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diff --git a/9648-h/9648-h.htm b/9648-h/9648-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..759439b --- /dev/null +++ b/9648-h/9648-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8843 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= + "text/html; charset=us-ascii"> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tip Lewis and His Lamp, by + Pansy. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + * { font-family: Times;} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 12pt; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: Courier, monospaced; } + // --> + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tip Lewis and His Lamp, by Pansy + +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 www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tip Lewis and His Lamp + +Author: Pansy + +Posting Date: November 5, 2011 [EBook #9648] +Release Date: January, 2006 +First Posted: October 13, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TIP LEWIS AND HIS LAMP *** + + + + +Produced by Joel Erickson, Mary Meehan, David Garcia and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h1> + TIP LEWIS AND HIS LAMP + </h1> + <center> + <b>BY PANSY</b> + </center> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <center> + AUTHOR OF "ESTER RIED," "ESTER RIED YET SPEAKING," "MRS. + SOLOMON SMITH LOOKING ON," "AN ENDLESS CHAIN," "FOUR GIRLS AT + CHAUTAUQUA," ETC. ETC. + </center> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <hr> + <table summary="TOC" border="0" width="100%"> + <tr> + <td> + <p> + <a href="#CH1">CHAPTER I.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH2">CHAPTER II.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH3">CHAPTER III.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH4">CHAPTER IV.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH5">CHAPTER V.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH6">CHAPTER VI.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH7">CHAPTER VII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p> + <a href="#CH8">CHAPTER VIII.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH9">CHAPTER IX.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH10">CHAPTER X.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH11">CHAPTER XI.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH12">CHAPTER XII.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH13">CHAPTER XIII.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH14">CHAPTER XIV.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p> + <a href="#CH15">CHAPTER XV.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH16">CHAPTER XVI.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH17">CHAPTER XVII.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH18">CHAPTER XVIII.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH19">CHAPTER XIX.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH20">CHAPTER XX.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH21">CHAPTER XXI.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p> + <a href="#CH22">CHAPTER XXII.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH23">CHAPTER XXIII.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH24">CHAPTER XXIV.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH25">CHAPTER XXV.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH26">CHAPTER XXVI.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH27">CHAPTER XXVII.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#CH28">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + TIP LEWIS AND HIS LAMP. + </h2> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH1"><!-- CH1 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <h3> + "Cast thy bread upon the waters." + </h3> + <p> + The room was very full. Children, large and small, boys and + girls, and some looking almost old enough to be called men + and women, filled the seats. The scholars had just finished + singing their best-loved hymn, "Happy Land;" and the + superintendent was walking up and down the room, spying out + classes here and there which were without teachers, and + supplying them from the visitors' seat, which was up by the + desk. + </p> + <p> + The long seat near the door was filled this morning by half a + dozen dirty, ragged, barefooted boys; their teacher's seat + was vacant, and those boys looked, every one, as though they + had come thither just to have a grand frolic. + </p> + <p> + Oh, such bright, cunning, wicked faces as they had! + </p> + <p> + Their torn pants and jackets, their matted hair, even the + very twinkle in their eyes, showed that they were the + "Mission Class." + </p> + <p> + That is, the class which somebody had gathered from the + little black, comfortless-looking houses which thronged a + narrow back street of that village, and coaxed to come to the + Sabbath school,—to this large, light, pleasant room, + where the sun shone in upon little girls in white dresses, + with blue and pink ribbons fluttering from their shoulders; + and upon little boys, whose snowy linen collars and dainty + knots of black ribbon had evidently been arranged by careful + hands that very morning. + </p> + <p> + But those boys in the corner kicked their bare heels + together, pulled each other's hair, or laughed in each + other's faces in the greatest good humour. + </p> + <p> + The superintendent stopped before them. + </p> + <p> + "Well, boys, good morning; glad to see you all here. Where's + your teacher?" + </p> + <p> + "Hain't got none!" answered one, + </p> + <p> + "Gone to Guinea!" said another. + </p> + <p> + "She was afraid of us," explained a third. "Tip, here, put + his foot through one of her lace flounces last Sunday. Tip's + the worst boy we've got, anyhow." + </p> + <p> + The boys all seemed to think this was very funny, for they + laughed so loudly that the little girls at their right looked + over to see what was the matter. + </p> + <p> + Tip ran his fingers through his uncombed hair, and laughed + with the rest. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said the superintendent, "I'm going to get you a + teacher,—one you will like, I guess. I shall expect you + to treat her well." + </p> + <p> + There was just one person left on the visitors' seat,—a + young lady who looked shy and quiet. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Mr. Parker," she said, when the superintendent told her + what he wanted, "I can't take that class; I've watched those + boys ever since they came in,—they look mischievous + enough for anything, and act as they look." + </p> + <p> + "Then shall we leave them with nothing but mischief to take + up their attention?" + </p> + <p> + "No, but—they really ought to have a better teacher + than I,—some one who knows how to interest them." + </p> + <p> + "But, Miss Perry, the choice lies between you and no one." + </p> + <p> + And, while she still hesitated and looked distressed, Mr. + Parker bent forward a little, and said softly,— + </p> + <p> + "'Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these My + brethren, ye did it not to Me.'" + </p> + <p> + The lady rose quickly, and gathered her mantle about her. + </p> + <p> + "I will go, Mr. Parker," she said, speaking quickly, as if + afraid her courage would fail her. "Since there is no one + else, I will do the best I can; but oh, I am afraid!" + </p> + <p> + Down the long room, past the rows of neatly-dressed, + attentive children, Mr. Parker led her to the seat near the + door. + </p> + <p> + "Now, boys," said he, "this is Miss Perry. Suppose you see if + you can't all be gentlemen, and treat her well." + </p> + <p> + Miss Perry sat down in the teacher's chair, her heart all in + a flutter. She taught a class in her own Sabbath school + hundreds of miles away,—five rosy-cheeked, bright-eyed + little girls gathered around her every Sabbath; but they were + little girls whose mothers had taught them to love their + lessons, to listen respectfully to what their teacher said, + to bow their heads reverently in prayer; and more than that, + they loved her, and she loved them. But these boys! Still she + must say something: six pairs of bright, roguish eyes, + brimful of fire and fun, were bent on her. + </p> + <p> + "Boys," she said gently, "have you any lessons for me?" + </p> + <p> + "Not much," answered Bob Turner, who always spoke first. + </p> + <p> + "We don't get lessons mostly. Don't come unless it's too hot + to go fishing or berrying." + </p> + <p> + "Tip comes 'cause he's too lazy to go past the door," + </p> + <p> + "I don't!" drawled out the boy they called Tip; "I come to + get out of the sun; it's hotter than sixty down home." + </p> + <p> + "Never mind, boys," said their frightened teacher; for they + were all laughing now, as though the funniest thing in the + world had happened. "See here, since you have no lessons, + shall I tell you a story?" + </p> + <p> + Oh yes, they were willing enough to hear a story, if it + wasn't stupid. + </p> + <p> + "I'll tell you something that happened to a boy when he was + about thirteen years old. His name is Robert; he told me this + story himself, so you may be sure it's true. + </p> + <p> + "He said one evening he was walking slowly down the main + street of the village where he lived"— + </p> + <p> + "Where was that?" asked Bob Turner. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, it was away out west. He said he felt cross and unhappy; + he had nowhere in particular to go, and nothing to do. As he + walked, he came to a turn where two roads met. 'Now,' thought + he, 'shall I turn to the left and go home, and hang around + until bed-time, or shall I turn to the right and go down to + the river awhile?' + </p> + <p> + "You see, Robert hadn't a happy home,—his mother was + dead, and his father was a drunkard. + </p> + <p> + "While he stood thinking, a boy came around the other corner, + and called out,— + </p> + <p> + "Going home, Rob?' + </p> + <p> + "'Don't know,' said Robert; 'I can't make up my mind.' + </p> + <p> + "'Suppose you come on down to our house, and we'll have a + game of ball?' + </p> + <p> + "Still Robert waited. He was fond of playing ball,—that + was certain,—and he liked company better than to walk + alone; why he should think of wandering off down to the river + by himself he was sure he didn't know. Still something seemed + to keep saying to him, 'Go this way—turn to the right; + come, go to the river, 'until he said at last,— + </p> + <p> + "'No; I guess I'll take a walk this way first.' + </p> + <p> + "And he turned the corner, then he was but a few steps from + the river." + </p> + <p> + "What came of the other fellow?" asked Bob. + </p> + <p> + "Why, some more boys came up just then, and he walked along + with them. + </p> + <p> + "There was a large elm-tree on the river bank, and there was + one particular spot under it that Robert called his seat; but + he found a gentleman seated there this time; he had a book in + his hand, partly closed, and he was leaning back against a + tree, watching the sunset. + </p> + <p> + "He looked around as he heard Robert's step, and said, 'Good + evening; will you have a seat?' + </p> + <p> + "He moved along, and Robert sat down on the grass near him; + then he said,— + </p> + <p> + "'I heard a boy call out to another just now, "Going home, + Robert?" Are you the boy?' + </p> + <p> + "'No,' said Robert; 'Hal Carter screamed that out to me just + as he came round the corner.' + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, you are the one he was talking to. Well, I'll ask you + the same question. <i>Are</i> you going home?' + </p> + <p> + "'No,' said Robert again; 'I have just walked straight away + from home.' + </p> + <p> + "'Yes; but are you going up <i>there</i>?' And the gentleman + pointed up to the blue sky. 'That's the home I mean; I've + just been reading about it; this river made me think of it. + Where it says, you know, "And he showed me a pure river of + water, clear as crystal." Then it goes on to describe the + city with its "gates of pearl" and "streets of gold," the + robes and crowns that the people wear, the harps on which + they play, and, after this warm day, I couldn't help thinking + that one of the pleasantest things about this home was the + promise, "Neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat." + Aren't you going to that home, my boy?'" + </p> + <p> + "'I don't know,' Robert said, feeling very much astonished." + </p> + <p> + At this point the superintendent's bell rang, and Miss Perry + had to hasten her story. + </p> + <p> + "I haven't time, boys, to tell you all the gentleman said, + but, after that talk, Robert began to think about these + things a great deal, and pretty soon he learned to read the + Bible and to pray. That was more than fifty years ago. He is + an old minister now; I have heard him preach a great many + times; and he told me once he should always believe God put + it into his heart to turn to the right that evening, instead + of the left." + </p> + <p> + "Oh!" exclaimed Tip, just here; and Miss Perry stopped. + </p> + <p> + "Joe pinched me," said Tip, to explain his part of the noise. + </p> + <p> + But their teacher felt very badly; they had not listened to + her story as though they cared to hear it; they had slid up + and down the seat, pulled and pinched and pricked each other, + and done a great many mischievous things since she commenced; + and yet now and then they seemed to hear a few words; so she + kept on, because she did not know what else to do. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Mr. Parker," she said, when the school was dismissed, + and her noisy class had scrambled, some through the window + and some through the door, "some man who understands boys + ought to have had that class; I haven't done them any good, + but I tried;" and there were tears in her eyes as she spoke. + </p> + <p> + "You did what you could," said the superintendent kindly; + "none of us can do more." + </p> + <p> + Some loving voice ought to have whispered in that teacher's + ear, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, + shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his + sheaves with him." + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH2"><!-- CH2 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <h3> + "But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit." + </h3> + <p> + Tip Lewis yawned and stretched, and finally opened his eyes + rather late on Monday morning. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, bother!" he said, with another yawn, when he saw how the + sun was pouring into the room; "I suppose a fellow has got to + get up. I wish getting up wasn't such hard work,—spoils + all the fun of going to bed; but then the old cat will be to + pay, if I don't get around soon." + </p> + <p> + And with this he rolled out; and when he was dressed, which + was in a very few minutes after he tumbled out of his ragged + bed, he was the self-same Tip who had been at the bottom of + most of the mischief in Miss Perry's class the day + before,—the very same, from the curly hair, not yet + combed nor likely to be, down to the bare, soiled feet. + </p> + <p> + The bed which he had just left, so far as neatness was + concerned, looked very much like Tip, and the room looked + like the bed; and they all looked about as badly as dust and + rags and poverty could make them look. + </p> + <p> + After running his fingers through his hair, by way of + finishing his toilet, Tip made his way down the rickety + stairs to the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + It seemed as though that kitchen was just calculated to make + a boy feel cross. The table stood against the wall on its + three legs, the tablecloth was daubed with molasses and + stained with gravy; a plate, with something in it which + looked like melted lard, but which Tip's mother called + butter, and a half loaf of bread, were the only eatable + articles as yet on the table; and around these the flies had + gathered in such numbers, that it almost seemed as though + they might carry the loaf away entirely, if too many of them + didn't drown themselves in the butter. Over all the July sun + poured in its rays from the eastern window, the only one in + the room. + </p> + <p> + Tip stumbled over his father's boots, and made his way to the + stove, where his mother was bending over a spider of sizzling + pork. + </p> + <p> + "Well," she said, as he came near, "did you get up for all + day? I'd be ashamed—great boy like you—to lie in + bed till this time of day, and let your mother split wood and + bring water to cook your breakfast with." + </p> + <p> + "You cooked, a little for you, too, didn't you?" asked Tip, + in a saucy, good-natured tone. "Where's father?" + </p> + <p> + "Just where you have been all day so far,—in bed and + asleep. Such folks as I've got! I'm sick of living." + </p> + <p> + And Mrs. Lewis stepped back from the steaming tea-kettle, and + wiped great beads of perspiration from her forehead; then + fanned herself with her big apron, looking meantime very + tired and cross. + </p> + <p> + Yet Tip's mother was not so cross after all as she seemed; + had Tip only known it, her heart was very heavy that morning. + She did not blame his father for his morning nap, not a bit + of it; she was only glad that the weary frame could rest a + little after a night of pain. She had been up since the first + grey dawn of morning, bathing his head, straightening the + tangled bedclothes, walking the floor with the restless baby, + in order that her husband might have quiet. Oh no; there were + worse women in the world than Mrs. Lewis; but this morning + her life looked very wretched to her. She thought of her + idle, mischievous boy; of her naughty, high-tempered little + girl; of her fat, healthy baby, who took so much of her time; + of her husband, who, though she never said it to him, or even + to herself, yet she knew and felt was every day growing + weaker; and with these came the remembrance that her own + tired hands were all that lay between them and want; and it + is hardly a wonder that her voice was sharp and her words ill + chosen. For this mother tried to bear all her trials alone; + she never went for help to the Redeemer, who said,— + </p> + <p> + "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden." + </p> + <p> + "Wah!" said Johnny, from his cradle in the bit of a bedroom + near the kitchen,—which kitchen was all the room they + had, save two tiny bedrooms and Tip's little den up-stairs. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lewis glanced quickly towards the door of her husband's + room; it was closed. Then she called,— + </p> + <p> + "Kitty, make that baby go to sleep!" + </p> + <p> + "Oh yes!" muttered Kitty, who sat on the floor lacing her old + shoe with a white cord; "it's easy to say that, but I'd just + like to see you do it." + </p> + <p> + "Ah yah!" answered Johnny from the cradle, as though he tried + to say, "So should I." + </p> + <p> + Then, not being noticed, he gave up pretending to cry, and + screamed in good earnest, loud, positive yells, which brought + his mother in haste from the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + "Ugly girl!" she said to Kitty, as she lifted the conquering + hero from his cradle; "you don't care how soon your father is + waked out of the only nap he has had all night. Why didn't + you rock the cradle? I've a notion to whip you this minute!" + </p> + <p> + "I did," answered Kitty sulkily; "and he opened his eyes at + me as wide as he could stretch them." + </p> + <p> + Crash! went something at that moment in the kitchen; and, + with Johnny in her arms, Mrs. Lewis ran back to see what new + trouble she had to meet. Tip, meantime, had been in business; + being hungry, he had cut a slice of bread from the loaf, and, + in the act of reaching over to help himself to some butter, + hit his arm against a pitcher of water standing on the corner + of the table. Over it went and broke, just as pitchers will + whenever they get a chance. This was too much for the tired + mother's patience; what little she had vanished. She tossed + the slice of bread at Tip, and as she did so, said,— + </p> + <p> + "There! take that and be off. Don't let me see a sight of + your face again to-day. March this instant, or you will wish + you had!" + </p> + <p> + And in the midst of the din, while his mother looked after + the pork, which had seized this occasion for burning fast to + the spider, Tip managed to spread his slice of bread, find + his hat, and make good his escape from the comfortless home. + </p> + <p> + There was an hour yet to school-time; or, for the matter of + that, he might have the whole day. Tip went to school, or let + it alone, just as he pleased. He made his way straight to his + favourite spot, the broad, deep pond, and laid himself down + on its grassy bank to chat with the fishes. + </p> + <p> + "My!" he said; "how nice they look whisking about. It's cool + down there, I know; they don't mind the sun. I wish I had my + fish-pole here, I'd have one of them shiny big fellows there + for my dinner; only it's too hot to fish, and it would seem + kind of mean, besides, to get him up here in this blazing + sun. Hang me if I make even a fish get out of the water + to-day, when it can stay in!" + </p> + <p> + Of all the scholars in Miss Perry's class, the one who she + would have said paid the least attention was this same boy + who was lying on his face by the pond, envying the fishes. + Yet Tip had heard nearly every word she said; and now, as he + looked into the water, which lay cool in the shade of some + broad, branching trees, there came into his heart the music + of those words again,— + </p> + <p> + "Neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat." + </p> + <p> + "I declare," he said, as the meaning of those words dawned + upon him, "I'd like that! they'll never be too warm again. It + was a pretty nice story she told us about that boy. He + couldn't have had a very good time; his father was a + drunkard. I wish I knew just about what kind of a fellow he + was; he turned right square round after that man talked to + him. Now he is a minister; I suppose lots of people like him. + It must be kind of nice, the whole of it. I would like to be + somebody, as true as I live, I would. I'd like to have the + people say, 'There goes Tip Lewis; he's the best boy in + town.' Bless me! that would be funny; I don't believe they + could ever say it; they are so used to calling me the worst, + they couldn't help it. What if I should reform? I declare I + don't know but I will." + </p> + <p> + And Tip rolled over on his back, and looked up into the blue, + cloudless sky; lying there, he certainly had some of the most + sober thoughts, perhaps the only really sober ones he had + ever known in his life. And when at last he slowly picked + himself up, turned his back upon the darting fishes, and + walked towards the school-house, he had in his mind some + vague notion that perhaps he would be different from that + time forth. Just what he was going to do, or how to commence + doing it, he didn't know; but the story, to which he had + seemed not to listen at all, had crept into his heart, had + commenced its work; very dimly was it working, very blindly + he might grope for a while, but the seed sown had taken root. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH3"><!-- CH3 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <h3> + "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these My + brethren, ye did it unto Me." + </h3> + <p> + Around the corner, and far up the street from where Tip Lewis + lived, there stood a large white house; not another house in + the village was so beautiful as this. Many a time had Tip + walked slowly by the place, and cast the most admiring + glances on the broad green lawns and bubbling fountain, of + which he caught; glimpses from the road. Often he had stood + outside, at the great gate, and fairly <i>longed</i> for a + nearer view of that same fountain; for the truth was, though + he was such a rough, mischief-making,—yes, a + <i>wicked</i> boy, down in his heart he had a great love for + beautiful things. + </p> + <p> + On this Fourth of July morning, Tip was up and abroad very + early. He held a horse, which had been so frightened by + fire-crackers that it wouldn't stand still a minute, and the + owner of it gave him ten cents, with which he immediately + bought fire-crackers for himself, and frightened the very + next horse he saw. When the great cannon on the hill was + fired, he got in the way, just as much as he knew how, which + was a great deal; he contrived to be around when the largest + bell was rung, and add his voice to the uproar among the boys + who were gathered around the church doors; indeed, wherever + there was commotion or confusion, Tip managed very soon to + be, and to do his part towards making the most of it. + </p> + <p> + About ten o'clock he had lived out the most of his pleasures, + having been on hand since a little after three. He had no + more money to spend, saw no chance of getting any more; he + had had no breakfast, and was very much in doubt as to + whether he would get any, if he took the trouble to go home; + he had some way lost track of all his companions; and, + altogether, he was beginning to feel as if the Fourth of July + were a humbug. He felt ill-used, angry; it seemed to him that + he was being cheated out of a good time that he expected to + have. He sat down on the edge of an old sugar-barrel and + thought about it a while; then finally, with his hands in his + pockets, and whistling "Yankee Doodle" in honour of the day, + he sauntered along the street in search of something to take + up his time. + </p> + <p> + Hurrying towards him, with hands not in his pockets, but full + of packages, came Mr. Mintum, the owner of the grand white + house on the hill. + </p> + <p> + To Tip's surprise, the gentleman halted suddenly before him, + and, eyeing him closely, asked, "Whose boy are you?" + </p> + <p> + "John Lewis's." + </p> + <p> + "Where do you live?" + </p> + <p> + "T'other side of the pond, by the mill." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, your father is the carpenter, I suppose,—I know + him. What's your name?" + </p> + <p> + "Tip." + </p> + <p> + "Tip! What kind of a name is that? is it all the one you + own?" + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Tip, "I suppose my name was Edward when I was a + little shaver; but nobody knows it now; I don't myself." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Tip, then, I'll call you that, for I want you to know + yourself to-night. What are you going to do?" + </p> + <p> + "When? to-night? Oh, hang around, I s'pose,—have some + fun, if I can find any." + </p> + <p> + "Fun. Is that what you're after? You come up to my house + to-night at dark, and see if you can find it there. We are + going to have fireworks, and songs, and all the fun we can." + </p> + <p> + Tip was not by any means a bashful boy, and it took a great + deal to astonish him; but this sudden invitation almost took + his breath away. The idea that Mr. Minturn had actually + invited <i>him</i>, Tip Lewis, to come to the white + house!—to come near to that wonderful fountain, near + enough perhaps to feel the dash of its spray! He could have + danced for joy; yet, when Mr. Minturn said, "Well, will you + come?" for the first time in his life he was known to stammer + and hesitate. + </p> + <p> + "I—I don't—know. I haven't got any clothes." + </p> + <p> + "Clothes!" repeated Mr. Minturn; "what do you call those + things which you have on?" + </p> + <p> + "I call 'em <i>rags</i>, sir," answered Tip, his + embarrassment gone, and the mischief twinkling back into his + face again. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Minturn laughed, and looked down on the torn jacket and + pants. + </p> + <p> + "Not a bad name," he said at last. "But you've got water at + your house, haven't you?" + </p> + <p> + "Lots of it." + </p> + <p> + "Then put your head into a tub of it, and a clean face up to + my house to-night, and we'll try and find that fun you're + looking for." + </p> + <p> + And Mr. Minturn, who had spent a great deal of time for him, + was passing on. "See here!" he called, after he had moved + forward a few steps; "if you see any boy raggeder than you + are yourself, bring him along,—bring every boy and girl + you meet who haven't anywhere else to go." + </p> + <p> + "Ho!" said Tip, as soon as the gentleman was at safe + distance; "if this isn't rich, then I don't + know,—fireworks in that great yard, pretty near the + fountain maybe, and lots of fun. We can take anybody we like. + I know what I'll do. I'll hunt up Bob Turner; his jacket has + got enough sight more holes in it than mine has. Oh, ho! + ain't it grand, though?" And Tip clapped his hands and + whistled, and at last, finding that didn't express his + feeling, said, "Hurrah!" in a good strong tone. + </p> + <p> + Yes, hurrah! Tip is right; it is glorious to think that one + man out of his abundance is going to open his heart, and + gather in God's poor, and, for one evening at least, make + them happy. + </p> + <p> + God bless Mr. Minturn! + </p> + <p> + Never had the good man's grounds entertained such a group as, + from all quarters of the large town, gathered before it was + quite dark. + </p> + <p> + Ragged boys and girls! If those were what be wanted, he had + them, sure enough, of almost every age and size. There were + some not so ragged,—some in dainty white dresses and + shining jackets; but they went down and mingled with the + others,—brothers and sisters for that night at + least,—and were all, oh, <i>so</i> happy! + </p> + <p> + How they <i>did</i> dance and laugh and scream around that + fountain, and snap torpedoes and fire-crackers, and shout + with wild delight when the rockets shot up into the sky, or + the burning wheels span round and round, scattering showers + of real fire right in among the crowds of children! + </p> + <p> + Well, the evening hasted away; the very last rocket took its + bright, rushing way up into the blue sky; and Mr. Minturn + gathered his company around the piazza with the words,— + </p> + <p> + "Now, children, Mr. Holbrook has a few words to say to you, + and after that, as soon as we have sung a hymn, it will be + time to go home." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Holbrook was the minister; many of the children knew him + well, and most of them were ready to hear what he had to say, + because they knew, by experience, that he was old enough and + wise enough not to make a long, dry speech after nine o'clock + on the Fourth of July. + </p> + <p> + Only Tip, as he turned longingly away from the last dying + spark of the rocket, muttered, "Bother the preaching!" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Holbrook came forward to the steps, as the boys and girls + gathered around him. + </p> + <p> + "Children," said he, "we have had a good time, haven't we?