/music/whereheleads.mid |