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir!" came in a loud chorus from many voices. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; I thought you acted as though you felt pretty happy. + Now this has been a busy day, and we are all tired, so I'm + not going to keep you here to make a speech to you; I just + want to tell you, in as few words as I can, what I have been + thinking about since I stood here to-night. I have watched + you as you frolicked around that fountain,—so many + young, bright faces, all looking so happy,—and I said + to myself, When the time comes for us to gather around that + fountain of living water which is before the throne of God, I + wonder if <i>one</i> of these boys and girls will be + missing—<i>one</i> of them? Oh, children, I pray God + that you may <i>all</i> be there, <i>every</i> one." + </p> + <p> + Just a little speech it was,—so little that the + youngest there might almost remember the whole of + it,—yet it meant <i>so</i> much. + </p> + <p> + Tip Lewis had wedged his way in among the boys until he stood + very near the minister, and his face wore a sober, thoughtful + look. It was only two days since his long talk with himself + at the pond. Fourth of July, with all the merrymaking and + mischief that it brought to him, had nearly driven sober + thoughts from his mind, but the minister's solemn words + brought back the memory of his half-formed resolves, and + again he said to himself he believed he would reform; this + time he added that if he knew about <i>how</i> to do it, he + would begin right away. He felt it more than ever when the + sweet voices of many children floated out on the evening air, + as they sang,— + </p> + <pre> + "I have read of a world of beauty, + Where there is no gloomy night, + Where love is the mainspring of duty, + And God is the fountain of light. + I have read of the flowing river + That bursts from beneath the throne, + And beautiful flowers that ever + Are found on its banks alone. + I long—I long—I long to be there!" +</pre> + <p> + If somebody had only known Tip's thoughts as he stood there + listening to the beautiful Sabbath school hymn! If somebody + had only bent down to him, and whispered a few words, just to + set his poor wandering feet into the narrow way, how blessed + it would have been: but nobody did. + </p> + <p> + Ah, never mind! God knew, and took care of him. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH4"><!-- CH4 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <h3> + "They that seek Me shall find Me." + </h3> + <p> + Mrs. Lewis's room was in order for once; swept, and even + dusted; the cook-stove cooled off, and the green paper + curtain at the window let down, to shut out the noise and + dust; it was quiet there too. + </p> + <p> + Kitty stood in the open door, her face and hands clean, hair + combed, and dress mended; stood quite still, and with a sober + face, unmindful, for once, that there were butterflies to + chase and flies to kill all around her. In the only + comfortable seat in the room, a large old-fashioned + arm-chair, sat the worn, wasted frame of Kitty's father. + There was a look of hopeless sadness settled on his face. + Neither Tip nor his mother were to be seen. One or two women + were moving through the house, with quiet steps, bringing in + chairs and doing little thoughtful things in and about that + wonderfully orderly room. + </p> + <p> + On the table was that which told the whole story of this + unusual stillness and preparation. It was a pine coffin, very + small and plain; and in it, with folded hands and brown hair + rolled smoothly back from his baby forehead, little Johnny + lay, asleep. Somebody, with a touch of tenderness, had placed + a just budding rose in the tiny white hand, and baby looked + very sweet and beautiful in his narrow bed. Poor little + Johnny! his had been a sad, neglected babyhood; many weary + hours had he spent in his cradle, receiving only cross looks + from Kitty, and neglected by the mother, who, though she + loved Johnny, and even because she loved him, must leave him + to work for her daily bread. But it was all over now: + Johnny's cries would never disturb them again; Johnny's weary + little body rested quietly in its coffin; Johnny's precious + self was gathered in the Saviour's arms. + </p> + <p> + Tip came out of the bedroom, and softly approached the + coffin; his hair, too, was partly combed, and some attempt + had been made to put his ragged clothes in order. His heart + swelled, and the tears gathered in his eyes, as they rested + on the baby. + </p> + <p> + Tip loved his little brother, and though he had not had much + to do with him, yet he had this much to comfort + him,—Johnny had received only kindness and good-natured + words from him, which was more than Kitty could say. As she + stood there in the door, it seemed to her that every time she + had ever said cross, naughty words to the poor baby, or + turned away from his pitiful cry for comfort, or shook his + little helpless self, came back to her now,—stood all + around his coffin, and looked straight at her. Poor Kitty + thought if he could <i>only</i> come back to them for a + little while, she would hold him in her arms all night, + without a murmur. + </p> + <p> + People began to come in now from the lowly houses about them, + and fill the empty chairs. Mrs. Lewis came out from the + bedroom, and sat down beside the arm-chair, thankful that her + tear-stained face and swollen eyes were hidden, by the thick + black veil which some thoughtful neighbour had sent for her + use. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes a dozen or more people had filled up the + vacant spaces in the little room, and Mr. Holbrook arose from + his seat at the coffin's head. + </p> + <p> + Tip turned quickly at the first sound of his voice, and + listened eagerly while he read from the book in his hand, + "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God," + listening until the closing sentence was read, "And there + shall be no more death; neither sorrow, nor crying, neither + shall there be any more pain, for the former things are + passed away." + </p> + <p> + Tip had never paid such close attention to anything in his + life as he did to Mr. Holbrook's words; after that they were + very simple and plain spoken, so that a child might + understand them, and were about heaven, that beautiful city + of which Tip had heard and thought more during the last three + weeks than he ever had in his life before. His heart had been + in a constant Struggle with Satan, ever since that morning in + the Sabbath school. He didn't know enough to understand that + it was Satan's evil voice which was constantly persuading him + that he could not be anybody, that-he was only a poor, + miserable, ragged boy, with nobody to help him, nobody to + show him what to do; that he might as well not try to be + anything but what he was; and he didn't know either that the + other voice in his heart which struggled with the evil + counsel, which said to him, "Other boys as poor and ignorant + as you are have reformed; that Robert did about whom the + teacher told you; and then, if you don't, you will never see + that river nor the fountain, nor the streets of gold," was + the dear, loving voice of his Redeemer. + </p> + <p> + Now, as he listened to Mr. Holbrook, and heard how Johnny, + little Johnny whom he loved, had surely gone up there to be + with Christ for ever, and how Jesus, looking down on the + father and mother, and the children who were left, said to + them, "I want you, too, to give Me your hearts, so that when + I gather My jewels I may come for you." The weak, struggling + resolves in his heart grew strong, and he said within + himself, while the tears fell slowly down his cheeks, "I + will; I'll begin to-day." + </p> + <p> + The coffin-lid was screwed down, and Johnny's baby-face shut + out from them for ever. A man came forward and took the light + burden in his arms, and bore it out to the waggon; down the + narrow street they drove, to the burial-ground, which was not + far away. They laid Johnny down to sleep under the shade of a + large old tree; and the grass waved softly, and the birds + sang low, and the angels surely sang in heaven, because + another little form was numbered among the thousands of + children who stand "around the Throne." + </p> + <p> + The people moved slowly from the grave,—all but Tip; he + didn't want to leave Johnny; he wanted to follow him, and he + didn't know how. Mr. Holbrook glanced back at the boy + standing there alone, paused a moment, then, turning back, + laid his hand gently on Tip's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "You can go up there too, my boy, if you will," he said, in a + low, kind tone. + </p> + <p> + Tip looked up quickly, then down again; he wanted to ask + how—what he should do; but his voice choked, he could + not speak a word; and with the earnest sentence, "God bless + you, my little friend, and lead you to Himself," Mr. Holbrook + turned and left him. + </p> + <p> + Tip wandered away into the woods for a little. When he + returned the earth was heaped up fresh and black over the new + mound, and Johnny was left underneath it all alone. Tip + walked around it slowly, trying to take in the thought that + the baby was lying there; that they should never see him + again; trying, a moment after, to take in the thought that he + was not there at all, but had gone up to the beautiful world + which the hymn told about; then he thought of the chorus, and + almost felt it.—"I long, I long, I long to be there." + </p> + <p> + Tip had heard people pray; he had been to Sabbath school + often enough to catch and remember most of the words of the + Lord's Prayer; he knew enough of God to understand that He + could hear prayer, and that His help must be asked if one + wanted to get to heaven. He hesitated a moment, glanced half + fearfully around him,—no one was there, no one but + himself, and Johnny, lying low at his feet, and God looking + down upon him. Presently he knelt down before the little + grave, and began,— + </p> + <p> + "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy + kingdom come"—Then he stopped. Tip was in earnest now; + he did not understand that prayer: he felt as though he was + not saying what he meant. He commenced again,— + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Jesus, I want"—Then he waited a minute. What did + he want? "I want to be different; I'm a wicked boy. I want to + go where Johnny is when I die. Do show me how!" + </p> + <p> + Did Jesus ever fail to hear such a prayer as + that,—simple, earnest, every word of it <i>felt? + Never</i>—and He never will. + </p> + <p> + Tip rose up from that spot feeling that something was + different. Ay, and always would be different; the Saviour had + reached down and taken hold of the young seeker's hand, and + would for ever after lead him up toward God. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH5"><!-- CH5 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <h3> + "Thy word is a lamp to my feet." + </h3> + <p> + The Sabbath morning sun awoke Tip from a heavy sleep. He lay + still a few moments, thinking who he was. Things were + different: he was not simply Tip Lewis, a ragged little + street boy, any longer; this was the morning when he was + going to start out under a new motto, with Jesus for his + guide. + </p> + <p> + He was going to Sabbath school. He had not been since the + morning that Miss Perry had taught the class, and told the + story which was to be a blessing to him through all his + future life. His evil spirit had been strong upon him during + the three Sabbath mornings that had passed since then, and + persuaded him to stay away from the school, but this morning + he was resolved to go. He had a secret hope that he should + see Miss Perry again, for he did not know that she was + hundreds of miles away from that village, and would probably + never be there again; all he knew was, that a gentleman had + brought her to the door, and introduced her to the + superintendent as Miss Perry; that much he heard as he sat + gazing at them. + </p> + <p> + This morning he judged by the sun that it was pretty late, + yet he didn't get on very fast with the business of dressing: + he sat down on the foot of the bed, and looked sorrowfully at + his jacket; he even turned it inside out to see if it + wouldn't improve its appearance, but he shook his head, and + speedily turned it back again. + </p> + <p> + If he "only had a collar," he said to himself,—"a + smooth white collar, to turn down over the worn-out + edges,—it would make things look <i>so</i> much + better." But that was something he had never had in his life, + and he put on the old ragged brown jacket with a sigh. Then + he put on his shoes, and took them off again: the question + was, which looked the best,—shoes which showed every + one of his toes peeping out on the top, or no shoes at all? + Suddenly a bright idea struck him: if his feet were only + white and clean, he thought they would certainly look much + better. Down he went to the rickety pump in the back yard, + and face, hands, and feet took such a washing as they had + never received before; then the old comb had to do duty. Tip + had never had such a time getting dressed; but, some way, he + felt a great longing this morning to make himself look + neatly; he had a feeling that it was ever so much more + respectable to be neat and clean than it was to go looking as + he had always done. Still, to carry a freshly-washed face and + hands and smooth hair was the very best he could do; and, if + he had but known it, these things made a great improvement. + </p> + <p> + He made his way half shyly into the mission seat, for the + truth was he did not know just how the boys would receive his + attempt at respectability; but he had no trouble, for several + of his companions had seen his face when he took his last + look into that little coffin the day before, and they felt + sorry for him. + </p> + <p> + No Miss Perry appeared; and it seemed, at first, that the + mission boys were to have no teacher. It was a warm morning, + and the visitors' seat was vacant. + </p> + <p> + But there was at last a great nudging of elbows, and whispers + of "Look out now!" "We're in a scrape!" "No chance for fun + today!" And only Tip's eyes looked glad when Holbrook halted + before their class, with "Good morning, boys." Then, "Good + morning Edward; I am glad to see you here to-day;" and the + minister actually held out his hand to Tip. Mr. Holbrook + never called him Tip; he had asked him one morning what his + real name was, and since then had spoken it, "Edward," in + clear, plain tones. + </p> + <p> + It was a restless, wearying class. It required all Mr. + Holbrook's wits and wisdom to keep them in any sort of order, + to gain any part of their attention. Yet it was not as bad as + usual; partly because the minister knew how, if anybody did, + to teach just such boys, and partly because Tip, hitherto the + spirit of all the mischief there, never took his eyes from + the teacher's face. Mr. Holbrook watched his close attention, + and took courage. When the other scholars passed out, he laid + his hand on Tip's arm, with the words, "You have been a good + listener to-day, Edward, Did you understand the story I told, + of the boy who started on a journey to the Holy Land?" + </p> + <p> + "Some of it I did: you meant that he started for heaven." + </p> + <p> + "You understand it, I see. Don't you want to take that + journey?" + </p> + <p> + "I mean to, sir." + </p> + <p> + "'Help Thou mine unbelief,'" was Mr. Holbrook's prayer just + then. He had hoped for, longed for, prayed for these boys, + especially for this one since the day before; yet he was + astonished when he received the firm, prompt answer, "I mean + to, sir,"—astonished, as too many are, that his prayer + was heard. + </p> + <p> + "Have you started, my boy?" he asked, speaking with a little + tremble in his voice. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir, I've tried; I told God last night that I would, + but I don't much know how." + </p> + <p> + "You want a lamp, don't you?" + </p> + <p> + "A what, sir?" + </p> + <p> + "A lamp. You remember in the story the boy found dark places + every little way; then he took out his lamp, so he couldn't + lose the road. Don't you need it?" + </p> + <p> + "I want some help, but I don't know as a lamp would do me any + good." + </p> + <p> + "Ah yes; the one I mean will surely help you, if you give it + a chance." Mr. Holbrook took from his pocket a small, + red-covered book, and held it up. "Do you know what book this + is?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "It's a Bible, ain't it?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. Have you ever read in the Bible?" + </p> + <p> + "Some, at school." + </p> + <p> + "You know, then, that God told men just what to say, and they + wrote it here, so you see that makes it God's words; that is + what we call it sometimes,—the Word of God. Now, let me + show you something." He turned the leaves rapidly, then + pointed with his finger to a verse; and Tip read, "Thy word + is a lamp to my feet." + </p> + <p> + "Oh," he said, with a bright look, "that is the kind of lamp + you mean!" + </p> + <p> + "That is it; and, my boy, I want you to take this for your + lamp. There is no place on the whole road so dark but that it + can light you through, if you try it. When you don't + understand it, there is always Jesus to go to, you know." + And, taking out his pencil, Mr. Holbrook wrote on the + fly-leaf, in plain, round letters, "Edward Lewis." Then, + handing the book to him, with a bow and smile, the minister + turned away. + </p> + <p> + Tip walked out of the school and down the road, holding his + treasure closely. Such a queer, new feeling possessed him. + Things were really to be different, then. The minister had + talked with him, had shaken hands with him, and given him a + Bible. And here he was walking quietly away from the school, + all alone, instead of leading a troop of noisy boys, intent + on mischief. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Tip Lewis," he said to himself, as he hugged his book, + "I don't know but you will be somebody, after all; you mean + to try with all your might, don't you? and you've got a lamp + now!" + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH6"><!-- CH6 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <h3> + "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou + shalt go. I will guide thee with Mine eye." + </h3> + <p> + "Why," said Tip, as he sat on the foot of the bed, turning + over the leaves of his Bible,—"why, that is the very + thing I want. 'I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the + way which thou shalt go.' Yes, that's exactly it. I want to + begin to-day, and do every single thing so different from + what I ever did before, that nobody will know me. Now, if + He'll help me, I can do it. I'll learn that verse." + </p> + <p> + The verse was repeated many times over, for Tip was not used + to study. While he was busy thus, the Spirit of God put + another thought into his heart. + </p> + <p> + "I must ask Christ to help me now," he said, with reverent + face; and, kneeling down, he made known his wants in very + simple words, and in that plain, direct way which God loves. + Then he went down—stairs, prepared for whatever should + befall him that day. + </p> + <p> + Kitty was up, and rattling the kitchen stove. + </p> + <p> + "Kitty, what's to pay?" Tip asked, as he appeared in the + door. + </p> + <p> + "What's to pay with you? How did you happen to get up?" + Receiving no answer to this, she continued, "The old cat is + to pay,—everywhere,—and always is! These nasty + shavings are soaked through and through, and the wood is + rotten,—and there isn't any wood anyway,—and I + can't make this fire burn to save my life. Mother is sick in + bed,—can't sit up at all. She told me to make a cup of + tea for father, and things look as if it would get made some + time next month." + </p> + <p> + Kitty was only twelve years old, but, like most of those + children who have been left to bring themselves up, and pick + up wisdom and wickedness wherever they are to be found, she + was wonderfully old in mind; and was so used to grumbling and + snarling, that she could do it very rapidly. + </p> + <p> + "Oh," said Tip to himself, drawing a long breath, "what a + place for me to commence in!" Then he came bravely to Kitty's + aid. + </p> + <p> + "See here, Kitty, don't make such a rattling; you'll wake + father. I can make this fire in a hurry. I have made one out + of next to nothing, lots of times; you just put some water in + the tea-kettle, and we'll have a cup of tea in a jiff." + </p> + <p> + Kitty stood still in her astonishment, and watched him while + he took out the round green sticks that she had put in, laid + in bits of dry paper and bits of sticks,—laid them in + such a careless, uneven way, that it seemed to her they would + never burn in the world; only he speedily proved that they + would, by setting fire to the whole, and they crackled and + snapped in a most determined manner, and finally roared + outright. + </p> + <p> + Certainly Kitty had never been so much astonished in her + life. First, because that rubbish in the stove had been made + to become such a positive fire; secondly, that Tip had + actually set to work without being coaxed or scolded, and + made a fire! + </p> + <p> + There was a queer, new feeling about it all to Tip himself; + for, strange as it may seem, so entirely selfish had been + this boy's life, that this was actually the first time he had + ever, of his own free will, done anything to help the family + at home. His spirits rose with the effort. + </p> + <p> + "Come, Kitty," he said briskly, "here's your fire. Now, let's + fly round and get father and mother some breakfast. Say, do + you know how to make toast?" + </p> + <p> + "It's likely I do," Kitty answered shortly. "If you had + roasted your face and burnt your fingers as often as I have, + making it for father, I guess you would know how." + </p> + <p> + "Well, now, just suppose we make two slices,—one for + mother, and one for father,—and two cups of tea. My! + you and I will be jolly housekeepers, Kitty." + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" said Kitty contemptuously. + </p> + <p> + You see she wasn't in the least used to being good-natured, + and it took a great deal of coaxing to make her give other + than short, sharp answers to all that was said. But, for all + that, she went to work, after Tip had poured some water in + the dingy little tea-kettle and set it over the fire, cutting + the two slices of bread, and getting them ready to toast when + there should be any coals. + </p> + <p> + Tip, meantime, hunted among the confusion, of all sorts of + things in the cupboard, for two clean plates and cups. + </p> + <p> + "You're taken with an awful clean fit, seems to me," Kitty + said, as she stood watching him while he hunted for a cloth, + then carefully wiped off the plates. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," answered Tip good-naturedly; "I'm going to try it for + a spell, and find out how things look after they are washed." + </p> + <p> + Altogether it was a queer morning to both of them; and each + felt a touch of triumph when at last the toast lay brown and + nice, a slice on each plate, and the hot tea, poured into the + cups, smelled fresh and fragrant. The two children went + softly to the bedroom door in time to hear their father + say,— + </p> + <p> + "What makes you try to get up, if your head is so bad?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, what makes me! What else is there for <i>me</i> to do? + The young ones are both up, and if I find the roof left on + the house I'll be thankful. I never knew them to stay + together five minutes without having a battle." + </p> + <p> + At almost any other time in her life these words would have + made Kitty very angry; but this morning she was intent on not + letting her tea spill over on the toast, and so paid very + little attention to them. + </p> + <p> + Tip marched boldly in with his dish, Kitty following. + </p> + <p> + "Lie still, mother, till you get some of our tea and toast, + and I reckon it will cure you." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lewis raised herself on one elbow, saw the beautiful + brown slices, caught a whiff of the fragrant tea, then asked + wonderingly,— + </p> + <p> + "Who's here?" + </p> + <p> + "Kitty and me," Tip made answer, proudly and promptly. + </p> + <p> + Something very like a smile gathered on Mrs. Lewis's worn, + fretful face. + </p> + <p> + "Well, now," she said, "if I ain't beat! It's the last thing + on earth I ever expected you to do." + </p> + <p> + What spell had come over Tip? Breakfast was a great success. + After it was over he found a great many things to do; the + rusty old axe was hunted up, and some hard knots made to + become very respectable-looking sticks of wood, which he + piled in the wood-box. Kitty, under the influence of his + strange behaviour, washed the dishes, and even got out the + broom and swept a little. + </p> + <p> + Altogether, that was a day long to be remembered by Tip, a + day in which he began his life afresh. He made some mistakes; + for he fancied, in his ignorance, that the struggle was + over,—that he had only to go forward joyfully over a + pleasant road. + </p> + <p> + He found out his mistake: he discovered that Satan had not by + any means given him up; that he must yet fight many hard, + hard battles. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH7"><!-- CH7 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <h3> + "Fear not, for I have redeemed thee." + </h3> + <p> + "They must have had an earthquake down at Lewis's this + morning," Howard Minturn said to the boys who were gathered + around the schoolroom door. "The first bell has not rung yet, + and there comes Tip up the hill." + </p> + <p> + Up the hill came Tip, sure enough, with a firm, resolute + step. The summer vacation was over. The fall term was to + commence this morning, and among the things which Tip had + resolved to do was this one, to come steadily and promptly to + school during the term, which was something that he had never + done in his life. The public school was the best one in the + village, so he had the best boys in town for school + companions, as well as some of the worst. + </p> + <p> + "Hallo, Tip!" said Bob Turner, coming partly down the hill to + meet him. "How are you, old fellow?" + </p> + <p> + Bob had been away during most of the vacation, and knew + nothing of the changes which there had been in his absence. + Tip winced a little at his greeting; shivered a little at the + thought of the temptation which Bob would be to him. + </p> + <p> + The two had been linked together all their lives in every + form of mischief and wrong; they seemed almost a part of each + other,—at least, they <i>had</i> seemed so until within + these few weeks. Now, Tip <i>felt</i> rather than knew how + far separated they must be. + </p> + <p> + The bell rang, and the boys jostled and tumbled against each + other to their seats. + </p> + <p> + Bob Turner, as usual, seated himself beside Tip; but then Bob + only came to school about two forenoons in a week, so perhaps + they might get along. + </p> + <p> + When the Bible reading commenced, Tip hesitated, and his face + flushed; he had never owned a Bible to read from before, but + this morning his new one lay in his pocket. The question was, + Had he courage to take it out? What would the boys think? + What would they say? How should he answer them? + </p> + <p> + He began to think he would wait until tomorrow morning; then + he grew hot and ashamed as he saw that he was already trying + to hide his colours. Suddenly he drew out his Bible, and + began very hurriedly to turn the leaves. + </p> + <p> + Bob heard the rustling, and, glancing around, puckered his + lips as if he were going to whistle, and, snatching the book, + read the name which Mr. Holbrook had written therein; then he + whispered, "You don't say so! When did we steal a Bible, and + turn saint?" + </p> + <p> + The blood growing hotter and redder in Tip's cheeks was his + only answer; but he felt that his temptation had begun. The + next thing was to read; when he had finally found the place, + even though there were more than fifty voices reading those + same words, yet poor Tip imagined that his would be louder + than all the rest, and he choked and coughed, and made more + than one trial before he forced his voice to join, even in a + whisper, at the words, "And they clothed Him with purple, and + plaited a crown of thorns and put it about His head." + </p> + <p> + It did not help him in his reading that Bob made his lips + move with the rest, but said, loud enough for him to + hear,— + </p> + <pre> + "The man in the moon + Came down too soon," +</pre> + <p> + and continued to repeat some senseless or wicked rhymes, + through the reading of the beautiful chapter. + </p> + <p> + How thankfully Tip bowed his head that morning; his heart had + taken in some of the sweet words. That sacred head had been + crowned with thorns, indeed, but he knew it was crowned with + glory now,—and he knew that Christ had suffered and + died for him! He joined with his whole heart in Mr. Burrows's + prayer; and, though Bob pulled his hair and tickled his foot + and stepped on his toes, the bowed head was not lifted, and + his spirit gathered strength. + </p> + <p> + But Tip never forgot the trials of that day, nor the hard + work which he had to endure them. Bob was, as usual, + overflowing with mischief, and, failing in finding the + willing helper which he had expected in his old companion, + took revenge in aiming a great many of his pranks at him. + Such senseless, silly things as he did to annoy! Tip spread + his slate over with a long row of figures which he earnestly + tried to add, and, having toiled slowly up the first two + columns, Bob's wet finger was slyly drawn across it, and no + trace of the answer so hardly earned appeared. + </p> + <p> + Then, too, he had his own heart to struggle against: he was + so used to whispering to this and that boy seated near him, + to eating apples when the teacher's back was turned, to + making an ugly-looking picture on a piece of paper and + pinning it on the back of a small boy before him. He was so + unused to sitting still, and trying to study. + </p> + <p> + What hard work it was to study, any way! It seemed to him + that he could never get that spelling-lesson in the world; + the harder he tried, the more bewildered he grew. A dozen + times he spelled the two words, receive and believe, standing + so closely together, each time sure he was right, and each + time discovering that the i's and e's must change places; he + grew utterly provoked and disheartened, and would have fairly + cried, had not Bob been beside him to see the tears, and grow + merry over them. + </p> + <p> + Finally, he lost all patience with Bob, and, turning fiercely + to him, after he had for the third time pitched the greasy + old spelling-book upside down on the floor, said,— + </p> + <p> + "Look here, now, if you come that thing again, I'll pitch you + out of the window quicker than wink!" + </p> + <p> + "Edward Lewis marked for whispering," said Mr. Burrows. + "Edward, you have commenced the term as usual, I + see,—the first one marked for bad conduct." + </p> + <p> + How Tip's ears burned! How untrue it was! He had not + commenced this term as usual; how differently he had tried to + commence it, only he and God knew. And now to fail thus early + in the day! His head seemed to spin and his brain reel; he + bowed himself on the seat again, but Bob's head went down + promptly, and he whispered,— + </p> + <pre> + "Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep!" +</pre> + <p> + How often Tip had thought such things as these so very funny + that he could not possibly help laughing; how silly and + meaningless—yes, and cruel—did they seem to him + now! Oh, Satan was struggling for Tip to-day: he was reaping + the fruits of long weeks spent in evil company and folly. + </p> + <p> + He looked over to the back seats, where sat Howard Minturn + and Ellis Holbrook, hard at work on their algebra lesson, + nobody thinking of such a thing as disturbing them; and, as + he looked, sighed heavily. If he had only gained such a place + as they had in the school, how easily he could work to-day. + They were very little older than he, yet here he was trying + to do an example in addition, doing it over four times before + it was right,—and they were at the head of the class in + algebra. If he could only jump to where they were, and go on + with them! And the hopelessness of this thought made his + spelling-lesson seem harder; so it was no wonder, when the + class formed, and he took his old place at the foot, and he + stayed there, and spelled believe <i>ei</i> after all; nobody + was surprised, but nobody knew how very, <i>very</i> hard he + had tried. + </p> + <p> + The long day, crowded full of trouble and temptation to poor + Tip, wore away. At recess he wandered off by himself, trying + hard to get back some of the strong, firm hopes of the + morning. + </p> + <p> + One more sharp trial was in store for him. Towards the close + of the afternoon Bob's fun took the form of paper balls, + which, at every turn of Mr. Burrows's back, spun through the + room in all directions; two or three of the smaller scholars + joined him, and a regular fire of balls was kept up. The boys + complained—Mr. Burrows scolded. + </p> + <p> + At last he spoke this short, prompt sentence: "The next boy I + catch throwing paper, or anything else, in this room to-day, + I shall punish severely; and I shall expect any scholar who + sees anything of this kind going on to inform me." + </p> + <p> + Not five minutes after that Mr. Burrows bent over his desk in + search of something within, when—whisk! went the + largest paper ball that had been thrown that day, and landed + on the teacher's forehead. Some of the scholars laughed, some + looked grave and startled, for Mr. Burrows was a man who + always meant what he said. + </p> + <p> + "Does any one know who threw that ball?" he asked, closing + his desk and speaking in a calm, steady tone. + </p> + <p> + No reply,—silence for a minute. Then, "Ellis Holbrook, + do you know who threw that ball of paper?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Very well; I am waiting to be told." + </p> + <p> + "Tip Lewis threw it, sir." + </p> + <p> + This was a little too much for Tip. The first time in his + life that he had ever been in school all day without throwing + one, to be so accused! He sprang up in his seat with fire in + his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I didn't!" he almost screamed. "He knows I didn't! It is a + mean, wicked lie!" + </p> + <p> + "Sit down," said Mr. Burrows. "Ellis, did you <i>see</i> him + throw it?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir, I did." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows turned to Tip. "Edward, come here." + </p> + <p> + Tip was still standing. + </p> + <p> + "Say you won't," whispered Bob. "Say you won't stir a step + for the old fellow. If he goes to make you, we'll see who'll + beat." + </p> + <p> + But the command was repeated, and Tip went forward, fixing + his steady eyes on Mr. Burrows as he spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Burrows, as sure as I live, I <i>did</i> not throw that + paper ball." + </p> + <p> + And yet—poor Tip!—he knew he would not be + believed; he knew his word could not be trusted; he knew he + had often stood there and as boldly declared what was + <i>not</i> true, and what had been proved in a few minutes to + be false. + </p> + <p> + No, nobody believed Tip. He had earned, among other things in + the school, the name of hardly ever speaking the truth; and + now he must suffer for it. So he stood still and received the + swift, hard blows of the ruler on his hands; stood without a + tear or a promise. Mr. Burrows had not a doubt of his guilt, + for had not Ellis Holbrook, whose word was law in the school, + said he saw the mischief done? and did not Tip always deny + all knowledge of such matters until made to own them? + </p> + <p> + Still, this time the boy resolutely refused to confess that + he had thrown a bit of paper that day, and went back to his + seat with smarting hands and the stern words of his teacher + ringing in his ears. + </p> + <p> + What a heavy, bitter heart the poor boy carried out from the + schoolroom that afternoon, he felt as though he almost hated + every scholar there,—<i>quite</i> hated Ellis Holbrook. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows, catching a glimpse of his face, said to one of + the other teachers, "That boy grows sullen; with all the + rest, his good-nature was the only good thing which he had + about him, and he is losing that." + </p> + <p> + Tip heard him, and felt that it was true. He had been + punished many a time before, and taken it with the most + provoking good humour. But to-day it was different; to-day, + for the first time in his life, he had received a punishment + which he did not deserve; this day of all others, in which he + had tried with all his heart to do right! + </p> + <p> + "Why didn't you hold on, you simpleton?" Bob asked. "Never + saw you get up so much pluck in my life. What made you back + out, and be whipped like a baby?" + </p> + <p> + "Why didn't <i>you</i> own that you threw that plaguy paper + ball, and not sit there like a coward, and see me take your + whipping?" + </p> + <p> + "<i>I</i> own it! That's a good one! 'Pon honour, Tip, didn't + you throw that ball? I thought you did; I was aiming one at + Ellis Holbrook's head just then, and I didn't see what was + going on behind me. Didn't you throw it—honour bright?" + </p> + <p> + "No, I didn't; and I'll throw <i>you</i> if you say so + again." + </p> + <p> + And Tip turned suddenly in the opposite direction, but Satan + still walked with him. + </p> + <p> + "It's no use," said this evil spirit, speaking out + boldly,—"it's no use; don't you see it isn't? You might + as well give it up first as last; the boys, and the teacher, + and every one, think you're nothing in the world but a wicked + young scamp, and you never <i>can</i> be anything else. + You've been humbugging yourself these four weeks, making + believe you had a great Friend to help you: why hasn't He + helped you to-day? You've tried your best all day long, and + He knows you have; yet you never had such a hard day in your + life. If He cares anything at all about you, why didn't He + help you to-day? You asked Him to." + </p> + <p> + Tip sat down on a log by the side of the road, and gave + himself up for a little to Satan's guidance, and the wicked + voice went on,— + </p> + <p> + "Now, you see, you've been cheated. You've tried hard for a + whole month to <i>be</i> somebody, and no one thinks any more + of you than they did before, and never will. Your mother + scolds just as much, and your home looks just as dismal, and + Kitty is just as hateful, and the respectable boys in the + village have nothing to do with you. You might just as well + lounge around and have a good time. Nobody expects you to be + good, or will let you, when you want to be." + </p> + <p> + Softly there came another voice knocking at Tip's heart. At + first he would not notice it, but it <i>would</i> be heard. + </p> + <p> + "What of all that?" it said; "suppose nobody cares for you, + or helps you here. Jesus died, you know, and He is your + friend. You <i>know</i> that is not a humbug; you <i>know</i> + He has heard you when you knelt down and prayed. He has + helped you. Then there's heaven, where all the beauty is, and + He has promised to take you—yes, <i>you</i>—there + by and by! Oh, you must not complain because people won't + believe that such a bad boy as you have been has grown good + so soon. Christ knows about it, so it's all right. Just keep + on trying, and one of these days folks will see that you mean + it; they <i>will</i>—God has promised. He has given you + a lamp to light you. Why have not you looked at it all this + day?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh," said Tip, "I can't; I <i>can't</i> be a Christian! I + have not done right nor felt right to-day. I almost hate the + boys, and Mr. Burrows too. I don't know what to do." + </p> + <p> + "Go on home," said Satan. "Let the lamp and these new notions + and all <i>go</i>! Christ don't care anything about + <i>you</i>; such a miserable, wicked, story-telling boy as + you have been, do you expect Him to notice <i>you</i>?" + </p> + <p> + But Tip's hand was in his pocket, resting on his lamp, as he + had learned to call it; and the low, sweet voice in his heart + was urging him to let its light shine. He drew it out, and + turned the leaves, and the same dear Helper stopped his eyes + at the words, "Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have + called thee by thy name; thou art <i>Mine</i>." + </p> + <p> + Then came hot, thankful tears. Oh, precious words, sinking + right into the torn, troubled heart. Christ the Redeemer had + called him by his name! He was—yes, he <i>would be + His</i>! He glanced around. Nobody was to be seen; he was + sitting in the hollow at the foot of the hill, and under the + shade of a low branching tree. And there he knelt down to + pray; and Satan drew himself away, for the spot around that + kneeling boy was holy ground. Tip's soul had gained the + victory. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH8"><!-- CH8 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <h3> + "Freely ye have received, freely give." + </h3> + <p> + Whether Tip felt it or not, there were some changes in his + home. Mrs. Lewis, though worried and hurried and cross + enough, still was not so much so as she had been. + </p> + <p> + The house was quieter, there was no cradle to rock, there + were no baby footsteps to follow and keep out of danger; she + had more time for sewing. Yet this very thing, the missing of + the clinging arms about her neck, sometimes made her heavy + heart vent itself in short, sharp words. + </p> + <p> + But Tip had astonished the family at home,—it didn't + require wonderful changes to do it,—rather the change + which they saw in him seemed wonderful. + </p> + <p> + The fire which she found ready made in the morning, the full + pail of fresh water, the box: filled with wood, were all so + many drops of honey to the tired mother's heart. The awkward + pat of his father's pillow, which Tip now and then gave as he + lingered to ask how he was, seemed so new and delightful to + that neglected father's heart, that he lay on his hard bed + and thought of it much all day. + </p> + <p> + Tip got on better at home than anywhere else; he had not so + many temptations. He had been such a lawless, reckless boy, + that they had all learned to leave him very much to himself, + and, as not a great deal of his time was spent there, his + trials at home were not many. As for Kitty, she did not cease + to wonder what had happened to Tip; she perhaps felt the + difference more than any one else, for it had been the + delight of his life to tease her. + </p> + <p> + Now, from the time that he gathered his books, with the first + sound of the school-bell, and hurried up the hill, until he + returned at night, ready to split wood, hoe in the garden, or + do any of the dozen things that he had never been known to do + before, he was a never-failing subject of thought and + wonderment to her. Watching him closely, the only thing she + could finally settle on as the cause of the change which she + found in him was, that he now went every Sabbath morning to + the Sabbath school. The mystery must be hidden there. Having + decided that matter, Kitty speedily resolved that she would + go there herself, and see what they did. Many were the kind + hearts that had tried to coax her into that same Sabbath + school, and had failed. But this Saturday afternoon's gazing + out of the window, with a wonderfully sober face, had ended + in her exclaiming,— + </p> + <p> + "I say, mother, I want a needle and thread." + </p> + <p> + "What do you want with a needle and thread?" asked Mrs. + Lewis, stirring away at some gruel in a tin basin, and not + even glancing up. + </p> + <p> + "I want to mend my dress; it's torn this way and that, and + looks awful. I want some green thread, the colour of this + wide stripe." + </p> + <p> + Now for a minute the gruel was forgotten, and Mrs. Lewis + looked at Kitty in amazement. + </p> + <p> + "Dear me!" she said at last; "I don't know what will happen + next. It can't be possible that you are going to work to mend + your own dress without being scolded about it for a week, and + then made to do it." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I am, too; I ain't going to look like a rag-bag another + hour. And I'm going to wash out my sun-bonnet and iron it; + then I mean to go over to that Sunday school to-morrow. I + ain't heard any singing since I was born, as I know of, and I + mean to." + </p> + <p> + The gruel began to burn, and Mrs. Lewis turned to it again, + saying nothing, but thinking a great deal. Once she used to + go to Sabbath school herself, when she was Kitty's age; and + she didn't have to mend her dress first, either; she used to + be dressed freshly and neatly, every Sabbath morning, by her + mother's own careful hands. + </p> + <p> + She poured the gruel into a bowl, and then went over to her + workbox. + </p> + <p> + "Here's a needle and thread," she said at last, drawing out a + snarl of green thread from the many snarls in her box. "Mend + your dress if you want to, and I'll wash out your bonnet for + you towards night, when I get that vest done." + </p> + <p> + It was Kitty's turn to be astonished now. She had not + expected help from her mother. + </p> + <p> + Tip lingered in the kitchen on Sabbath morning. He looked + neat and clean; he had a fresh, clean shirt, thanks to the + washing which his mother had done "towards night." He was all + ready for school, yet he waited. + </p> + <p> + Kitty clattered around, making rather more noise even than + usual, as she washed up the few poor dishes. + </p> + <p> + Evidently Tip was thinking about her. The truth was, his lamp + had shown him a lesson that morning like this: "Freely ye + have received, freely give." He stopped at that verse, + reading no further. What did it mean I Surely it spoke to + him. Had not God given, oh, <i>so</i> many things to him? Had + He not promised to give him heaven for his home? Now, here + was the direction: "Freely give." What, and to whom? To God? + Surely not. Tip was certain that he had nothing to give to + God; nothing but his poor, sinful heart, which he believed + the Saviour had taken and made clean. + </p> + <p> + What could he give to any one? He leaned out of his little + window, busy with this thought. Kitty came out to the door, + and pumped her pan full of water. He looked down on her. + There was Kitty; had he anything which he could give her? He + shook his head mournfully; not a thing. But wouldn't it be + the same if he could help her to get something? What if he + could coax her to go to Sunday school; perhaps it would do + for her all that it had done for him. And at this moment the + unwearied Satan came with his wicked thoughts. + </p> + <p> + "Kitty would be a pretty-looking object to go to Sabbath + school,—not a decent thing to wear! Everybody would + laugh at her and at you. Besides, I don't believe she would + go, if you <i>did</i> ask her; she would only make fun of + you. Better not try it." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Tip Lewis," said his conscience, "what a miserable + coward you are! After all you have promised, you won't risk a + laugh for the sake of getting Kitty into the Sabbath school!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I will," said Tip, and he ran downstairs. + </p> + <p> + And this was why he lingered in the kitchen,—not + knowing just what to say. Kitty helped him. + </p> + <p> + "Tip," said she, "I suppose they sing over at that Sunday + school, don't they?" + </p> + <p> + "I guess they do;" and Tip's eyes brightened. "Ever so many + of them sing at once, and it sounds grand, I tell you. They + play the melodeon, too: don't you want to go and hear it?" + </p> + <p> + "Humph! I don't know. I don't suppose it will be any stupider + than staying at home. I get awful sick of that. If I knew the + way, maybe I would go." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'll take you!" said Tip, in a quick, eager way. He + wanted to speak before his courage failed. + </p> + <p> + So Kitty, in her stiff blue sunbonnet and green calico dress, + went to Sabbath school. There was no mission class for girls, + so Mr. Parker sent her among the gaily-dressed little girls + in Miss Haley's class; but Mr. Holbrook detained Tip. + </p> + <p> + "Edward, you intend to come to Sabbath school regularly, + don't you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Then I think we must leave your place in the mission seat to + be filled by some other boy, and you may come forward to my + class." + </p> + <p> + It is doubtful whether Tip will ever see a prouder or happier + moment than that one in which he followed the minister down + the long room to his <i>own</i> class. But when he saw the + seat full of boys, his face grew crimson. At the end of the + seat was Ellis Holbrook, the minister's son,—the boy + who but a few days before had, he believed in his heart, told + a wicked story about himself, and gained him a severe + punishment. He did not feel as though he could sit beside + that boy, even in Sabbath school. But Mr. Holbrook waited, + and sit down he <i>must</i>. Ellis moved along to give him + room, and disturbed him neither by word nor look during the + lesson. But Tip's heart was full of bitterness, and he + thought the pleasure of that morning gone. The lesson was of + Christ and His death on the cross, and, as he listened, hard + thoughts began to die out. The story was too new; it touched + too near his heart not to calm the angry feelings and to + interest him wonderfully. + </p> + <p> + As soon as school was dismissed, Mr. Holbrook turned to him. + "What disturbs you to-day, Edward?" + </p> + <p> + Tip's face grew red again. "I—I—nothing much, + sir." + </p> + <p> + "Have you and Ellis been having trouble in school?" + </p> + <p> + "He has been getting <i>me</i> into trouble," spoke Tip + boldly, finding himself caught. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Holbrook sat down again. "Can you tell me about it, + Edward?" + </p> + <p> + "He said I threw paper balls, and Mr. Burrows whipped me; and + I didn't." + </p> + <p> + "Are you sure you didn't?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Did you say so at the time?" + </p> + <p> + "Over and over again, but he said he <i>saw</i> me." + </p> + <p> + "Edward, have you always spoken the truth? Is your word to be + believed?" + </p> + <p> + Tip's eyes fell and his lip quivered. "I've told a great many + stories," he said at last, in a low, humble tone; "but this + <i>truly</i> isn't one. I'm trying to tell the truth after + this, and Jesus believes what I have said this time." + </p> + <p> + "So do I, Edward," answered Mr. Holbrook gently, even + tenderly. "Ellis was mistaken. But I see you are angry with + him; can't you get over that?" + </p> + <p> + Tip shook his head. "He got me whipped for nothing, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Suppose Christ should follow that rule, Edward, and forgive + only those who had treated Him well; would you be forgiven + to-day?" + </p> + <p> + This was a new thought to Tip, and made him silent. Mr. + Holbrook held out his hand for the little red Bible. + </p> + <p> + "Let me show you what this lamp of yours says about the + matter." + </p> + <p> + And Tip's eyes presently read where the minister's finger + pointed: "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither + will your Father forgive your trespasses." + </p> + <p> + "Trespasses mean sins," explained Mr. Holbrook; then he + turned away. + </p> + <p> + All this time Kitty had been standing waiting,—not for + Tip, she didn't expect his company,—but for the stylish + little girls to get fairly started on their way to church, so + she could go home without having any of them look at or make + fun of her. + </p> + <p> + Kitty had not been having a very good time: she had the + misfortune to fall into the hands of a teacher who thought if + she asked the questions in the question-book, and if one + scholar could not answer, passed on to the next, she had done + her duty. So the singing was pretty nearly all Kitty had + cared for. God was leaving most of the work for Tip to do, + after all. He went over to her now, and walked down the road + with her. The boys had all gone, as well as the girls, so + there was nothing to hinder their walking on quietly + together. + </p> + <p> + "How did you like it, Kitty?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I didn't think much of it. I sat by the ugliest girl in + town, and she made fun of my bonnet and my shoes. I + <i>hate</i> her." + </p> + <p> + Tip had a faint notion in his heart that Kitty also needed + the verse which had just been given him; but he had other + thoughts about her. God's Spirit was at work. Having taken + her to Sabbath school, having begun a good work, he wanted it + to go on. It was very hard to speak to Kitty; he didn't know + what to say; but all the way down the hill there seemed to + ring in his ears the message, "Freely ye have received, + freely give." + </p> + <p> + "Kitty," he said at last, "don't you want to be a Christian?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know what a Christian is." + </p> + <p> + "But wouldn't you like to love Jesus?" + </p> + <p> + "How do I know?" replied Kitty shortly. "I don't know + anything about Jesus." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, didn't you hear, in the lesson to-day, about how He + loves everybody, and wants everybody to love Him, and how He + died so we could?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know a thing about the lesson. I counted the buttons + on Miss Harley's dress most all the time; they went up and + down the front, and up and down the sides, and everywhere." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, but, Kitty, you surely heard the hymn,— + </p> + <pre> + 'Jesus loves me, this I know, + For the Bible tells me so.'" +</pre> + <p> + "Yes," Kitty said; "the hymn was pretty enough, only nobody + gave me a book, and I could just hear a word now and then." + </p> + <p> + Altogether, Tip didn't feel that he had done Kitty a bit of + good. But he knew this much, that, since he had begun to + think about and talk to her, he longed—yes, + <i>longed</i>—with all his heart to have her come to + Christ. + </p> + <hr> + <p> + "Ellis, come here a moment," said Mr. Holbrook, turning + towards his study door, as the family came in from church. + "What is it about this trouble in school with Edward Lewis?" + </p> + <p> + "No trouble, father; only Tip threw a paper ball, just as he + always <i>is</i> doing, and, as Mr. Burrows asked me if I + knew who threw it, of course I had to tell him, and that made + Tip mad. Why? Has he been complaining to you, father?" + </p> + <p> + "Ellis, did you see Edward throw paper?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Are you positive?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes—why—that is—I glanced up from my book + just in time to see it whiz, and it came from Tip's + direction, and his hand was raised, so I supposed of course + he threw it. I thought a minute ago that I knew he did." + </p> + <p> + "But now you would not say positively that some boy near him + might not have done it?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, no, sir. Alex Palmer might have thrown it; but I didn't + think of such a thing." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Ellis, my verdict is that you were mistaken; I don't + think Edward told a falsehood this time. I'll tell you why: + he is trying to take the Saviour for his pattern. I believe + he is a Christian. Now, there is one thing which I want you + to think of. Edward Lewis, who has never been taught anything + good, who has never had any one to help him, has given his + heart to Christ; and my boy, for whom I have prayed with, all + my soul every day since he was born, has not." + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH9"><!-- CH9 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <h3> + "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." + </h3> + <p> + "Boys," said Mr. Burrows, one Monday afternoon, "you may lay + aside your books; I want to have a talk with you." + </p> + <p> + Books were hurriedly gathered and piled in their places, and + the boys sat up with folded arms, ready for whatever their + teacher had to offer. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows drew out his arm-chair from behind the desk, and + sat down for a chat. + </p> + <p> + "Who will tell me what an acrostic is?" + </p> + <p> + Several hands were raised. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Howard, let us hear what you think about it." + </p> + <p> + "It's a piece of poetry, sir, where the first letter of every + line spells another word." + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean the first letter alone spells a word?" + </p> + <p> + The boys laughed, and Howard explained promptly. "No, sir; I + mean the first letters of each line taken together form a + name." + </p> + <p> + "Must an acrostic always be written in poetry?" + </p> + <p> + This question called forth several answers, and made a good + deal of talk; but it was finally decided that there could be + acrostics in prose as well as in rhyme; and Mr. Burrows + asked,— + </p> + <p> + "How many understand now what an acrostic is?" + </p> + <p> + A few more hands were raised, but many of the boys did not + understand yet; it must be made plainer. + </p> + <p> + "Howard," said Mr. Burrows, "come to the board and give us an + acrostic on the word boy." + </p> + <p> + Howard sprang up. "Must it be a sensible one, sir?" + </p> + <p> + "Sense or nonsense, just as you please, so as it shows us + what an acrostic is." + </p> + <p> + "I can take my parsing-book and give you one, I think, sir." + </p> + <p> + And Howard came forward and wrote rapidly,— + </p> + <pre> + "B But you shall hear an odd affair, indeed, + O Of which all Europe rings from side to side"— +</pre> + <p> + Then he paused, turning the leaves of his parsing-book + eagerly. + </p> + <p> + "I can't find anything in Y to finish this up with," he said + at last. + </p> + <p> + "Can't you give us a line from your own brain?" + </p> + <p> + And at this Howard's eye brightened with fun, and, turning to + the board after a moment of thought, he dashed off the + closing line,— + </p> + <pre> + "Y You who can finish this may have the job;"— +</pre> + <p> + then took his seat amid bursts of laughter from the boys, who + all began to understand what an acrostic was. + </p> + <p> + Ellis Holbrook's hand was up, and his eyes were full of + questions. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Burrows, why is that called by such a queer name as + acrostic?" + </p> + <p> + His teacher smiled. + </p> + <p> + "You must study Greek, Ellis. We get it from two words in the + Greek, or from one word made up of two others, which mean + <i>extreme</i>, or <i>beginning</i> and <i>order</i>. In an + acrostic the beginnings of the lines are arranged in order. + Do you understand how we get that word now?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Well, now, you would all like to know what this talk is for. + I want every boy in school who can write, to bring an + acrostic on his own name for his next composition." + </p> + <p> + The boys groaned, and exclaimed, "They couldn't do it, they + were sure; they couldn't <i>begin</i> to do it!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, you can," said Mr. Burrows; "I don't give my scholars + any work that they <i>can't</i> do. You may quote it, or make + it original, as you please; but I want every one of you to + <i>try</i>." + </p> + <p> + Johnny Thorpe, the smallest boy in school who could write, + now seemed in trouble, and stretched up his arm to its full + length. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Johnny, what will you have?" asked his teacher. + </p> + <p> + "If you please, sir, I don't know what you mean by quote." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows laughed pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + "I must remember, I see, to speak plain English; I mean you + may borrow your essay from a book, or a dozen books, if you + like, so that you don't try to make us believe the thoughts + are your own. You may write in poetry or not, as you please; + but I want each to choose a subject, and stick to it better + than Howard did just now. I have given you something to do + that will keep you hard at work, but you will succeed at + last." + </p> + <p> + Tip went home in a tumult. What could he do? He had never + written a composition in his life, having made it a point to + run away from school on composition-day; but running away was + done with now. It didn't seem possible that he could write + anything: certainly not in such a new, queer way as Mr. + Burrows wished them to. + </p> + <p> + Supper and wood-splitting were hurried over for that evening, + and Tip took his way very early to the seat under the + elm-tree down by the pond. He wanted to think, to see how he + should meet this new trouble; it was a real trouble to him, + for he had set out to do just right, and he saw no way of + getting out of this duty, and thought he saw no way of doing + it. + </p> + <p> + "There is no place on the road so dark but this lamp will + light you through, if you give it a chance." + </p> + <p> + This is what Mr. Holbrook had said when he gave Tip his + Bible. And Tip had thought of his words very often, had + already proved them true more than once; but he didn't see + how it could help him now. + </p> + <p> + He took it out, and slowly turned the leaves; it couldn't + write his composition for him, that was certain. But oh, the + bright thought that came to Tip just then! Why not find his + acrostic in the Bible, and write it out? among so many, + <i>many</i> verses, he would be sure to find what he wanted. + But then, how very queer it would be for <i>him</i>, Tip + Lewis, to copy anything from the Bible! What would the boys + think? What would Bob Turner say? Still, what else could he + do? Besides his spelling-book and a worn arithmetic, it was + the only book that he had in the world. + </p> + <p> + "I don't care," he said suddenly, after a few moments of + troubled thought. "I guess I ain't ashamed of my + Bible,—it's the only thing I've got that I needn't be + ashamed of. I'll <i>do</i> it. The boys have got to know that + I've turned over a new leaf. I wish they did; the sooner they + know it the better. I say, my lamp shall help me out of this + scrape, that's as true as can be; it helps me whenever I give + it a chance." + </p> + <p> + He fumbled in his pocket and drew out an old stump of a + pencil. The next thing was a piece of paper; he dived his + hand down into another pocket, producing a rusty knife, + pieces of string, a chestnut or two, and, finally, a crumpled + piece of paper on which Bob Turner had scrawled what he + called a likeness of Mr. Burrows, and given to Tip for a + keepsake. He spread it out on a flat stone which lay near + him, and began his work. + </p> + <p> + A long, slow work it was for Tip. Hours of that day, and the + next, and the next, every day, until the fading light drove + him home, did he sit under the elm-tree turning the leaves of + his Bible, poring over its contents, writing words carefully + now and then on his bit of paper. Remember it was new work to + him. + </p> + <p> + At last, one evening, the sun went down in the bright red + west, the stars shone out in all their twinkling, sparkling + glory, the shadows began to fall thick and fast around the + old tree, when Tip, with a little sigh of relief, folded the + precious piece of paper, laid it carefully away in his Bible, + and turned his steps homeward. His acrostic was finished, and + into his heart had crept some of the beauty of those precious + words, which he had found for the first time. Words they were + which would go with him through all his life, and sweetly + comfort some dark and weary hours. + </p> + <p> + The school-books were all piled neatly on the desks that + Friday afternoon; the shades were dropped to shut out the low + afternoon sun; and forty boys were still and expectant. The + acrostics lay in a great white heap on Mr. Burrows' desk, not + a name written on any of them. Mr. Burrows was to read, and + the boys were to have the pleasure of spelling out the names + of the owners as he read. + </p> + <p> + A merry time they had of it that afternoon. Some wonderful + acrostics were read. Ellis Holbrook had a very clever one, + arranged from his lesson in Virgil. Howard Minturn had + borrowed from his father's library a copy of Shakespeare, and + worked hard over his; the boys and their teacher thought it a + success. + </p> + <p> + Even Bob Turner had written; the idea had happened to strike + him as a very funny one, and Bob always did everything that + he thought funny. He had found three lines in rhyme which + just suited him, and by the time the eager boys had spelled + out B O B,—which was the only name the boy saw fit to + own,—the schoolroom fairly shook with their laughter. + </p> + <p> + Next to his lay a paper which Tip knew, and his heart beat so + loudly when Mr. Burrows took it up, that he thought every one + in the room must notice. + </p> + <p> + The room had now grown quiet, and Mr. Burrows, after opening + the paper, announced the title,— + </p> + <center> + "WHAT JESUS CHRIST SAYS." + </center> + <p> + Then read slowly and reverently, while the wondering scholars + spelled out the name. + </p> + <pre> + "E Even the night shall lie light about thee. + D Depart from evil and do good. + W Whosoever cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out. + A A new heart will I give you. + R Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. + D Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to thee. + + "L Lo, I am with you always. + E Ever follow that which is good. + W Whosoever abideth in Him, sinneth not. + I I will go before thee, and make the crooked paths straight. + S So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper." +</pre> + <p> + What a silent and astonished company listened to this + reading, and spelled the name "Edward Lewis!" + </p> + <p> + "Edward," Mr. Burrows said at last, "who found those verses + for you?" + </p> + <p> + "I found them, sir, in my Bible. I've got them all marked!" + speaking eagerly, willing this time to bring proof that he + was telling the truth. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows' voice almost trembled as he answered,— + </p> + <p> + "It is a beautiful collection of some of the most precious + verses in the Bible. It was a fine idea; I am very much + surprised and pleased. I wish that you, and every scholar of + mine, could feel in your hearts the full meaning of those + words of Jesus." + </p> + <hr> + <p> + "I can't to-night, Howard," said Ellis Holbrook, in answer to + his friend's coaxings to accompany him home; "I've got + something else to attend to. Hallo, Tip! Tip Lewis! Hold on a + bit! I'm going your way. No, Howard, I'll come up in the + morning; I really <i>can't</i> to-night." + </p> + <p> + Tip waited in wondering silence, while the boy, whom he + counted an enemy, hurried towards him. + </p> + <p> + Ellis was a bold, prompt boy: when he had anything to say, he + <i>said</i> it; so he came to the point at once. + </p> + <p> + "See here, Tip, did I blunder the other day when I told Mr. + Burrows you threw paper? I thought I saw you." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Tip, "you did. I didn't throw a bit of paper that + day." + </p> + <p> + "Well, father said he thought I was mistaken. I'm sure I + supposed I was telling the truth. I'm sorry. I'll say so to + Mr. Burrows and the boys, if you like, and let him find out + who did it, and then was mean enough to see you whipped for + it." + </p> + <p> + Tip struggled a little. "No," he said at last, "let it go. + The whipping is done, and can't be undone; I don't want to + make any more bother about it." + </p> + <p> + Ellis eyed him curiously. + </p> + <p> + "You're a queer fellow," he said at last. "I expect you had + about the best acrostic, this afternoon, that can be + written." + </p> + <p> + Tip's heart was throbbing with pleasure as he walked on home + after Ellis had left him. For the first time in his life he + had earnest, warm, hearty praise from his teacher. Ellis had + said, "Father told me he thought I was mistaken." Mr. + Holbrook, then, did believe and trust him. Besides, there was + another thought which seemed delightful to him. Tip Lewis, + the worthless, yes, wicked boy that everybody thought him, + had walked down the main street side by side, and talking + earnestly with Ellis Holbrook, the minister's son. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH10"><!-- CH10 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. + </h2> + <h3> + "Enter not into the path of the wicked." + </h3> + <p> + Kitty hung on the gate and watched them pass by,—the + long train of high waggons with grated windows, out of which + strange animals peered with their great, fierce eyes; the two + elephants in their scarlet and gold blankets; the tiny ponies + tossing their shaggy manes; the splendid carriage drawn by + eight gaily blanketed, gaily plumed, dancing horses, and + every seat filled with splendidly dressed men and women; the + bright red band-waggon, with the sun glittering over the + wonderful brass instruments and turning them into gold. Kitty + watched all this,—watched, and listened to the loud, + full bursts of music, until her heart swelled and bounded. + She sprang from the gate, and stamped her foot on the ground. + </p> + <p> + "I wish—oh, I wish I could go!" she almost screamed at + last. "I want to—I <i>want</i> to! Oh, I never wanted + to go anywhere so bad in my life!" + </p> + <p> + "I reckon you'll take it out in wanting," said her mother, + who had also leaned on the fence and watched the show pass + by. "Folks who have to dig as I do, from morning to night, + just to get something to eat, don't have any money to spend + on circuses." + </p> + <p> + Kitty shook her head with rage. "I don't go anywhere," she + screamed. "Never! I never went to a circus in my life, and + all the boys and girls around here go every year. Tip always + goes—always; he manages to slip in. Oh, Tip'" and she + opened the gate and went out to him on the sidewalk, a new + thought having come to her, "can't you do something to get + some money, and let me go to the circus with you? Can't you + manage some way? Oh, Tip, do! I'll do anything for you, if + you only will. I never wanted anything so bad before." + </p> + <p> + And Tip's face, as he walked towards the village ten minutes + after that, was a study, it looked so full of trouble. + </p> + <p> + Kitty wanted to go to that circus,—wanted to go so very + much that she had coaxed and begged him in a way that she had + never done before. Besides, if the truth be told, Tip wanted + to go himself; every time the wind wafted back to him a swell + of the distant music, it made his heart fairly jump. It was + true, as Kitty had said, he always managed to slip in some + way; and the oftener he went, the oftener he wanted to go. + </p> + <p> + Well, then, what was the matter with Tip? What he had done so + many times before, he could surely find a way to do again. Oh + yes! But Tip Lewis to-day was different from any Tip Lewis + there had ever been before on circus day. Wasn't he trying to + do right? But then, what had circuses to do with that? He + tried to think what were his reasons for being troubled! Why + did a small voice down in his heart keep telling him that the + circus was no place for him now? + </p> + <p> + Looking at the matter steadily, the only reason Tip knew was, + that Ellis Holbrook and Howard Minturn never went; their + fathers had taught them differently. Ellis, he knew, rather + looked down on people who did go,—called them low. This + had never troubled Tip before, because he had always known + himself to be low; but now, wasn't he trying to climb? Didn't + respectable people generally think that circuses were bad + things? + </p> + <p> + No, poor Tip, they didn't; there was Mr. Bailey, a rich + man,—so rich and so respectable that his son wouldn't + stoop to lend Tip his spelling-book at school,—yet Mr. + Bailey went to the circus last year and took all his + children. So did Mr. Anderson and Mr. Stone, and oh! dozens + of others, rich, great men. Well, did good people go? and + Tip's thoughts strayed back to Mr. Holbrook, and Mr. Parker, + and Mr. Minturn, yea, and others, whose voices he had heard + on the streets and in stores, condemning the circus. + </p> + <p> + But then, after all, where was the harm? There was Kitty, how + much she wanted to go; if he could manage to take her, how + glad she would be! At this point Satan thought there was a + chance for him to speak; so he walked along with Tip, talking + like this: + </p> + <p> + "Kitty has never asked you to do anything for her before. You + want to help her; you want to get her to go to Sunday school + and to read the Bible. Now's your time: if you take her to + the circus, very likely she will do what you want her to." + </p> + <p> + This was a little too absurd, even for Tip, who wanted to + believe it all so badly; but who ever heard of taking any one + to a circus in order to get them to love Jesus? Tip knew + altogether too well for his comfort, that day, that Mr. + Holbrook's example was the safe one. At last he drew a little + sigh of relief; he needn't think about it any more, for he + had no money: he had never owned fifty cents at one time in + his life; so the question, after all, would settle itself. + </p> + <p> + No, it wouldn't. Mr. Dewey stood in the door of his market, + looking up and down the street. + </p> + <p> + "Hallo, Tip!" he called, as Tip turned the corner; "you're + the boy I must have been looking for, I guess. If you'll + carry home packages for me for an hour, and not steal one of + them, I'll give you two tickets for the circus." + </p> + <p> + Tip's cheeks glowed at the word steal, and he came near + telling Mr. Dewey to carry his own packages, if he were + afraid to trust him. + </p> + <p> + But then, those two tickets! Here was a chance for Kitty. The + conflict commenced again. + </p> + <p> + A whole hour in which to decide it, for Tip meant to do the + work any way. Up and down the streets, stopping at this house + and that with his parcels, back again to the market for more, + all the time in a whirl of thought. The question was almost + decided when the two green tickets were placed in his hand; + it closed over them eagerly. He hurried towards home. + </p> + <p> + Towards home led him past the brick hotel. In the bar-room + sat some of the circus men; he knew them by their heavy + beards, which almost covered their faces; knew them also + because he knew every man in town, just who were strangers + and who were not. Well, these circus men were very busy + drinking brandy and playing cards. Tip stopped and looked in + at them; and, ignorant boy as he was, the thought that good, + respectable people would go to see and hear such men as + these, seemed very strange. It couldn't be right, could it? + How was it? A great many nice people must have blundered + terribly if it were wrong; and, on the other hand, if it were + not wrong, how did the minister happen to be so afraid of + these things? Why did he himself have so many queer feelings + about the matter? + </p> + <p> + What a trouble he was in! If only he could find somebody or + something that would decide it for him! Long before this he + had walked away from the hotel; now he had crossed the + bridge, gone around behind the mill, and was very near his + seat under the elm. Down he sat when he came to it, still + holding fast the two green tickets, but with the other hand + diving down in his pocket for the little Bible. That was + getting to be a habit with him, to hunt for this lamp of his + whenever he was in darkness. He turned the leaves now with a + perplexed face. If he only knew where to turn for help! + </p> + <p> + "Let me see," he said. "Where was that verse that I learned + for the Sunday school concert? I liked the sound of that; it + was somewhere in this book full of short, queer verses. I can + find it; yes, I see it. 'For the Lord shall be thy + confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.'" + </p> + <p> + It didn't seem to help him; he shook his head slowly, still + glancing on over the verses, until suddenly his listless look + vanished, and he read aloud;—"Enter not into the path + of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, + pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." + </p> + <p> + "That means them," said Tip, "and me. They're wicked men, + that's certain: they were drinking and + gambling,—swearing too, I guess; and this verse reads + about them just as plain as day. It says, 'Don't go near + them,'—says it over and over again; and I'll mind it, I + will. I'll take these tickets right back to Mr. Dewey, so + they won't be here to put me in mind of going." + </p> + <p> + No sooner said than done; he turned around and fairly + galloped up the hill, around the corner, and landed nearly + breathless at the market. + </p> + <p> + "Here, Mr. Dewey," he said promptly, "I've brought back your + tickets; I don't want 'em this time." + </p> + <p> + "What's up now?" asked Mr. Dewey, coming out from behind his + desk, and eyeing the panting boy curiously. "Won't the + tickets pass?" + </p> + <p> + "Not if they wait till I pass 'em," answered Tip in his + prompt, saucy way. "I ain't going to the circus, not an + <i>inch</i>," he added, as if to assure himself that he meant + it. + </p> + <p> + "But why not?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I've got reasons." + </p> + <p> + "Well, now, Tip," said Mr. Dewey, "that's really astonishing! + Suppose you give us a few of your reasons. We don't know what + to make of this." + </p> + <p> + Tip didn't know what to say; he hesitated and thought, and + finally did the best thing he <i>could</i>,—spoke out + boldly. "I've made up my mind that I won't go to any more + circuses, <i>ever</i>! I don't believe in 'em as much as I + did." + </p> + <p> + That wasn't it yet,—he had not owned his Master in the + answer. Neither was Mr. Dewey satisfied. + </p> + <p> + "But, Tip, give us the <i>reasons</i>; this is such a sudden + change, you know." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Tip, "I've been reading about them just now." + </p> + <p> + "About whom?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, them circus fellows. They're up here at the tavern; + they're drinking and fighting, and I don't know what; and I + guess, by the looks of things, they're pretty wicked. The + book I was reading said, Don't go near wicked men, turn + around and go the other way; and I <i>mean</i> to." And with + this Tip whisked out of the house and around the corner. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dewey shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + "The world turns around, sure enough," he said at last. + </p> + <p> + "How do you know that?" and Mr. Minturn set his market basket + on the step, and fanned himself with his hat. "I'm my own boy + to-day, you see; give me something for my dinner. How did you + find out that the world turned around?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, Tip Lewis has taken to preaching against circuses. Will + you have a roast to-day, Mr. Minturn? I gave him a ticket, + and he just rushed in with it and informed us he wasn't going + to circuses any more, because the Bible says they are wicked + fellows. What do you think of that?" + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" said Mr. Minturn. "The Bible says it would be better + for a man, sometimes, if a millstone were about his neck, and + he were in the bottom of the sea. I'd look out for that, if I + were you. Hurry up with your meat; I ought to be at the + store." + </p> + <p> + Tip went home to Kitty. She still swung on the gate; at least + she was there when he came up. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Tip," she said, "are you going to take me? Oh, Tip, + <i>do</i>! I never asked you for anything before." + </p> + <p> + Tip walked slowly up the yard, with his hands in his pockets, + troubled,—not knowing what to say, or how to say it. At + last he stopped and wheeled about. "Kitty, I can't; I can't + go. I could get tickets if I dared, but I don't mean to go + any more. They're bad, wicked men, and I'm trying to + be"— + </p> + <p> + But Kitty twitched herself away from him, and wouldn't hear + any more. + </p> + <p> + "Do go off!" she said. "You're a mean, ugly, hateful boy! I'm + sorry you got so awful good, if you can't do that little much + for me. Go away and let me alone." + </p> + <p> + Even in his sore trouble a little flash of joy shot through + Tip's heart. He <i>was</i> different, then. Kitty had noticed + it; she knew he was trying to be different. There <i>must</i> + be a little bit of change in him. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH11"><!-- CH11 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. + </h2> + <h3> + "Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." + </h3> + <p> + Over and over in his mind did Tip repeat this verse; it + seemed to sound all around him, and mixed up with everything + he did. And yet he went out of the house that evening, and + turned straight down the street in the direction leading to + the tented circus grounds, walking along slowly, talking to + himself. + </p> + <p> + "It won't do any harm just to listen to the music. I don't + mean to go in—of course I don't! Suppose I'd do + <i>that</i>, after all I said to Kitty! Besides, I couldn't + if I would; I haven't got any ticket. I'm just going to walk + down that way, and see if there's lots of folks going, and if + the music sounds nice." + </p> + <p> + "Avoid it, pass not by it." Oh yes, Tip knew; he heard the + voice, yet on he went; beginning to walk swiftly, only saying + in answer, "I ain't going in; I couldn't if I wanted to; and + I don't want to." + </p> + <p> + By and by he came within sight of the tents and within sound + of the music, which, to his untaught ears, was wonderfully + beautiful; came up even to the very door of the large tent, + bewitched to go just a step nearer, though he didn't mean to + go in, not he. + </p> + <p> + Yes, the people were crowding in. Mr. Douglass stood by the + door. Tip knew him very well; that is, he knew he lived in a + large house and had plenty of money; and he knew, when the + men were trying to raise any money, some one was sure to say, + "Go to Mr. Douglass; he's always ready to give." + </p> + <p> + Everybody liked Mr. Douglass. He turned around now from + looking down the road, and looked down at Tip. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Tip," he said, "going to the circus?" + </p> + <p> + Tip shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "What's the matter?—no money? Pity to get so near and + not go in; isn't it, pet?" + </p> + <p> + This last to the dainty little girl whose hand he held. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," she answered, with a happy smile. "Papa, why don't + mamma come?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, she'll be along soon. Here, sir," to the doorkeeper, + handing him twenty-five cents, "let this ragamuffin in. In + with you, Tip, and practise standing on your head for a month + to come." + </p> + <p> + It was all done in a hurry; the doorkeeper stepped aside, the + crowd jostled and pushed against him, the music burst forth + in a new loud swell. A moment more, and Tip stood in the + brightly-lighted room, staring eagerly around him. There was + enough to see; the seats were filling rapidly with + gaily—dressed ladies and gentlemen. He knew them, many + of them, had seen them on the streets often and often; had + seen some of them in Sabbath school, seated before their + classes. + </p> + <p> + Tip was speedily giving himself up to enjoyment, hushing the + small voice in his heart. One of the nicest men in town had + let him in; yes, and there he was now with his wife and + little girl; Mrs. Douglas was not only a teacher in the + Sabbath school, but a member of the church. If she could go + to the circus, why couldn't he? So Tip reasoned, and nobody + told him that his lamp said, "Every one of us shall give + account of <i>himself</i> to God." + </p> + <p> + Presently the wonderful little shaggy ponies trotted out; and + back behind the curtains was one of the riders; he got a peep + of her every now and then in her splendid dress; he knew she + would be out pretty soon, and then she would ride. + </p> + <p> + Oh, that music! how it rolled around the ring! Tip was too + busy looking and listening to keep out of people's way; he + stepped back, still jostled by the crowd who were pouring in, + and stepped directly in front of a man who was trying to make + his way through the crowd around the entrance. Tip knew him + in an instant; he was one of the circus men,—the one + with the ugly face that he had noticed in the morning; it was + ugly still, and red with liquor. He turned a pair of fiery + eyes on Tip, and a dreadful oath fell from his lips as he + swung him angrily out of his way. + </p> + <p> + Oh, Tip Lewis! No wonder your heart fairly stops its beating + for an instant, then bounds on with rapid throbs. Only a few + days ago you listened to the story of a bleeding, dying + Saviour, bleeding and dying for you; and you promised, with + honest tears, that for this you would love and serve and + honour Him for ever. And yet, to-night, here you are, + watching the tricks of men who can speak that sacred name in + such a way that it will make even you, who are used to this, + shudder and turn cold. "In the name of the Saviour whom you + love, what do you here?" + </p> + <p> + It was to Tip as if Christ Himself had asked that question. + He turned suddenly, and, with both hands pressed to his ears, + fairly fought his way through the crowd. + </p> + <p> + "Let me out! let me go!" He fairly shrieked the words at the + astonished doorkeeper, who stood aside to let him pass. Up + the hill with swift, eager steps he ran, trying still to shut + out the ring of that awful oath, the sound of that hateful + voice, speaking the name which had so lately become to him + the one dear and precious name in earth or heaven. On, on, up + the hill, and then down on the other side, stopping finally + at the great tree under the hill, just across the pond. + Stopping and sitting down, he tried to think. What had he + done? He had been warned, he had been tempted, and he had + <i>fallen</i>. It didn't help him now to think that good men + and women were there. Perhaps God had not so plainly shown + them the wrong. Perhaps they had never found that verse: + "Avoid it, pass not by it." Perhaps—oh, + <i>anything</i>—it was nothing to him now. This much + was certain: he had done wrong. Such a heavy, <i>heavy</i> + heart as Tip had to-night. "What <i>should</i> he do? What + would Kitty say, if she found it out? Oh, what would Mr. + Dewey think, or Mr. Holbrook? and then, above all else, came + the thought, What could Jesus, looking down on him now from + heaven, what could <i>He</i> think of him? This thought + brought the bitter tears, but it brought him also on his + knees; and he said,— + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Jesus Christ, in spite of it all, you <i>know</i> I love + you. Won't you forgive me and let me try again?" Long he + knelt there, trying to get close to Christ, and his Saviour + did not leave him alone. It was only yesterday he had learned + the verse, and it came to him softly now: "Thou art a God + ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, of + great kindness." + </p> + <p> + In his sore trouble, Tip's lamp had not failed him. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH12"><!-- CH12 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. + </h2> + <h3> + "He honoureth them that fear the Lord." + </h3> + <p> + Slowly, but surely, as the late autumn days came on, Tip was + growing into a better place in the schoolroom, in the opinion + of his teachers and his schoolmates. In Mr. Burrows' school, + ten was the perfect mark, and <i>x</i> was the very lowest + grade a boy could reach. It had once been an everyday joke + with Tip, that, being <i>x</i>, he must be perfect, because + it said in the spelling-book that <i>x</i> was ten. + </p> + <p> + But it had been a good many days since Tip had said + "<i>x</i>;" the boys had ceased to be amazed when he answered + "ten" in prompt, proud tone. + </p> + <p> + They were growing, many of them, to be surprised and sorry + for him, when, in his days of failures, he answered, with + drooped eyes and very red, ashamed face, "seven," or, it + might be, "six." + </p> + <p> + Though he was still anything but a good reader, no one could + fail to see that he blundered less and less every day, and + Mr. Burrows was growing patient with his blunders, growing + helpful in his troubles. + </p> + <p> + The boys saw him working hard over his spelling-book, and few + of them now had the meanness to laugh when a word passed him. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows' tones were not so harsh to him as they used to + be; and now-a-days, when he was accused of breaking rules, + instead of being called up and unhesitatingly punished, his + teacher, who grew every day less and less sure that he was at + the bottom of all the mischief done, always gave him a chance + to speak for himself, and was learning to believe him. + </p> + <p> + Oh yes! things were different, and were all the time growing + more so. Bob Turner saw this plainly: he began to find Tip a + very stupid companion, and stayed away from school more + afternoons than ever. + </p> + <p> + But poor Tip noticed the change less,—yes, much less + than any of the others. You don't know how hard it was for + him. Do you think Satan was willing to leave him, and let him + grow quietly into a good boy? Not a bit of it. You see he had + been born bubbling over with fun and frolic; he had never + learned to have them come in at the right place or the right + time. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes he felt willing to give up all trying to do right, + for the sake of having a grand frolic just when and where he + wanted it,—no matter what might be going on just then. + Sometimes, when he failed, he felt fierce and sullen, and + told himself it was all humbug, this trying to be good. + Sometimes he felt so utterly sad and discouraged, that it + seemed to him he never could try again; yet through it all he + <i>did</i> try heartily. + </p> + <p> + His arithmetic was the hardest. He was still in the dunce + class,—so the boys called it, because it was made up of + the drones from several classes, and was constantly being put + back to addition. + </p> + <p> + It was a sharp winter's morning. No more make-believe winter + for a while,—the snow lay white and crisp on the + ground, and the frosty air stung every nose and every finger + it could reach. + </p> + <p> + Tip's study, at the foot of the hill under the elm, had been + quite broken up, and he found it very hard to study at + home,—especially this morning. His father's cough had + been bad all night, and this made his mother troubled and + cross. + </p> + <p> + Kitty, these days, seemed trying to see just how cross and + disagreeable she could be; and the kitchen—at best a + dismal place—was just now at the worst. The wet wood in + the stove sizzled and stewed and made a smoke; and in the + midst of Tip's fifth trial on an example which was puzzling + him terribly, he was called on to split some kindlings. + </p> + <p> + "This instant!—I won't wait a minute!" Kitty said in a + provokingly commanding tone; and Tip went at it sullenly, + saying, with every spiteful drive of his axe through the pine + board which he had picked up, "It's no use; I <i>cant</i> do + that sum, and I ain't going to try. I don't know anything, + and never will. I've done it over fifty times, and twisted it + every way I can think of. There's no sense to it, any + way,—sixteen sheep <i>stood him in</i> two dollars + apiece. What does that mean, I'd like to know? He had forty + sheep and twenty-five cows. I know it all by heart; but I + can't do it, and that's the whole of it. I wish his sheep had + choked to death, and his old cows run away, before I ever + heard of them. I'll go over it just once more." (Tip was back + by the kitchen window now, with his slate and book.) "Let's + see: twenty-five cows at thirty-four dollars apiece;" and he + worked away in nervous haste, until he came to "stood him + in." If he only <i>could</i> find out what that meant, he + felt sure he could do it. If he had somebody to help him; but + he hadn't. There would be no time after he went to school + before the class was called. + </p> + <p> + Just then he thought of his father; he used to be a carpenter + before he was sick, and he used to make a great many figures + sometimes on smooth boards. Tip remembered it was just + possible that he might know something about the sum. Suppose + he should ask him? + </p> + <p> + He started up suddenly, and went towards the bedroom door. + </p> + <p> + "Father," he said softly, "can't you tell me what 'stood him + in' means?" + </p> + <p> + The sick man turned himself on his pillow, and looked + wonderingly at Tip. + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?" he asked at last. + </p> + <p> + "Why," said Tip, in a despairing tone, "it says 'stood him + in' in the arithmetic,—the sheep stood him in two + dollars apiece,—and I don't see any sense to it." + </p> + <p> + "Oh!" said Mr. Lewis; "I see what you mean;" then he went + back to his long-ago deserted carpenter's shop. + </p> + <p> + "Why, Tip, if I had ten pounds of nails, and they were worth + eight cents a pound, they would stand me just so + much,—that is, they would be worth that to me; and if I + should sell them I'd get so much for them. Don't you see?" + </p> + <p> + Light began to dawn on Tip's mind. + </p> + <p> + "Then it means," he said, "that the man didn't sell his + sixteen sheep; he just counted them worth two dollars apiece. + Yes, I see; if that's it, I'll try it." And he rushed to his + work again. + </p> + <p> + And Tip will never forget the eagerness with which he + presently turned to the answer in his arithmetic, and from + that back to the one on the slate, nor the way in which the + blood bounded through his veins when he found that they + agreed perfectly. + </p> + <p> + "It's exactly it," he called out to his father, in a hearty, + grateful voice. "I've got it, and I've been at work on it + this whole morning." + </p> + <p> + Ellis Holbrook, about that time, conquered a most puzzling + example in algebra; but he felt not prouder than did Tip. + </p> + <p> + "Thomas," said Mr. Burrows to the head boy in Tip's + arithmetic class, "you may take the twenty-third example to + the board." + </p> + <p> + "Can't do it," answered Thomas promptly. + </p> + <p> + "Henry may do it, then." + </p> + <p> + "I couldn't get it either," was Henry's answer. So on down + the class; Tip's heart meantime beating eagerly, for the + twenty-third example was about his troublesome, but by this + time very much-beloved sheep. + </p> + <p> + "Robert?" said Mr. Burrows, more for form's sake than because + he had the slightest doubt about Robert's reply. + </p> + <p> + "My!" said Bob Turner good-naturedly; "I can't do it." + </p> + <p> + Tip sat next, and something in his face made Mr. Burrows put + the question to him, though he had nearly resolved to waste + no more time in the matter. + </p> + <p> + "Can you do this, Edward?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir," said Tip promptly and proudly, "I can." + </p> + <p> + And no nobler figures or firmer lines did chalk ever make on + a blackboard than was made while that troublesome example was + being done. + </p> + <p> + He was roused from his flutter of satisfaction by hearing Mr. + Burrows' voice. + </p> + <p> + "Do you know anything about the lesson, <i>any</i> of you?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm sure <i>I</i> don't," answered Bob, still + good-naturedly. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows was growing utterly out of patience; this same + scene had been acted too often to be endured longer. He + turned back to the first pages in the book. + </p> + <p> + "Very well," he said at last; "you may take the first page in + addition to-morrow morning, and we'll see if you can be made + to know anything about that." + </p> + <p> + Tip's hopes fell; his heart was as heavy as lead. Not one of + the others cared; they were used to it; so indeed was he, + only now he was trying, he did so long to go on; just when he + was working <i>so</i> hard, to be put away back to the + beginning again made him feel utterly disgraced. + </p> + <p> + "Wait a minute, Tip." Mr. Burrows' eye fell first on him, + then on the neatly and correctly worked example; then he + turned, and asked, "Charlie Wilcox, on what page is your + arithmetic lesson for to-morrow?" + </p> + <p> + "We commence multiplication, sir," answered Charlie, a bright + little boy, who belonged to a bright class, that did not idle + over any pages in their work. + </p> + <p> + "Edward," said Mr. Burrows, turning back to Tip, "you have + done well to-day. You mean to study, after this, I think; I + have been watching you for some time. The third arithmetic + class take the first page in multiplication for their next + lesson to-morrow; you may take your place in that class, and + remain there as long as you can keep up with it." + </p> + <p> + Now Tip was too much astonished to speak or move; his wildest + dreams had not taken in promotion, at least not for a long, + <i>long</i> time. + </p> + <p> + Bob Turner leaned over and looked at him in actual sober + wonder, that Tip was to be in a higher class. + </p> + <p> + Not a word did Tip say. He did not even raise his eyes to his + teacher's face; and that teacher had not the least idea how + the boy before him felt. He did not know how Tip's heart was + throbbing, nor how he was saying over and over to himself, + "Things are different; they're surely different." He did not + know how those few words of his, spoken that winter morning, + were going to help to make the boy a man. + </p> + <p> + It was that very morning, standing in that room before the + blackboard, with his toe on the third crack from the wall, + that Tip resolved to have an education. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH13"><!-- CH13 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. + </h2> + <h3> + "The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of + them all." + </h3> + <p> + The boys gathered around the stove before school, and talked. + The boys,—not all of them, by any means. Only that + small, select number who were above, and led all the rest. + Tip wandered outside of the circle, feeling very forlorn; he + didn't belong anywhere these days. Bob and his friends had + very nearly deserted him; there was scarcely any of their fun + in which he had time or desire to join, and the other cliques + in school had never noticed him; so he stood outside, and + wondered what he should do with himself. Howard Minturn + wheeled suddenly away from the boys, and called to + him,— + </p> + <p> + "Tip, see here." + </p> + <p> + And Tip went there. + </p> + <p> + "What do you want?" he asked crossly; for some way he felt + out of sorts with that company of finely-dressed boys around + the stove. + </p> + <p> + "Want you to come over to-night. It's my birthday, you know, + and some of the boys are coming to take tea, and spend the + evening. Can you come?" + </p> + <p> + Tip's wide-open eyes spoke his astonishment. "What do you + want of me?" he asked at last, speaking boldly just what he + thought. + </p> + <p> + "Why, I want you to come and help have a nice time," returned + Howard, with great kindness, but just a little condescension + in his tone. + </p> + <p> + Tip heard it, and his bitterness showed itself a little. + "It's a new streak you've got, ain't it?" he said, still + speaking crossly. "You've had lots of birthdays, and this is + the first one <i>I've</i> heard of." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, well!" said Howard proudly, flushing as he spoke; "if + you don't want to come, why"— + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows' hand was laid on Howard's arm. "Don't spoil a + good, noble thing, my boy. It is all new to Edward; + <i>urge</i> him." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows spoke low, so no one else could hear him, and + turned away. + </p> + <p> + At recess Howard sought out Tip. + </p> + <p> + "I honestly hope you'll come to-night, Tip, for you're a good + fellow to play games with, and the boys would all like to + have you." + </p> + <p> + Tip had quarrelled with his ill-humour, and it had vanished. + </p> + <p> + "I'll come," he said, in a cheery tone; "only I'll look like + a big rag-bag by the side of <i>you</i> fellows." + </p> + <p> + "Never mind," said Howard, turning to join the boys, + "<i>you</i> come." + </p> + <p> + Why had Howard Minturn invited him to the grand birthday + party? This was the question that puzzled Tip. Had he known + the reason, it would have been like this: Mr. Minturn had + never quite lost sight of Tip since the circus. He wanted to + help him,—wanted to do it through his son; only he + wanted the son to think that he did it himself. Knowing + Howard pretty well, he said, when they were seated at + breakfast that morning,— + </p> + <p> + "I've just been reading about a real hero." + </p> + <p> + Howard longed to be a hero; he looked up eagerly. + </p> + <p> + "Who was he, father? What did he do?" + </p> + <p> + "He was a rich young man, and he had the courage to take for + his friend a poor fellow who hadn't two cents to his name. To + pay him, the time came when he was proud to be noticed by the + great man who was once so low." + </p> + <p> + This thought was still in Howard's mind when he walked with + Ellis to school. So, when Ellis said, "There goes Tip Lewis; + father thinks we boys ought to notice him; he is trying real + hard now-a-days to behave himself, you know," it was easy for + Howard to mingle Tip in with his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + "Ellis," he said, after a moment's silence, "suppose I invite + him to come to our house to-night? He's a splendid good + fellow to have a game; never gets mad, you know." + </p> + <p> + "S'pose he'd come?" asked Ellis. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, of course; jump at the chance. <i>I'll do it</i>. Our + boys will think it odd, I suppose; but I guess I have courage + enough to do as I please." + </p> + <p> + And Howard drew himself up proudly, and thought of his + father's hero. + </p> + <p> + So this was why Tip was invited to the birthday gathering at + the grand house on the hill. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lewis sewed, that afternoon, on his jacket, mending it + up more neatly than ever before. She had said very little + about this invitation, but she couldn't help feeling proud + and gratified over it. It was certainly a wonderful jump for + Tip, from mingling with the worst and lowest boys in town, to + find himself taking a long stride, and reaching the very top. + So Mrs. Lewis sewed, and Kitty, as she sat watching the + needle fly back and forth, spoke her thoughts: + </p> + <p> + "All of the boys down to Mr. Burrows' school wear white + collars on their jackets." + </p> + <p> + "Well," answered her mother snappishly, "what's that to me? + S'posing they wear white <i>cats</i> on their jackets, I + could get him one just as easy as t'other." + </p> + <p> + It was a sore subject with Mrs. Lewis. From her very heart + she wished she could dress Tip in broadcloth to-day, just as + fine as that which Howard Minturn himself wore, and a collar + so white and shiny that it would fairly dazzle the eyes of + the others to look upon it; but, since she was so powerless + to do what she would, it made her cross. + </p> + <p> + The bedroom door was open, and Tip's father heard. By and by, + when his cough was quieter, he called, "Kitty!" and the + little girl went in to him. "Is the jacket fixed, Kitty?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Does it look nice?" + </p> + <p> + "Some." + </p> + <p> + "Would you like to find a collar for Tip to wear?" + </p> + <p> + "Well enough," said Kitty wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + "Well, now, I've got two or three that I don't wear any more, + and never shall, I guess" (this last spoken sadly); "s'pose + you take one of 'em—they're in that square box under + the table—and see if you can't sew it on the jacket, + and make it look like what the other boys wear? Now, you try + what you can do, just to see what Tip will say." + </p> + <p> + Kitty went slowly over to the box. This was new work for her, + but her father was very pale to-day, and those sadly-spoken + words, "and never shall, I guess," had quieted her; so she + made no answer, but drew out one of the collars. It looked + nice and white, and shone, too. Mrs. Lewis had done it up + late one night, with tears in her eyes, because she could not + hope that it would be worn again. + </p> + <p> + "What are you doing with that?" she asked sharply, as Kitty + appeared from the bedroom. + </p> + <p> + "Father wants Tip to wear it," answered Kitty. + </p> + <p> + "I'll lend it to him," spoke the sick man; "we want him to + look as decent as we can to-day, you know." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lewis said no more, but it seemed to her like giving up + one more hope of her husband's life. + </p> + <p> + Tip came down from the garret, with neatly-brushed hair, and + dressed in his clean shirt, nicely mended jacket, and the + shiny collar. It was wonderful what a difference that collar + made; he didn't look like the same boy. + </p> + <p> + "Kitty," he said, his face all aglow with pleasure, "where + <i>did</i> I get a collar?" + </p> + <p> + "It's father's; he said wear it," answered Kitty. + </p> + <p> + "And how did it get on my jacket?" + </p> + <p> + "Jumped on, likely." + </p> + <p> + Kitty spoke in a short, half provoked tone; she was so unused + to doing a kind thing, that she really felt half ashamed of + it. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Tip, smiling all over his face, "if that's so, + it's the best jump it ever took, and I thank it from the + bottom of my heart." Then he carried his bright, good-natured + face out of the little house in the hollow, and went towards + the great house on the hill. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH14"><!-- CH14 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. + </h2> + <h3> + "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give + account thereof in the day of judgment." + </h3> + <p> + Howard Minturn was a king among the schoolboys; so, though + some of them nudged each other and laughed a little when Tip + swung open the iron gate and appeared in Mr. Minturn's + grounds, the most of them, seeing how quickly Howard sprang + forward, and how heartily he greeted the newcomer, did the + same. Howard was his father over again; if he did a thing at + all, he did it well. Every moment of that afternoon was + enjoyed as only boys know how to enjoy holidays: the whole + round of winter fun was gone through with,—coasting, + snowballing, building forts, rolling in the snow, each had + their turn. + </p> + <p> + Tip was not one whit behind the rest in all these matters, + and if ever boy enjoyed an afternoon, he did that one. The + sun had set in its clear, cold beauty, and the sharp winter + night was coming down; the boys stood at the foot of the hill + waiting for Ellis and his sled, which were at the top; they + came at last, shooting down the glassy surface. + </p> + <p> + "Hurry up," called out Howard, as he spun along. "What the + mischief became of you? We thought you had gone to hunt up + Sir John Franklin and crew." + </p> + <p> + "Hurry down, I should say you meant," answered Ellis, guiding + his sled skilfully around the curve, and springing to his + feet. "I waited for the rest of you; thought you were coming + back." + </p> + <p> + "No," said Howard, "we just <i>ain't</i>. We appointed a + committee to find out how many were frozen up altogether + entirely, and found that every single one of us were; so + we're going in to the library fire to get thawed out by + tea-time." + </p> + <p> + "All right," said Ellis, shouldering his sled; "Howard, + where's your skates?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, bother! they're at the top of that awful hill. Never + mind; you walk on slowly, and I'll run back and get them." + </p> + <p> + The boys obeyed, and Ellis Holbrook was just swinging open + the little gate that led to Mr. Minturn's grounds, when + Howard called, as he ran down the hill, "Hold on! Don't go + that way, it will lead you right through the deepest snow + there is; take the big gate." And by the time he reached + them, panting and breathless, they were at the big gate. + </p> + <p> + "This is jolly," said Will Bailey, throwing himself into a + great arm-chair before the glowing fire. "My! I believe I'm a + snowball." + </p> + <p> + "You'd have been an icicle if you had gone the way Ellis was + leading you; why, the snow is so high," said Howard, raising + his hand almost on a level with his head. + </p> + <p> + Ellis laughed. "I'm sure I thought I was going right," he + said. "I must have been thinking of yesterday's lesson in + Sunday school,—'Enter ye in at the strait gate.'" + </p> + <p> + "Ho!" said Will Bailey; "for that matter, one gate is as + straight as the other." + </p> + <p> + "You don't understand the Bible, my boy," said Howard, laying + his hand on Will's shoulder with a provoking little pat, "or + you'd know that strait means narrow." + </p> + <p> + "I'll bet a dollar that you were no wiser yourself until + father explained the verse yesterday," said Ellis, laughing. + </p> + <p> + Tip, meantime, stood apart flushed and silent; he knew about + the Sunday lesson, and remembered the solemn talk which Mr. + Holbrook gave them; and remembered how he urged them, while + they were young, to enter into that strait gate; he felt + shocked and troubled at the sound of Ellis's careless words. + </p> + <p> + "I know one thing," he said abruptly. + </p> + <p> + "Do you?" said Will Bailey in a mocking tone. "That's very + strange!" Will felt above Tip, and took care to let him know + it. + </p> + <p> + Ellis turned a quick, indignant glance on him; then spoke to + Tip in a kind and interested tone: "What were you going to + say, Tip." + </p> + <p> + "That, if I were the minister's son, I wouldn't make fun of + the Bible." + </p> + <p> + Ellis's face was crimson in an instant. "What do you mean by + that?" he asked haughtily. + </p> + <p> + "Just what I say," was Tip's cool reply. + </p> + <p> + "Do you pretend to say that <i>I</i> make fun of the Bible?" + </p> + <p> + "Humph! Didn't I hear you?" + </p> + <p> + "No," said Ellis, in a heat, "you <i>didn't</i>! and I'd + thank you not to say so neither." + </p> + <p> + "Well, now," said Tip, "I'll leave it to any boy here if you + didn't. When a fellow takes a thing in the Bible and twists + it around, and makes believe it means some little silly thing + that it don't mean at all, I call that making fun." + </p> + <p> + "Poh!" said Howard, coming to the rescue of his friend. "What + a fuss you're making about nothing. You're getting wise, + aren't you, Tip? Ellis was only saying that verse in fun, + just as lots of people do. I've heard good men quote the + Bible and laugh over it." + </p> + <p> + "Can't help that," said Tip boldly; "I say it's wicked, and + Ellis Holbrook's father says so too. I heard him tell Will + Bailey once that folks ought to be very careful how they said + things that were in the Bible.' + </p> + <p> + "Did he tell you to go around preaching for him through the + week? How much does he pay you for your services? Come, let's + hear." + </p> + <p> + This was said in Will Bailey's most disagreeable tone. Before + Tip had time to answer, Ellis spoke again. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I don't pretend to be as good as some people are, but + I really can't see any awful wickedness in anything that I've + said to-night." + </p> + <p> + "Neither can anybody else, except Tip," said Will, "and he's + good, you know; he never does anything wrong, except to tell + lies and swear, or some little matters." + </p> + <p> + Ellis was an honest boy. "No," he said gravely, "there is no + use in saying what isn't true, for the sake of helping my + side along. Tip don't do either of those things now-a-days, I + believe; but I'm sure I don't thank him for his good opinion + of me." + </p> + <p> + Howard was glad at this moment to hear the tea-bell peal + through the house, for the boys were growing cross. Most of + them had been so astonished at the bold stand which Tip had + taken, that they said nothing, only gathered round, and + waited to see what would come next. + </p> + <p> + Howard sprang up. "There's something I, for one, am ready + for. Come, boys;" and he led the way to the dining-room. Oh, + that dining-room, with its bright lights and splendid table, + was such a wonderful sight to Tip! It was a very nice + birthday supper,—plates of warm biscuit, platters of + cold chicken, dishes of beautiful honey, silver cake-baskets, + filled with heavily-frosted cake. Tip, for one, had never + seen such a sight in his life before, and he was so + bewildered with the dazzle and glitter that he didn't know + which way to turn. + </p> + <p> + "Howard," said Mrs. Minturn, turning to her son, after she + had welcomed his friends, "do you want your father to take + the head of the table, or would you and the boys prefer + having the room to yourselves?" + </p> + <p> + "No, ma'am," answered Howard, with energy; "we want you and + father <i>both</i>. I guess I want <i>you</i> to my party, + whoever else I have." + </p> + <p> + Tip watched the bright light on Howard's face with surprise. + How much he seemed to love his mother, and how much she loved + him! how queer it was! The supper was a great success; the + boys forgot their excitement and ill-humour, and enjoyed + everything. + </p> + <p> + It was almost nine o'clock, the hour when it was generally + understood that the party was to break up. The boys had been + very merry all the evening; the discussion which had taken + place just before tea seemed to have been forgotten, save by + Ellis, who, genial and hearty enough with the others, was + cold and haughty to Tip. Still, they kept apart, and the fun + had gone on famously. There was a sudden lull in the uproar + when Mr. Minturn opened the door. + </p> + <p> + "Are the walls left?" he asked, coming forward. + </p> + <p> + "The <i>walls</i>?" said Ellis inquiringly; "why, sir, did + you expect to miss them?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, I had some such fears, but I see they're all right. + What are you up to?" + </p> + <p> + "Ellis was telling a story, that's what we were laughing at + when you came in," said Howard. "Go on, El—never mind + father, he likes to hear stories." + </p> + <p> + "No," said Ellis, blushing crimson; "I think I'll be + excused." + </p> + <p> + "Go ahead," said Mr. Minturn; "I'm very fond of stories." + </p> + <p> + "I was only telling, sir, how Joe Barnes talked to his father + when I was down there this morning." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, and, father, you'd be perfectly astonished to hear + him," chimed in Howard. "I never heard a fellow go on so in + my life; he makes fun of every single thing his father says." + </p> + <p> + "Do you think there is anything very surprising in that?" + asked Mr. Minturn coolly. + </p> + <p> + "Surprising! I guess you'd think so. Why, when his father is + talking to him real soberly, he mimics him, and laughs right + in his face." + </p> + <p> + "But I shouldn't suppose you would think there was anything + strange about that." + </p> + <p> + The boys looked puzzled. "Why, Mr. Minturn!" said Ellis; + "wouldn't you think it strange if Howard should do so?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, no; I don't know that I should have any reason to be + astonished." + </p> + <p> + Howard looked not only surprised, but very much hurt. "I'm + sure, father," he said, in a voice which trembled a little, + "I didn't know I was so rude to you as all that." + </p> + <p> + "No," said Mr. Minturn, "you never have been, but I rather + expect you to commence. I shall have no reason to be + surprised if you and Ellis and Will Bailey, and a host of + others, all go to making fun of what your fathers say to you + after this." + </p> + <p> + The boys seemed perfectly astonished. "<i>I</i>, for one," + said Ellis Holbrook proudly, "think too much of <i>my</i> + father, to be in any such danger." + </p> + <p> + "You <i>do</i>?" said Mr. Minturn; "well, now, I <i>am</i> + amazed. I supposed you would be the very worst one." + </p> + <p> + Howard left the table and came over to where his father had + seated himself. + </p> + <p> + "Father, what <i>do</i> you mean?" he asked, in an earnest, + anxious tone. + </p> + <p> + "Why, I mean," said his father, "that I was in that room over + there just before tea, and I heard the discussion which came + up between you boys, and I came to the conclusion that boys + who thought it such a little matter to make fun of solemn + words which God has said to them, need not be expected to + show much respect for what their father or anybody else + said." + </p> + <p> + A perfect stillness settled over the boys at these words, and + not only Ellis Holbrook's cheeks, but his whole face glowed. + </p> + <p> + Howard came to the rescue at last, very stammeringly: "But, + father—I don't think—do you think—I + mean—well, sir, you know Ellis and the rest of us + didn't mean to make fun of what God said. Don't you think + that makes a difference?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know, I'm sure. How do you know that Joe Barnes + means to make fun of what his father says?" + </p> + <p> + "He acts like it," Howard said. + </p> + <p> + "Exactly; and so do you, every one of you, except Tip. I + don't say, boys, that you are all going to be disrespectful + to your elders after this; I only say I don't see why your + earthly friends should expect more reverence from you than + you give to God." + </p> + <p> + Boys and man were all silent for a little after that, until + Mr. Minturn broke the stillness by repeating reverently, + "'Enter ye in at the strait gate.' I guess you all know what + that means. I would like to know whether there is a boy here + who thinks he has entered in at that gate." + </p> + <p> + How still the room was while he waited for his answer! Tip + could feel his heart throb—throb—with loud, + distinct beats; twice he tried to break the silence, and + couldn't. At last he found voice: "I do, sir." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Minturn turned quickly. "What makes you think so, Tip?" + </p> + <p> + "Because I love Jesus, and I'm trying to do what He says." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Minturn's voice trembled a little: "God bless you, my + boy; try to get all the rest to go through the same gate." + </p> + <p> + The town clock struck the hour, nine o'clock. The boys made a + move to separate. Tip took his cap and walked out alone in + the cold, clear starlight. He felt quiet and strong. It was + done at last: he had taken his stand before the + boys—had "shown his colours." + </p> + <p> + They all knew now that he was trying hard, and who was + helping him. Things must surely be different after this, for + ever. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH15"><!-- CH15 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. + </h2> + <h3> + "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in player, + believing, ye shall receive." + </h3> + <p> + Meantime, was Kitty forgotten? Not a bit of it. If ever boy + prayed for any one, Tip prayed for her. His very soul was in + it; yet thus far his prayers seemed to have been in vain. The + lesson, one Sabbath morning, was on "God's answers to + prayer." Tip listened closely, yet with an unsatisfied + longing in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Holbrook," he said, waiting after the rest had gone, "is + there time for just one question?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, for two, if you like," said Mr. Holbrook, sitting down + again; "what is it, Edward?" + </p> + <p> + "I want to know why God don't answer folks' prayers right + away?" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Holbrook smiled. "If your questions are all as hard as + that, Edward, I don't think there will be time for another + to-day. But there may be several reasons: we will try to find + them. Sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers at once, + simply to try our faith, to see whether we are willing to + take Him at His word, and keep on asking, until He is ready + to give; or whether we will grow tired in a little while, and + give it up. And sometimes we spend all our strength in + praying, and don't work; then, often, we don't believe we + shall get what we are praying for. Do you understand me?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir," answered Tip promptly. + </p> + <p> + "Well, let me see if I can make it plainer. For whom are you + praying, Edward, that you are troubled this morning, because + you have not been heard?" + </p> + <p> + "For Kitty; I have been, this long time. Kitty's my sister, + and I want her to love Jesus; but it don't seem to do any + good for me to pray for her. + </p> + <p> + "It is <i>possible</i> that God may be trying your patience, + but not probable; I think we can find a better reason. Do you + work while you pray? I mean, do you talk with + Kitty,—tell her what you are praying for,—urge + her to come to Christ,—try to show her how?" + </p> + <p> + Tip looked grave. "I did talk a little to her once, but it + didn't seem to do her any good, and I haven't said a word + since." + </p> + <p> + "Did you ever read in the Bible what is said about such + praying, about saying, 'Depart in peace, be ye warmed and + filled,' and not <i>doing</i> anything?" + </p> + <p> + Tip shook his head, and Mr. Holbrook held out his hand for + the little Bible. + </p> + <p> + "Let me find it for you, and when you go home you may read + it, and see if you, in praying for Kitty and never saying a + word to her, are not a little like that man. Then there's + another thing. Do you really believe that God will do what + you ask Him? You say every day in your prayer, 'O God, make + Kitty a Christian;' and yet, wouldn't you be very much + astonished if Kitty should come to you to-day, and say, 'I + want to be a Christian!' Are you looking out for any such + thing?" + </p> + <p> + Tip generally spoke his honest thoughts. + </p> + <p> + "No," he said gravely, "I ain't." + </p> + <p> + The church bell began to ring, and Mr. Holbrook arose. "I + think, if you begin to work and pray together, and then ask + God to help you to believe, that He will surely do as He has + promised; that you will soon find your prayers answered." + </p> + <p> + This he said while gathering up his books and papers ready to + start, and then,— + </p> + <p> + "Edward, why don't you come to our Thursday evening + prayer-meetings?" + </p> + <p> + Tip's eyes were full of astonishment. + </p> + <p> + "I never once thought of it," he said. "Why, Mr. Holbrook, + boys don't go, do they?" + </p> + <p> + "No," said the minister sadly, "they don't; because I don't + know of another boy of your age in this whole town who loves + the Saviour. Only think what a work there is for you to do!" + </p> + <p> + Tip went home with his brain full of new thoughts. No, he + didn't go home; he only went as far as the elm-tree, and + there he sat down and read what Mr. Holbrook had marked in + his Bible. Yes, that was just the way in which he had been + praying for Kitty; and it was certainly true, as Mr. Holbrook + had said, nothing could surprise him more than that Kitty + should really and truly come to Jesus. + </p> + <p> + Before he went from under the tree that day, he prayed this + prayer: "O God, teach me to believe that you will make Kitty + love Jesus, and show me how to help her." + </p> + <p> + After this, of course he looked out for his chances in which + to work, and of course he found them,—found one that + very day. After dinner Kitty wandered off by herself. Tip + watched her, and she took the road leading to the cemetery. + God put it into his heart to hurry after her; so, when he + came up to her, where she sat, on a large stone which she had + rolled very near to Johnny's grave, his heart was beating at + the thought of the great work which he had to do. + </p> + <p> + "What did <i>you</i> come for?" said Kitty, looking up. + </p> + <p> + Tip hesitated a minute, then told the plain truth. + </p> + <p> + "I came after you." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose I know that: you didn't come before me." + </p> + <p> + "I mean I came to <i>see</i> you." + </p> + <p> + "Well, look at me, then, and go off; I don't want you here." + </p> + <p> + Clearly, whatever was to be said must be said quickly, and + Tip's heart was very full of its message, so his voice was + tender: + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Kitty, I came to ask you if you <i>wouldn't</i> be a + Christian. I <i>do</i> want it so, it seems as if I couldn't + wait." + </p> + <p> + Kitty looked steadily and gravely at her brother. "What do + you mean by 'be a Christian?'" she asked at last. + </p> + <p> + "I mean love Jesus, and do as He says." + </p> + <p> + "What'll I love Him for?" + </p> + <p> + "'Cause you can't help it, when you find out how much He + loves you, and all the things He does for you." + </p> + <p> + "What does He say do?" + </p> + <p> + "He says be good; try to do right things all the time." + </p> + <p> + Kitty's eyes flashed. "Now, ain't you mean," she said + angrily, "to come and tell me such things, when you know I + ain't good, and <i>can't</i> be good? Isn't mother ugly and + cross and scolding to me all the time? and don't I have to + work and work, <i>always</i>, and never have anything? And + I'm cross and get mad, and I <i>will</i>, too. I can't help + it." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, but, Kitty," Tip interrupted eagerly, "you don't know + about it! He helps you, Jesus does. When anything is the + matter, when you feel cross and bad, you just go and kneel + down and tell Him all about it, and He helps you every time. + And up in heaven, where you can go when you die, nobody ever + gets cross and scolds. And it's beautiful there: they sing, + and have fountains, and wear gold crowns; and—and + Johnny is there, you know; and I'm going, and I <i>do</i> + want you to come along." + </p> + <p> + Kitty's face had been growing graver and graver with every + word her brother spoke, and when at last he stopped, with his + eyes turned towards Johnny's little grave, Kitty's shawl was + crumpled up in her two hands and held tightly to her face; + and she was crying, not softly and quietly, but rocking + herself back and forth, and giving way to great sobs which + shook her little form. + </p> + <p> + Tip looked distressed; he didn't know what to say next; he + stooped down to her at last, and spoke softly: "Oh, Kitty, + I'm sorry for you! if you only <i>would</i> love Jesus, it + would make you happy." + </p> + <p> + "I want to—I want to!" sobbed Kitty; "I would if I knew + how." + </p> + <p> + Tip's heart gave a bound of joy—a surprised bound, too; + he had not expected it so soon. + </p> + <p> + "It's easy, Kitty, it is, truly, if you only just ask God to + do it. You see He can hear every word you say; He hears you + now, but He wants you to ask Him about it. Say, Kitty, I'll + go off and leave you,—I'll go where I can't see nor + hear you,—then you kneel down and tell Jesus about it, + and He'll help you." + </p> + <p> + "Stop!" said Kitty, as Tip was turning away; "wait! I don't + know what to say." + </p> + <p> + "Why, just <i>tell</i> Him, just as you did me, and ask Him + to help you. You see, Kitty, you can't do a thing without + that; He's got to look after you every single minute, or it's + nothing at all." + </p> + <p> + Tip went away, and Kitty was left alone,—alone in the + spot where her brother had first found the Saviour. She felt + very strangely; she had been left there alone to offer her + first prayer. + </p> + <p> + Kitty had never been taught to kneel down by her bedside + every evening, and repeat "Our Father;" it was all new and + strange to her. She sat still a long time, with the sober + look deepening on her face. At last she got down on her knees + and rested her little hard hands on the hard snow which + covered Johnny's bed, and she said, "Jesus, I want to be what + Tip says. I want to love you if you'll let me. Nobody loves + me, I guess. Tip says you'll help me all the time. If you + will, I'll try." + </p> + <p> + After she had said this, slowly and thoughtfully, stopping + long between each sentence, she didn't feel like rising up; + she wanted to say more, so she repeated it, adding, "Tip says + I must be good. I can't be good, but I'll try." + </p> + <p> + Over and over was the simple, earnest prayer repeated. + </p> + <p> + Tip did not go back to Johnny's grave; he took a side road + down through the edge of the grove, and so went home; and + when he reached home, he went up to his attic room, and knelt + down and prayed for Kitty as only those <i>can</i> pray who + have been working as well as asking for what they want. + </p> + <p> + Kitty was stirring the pudding for supper when he saw her + again,—stirring away hard at the heavy mass, which grew + thicker and harder to stir every moment. He went over to her. + </p> + <p> + "Kitty, let me do this;" and she gave up the pudding-stick. + Tip stirred away. + </p> + <p> + By and by she leaned over the kettle to put in some salt, and + as she sprinkled it around she caught his eager, longing + look. She nodded her head. "I guess He heard," she said + softly. + </p> + <p> + "I <i>know</i> He did," Tip answered, his eyes very blight; + in his heart he sang "<i>Glory!</i>" And the angels in heaven + sang for joy; for that night there had been laid aside a + white robe and a crown of gold for Kitty Lewis. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH16"><!-- CH16 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. + </h2> + <h3> + "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I + confess also before My Father which is in heaven." + </h3> + <p> + Tip was very undecided what to do. He went out on the steps + and looked about him in the moonlight; then he came in and + took a long look out of the window. At last the question, + whatever it was, seemed to be settled. He turned with a + resolute air to Kitty who was washing the tea-dishes. + </p> + <p> + "Kitty, don't you want to go to prayer-meeting up at the + church?" + </p> + <p> + Kitty dropped her cup back into the dish-pan and stood + looking at him, a good deal surprised. At last she + said,— + </p> + <p> + "I'd like to, Tip, but I don't look decent to go anywhere. + I've only this dress and my old hood." + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't mind that," said Tip. "I've only this awful old + jacket either, but I mean to go. Hurry up the dishes, and + let's go." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Kitty at last, "I <i>will</i>; but what will + mother say?" + </p> + <p> + "I'll fix that." And Tip stepped softly into the bedroom. + "Are you better to-night, father?" + </p> + <p> + "Not much better, I guess. How's arithmetic to-day?" + </p> + <p> + "First-rate; Mr. Burrows said I was getting ahead fast. + Mother, may Kitty go out with me to-night? I'm going up to + the church to prayer-meeting." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lewis turned from the basket where she had been hunting + long, and as yet in vain, for a piece of flannel, and bent a + searching bewildered look on her son. + </p> + <p> + "I don't care," she said at last; "she can go if she likes; + but I doubt if she will." + </p> + <p> + She <i>did</i>, however; in ten minutes more the two were + walking along the snowy path. Kitty was sober. "Tip," she + said presently, "don't you never get real awful <i>mad</i>, + so mad that you feel as if you'd choke if you couldn't speak + right out at somebody?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, no," said Tip, "not often. Yes, I do too; I get mad at + Bob Turner sometimes, mad enough to pitch him into a + snow-bank; but it don't last long." + </p> + <p> + "Well, mine does," said Kitty. "I begin in the morning; + something makes me cross, and I keep on getting crosser and + crosser every minute, till it seems as if I should fly. Do + you suppose I'll always do just so?" + </p> + <p> + "No," answered Tip positively, "I <i>don't</i>. You keep on + trying a little bit harder every day, and by and by you'll + find that you don't get cross more than half as easy as you + used to. I know it will be so, because I've tried it in other + things: when I first began to behave myself in school, it was + the <i>hardest</i> work—my! You can think how I wanted + to whisper, and things kept happening all the time to make me + laugh, but I just kept trying, and now I hardly ever think of + whispering. Kitty, does mother know?" + </p> + <p> + "No," said Kitty, "she don't." + </p> + <p> + "If I were you, I'd tell her." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Tip, I can't! She never looks at me without scolding me; + I can't talk to her about this." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, you can; I'd surely do it if I were you. It will be a + great deal easier to try hard if mother knows you are + trying." + </p> + <p> + They were almost at the church door. + </p> + <p> + "Kitty," said Tip suddenly, "let's pray for father to-night. + I've been praying for him this long time; you help me." + </p> + <p> + Step by step, God was leading Tip Lewis in the narrow way. No + sooner was he seated in the bright, warm little room, and had + listened to Mr. Holbrook's earnest prayer, that every + Christian there might do something for Christ that night, + than the struggle began: what ought he to do for Christ? + People all around him were, one after another, offering + prayer or saying a few words. Ought he to? Could he? Oh, he + couldn't! Who would want to listen to him? It wouldn't do any + good. There was Mr. Burrows right in front of him; he would + be ashamed of him, perhaps. Yes, but then, ought he not to + own his Saviour? Mr. Holbrook had spoken of the verse, + "Whosoever will deny me before men," and had made the meaning + very plain. Mr. Minturn had just prayed that no one there + might be ashamed of Christ. The end of it all was, that Tip + slipped off his seat down on his knees, and said, "Our Father + which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Show me how to + pray. I don't want to deny Christ. I want to love Him. I want + the boys in our school, and my father, and everybody to love + Him. I'll try to work for Jesus. I'll try to work for Him. + Help me every day, and forgive my sins for Jesus' sake. + Amen." + </p> + <p> + Tip had never felt so near to God as he did when he arose + from his knees. Mr. Holbrook's voice trembled with feeling, + when, soon after, he prayed for the young disciple who had + early taken up his cross. + </p> + <p> + At the close of the meeting, the minister pressed his way + through the little company of people who were waiting to + speak with him. + </p> + <p> + "Good evening, all," he said hurriedly. "Excuse me to-night, + brother," to Mr. Minturn, who would have stopped him any way; + "I want to speak to some people before they get away from + me;" and those who watched, saw him hurry on until he + overtook Tip Lewis and his sister. + </p> + <p> + "Good evening, Edward. This is Kitty, I think. How do you do, + my little girl? Edward, do you know such a Bible verse as + this: 'I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my + supplication'?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir," answered Tip eagerly; "<i>is</i> there such a + verse?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, somewhere in the Psalms you will find it. I don't + remember just where. Can you feel the truth of it when you + think of your sister?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir, I <i>can</i>. God <i>did</i> hear me." + </p> + <p> + "And you think you love Jesus to-night, Kitty?" + </p> + <p> + Kitty felt a great awe for the minister, and her "Yes, sir," + was low, and spoken in a timid voice. + </p> + <p> + "What makes you think so?" + </p> + <p> + "I—I don't know; only I pray, and He hears me, and I + like to." + </p> + <p> + "Well, now, Kitty, almost the first thing which people think + of after they have found Jesus, is something to do for Him; + they begin to look around to see what they can find. What are + you going to do?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know, sir; I haven't got anything I can do." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, that's a mistake! you can find plenty of work if you + look for it; only don't look too far, because it is the + little bits of things which come right in your way that Jesus + wants you to do. When you brush up the room, and set the + table neatly, and brighten the fire, and do little thoughtful + things that help your mother, then you are pleasing Jesus, + doing work for Him. Isn't it pleasant to think that in all + those little things He is watching over you, and that you + make Him glad when you do them well? Do you know that one of + God's commands is, 'Honour thy father and thy mother'?" + </p> + <p> + "No," said Kitty softly. + </p> + <p> + "It is; those are the very words; Edward can find them for + you in the Bible; and honour means more than obey; it means, + try to please them in the very smallest things." + </p> + <p> + They were very near the corner where Mr. Holbrook must leave + them. He laid his hand gently on Tip's shoulder, as he said, + "Speaking of Bible verses, Edward, I have one for you this + evening, in the Saviour's own words: 'Whosoever shall confess + Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father which + is in heaven.' Good-night." + </p> + <p> + Tip understood him, and there was a bright look in his eyes. + The two walked on in silence for a little. Presently Kitty + said, "I guess Mr. Holbrook don't know just how mother is, or + he wouldn't talk so." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, but," said Tip quickly, "God knew all about it always, + you know; and yet He said that verse." + </p> + <p> + "So He did," answered Kitty gravely. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH17"><!-- CH17 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. + </h2> + <h3> + "Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth." + </h3> + <p> + "Bah," said Will Bailey, "you're fooling, Howard Minturn!" + </p> + <p> + "As true as I live, I'm not," answered Howard earnestly; "you + can ask Mr. Burrows." + </p> + <p> + "What's up?" inquired Ellis Holbrook, joining the two. + </p> + <p> + "Why, Howard is telling the biggest yarn you ever heard: he + says Tip Lewis went to prayer-meeting last night and made a + prayer." + </p> + <p> + "Tip Lewis!" and Ellis Holbrook's voice was full, not only of + surprise, but scorn; "I should like to hear him." + </p> + <p> + "Well, it's true," repeated Howard. "My father told us about + it this morning, and he said it was a good prayer too; he + said, Ellis, that your father couldn't keep the tears out of + his eyes when he heard him; and Mr. Burrows walked up town + with father, and told him that Tip had changed wonderfully, + that he was one of the best boys in school." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Will Bailey, "if Tip Lewis has turned saint, + I'll give up. Why, he's the meanest scamp in town; my father + says he's had enough for anything." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, well now," answered Ellis, "there's no use in being + stupid enough not to see that what Mr. Burrows says is true. + I never saw any one change as he has in my life, but I'll be + hanged if I like him as well as I did before he was so awful + good; he's too nice for anything now-a-days." + </p> + <p> + "Especially when he trips <i>you</i>, the minister's son, up, + about twisting the Bible." + </p> + <p> + Ellis's face glowed, but he was an honest boy. "He was right + enough about that," he said promptly; "my father says it's + wrong. But, if it will do you any good to know it, I haven't + liked Tip so well since." + </p> + <p> + "Say, Tip," said Will Bailey, hailing him at recess, "come + here and give an account of yourself. They say you turned + parson last night; did you?" + </p> + <p> + "No," said Tip, with the greatest good humour, "I didn't." + </p> + <p> + "Didn't you speak in meeting?" + </p> + <p> + A quiet gravity spread itself over Tip's face. "I prayed in + meeting," he answered soberly. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, well, what did you pray for? Come, let's know." + </p> + <p> + "I prayed for <i>you</i>." Tip spoke with quiet dignity. + </p> + <p> + "Humph! Now, that's clever, certainly. Much obliged." + </p> + <p> + And Will said no more. + </p> + <p> + Certainly the boys had never talked so much about any + prayer-meeting in their lives as they did about this one. So + that was the way it commenced; such a little fire kindled it. + Tip didn't know it; he never found it out; probably he never + will, until he takes his crown in heaven. From the humble + little prayer which Tip had offered sprang the first buddings + of the great revival which God sent down to them. + </p> + <p> + "Say," said Howard Minturn to Ellis on the next Thursday + evening, "let's go over to prayer-meeting to-night. I really + am dreadfully anxious to hear Tip speak." + </p> + <p> + "No," answered Ellis, speaking hastily, more hastily than he + often did to Howard. "I'm sure I don't care in the least to + hear him, and I have enough to do without going there." + </p> + <p> + Howard was <i>determined</i> to go, and to find company. + </p> + <p> + "Will, let's go to meeting to-night," he said, the next time + he came across Will Bailey. + </p> + <p> + Will looked at him in amazement. "What for?" + </p> + <p> + "To hear Tip." + </p> + <p> + "Oh!" said Will; "good! I'll go. Let's get a lot of the boys + and go over; just to encourage him, you know." + </p> + <p> + And they went. Tip and Kitty were there again; and again, + with Tip, the struggle had to be gone through; his coward + spirit whispered to him that the boys would only make fun of + him if he said a word, and it would do more harm than good. + His conscience answered, "Whosoever will deny Me on earth, + him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven." + The solemn words conquered, and again Tip knelt down and + prayed. + </p> + <p> + "My!" said Mr. Minturn, talking with his wife after they + reached home; "when I thought of the bringing up which that + boy has had,—no bringing up about it, he has just + <i>come</i> up, the easiest way he could,—but when I + heard him pray to-night, and then thought of our boy, who has + been prayed for and watched over every day since he was born, + I declare I felt as though I would give all I'm worth to have + Howard stand where Tip Lewis does now." + </p> + <p> + Howard heard this, as he waited in the sitting-room for his + father and mother; heard it in great amazement, and at first + it made him indignant. The idea of comparing <i>him</i> with + Tip Lewis! Then it made him sorrowful: his father's tones + were <i>so</i> sad; after all that had been done for him, it + <i>was</i> hard that he should disappoint his parents. + </p> + <p> + He listened to his father's prayer that night very closely, + and its earnestness brought the tears to his eyes. + Altogether, Howard went to school the next morning with a + somewhat sober face, and took no part whatever in the boys' + fun over the meeting. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows' heart had been warmed by the voice of prayer + from one of his scholars, and he began to pray and long for + others of them to work also; and the great God, who knows the + beginning and the end, led his first words of anxiety to + Howard Minturn. They stood at the desk, teacher and scholar, + Howard bending over his slate. + </p> + <p> + "Can't you get it?" Mr. Burrows asked, + </p> + <p> + "No, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Howard, are you working with all your thoughts to-day?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir." And a bright flush mounted to his forehead. + </p> + <p> + "What is it, Howard?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know, sir; not much of anything, I guess." + </p> + <p> + "Are you not quite satisfied with yourself to-day?" + </p> + <p> + "Satisfied! I—why—I don't know what you mean, + sir; I have tried to do the best I could, I believe." + </p> + <p> + "Do you really think so, Howard?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Did you think so last evening, in the prayer-meeting? Can a + boy, who is as well taught as you have been, feel that he is + doing as well as he can, when he knows that he is every day + cheating God?" + </p> + <p> + Howard's face fairly burned. + </p> + <p> + "I don't understand you, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Don't you?" and Mr. Burrows' voice was very kind. "I wish + that God's own Spirit might help you to understand it. Didn't + your father and mother promise God, when you were born, to + try to train you up for Him, because you belonged to Him, and + they knew it? Now, haven't they done their duty? is it their + fault that you are not a Christian?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Then it comes back to you. You belong to God, body and soul: + He made you; He has kept you; He would save you, only you + will not let Him. You can't help the fact that you belong to + Him; all you can do is to refuse to give Him your love, and + let Him lead you to heaven, and this you are doing. Is it + right?" + </p> + <p> + Howard was growing haughty. + </p> + <p> + "I don't feel the need of any such things, Mr. Burrows," he + answered coldly. + </p> + <p> + "Suppose you don't, does that help the matter any? Does it + change the fact that you belong to God; that you are cheating + Him out of His own property? The question I ask is, Are you + doing right?" + </p> + <p> + Howard stood, with eyes fixed on his slate, saying nothing. + </p> + <p> + "Won't you answer me, Howard?" Mr. Burrows asked gently; "is + it right?" + </p> + <p> + And, after a long, long silence, the boy's honest, earnest + eyes were raised to his teacher's face, and he spoke + steadily: + </p> + <p> + "No, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Are you willing to go on doing wrong?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Will you turn <i>now</i>, Howard, and start right?" + </p> + <p> + Now came another long silence. Howard Minturn, the honest, + faithful boy, always getting a little nearer right than any + of the others, had been condemned by his own words, and knew + not what to say. At last he spoke: + </p> + <p> + "I can't promise, Mr. Burrows." + </p> + <p> + "Howard! such an answer from <i>you</i>, to whom I have only + needed to point out what was right, in order to have it + done!" + </p> + <p> + "But I can't trust myself, sir; I shall not feel to-morrow as + I do now." + </p> + <p> + "That is, you feel like doing your duty today, but you + expect, if you wait until to-morrow, that you will feel less + like it; so you mean to wait. Is that right?" + </p> + <p> + The silence was much longer this time,—so long, that + the boys began to look curiously at the two figures over by + the desk, and wonder why the bell was not rung. But at last + he raised those clear, truthful eyes once more: + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Burrows, I'll try." + </p> + <p> + And the next Thursday evening, when in the house of prayer it + was very still, because Mr. Holbrook had just said, "Is there + not <i>one</i> here to-night who wants us to pray for him, + and if there is, will he not let us know it <i>now</i>?" + suddenly there was a row of astonished faces in the seat + where the schoolboys were sitting, because from among them + arose Howard Minturn, and his face was pale and grave, and + his voice was steady; they all heard his words: + </p> + <p> + "I want to be a Christian: will you pray for me?" + </p> + <p> + Oh, wouldn't they! Was there ever such another prayer as that + which Mr. Minturn offered for his son? Did any one who heard + it wonder that such prayer was answered, and that in the next + meeting, Howard, speaking with a little ring of joy in his + voice, said, "I love Jesus to-night. I want every one to love + Him. I am very happy"? + </p> + <p> + From this the work went on. The little lecture-room grew full + and overflowed, and the crowd now filled the church; and + every night Some new voice was heard, asking for prayer. + </p> + <p> + Will Bailey seemed filled with the spirit of torment; teased + the boys unmercifully; went to the meeting every evening, and + made fun of it all day: but the boys were praying for him, + and God's pitying eye was on him. + </p> + <p> + One evening there were two who arose to ask the prayers of + Christians: one was Will Bailey, the most hopeless, so the + boys thought, of all the boys in town; the other was Will + Bailey's grey-haired father, the most hopeless, so the good + men feared, of all the strong, self-satisfied men in town. + </p> + <p> + Yet there were two for whom daily earnest prayer was offered, + who, in this blessed time, held themselves aloof,—two + boys so far separated, that it seems strange and sad that + their names should be coupled just here. Bob Turner and Ellis + Holbrook, the lowest and the highest; the worst boy in school + and the best! Yet they were united in this one thing, that + they would have nothing to do with Christ. Tip had prayed for + both, worked for both; but this was his success one + afternoon. + </p> + <p> + "Say, Bob, won't you go to meeting to-night, just to please + me?" + </p> + <p> + "Couldn't, Tip, no way in the world. I'd do most anything to + please you, too, for the sake of old times when we used to + steal apples together; but I've promised to go with Nick Hunt + tonight, and tie old Barlow's cat fast to his frontdoor knob, + and that's got to be done while the old man is at meeting, + you know. 'Tain't no matter, either, about my going; you just + do the praying for you and me too; then it will be all + right." + </p> + <p> + Tip turned away with a sigh and a shudder. Could it be + possible that <i>that</i> boy had ever been his only + companion? Ellis was round by the ball-ground, and he went + thither. + </p> + <p> + "Ellis, won't you go down to-night with the boys? it's almost + the last meeting, you know." + </p> + <p> + Ellis wheeled around, and spoke in his coldest tone: + </p> + <p> + "Tip Lewis, you seem to take a wonderful interest in me, and + I'm sure I'm much obliged to you; but I'll be a great deal + more so if you'll attend to your own affairs after this, and + let mine alone." + </p> + <p> + Poor Tip! how discouraged he felt! Yet that very evening, + going home from school, he met Mr. Holbrook; the minister + turned and walked up town with him. + </p> + <p> + "Edward," he said, "are you praying for my boy?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Will you never stop praying for him while you live, until he + comes to Christ?" + </p> + <p> + "I never <i>will</i>, sir," answered Tip, with energy. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH18"><!-- CH18 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. + </h2> + <h3> + "Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bore + thee shall rejoice." + </h3> + <p> + How did Mr. Holbrook know so well what Kitty needed to help + her? His words had given her such new thoughts; some way it + was all new to her, the idea that she had any duty to perform + towards her mother. She stood thinking of it that bright + winter day,—stood before the little fire, and wondered + how it was that she ought to commence. She was to be alone + all day. Mrs. Stebbens, their next neighbour, had fallen down + and sprained her ankle, and sent to know if Mrs. Lewis could + do her promised day's work in the village. Kitty was left in + charge of the house and her sick father. She looked around + the room: what an ugly, dreary little room it + was!—dust, dirt, and cobwebs everywhere; her hood and + shawl lying in one corner; her mother's apron on the floor in + the middle of the room; the breakfast dishes not yet washed; + the stove all spattered with grease from the pork gravy; the + hearth thickly covered with ashes; the paper window-curtain + hanging by one tack; and on the mantelpiece, behind the + stove, such an array of half-eaten apples, matches, forks, + sticky spoons, broken teacups, and dirty candlesticks, as + would have frightened any one less used to it than was Kitty. + As she looked around her, a forlorn smile came over her face, + for she thought of Mr. Holbrook's words: "When you brush up + the floor, or brighten the fire to please your mother"— + </p> + <p> + "He don't know," she said to herself, "that mother don't care + for sweeping and such things; he don't know how we live. I + wonder if mother <i>would</i> notice now if things were + different. What if we did live like other folks,—had + nice tilings, and kept them put up, and the room swept. + Suppose I try it. What could I do? I might sweep and wash off + the stove, and—and clean off the mantelpiece. I'll just + do it, and see if anybody in this house will care." + </p> + <p> + No sooner thought than commenced. Kitty went to work. The + dishes were washed until they shone; those clean dishes + shouldn't go in such a disorderly cupboard. There was no help + for it, the shelves must be washed; down came the bottles and + bundles, papers of this and boxes of that, which had been + gathering, Kitty didn't know how long, and the astonished + shelves felt soap and water once more. How they were + scrubbed! + </p> + <p> + "Kitty," called her father from his bedroom, hearing the + racket, "what are you doing?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm cleaning house," answered Kitty promptly. + </p> + <p> + And her father, because he did not know what else to do, let + her work. From the cupboard she went to the mantelpiece, + bundled the things all off in a heap, washed it thoroughly, + and put everything in order. What a day it was to Kitty! One + improvement led to another, and as things began to grow clean + in her hands, she grew wonderfully interested, and only + stopped at noon to warm her father's gruel. + </p> + <p> + It was Saturday, and Tip had gone to pile wood for Mr. + Bailey. He was to get his dinner and a grammar for his pay. + He had wanted a grammar all winter, so he worked with a will; + and Kitty saw neither him nor her mother through all the busy + day. The early sun had set long before. Kitty thought he + certainly would not know that room the next morning, it was + all so changed. The paper curtain was mended and tacked up in + its place; the old lounge cover was mended and fastened on + smoothly; the mantelpiece shone and glowed in the firelight; + the two shiny candlesticks, and beside them the little box of + matches, were all that remained there of the rubbish of the + morning; the floor was just as smooth and clean as soap and + ashes, with plenty of hot water and an old broom, could make + it; hoods and shawls and aprons and old shoes had all + disappeared,—nothing was lying around: the table was + drawn out, the clean, smooth plates arranged so as to hide + the soiled spots on the tablecloth, the pudding was bubbling + away in the astonished kettle, and Kitty's joy had been + complete, when, only a few minutes before, after a great deal + of stamping and pounding, she had opened the door to Howard + Minturn, who said,— + </p> + <p> + "Mother sent you some milk for your supper.—Where's + Tip?—<i>Isn't</i> it cold, though?—There'll be + prime skating to-night.—Give me the pitcher right away, + please." All this in one breath. + </p> + <p> + Now they would have beautiful fresh milk for supper; and if + there was anything which Tip liked, it was pudding and milk. + </p> + <p> + So Kitty set the old arm-chair in the warmest corner for her + mother, fastened her father's door wide open, so that he + could see the new room, then stirred her pudding, and watched + and waited. Her mother came first. Kitty's heart had never + beat more anxiously than when she heard the slow, tired step + on the hard snow. Would she notice anything different? In she + came, tired, cross, and cold, expecting to find disorder, + discomfort, and cold inside. Could anybody, having eyes, fail + to notice the changes which had been wrought in that little + room since she went out from it in the early morning? She + shut the door with a little slam, and then the flush of the + firelight seemed to blind her a little; she brushed her hand + over her face, and looked around her with a bewildered air. + Kitty went over to her; some way she felt a great kindness in + her heart for her mother, a great longing to do something for + her. + </p> + <p> + "Is it cold, mother?" she asked brightly. "Take that chair," + pointing to the seat in the warm corner. "Supper's all ready, + and I've made a cup of tea for you." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lewis took off her hood and shawl in silence, untied her + wet shoes, and placed her cold feet on the clean, warm + stove-hearth; took in the brightness of the room, the shiny + candlesticks, the neatly-spread tea-table; took whiffs of the + steaming tea,—all in utter silence; only, when Kitty's + father, looking out, said, "There's been business done here + since you went away," something in her mother's voice, as she + answered, "I should think there had," made the blood rush + warmly into Kitty's cheeks, and made her whisper to herself, + as she stooped to place the wet shoes under the stove to dry, + "Mr. Holbrook told me true, I do believe. I guess I have + pleased Jesus to-day; I feel so." + </p> + <p> + While she was taking up the pudding, there was a merry + whistle outside, a brisk, crushing step on the snow, and Tip + whizzed into the room. + </p> + <p> + Oh, there was no mistaking the look of delight on his face, + nor the glad ring in his voice, as he said, "Oh, Kitty! why, + Kitty Lewis! what <i>have</i> you been doing? Why, it looks + almost as nice here as it does at Howard Minturn's." + </p> + <p> + All that evening there seemed a spell upon the Lewis family. + Mrs. Lewis didn't say one cross or fretful word; indeed, she + had no cause, for in Kitty's heart there was a strange, new + feeling of love for her mother, of longing to please and give + her comfort; and never was mother waited on with a more quiet + care than Mrs. Lewis received that night. + </p> + <p> + This was the first coming of home-comfort to the family. Tip + had apples in his pocket, which Howard Minturn had given him; + he roasted them before the fire, and his father ate very + little pieces of them; and his mother darned stockings by the + light of the candle in the clean little candlestick set on + the clean little stand; and they were happy. + </p> + <p> + By and by Tip brought out his grammar, and, finding Kitty + very much interested in examining it, said,— + </p> + <p> + "What if you should begin and study grammar with me?" + </p> + <p> + "What if I should?" answered Kitty. So that evening she + commenced her education, and, though grammar was a queer + study to <i>begin</i> with, still it was a beginning. + </p> + <p> + The pleasant evening wore away; the town clock had struck + nine; Kitty's father had gone quietly to sleep, and the + bedroom door was shut to keep all sounds from disturbing him. + Tip had taken his candle and gone. Mrs. Lewis sat toasting + her feet before the dying fire. Yet still Kitty lingered. She + wanted to take Tip's advice, and tell her mother about her + dear, new Friend, and this evening, of such wonderful peace, + seemed the good time for doing so; but she didn't know how. + If her mother would only say something to help her! and + presently she did. + </p> + <p> + "Kitty, what fit came over you, to go to work and clear up at + such rate?" + </p> + <p> + "I wanted to please <i>you</i>, I guess." + </p> + <p> + Kitty knew that this answer would surprise her mother, and it + did, into utter silence; but, after what seemed to Kitty a + long, <i>long</i> time, she spoke again: + </p> + <p> + "What did you want to do that for?" + </p> + <p> + Now for it! This was the best chance she could ever hope to + have, and her voice trembled a little: + </p> + <p> + "I wanted to please Jesus too, mother, and Mr. Holbrook said + if I did things to help you, and that you would like, + <i>He</i> would be glad—-Jesus would, you know." A + little silence, and then: "I want to please Jesus all the + time now, because I love Him, and I'm going to try to do + right." + </p> + <p> + It was all out now, and her heart was beating so that it + almost stopped her voice. Her mother shaded her face with her + hand, and neither spoke nor moved. Kitty waited a little, + then moved slowly towards the door of her bit of a bedroom; + it was moonlight, so she needed no candle. + </p> + <p> + "Good-night, mother," she found courage to say at last. + </p> + <p> + "Good-night;" and her mother's voice sounded strangely, + coming from behind the closely-held hand. + </p> + <p> + There was something like a great sob in Kitty's throat as she + went to her room that night; in her heart was a great longing + for mother-love. She would have liked to kiss her mother + good-night, but she felt how queerly that would look; even to + <i>say</i> good-night was something very unusual. So she + knelt down beside her bed, and prayed for her mother. + </p> + <p> + I don't think Mr. Holbrook knew that the few kind words which + he spoke to Kitty Lewis, on her way home from prayer-meeting, + were seeds which were going to spring up and bear fruit unto + everlasting life. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH19"><!-- CH19 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. + </h2> + <h3> + "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord." + </h3> + <p> + "Father," said Tip, as, after having carefully measured out + and given him some cough-drops, he sat down for a chat with + him before school,—"father, didn't you and Mr. Bailey + go to school together when you were boys?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Mr. Lewis. "Our fathers lived side by side, and + we used to walk more than a mile to school together every + morning; we were in the same class, too, and the best + scholars in school. My! times are changed since that day. My + father was considerably better off than his was, and now he's + a rich man, and I'm nobody." + </p> + <p> + "Was he such a boy as Will Bailey is—or, I mean, as + Will used to be?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know much about Will; but I know his father was a + sorry scamp, and many's the scrape he got me into. He took a + notion to me. We lived near by, and were always together, and + then I was as full of pranks as he was, I suppose. But he was + a regular tyrant over the rest of the boys; they were more + than half afraid of him; I don't know but what I was myself. + Anyhow, I know I've thought I'd have been different, maybe, + if I hadn't followed him so close in all his scrapes." + </p> + <p> + "Father, did you know Mr. Bailey was different now?" + </p> + <p> + "Different—how? What do you mean?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, he comes to prayer-meeting, and speaks and prays, and + seems to love to." + </p> + <p> + "The mischief he does!" said Mr. Lewis, surprised out of his + usual quiet tone. "I should think he <i>was</i> different. + Why, he used to make great fun of all such things." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, that's what he says; but I tell you he don't make fun + now." + </p> + <p> + "When did all that happen?" + </p> + <p> + "A few weeks ago, when the revival was, you know. He got up + one night and asked them to pray for him, and now he almost + always speaks or prays in the meetings." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Mr. Lewis, after a pause, and with a little + sigh, "I'm sure I ain't sorry. I only hope it will last; he + needed it as bad as any one I know of." + </p> + <p> + "It will last," Tip said, speaking positively. "God will look + out for that." + </p> + <p> + Then he waited a little before he spoke again—but he + had been praying for his father long enough and earnestly + enough to feel bold: + </p> + <p> + "I thought, last night, that you must have been pretty good + friends once," he said presently, "for he most broke down + when he was praying for you, and the tears just blinded him." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lewis turned himself on his pillow, and looked steadily + at his son. "Did Mr. Bailey pray for <i>me</i>?" he asked at + last. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, he did; and he prayed as if he meant it." + </p> + <p> + "How came he to?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, I asked 'em to—all the folks in meeting, you + know. I wanted you to be a Christian, and prayed for you, and + then I asked them if they'd pray, and Mr. Bailey got right + up. You don't mind that, do you, father? All the folks down + there ask us to pray for their friends." + </p> + <p> + "<i>No</i>," answered Mr. Lewis at last, speaking slowly, "I + don't know that I do. I need praying for, I suppose, if + anybody does. I'm going where I can't be prayed for, pretty + fast, I guess." + </p> + <p> + Tip had no answer to make to that. + </p> + <p> + "So you prayed for me too, did you?" his father asked + presently. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, and I do every day, father; I <i>do</i> want you to + know Jesus." + </p> + <p> + A long silence followed, and then the sick man spoke again: + </p> + <p> + "Well, Tip, I'm glad that you've got right, gladder than I + can tell you. My father was a good man, and tried to make me + do what was right; but I went all wrong, wasted my whole + life, and brought up my children to do so too; but you're + getting on without my help, and I'm glad you'll grow up to be + a good man, and be a comfort to your mother when I'm gone. + But I don't know that you need ask folks to pray for me; it's + too late,—I've gone too far to get back." + </p> + <p> + Tip's bold, prompt manner did not forsake him now; he + answered quickly,— + </p> + <p> + "Father, I don't believe any such thing. God doesn't say + anything about it's being too late; and He says if we want + anything very much, and pray for it, and it's good to have, + He'll give it to us; and I'm bound to believe Him. Once I + prayed for Kitty, and prayed and prayed, and it didn't do a + bit of good, until at last Mr. Holbrook told me that maybe it + was because I didn't really believe any of the time that God + was going to do what I wanted Him to; and I found out that + was it. Just as soon as I began to think He would hear me, it + all came out straight; and now I'm bound to believe Him every + time. I've asked Him to make you a Christian, and I'm going + to keep on asking, and <i>He'll do it</i>. + Father,"—Tip's voice took a softer tone, for he knew + there was one very tender spot in his father's + heart,—"don't you want to see little Johnny up in + heaven?" + </p> + <p> + The muscles around Mr. Lewis's mouth began to twitch + nervously, and a tear rolled down his cheek. + </p> + <p> + "I'm pretty near it," he said at last; "and I think sometimes + I'd give the world, if I had it, to be ready to go; but it's + all too late. I've known the right way all my life, and I've + gone the other way; now I must just take my pay." + </p> + <p> + The very Spirit of Christ must have shown Tip what to say + next. He spoke the words earnestly and solemnly; he meant no + disrespect: + </p> + <p> + "Father, do you know more about it than God? Because, you + see, it don't say any such thing anywhere in the Bible; I + know it don't, for we talked about it in Sunday school once, + and Mr. Holbrook said, 'No matter how old a man was, nor what + he had done, he could be a Christian.'" + </p> + <p> + "I always thought it looked mean and sneaking in a man to + have nothing to do with such things all his life, and then + turn around just because he was going to die, and pretend to + be very good. God can't be pleased with any such thing as + <i>that</i>. I've always said that I'd never do it." + </p> + <p> + Tip couldn't answer this: it didn't sound true; he felt sure + it was not true; but he had no wisdom with which to meet it. + He went to school with those last words of his father's + ringing in his heart, and his thoughts took shape, and spoke + in the very first sentence that he addressed to Mr. Holbrook, + whom he overtook as he came out of the post office: + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Holbrook, can I ask you a question?" + </p> + <p> + And the minister, always ready to help any one out of + trouble, smiled and bowed, and walked on by the side of the + troubled boy. + </p> + <p> + "If a man should tell you he thought it would be mean in him + to turn around and go to serving God, after he had found out + he had but a little while to live, when he had cheated Him + out of all the rest of his life, what would you say?" + </p> + <p> + "I think," said Mr. Holbrook, "I would be very likely to ask + him whether he supposed he would feel any less mean for + cheating God out of the last year of his life, simply because + he had been doing so all the other years. Because a man has + been doing wrong for forty years, I don't know why he should + add another year of wrong; I should think he might much + better turn around, and make all the amends he could." + </p> + <p> + "Oh!" said Tip, drawing a long breath; "why couldn't I have + thought of that? I knew it was wrong,—I saw it plain + enough; but I couldn't think of a word to say." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Holbrook looked earnestly at the eager boy. "Edward," he + said at last, "do you think your father would see me this + morning?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Tip decidedly, "I know he would. If you would + only go and see him, Mr. Holbrook, and explain that to him, I + would be <i>so</i> glad." + </p> + <p> + And, looking back soon after, he had the satisfaction of + seeing Mr. Holbrook walk quickly down town in the direction + of his home. And now Tip felt hopeful for his father: he had + prayed for him, he had worked for him, and now Mr. Holbrook + had gone to him; surely he could leave the rest in God's + hands. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH20"><!-- CH20 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. + </h2> + <h3> + "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." + </h3> + <p> + "Here Tip!" said Howard Minturn; "hold this frame steady + while I try that nail. Will, don't put that one up so high, + it ain't even with the others. Hold on, Ellis,—catch + hold of this stool, it's tipping. There, now, it's all nice + and in order,—isn't it, Mr. Burrows?" And he sprang + from his stool, as their teacher entered the schoolroom door. + </p> + <p> + "Very likely," answered Mr. Burrows, smiling; "only I didn't + hear what you said." + </p> + <p> + "I say we're ready for examination, room and all." + </p> + <p> + "The room is, certainly; and I hope your brains are. Ellis, + I'd move that chair a little to the left; it will be in the + way of the classes as it stands now. Do you feel brave + to-day, Edward?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir," answered Tip promptly; "pretty brave." + </p> + <p> + And he did, besides feeling eager and excited. The long + winter term was over; to-day and tomorrow were to be days of + examination. The boys had been working hard for + it,—none harder than had Tip. It was the first + examination which had ever come to him in this exciting way. + Always before he had been among the few inevitable dunces, + running away from examination altogether, or else laughing + good-naturedly over his own blundering ignorance. But to-day + it was different: he stood there on the stage among the + workers, proudly answering his teacher's questions, and + looking proudly over at the group of idlers,—Bob Turner + at their head,—who loitered near the windows, wondering + that he could ever have been of their number. This was going + to be a great day for Tip; it is true he was far behind some + others of his age, so far that not a single class of Howard + Minturn's and Ellis Holbrook's were to be examined that + day,—the advance classes being put for the next + day,—while all of his came that morning; but then Tip + knew there was change enough in him to call the attention of + every one present. He felt the change in himself; his mother + felt it, when she that morning brushed his hair for him, and + fastened a clean collar on his jacket; the boys in school + felt it. He had taken his place among the workers. + </p> + <p> + The bell rang at last, and the scholars filed in and took + their places. There were visitors, even in the early morning; + the people liked to attend Mr. Burrows' examinations. Tip's + class in reading came first on the list, and never had his + eyes been so bright or his face so eager. Tip had learned to + read. Patiently, earnestly, he had plodded on through the + long winter; now his sad blunderings in that line were over + for ever; not a boy in school read more slowly, distinctly, + and correctly than Tip Lewis. The selections were to be made + by the committee, immediately after class, of those who were + considered ready to enter the history class on the following + term. This was the highest reading class in the school: and + Tip's eyes fairly danced when Mr. Holbrook, who was chairman + of the committee, out of a class of thirteen read but two + names,—"Thomas Jones" and "Edward Lewis." + </p> + <p> + "Hallo, Tip!" Howard Minturn had said to him at recess; + "let's shake hands. Welcome to history; it's awfully hard and + interesting." + </p> + <p> + And Tip did shake hands, and laughed; and looked over at the + other clique—the dunces—with a half-patronizing + nod to Bob Turner; and wondered how he <i>could</i>, have + borne it to have been numbered with them that day; then he + felt that he was climbing into the first set, and climbing + <i>fast</i>. + </p> + <p> + In spelling, too, he came off conqueror; spelled down the + class, spelled until Mr. Burrows closed his book with the + words, "I presume you are tired of this, gentlemen, and, as + our examinations are confined to the lessons, I think it will + hardly pay to go further, for Edward has not missed since the + second week in the term." + </p> + <p> + So again, flushed and excited, Tip went to his seat + victorious. Only arithmetic now, and he would be through with + the working part of the day. It was the last recitation in + the morning, and he was so eager and anxious to do well, that + he began to grow nervous. + </p> + <p> + The class was called at last. They had gone slowly and + carefully through long division, and would be ready for + fractions next term. The recitation passed off finely. Tip + had not studied day and night during the winter for nothing. + He was at the board, working an example in long division; it + was almost finished. The hand of the clock pointed to ten + minutes of twelve. In ten minutes he would be through, and + his name would stand on that honoured list, among those who + had not missed one word or made one mistake during the + examination. His hand began to tremble. What was the matter + with that example? Oh, what <i>was</i> the matter? The + remainder was too large; no—it was too small; + no—it was—he didn't know what! Everybody was + watching him; he heard a boy laugh softly. He had made a + mistake, then; what was it? where was it? Mr. Burrows' voice + came to him, calm and kind: + </p> + <p> + "Edward, don't get excited. Look at your remainder closely; + take the first figures of divisor and remainder—nine in + thirty-one, how many times? That will help you." + </p> + <p> + Ellis Holbrook stood but a step from the blackboard, just + behind him. Tip heard his low whisper, "Seven," and, without + waiting to think,—indeed, he was too nervous to + think,—he caught at the number. + </p> + <p> + "Seven times!" he said hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + Then he heard bursts of laughter from the boys, and dashed + down his chalk in an agony of shame and pain. And the clock + struck twelve! + </p> + <p> + The honour was lost. + </p> + <p> + The boys gathered around him after school was closed. + </p> + <p> + "It was too bad, Tip," Howard Minturn said, in a tone of + honest sympathy. "You'd have had it in a minute more." + </p> + <p> + "I'd have had it if it had not been for Ellis Holbrook, and + he's a mean scamp!" Tip answered, in a rage. + </p> + <p> + "Whew!" said Will Bailey; "what did Ellis do?" and Ellis + turned, and proudly confronted the angry boy. + </p> + <p> + "He told me wrong just on purpose; that's what he did, and he + knows it." + </p> + <p> + And Tip broke away from them, and dashed out of the room. + </p> + <p> + Howard Minturn stood aghast! That Ellis Holbrook, his best + friend, and the very pink of honour among the boys, should do + so mean a thing, he could not think, and yet it was hard to + think that Tip had not told the truth. + </p> + <p> + "What does he mean, Ellis?" he asked at last. + </p> + <p> + "You'll have to ask him if you want to find out," said Ellis + haughtily. "He knows better than anybody else what he means, + I guess." + </p> + <p> + The boys started homeward presently in a body. Bob Turner and + his friends surrounded Tip, and Bob, who never lost a good + opportunity for teasing, commenced at once: + </p> + <p> + "Poor little fellow, missed his lesson, so he did. Don't him + cry; him shall have a penny to buy a multiplication-table + with." + </p> + <p> + "Hold your tongue!" answered Tip, too angry to see how + foolish it was to let such words, coming from a boy who + didn't know a single line of the multiplication-table, + provoke him. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Such</i> a pity!" began Bob again; "when it had spelled + its lesson all so nice, and had its face washed and its hair + combed so pretty. Mustn't cry now, to spoil its face. Poor + little fellow!" + </p> + <p> + Tip turned to his tormentor a face perfectly white with rage, + and the boys hardly knew his voice: + </p> + <p> + "Bob Turner, if you say another word, I'll knock you down and + thrash you within an inch of your life. I will"— + </p> + <p> + Oh, Tip Lewis! God forgive you for the way in which you in + your blind rage have finished that sentence,—for the + use which you have made of that great Name, which above all + others you profess to reverence and fear! The awful word, + once spoken, recalled him to himself: he clapped both hands + over his face and ran wildly up the hill, then down out of + sight. + </p> + <p> + The boys had all heard it. Howard, Ellis, Will Bailey, and a + half-dozen others, were just behind him. + </p> + <p> + Ellis Holbrook's pride rose high. + </p> + <p> + "There's your wonderful boy," he said, "who was so changed, + and has taken it upon himself to preach so many sermons to + <i>me</i>. I'm sure I never finished any of my angry speeches + with an oath, if I <i>am</i> so far below him." + </p> + <p> + What an afternoon that was to Tip! he will <i>never</i> + forget it. He went no farther than the great tree, which was + budding out in spring green. Down he sat on a stone, and once + more covered his face with his hands, and such a storm of + rage and pain swept over him as he had never known before. + </p> + <p> + How could he, how <i>could</i> he have said that word? + </p> + <p> + Ever since he had learned to pray, he had been afraid of that + sin,—afraid he might forget, and go back to his old + habits, and he had watched and guarded his lips with such + care and prayer. But lately he had given up all fear; it had + been such a long time, and he had never once fallen, he felt + sure that he never would again. + </p> + <p> + He had felt so sure and proud and strong, that he had asked + no help from God that day; he had been so eager to spend + every moment on his arithmetic, that he had found no time to + go to his Bible for strength. No wonder—oh, no wonder + that he fell! He had been standing too firmly, feeling no + need of help. Now, what should he do? How low he felt, how + mean! Could God forgive him? Yes, He <i>could</i>. + </p> + <p> + Tip felt in his soul that there was nothing which God could + <i>not</i> do, and yet he felt too mean and fallen to dare to + ask Him for anything more; he forgot for the moment that + Jesus Christ died to save <i>sinners</i>. + </p> + <p> + The sun went on over his head, and commenced his afternoon + work; then there came up the hill the sound of the + school-bell, but Tip took no notice of that; he didn't want + to <i>think</i> of school, much less even <i>go</i>. He began + to fumble presently for his Bible,—he <i>must</i> have + some help. It opened of itself at the Psalms, and he read the + first line which he saw: "Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks + "—No, not that, and he turned back a couple of leaves. + "Make a joyful noise "—No, no! he didn't want to hear + anything about joy; his heart was as heavy as lead. So he + turned over several leaves at once: he <i>must</i> find + something that would read as if it meant him. "O Lord, rebuke + me not in Thy wrath, neither chasten me in Thy sore + displeasure." Oh, that was it! God was very angry with + him,—-had a right to be,—this was just what he + ought to say. He read on through the psalm; almost every + verse seemed for him, and when he read the one next to the + last,—"Forsake me not, O Lord; O my God, be not far + from me,"—he said it over and over, and finally, in a + great burst of tears, got down and said it on his knees. + </p> + <p> + The short spring day was over, and the chilly night was + setting in. Tip had reached home finally, had split the wood + for the next day, done whatever he could find to do about the + house, and then carried the vests which his mother had just + finished to the clothing-store,—going away around + behind the mill so as to avoid passing the schoolhouse, lest + he might chance to see some of the boys. Then he came home, + ate his supper in silence, and went up to his attic. He felt + better than he had at noon, but his heart was still heavy, + and he dreaded the next day, not knowing what he ought to do, + or how to do it. This was Thursday evening, but he didn't + mean to go to prayer-meeting. Kitty had asked him, had even + coaxed a little, but he said, "No, not to-night." He felt + stiff and sore from his long sitting under the great tree in + the early spring dampness. He told himself that this was the + reason why he was not going to prayer-meeting; but the real + one was, he felt as if he could not possibly face Mr. Burrows + that evening, and <i>certainly</i> not Mr. Holbrook,—of + course, Ellis had told him all about it. He felt very tired, + and his head and limbs ached; he was going to read a chapter + in his Bible and go to bed. He chose the same psalm which had + come to him with so much power that afternoon, read it slowly + and carefully, then knelt down to pray, and as he did so a + new trouble loomed up before him. What should he do? He had + prayed for Ellis Holbrook and Bob Turner ever since he began + to pray for himself, but he felt as though he could not + possibly pray for either of them to-night. Both had tried to + injure him; both had succeeded. He wished them no harm: he + didn't want to choke or drown them, as he had felt like doing + at noon, but clearly he didn't want to pray for them. He had + arisen from his knees, and was sitting on the edge of the box + which was his table and chair, with a very troubled face. The + more he thought about it, the more he felt that he could not + pray for those boys just then. At last he thought he had + found a way out of the difficulty. He said to himself that he + was very tired, almost sick; he would just repeat the Lord's + Prayer and go to bed. In the morning, very likely, he should + feel differently; he almost knew he should. So he knelt down + once more. + </p> + <p> + "Our Father which art in heaven," slowly reverently, through + the sweet petition, until he came to "forgive us our debts as + we"—There he stopped. He understood that prayer; they + had been taking it up in Sunday school, a sentence at a time, + and talking about it, and only the Sunday before last that + sentence had been explained. To-night Tip could not finish + it; there was no getting around the fact that he had not + forgiven either Ellis or Bob. Once more he got up, and took a + seat on the edge of his bed to think. He was never so + perplexed in his life. What ought he to do? Couldn't he pray + at all? Mr. Holbrook had said he must never mock God by + asking for what he did not mean, and to say those words, "as + we forgive our debtors," feeling as he did to-night, would be + mocking God. He ought not to feel so, but how could he help + it? Suddenly, with a little sigh of relief, he went down on + his knees again: he had thought of something which he could + say. "Oh, Jesus, make me feel like praying for Bob and Ellis; + make me want them to be Christians as hard as I did last + night; make me feel like forgiving them." Then there was + silence in the lonely attic, while Tip, still on his knees, + struggled with the evil spirit within him, and came off + conqueror, for presently he added, "Oh, dear Jesus, I'll + forgive them both!" and then he finished the + prayer—"forgive us our debts, as we forgive our + debtors." While he went around after that, making ready for + rest and sleep, the "peace of God which passeth + understanding" came down and settled in his heart. Presently + he seemed to come to another difficulty, for he sat down with + one boot in his hand and one still on his foot. This + question, however, was settled promptly: he pulled the boot + on again in a hurry, then picked up his jacket and put that + on, seized his hat, and ran down-stairs. + </p> + <p> + "Kitty," he said, putting his head in at the kitchen door, + "I'm going, after all; come on." + </p> + <p> + And Kitty joyfully ran for her hood and shawl. + </p> + <p> + But Tip did not open his lips in prayer-meeting that evening; + he felt bowed down to the very ground with shame; he did not + once raise his eyes to the seat where Howard Minturn, Will + Bailey, and others of the schoolboys were sitting; and, when + the short hour was gone, he made haste to get out from Mr. + Holbrook's sight and the sound of his voice. But he had much + reason, after that, to thank God that he did not succeed. He + had just got from under the gaze of the hall-lamp, and stood + a minute in the darkness waiting for Kitty, when he felt Mr. + Holbrook's hand on his arm, and heard his kind, quiet voice: + </p> + <p> + "Edward, Mrs. Holbrook has some little business to transact' + with Kitty to-night; shall I walk with you?" And, as Tip saw + there was no help for it, and walked by his side, he said, "I + didn't see you at school this afternoon: how was that?" + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Holbrook, didn't Ellis tell you about it this noon?" + </p> + <p> + "Ellis has told me nothing. I heard, from one of the smaller + boys, a very sad story. Have you anything to tell me?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir, I have not; it's all true. I got awful mad, and I + said mad things. I—I did worse than that." + </p> + <p> + Tip's voice sank to a solemn whisper. Mr. Holbrook, too, was + silent and sad; at last he said,— + </p> + <p> + "What, Edward! do you mean to give up, and go back to the old + life?" + </p> + <p> + And he remembered, years after, just how painfully his heart + throbbed while he waited for Tip's answer; it was prompt and + plain: "No, sir; God wouldn't even let me do that." + </p> + <p> + And then for a minute Mr. Holbrook did not speak for very + thankfulness, that, through all this maze of sin, God was + leading Tip into the light again. + </p> + <p> + "Do you feel that you have God's forgiveness?" he asked, + speaking gently. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." Tip could not give very long answers that + evening. + </p> + <p> + "Why were you so quiet to-night in prayer-meeting?" + </p> + <p> + "Because," said Tip, speaking low, "I was ashamed to say + anything before you or Mr. Burrows or the boys, after what + happened today." + </p> + <p> + "More ashamed with us than you were with God?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir, I was; because God knows all about it,—just + how sorry I am, and how He has forgiven me, and is going to + help me; and you didn't know that." + </p> + <p> + Again Mr. Holbrook was thankful. + </p> + <p> + "How about to-morrow, Edward?" he asked at last. + </p> + <p> + And this time Tip's answer was very low: I don't know; I + don't know what to do." + </p> + <p> + "If you knew what was right to do, would you <i>do</i> it?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm pretty sure I'd <i>try</i> to, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Well, did you honour or dishonour Christ to-day?" + </p> + <p> + Tip's answer was in a more timid tone than he often spoke: + </p> + <p> + "I dishonoured Him." + </p> + <p> + "Do the boys know that you are very sorry, and have asked God + to forgive you?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir; they don't know anything about it." + </p> + <p> + "Don't you think, for the honour of Christ, they ought to?" + </p> + <p> + "I suppose so." + </p> + <p> + "Who ought to tell them?" + </p> + <p> + No immediate answer came to this; then, after a + little,— + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Holbrook, how could I tell them—to each + one—about it?" + </p> + <p> + "See if you cannot answer your own question. Will not all the + boys be likely to hear about it?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir; they'll be sure to." + </p> + <p> + "And would they all be likely to hear what you have to say, + unless you spoke to all at once?" + </p> + <p> + "But, Mr. Holbrook, if I did that, it would have to be in + school." + </p> + <p> + "Well?" + </p> + <p> + "But to-morrow is the last day, and it's examination." + </p> + <p> + "Well?" + </p> + <p> + That short word seemed to have a good deal of power over Tip, + for he only answered it by saying, after a long + silence,— + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Holbrook, I wonder if you can think how very hard that + would be?" + </p> + <p> + "Edward, I wonder if you can think how very hard it was for + your Saviour to listen to your words this noon?" + </p> + <p> + And Mr. Holbrook heard no more from Tip, save, when they + reached the corner, a very low, very grave "Good-night." + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH21"><!-- CH21 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. + </h2> + <h3> + "He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with + him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honour him." + </h3> + <p> + There were not many visitors in the next morning; it was too + early, as yet, for any but the examining committee, and a few + very fond, very anxious mothers. Mr. Burrows' hand was on the + bell; in a few moments the algebra class would be in full + tide of recitation. Ellis and Howard had their slates in + their hands, ready to start at the first sound, when Tip + Lewis left his seat and made his way towards the stage. Mr. + Burrows looked surprised; this was entirely out of order; but + a look at Tip's face made him change his mind about sending + him back to his seat, and bend his head to listen to the few + words that were hurriedly whispered in his ear. Then he + looked more surprised, hesitated a minute, then asked,— + </p> + <p> + "Hadn't you better wait until noon, and I can detain the + scholars a few moments?" + </p> + <p> + "No," said Tip, shaking his head, and speaking earnestly; + "I'm afraid, if I wait till noon, I shan't do it at all." + </p> + <p> + "Very well," Mr. Burrows answered finally. "Scholars, one of + your number tells me that he has something of importance to + say to you; we will wait and hear him." + </p> + <p> + It was well for Tip that he was a bold boy, that every day of + his life had been such as to teach him a lesson of boldness, + else his courage would surely have failed him, when he felt + the many curious eyes resting on him. As it was, his face was + scarlet, when he turned it away from the desk and towards the + boys. Yet he spoke promptly, as he always did when he spoke + at all: + </p> + <p> + "I want to tell the boys that I am sorry for yesterday. I + suppose they all know what I did. I got awful mad, and + I—I said a dreadful word. I didn't think I would ever + be so wicked again; I feel awful about it. But I don't want + the boys to think that I don't love Jesus any more, because I + do; and He is going to help me try Such a silence as was in + that schoolroom then, the boys had never felt before! Mr. + Burrows' face was shaded with his hand; he let the silence + rest upon them for a moment, after Tip had taken his seat; + then he spoke, low and solemnly,— + </p> + <p> + "Boys, what God has forgiven, I feel sure that no scholar of + mine will be mean enough ever to mention again." + </p> + <p> + Then the bell sounded, and the business of the day went on. + Tip had laid his head down on the desk the minute he took his + seat, and he kept it there throughout the recitation. He had + been through a fearful struggle; it was hard work for a boy + like him to stand up before the school and tell them how he + had fallen. But it was over now, and from his very soul he + felt that he had done right. + </p> + <p> + Bob Turner, sitting beside him, was quiet and sober; and when + Tip raised his arm with such a sudden jerk that he knocked + his arithmetic to the floor, Bob leaned over and quietly + picked it up and laid it back in its place; which was a + wonderful thing for Bob Turner to do. + </p> + <p> + At noon the boys gathered around Tip, quiet and kind; no one + spoke of what had been <i>the</i> important event of the + morning; all were on good behaviour. + </p> + <p> + Ellis Holbrook came into their midst. + </p> + <p> + "Tip," he said, speaking gravely, yet very coldly, "perhaps + it would be as well for you to know that you made quite a + blunder yesterday, when you said I told you wrong; I hadn't + the slightest notion of telling you, right or wrong. But I + know how you came to think so. I was looking out a word in + Mr. Burrows' dictionary, and stood just behind you, when Mr. + Bailey leaned over and asked me how many there were in your + class when all were present, and I answered him, seven." + </p> + <p> + Tip looked perfectly astonished. + </p> + <p> + "Why didn't you say so yesterday?" he asked at last. + </p> + <p> + "Because you didn't give me a chance," Ellis answered coolly. + "I'm not in the habit of cheating, nor of being told that I + do, so I was not prepared with an answer." + </p> + <p> + "That's true," said Tip, after a minute, answering the first + part of Ellis's sentence; "that's true, I didn't. I was mad, + and I just banged off before anybody could say anything. I + might have known you didn't do any such thing; it ain't like + you." + </p> + <p> + And Tip walked away, leaving Ellis to think that the boy who + was so far below him had shown much the better spirit of the + two. + </p> + <p> + The busy day was drawing to a close; the last recitation was + over, and the boys were in a state of grand excitement, + waiting to hear the report of the committee; waiting to know + whose names were to stand on the Roll of Honour, having + passed through the entire examination without a mistake. Poor + Tip was sad; yesterday morning he had felt so sure that his + name would have an honourable place, and to him it was so + much more exciting, because it would be for the first time. + How hard he had worked; and now it was all lost! Stupidly + lost, too, he said to himself, over an example that he had + done a dozen times; and he drew a heavy sigh, and roused + himself to listen to the report. Mr. Burrows had already + called for it, and Mr. Holbrook, as chairman of the + committee, had arisen; but, instead of reading the report, + said,— + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Burrows, if there is time, I should like to say a few + words to the scholars. Boys, you were all listeners to Edward + Lewis's examination yesterday, and I presume you know better + than I do how hard he has worked. Now, I think any one who + watched him yesterday could not have failed to see that, had + he not grown excited and nervous, he could have worked that + example. Mr. Burrows, may I put a question to vote?" + </p> + <p> + And Mr. Burrows giving a hearty consent, he continued, "Very + well. Now I want every boy here, who is willing to allow + Edward Lewis to go to the board <i>now</i> and try that + example, and, if he succeeds, give him the place which would + have been his yesterday, to stand up." + </p> + <p> + Ellis Holbrook was the first to spring to his feet, and every + single boy in the room followed his example; Tip alone + sitting still, with burning cheeks. + </p> + <p> + "Well done," said Mr. Holbrook "Now it only remains to get + your teacher's consent to our plan." + </p> + <p> + Which Mr. Burrows gave by wheeling his table from before the + blackboard and picking up an arithmetic. "You may come + forward, Edward. I will dictate the example; which one is + it?" + </p> + <p> + "The thirty-ninth, sir; fifty-first page." + </p> + <p> + By this time Tip was at the board. How they watched him! how + fearful his teacher was for him! how he longed to have him + succeed! Tip worked fast and boldly; his hand did not + tremble; chalk and fingers and brain did their duty; the + terrible "nine in thirty-one, how many times," as a test for + the larger number, was reached, and an unusually large and + bold figure <i>three</i> was placed in the quotient; a few + more rapid dashes, and, with a grand flourish after the + "seventeen remainder," Tip threw down the chalk, pushed back + the hair from his hot temples, and walked to his seat. The + boys could not keep quiet any longer: a very soft tapping was + heard at first, then, finding they were not silenced, it rose + to a loud, decided stamping of many feet. But Mr. Holbrook + was on <i>his</i> feet again, and they were quiet directly, + for the report was finally to be read. + </p> + <p> + "My son," said Mr. Holbrook, not long after, laying his hand + kindly on Ellis's shoulder, as he was hurrying from the room, + "what do you think of Edward's religion to-night?" + </p> + <p> + "I think it is honest, sir," Ellis answered quickly. "Excuse + me, father, if you please; I must see Howard a minute before + he goes;" and so he ran away from his father's longing look. + </p> + <p> + As for Tip, he borrowed from Howard Minturn a copy of the + village paper, which came out a few days after, and read the + report of the examination; read this sentence: "And, among + all the pupils, perhaps no one of them has made more rapid or + astonishing progress than has Edward Lewis." + </p> + <p> + Then, while the twilight deepened, he turned eagerly to the + next column, which read in this way:— + </p> + <pre> + "ROLL OF HONOUR; + + "Being an alphabetically arranged List of those + who passed the entire Examination without + making an error: + + WILLARD BAILEY. + ELLIS HOLBROOK. + HARVEY JENNINGS. + EDWARD LEWIS." +</pre> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH22"><!-- CH22 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. + </h2> + <h3> + "I will lead them in paths that they have not known." + </h3> + <p> + "See here, Tip," called Mr. Minturn, appearing in his store + door one morning not long after the examination; "I want to + talk to you." + </p> + <p> + Tip swung his basket off his shoulder, and went into the + store. He was at work for Mr. Dewey, and every piece of meat + which he carried home took the form, in his eyes, of a Latin + grammar and a dictionary; for these two books were what he + was at present aiming after. + </p> + <p> + "I'm in a great hurry, Mr. Minturn," he said; "I've got a + piece of meat for your folks in my basket, and I expect they + want it." + </p> + <p> + "They'll have to wait till they get it," answered Mr. + Minturn; "but I never hinder folks long. What are you going + to do with yourself, now school's out?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, work; anything I can find to do while vacation lasts." + </p> + <p> + "So you're going to keep on at school, are you? I thought + likely, since your father was laid up, you'd he hunting for + steady work, so you could help the family along. There's a + hard winter coming, you know." + </p> + <p> + There was no mistaking Mr. Minturn's tone. It said, as + plainly as words could have done, "That's what I think you + ought to do, anyhow." + </p> + <p> + Tip looked troubled. "There's nothing for me to do," he said + at last; "I don't know of a place in this town where I could + get steady work that I could do; and besides, if there was, + I'm after an education now." + </p> + <p> + "My brother is here from Albany," Mr. Minturn made answer to + this. "He is a merchant, has a large store there, and keeps a + great many clerks. He's been plagued to death lately with one + of his boys,—when he sent him home with bundles, he'd + open them and help himself; and my brother told me last + night, if I could warrant him a boy who was perfectly honest, + he'd take him home with him, pay his fare down, and do well + by him. I thought of you right away, and I told my brother + that you were just the boy for him,—you'd be as true as + steel; but then, if you're going to keep on at school, it's + all up." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Minium did not add, that he had kept his brother until + eleven o'clock the night before, telling him Tip's + history,—what a boy he had been, how he had changed, + how he was struggling upward; and, finally, the whole story + of the examination,—the failure, the downfall, the + public confession; nor how his brother had listened eagerly, + and had said, with energy, after the story was + finished,— + </p> + <p> + "Such a boy as that ought to be helped; and I'm ready to help + him." + </p> + <p> + None of this did Tip hear, but he stooped down for his basket + when Mr. Minturn had finished speaking, with a bright blush + on his cheek. It was something for a boy like him to be + called "as true as steel." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," he said decidedly; "I'm going to keep on at school, + that's certain. Thank you all the same." + </p> + <p> + And out he went; yet all the way up and down the streets his + thoughts were busy over what he had just heard. It was + <i>time</i>, certainly, as poor as they were, that he began + to work; his mother's sewing supported the family now, and + hard and late into the nights she had to work to keep them + from hunger. Tip had thought of this question before, but had + always comforted himself with the thought that work was not + by any means an easy thing to get in the village; the odd + jobs which he could find, out of school hours, being really + the only things he could get to do. But no such comfort came + to him to-day: here was a chance, and a splendid one, for + getting steady work, and by and by good wages probably; why + wasn't he glad? + </p> + <p> + Oh, ever since he gave himself to Christ, there had been in + his heart a longing to get an education, and not only that, + but to become a minister. Very small, faint hopes he had, and + even those were frightened sometimes at their own boldness; + but every day the desire grew stronger, and it did not seem + as though he could possibly give up school now. It was out of + the question, he told himself, just as he was beginning to + enjoy his books so much, and was doing well. Mr. Burrows + would be disappointed in him; he had encouraged him to study. + No, it couldn't be done. He would consider the matter + settled. And yet there was his mother, working day and night, + and he, her only son, not helping. There was his father, + growing weaker every day, coughing harder every night; long + ago they had given up the hope that the cough would ever + leave him. There was Kitty, who ought to be in school, but + could not because her mother <i>must</i> have the little help + which she could give. Tip was half distracted with thinking + about it; he felt provoked at Mr. Minturn, and Mr. Minturn's + brother, and the store in Albany, and the boy who helped + himself out of other people's bundles; they were all trying + to cheat him out of his education. A dozen times he said it + was settled, and as many times began at the beginning to + think it all over again. He went home finally, after the meat + was carried around; but this didn't help him any. Home hadn't + gone back to its old state of dirt and disorder: Kitty's + first attempt had been too successful, and she had liked the + looks of things too well to give up; so there was a great + change for the better in the housekeeping, which both Kitty + and her mother enjoyed. Still, there was no denying that, + though a clean, it was a very forlorn little room, with very + few things for comfort or convenience. Tip had never seen + this with such wide-open eyes as he did today; so coming home + did not quiet the vexing thoughts. + </p> + <p> + He split wood and pumped water without whistling a note, + growing more sober every minute. At last, after supper, when + the work was all done that he could do, he drew a sigh of + relief; it was so nice to have time for thought. He could go + up to his attic, and he would not come down, no, not if it + wasn't in three days, until this thing was decided finally + and for ever. + </p> + <p> + Kitty sewed steadily on the seam which her mother had fixed + for her, and wondered why Tip didn't come down and hear her + lesson, which had been ready for him this hour. It was + another hour before he came; then his mother said,— + </p> + <p> + "Tip, if you've a cent in the world, do take it, and go and + get your father some of that cough-candy. I do believe he + hasn't stopped coughing since supper." + </p> + <p> + Tip took his hat and started for the store; as he went he + whistled a little. The cough-candy was found at a store away + up town, and, getting a paper of it, Tip dashed on around the + corner and opened Mr. Minturn's store door. + </p> + <p> + "When is your brother going home?" he asked, without + ceremony, seeing Mr. Minturn behind the counter. + </p> + <p> + "Next Monday." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'm going to talk to father, and I think likely I'll + want to go along with him." + </p> + <p> + "All right." + </p> + <p> + So Tip slammed to the door and ran away and Mr. Minturn never + knew what a downfall that decision had been to the boy's dear + hopes and plans. + </p> + <p> + It was all settled in the course of a day or two. Mr. Minturn + from Albany was very kind. Tip was to have wages that seemed + a small fortune to him, and enough had been advanced to get + him a new suit of clothes, which his mother made. + </p> + <p> + One would have supposed that the future would look bright to + him; yet it was with a very sad heart that he took his seat + in prayer-meeting that Thursday evening, the last time he + expected to be in that room for—he didn't know how + long. He had a feeling that he ought to be very glad and + thankful, and wasn't at all. + </p> + <p> + Through the opening hymns and prayers his heart kept growing + heavier every moment, and it was not until Mr. Holbrook + arose, and repeated the text which he had chosen for the + evening, that Tip could arouse himself to listen. It was a + queer text, so he thought,—"Who shall roll away the + stone?" What could Mr. Holbrook be going to say on that? He + found out, and had reason to remember it for ever after. As + he went out from that meeting, his thoughts, had he spoken + them, would have been like these: + </p> + <p> + "That's true,—I don't believe any man but Mr. Holbrook + would ever have thought of it: they worried at a great rate + about that stone, how they would get it rolled away, and when + they got there it was gone. I'll remember that. I'll do just + as he said: when I see a stone ahead of me, I won't stop and + fret about it; I'll walk straight up to it, and when I get + there maybe it will roll out of my way." + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH23"><!-- CH23 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. + </h2> + <h3> + "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of + silver." + </h3> + <p> + Behold Tip, now in Albany, far away from home and friends, + from every one that he had ever seen before, save Mr. Howard + Minturn, young Howard's uncle. But he had been there some + time, and was growing into a settled-at-home feeling. It had + been a wonderful change to him. Mr. Minturn did not board his + clerks; but for some reason, best known to himself, he had + taken Tip home with him. For a few days the boy felt as + though the roses on the carpets were made of glass, and would + smash if he stepped on them. But he was getting used to it + all; he could sit squarely on his chair at the table instead + of on the edge, spread his napkin over his lap as the others + did, and eat his pie with a silver fork under the light of + the sparkling gas. + </p> + <p> + "Mother," said little Alice Minturn, "why does father have + Edward board here, and sit at the table with us?" + </p> + <p> + "Because, Alice, your father wants to help him in every way; + your uncle Minturn thinks he is an unusually good, smart + boy." + </p> + <p> + "I think so too," said Alice, and was satisfied. + </p> + <p> + And Tip Lewis was Tip no longer; no one knew him by that + name; every one there said "Edward," save the store clerks, + and they called him "Ed." + </p> + <p> + He had a queer feeling sometimes that he was somebody else, + and that Tip Lewis, whom he used to know so well, would be + very much astonished if he could see him now. + </p> + <p> + He went into Sabbath school, and became a member of Mr. + Minturn's Bible class; but teachers were scarce, and before + he had been there three weeks Mr. Minturn sent him to take + charge of a class of very little boys, who called him "Mr. + Lewis," and made him feel strange and tall. He began to + realize that he was almost sixteen years old, and growing + very fast. + </p> + <p> + He was leading a very busy life now-a-days; at work all day, + in and for the store, and in the evening doing all he could + with his books. Those books and his love for them were a + great safeguard to him, kept him away from many a temptation + to go astray; and yet it was hard work to accomplish much in + the little time he had, and with no helper. Sometimes he + sighed wearily, and felt as though the road was full of + stones. + </p> + <p> + "I pity you, old fellow," one of the younger clerks said to + him one evening, as they were leaving the store. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know for what," was the good-natured answer. + </p> + <p> + "Why, Mr. Minturn's pink of a perfect and wonderful and + altogether amazing son Ray has just got home from the + University; saw him pass the store not an hour ago, leaning + back in the carriage like a prince." + </p> + <p> + "What's he?" asked Edward. + </p> + <p> + "He's a prig; that's what he is." + </p> + <p> + "What's a prig?" + </p> + <p> + "Ho! you're a greeney, if you don't know what a prig is. Wait + till he snubs you and lords it over you awhile; then I guess + you'll know. He'll have a good chance, seeing you're right + there at the house all the while. I wouldn't be in your shoes + for a penny." + </p> + <p> + Spite of its making him a great greeney, Edward did not know + what a prig was; but, judging from his companion's tone, he + decided that it must be something very disagreeable. He went + home feeling cross and uncomfortable, wishing that Ray were + anybody in the world rather than Mr. Minturn's son, or + anywhere else rather than at home. He was beginning to have + such a nice time there; they were all so kind to him, and + really seemed to like him. It was too bad to have it all + spoiled. + </p> + <p> + "I know what kind of a fellow he is," he muttered to himself; + "he's like that Mr. Symonds who comes to the store twice a + week or so after kid gloves, and acts as if he thought he was + a great deal too good to ask me a decent question. My! I wish + he was in Texas." + </p> + <p> + The dining-room was a blaze of light when he peeped in, soon + after the family were gathered waiting for Mr. Minturn. The + newcomer sat on the sofa, one arm a-round little Alice, and + the other resting gently on his mother's lap. Edward guessed, + by his mother's face, that she did <i>not</i> wish he was in + Texas. Mr. Minturn came in presently, and Edward stole into + the room just behind him; but Alice called him eagerly: + </p> + <p> + "Edward, Ray has come! Come over here and see him." + </p> + <p> + "Go ahead," said Mr. Minturn, as Edward stood still, with + very red cheeks; and Ray sat up and held out his hand. + </p> + <p> + "How do you do, Edward? Alice has been making me acquainted + with you this afternoon, so you're not a stranger." + </p> + <p> + How very clear and kind his tones were! Edward was + astonished. That same evening he was more astonished. He was + in the library, at work over his books; Mr. Minturn had to go + to a committee meeting, expecting to be detained late; as he + arose from the dinner-table, he said,— + </p> + <p> + "How am I to get in to-night? Here's my night-key in two + pieces." + </p> + <p> + "I'll be night-key, sir," said Edward promptly. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you may; you can take your books to the library, and + have a long evening to pore over them." + </p> + <p> + So he was there, poring over them with all his might, when + the door opened gently, and Ray Minturn came in. + </p> + <p> + "Are you hard at work?" he asked kindly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir," said Edward, wishing he would go out again. But + he didn't seem in a hurry to do so; he took a book from the + case, and glanced over it a moment, then came towards Edward. + </p> + <p> + "What are you studying?" + </p> + <p> + "Fractions," answered Edward briefly. + </p> + <p> + "Do you have any trouble?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, lots," speaking a little crossly, for he wanted to go + on with his work; "I can't get this one I'm at, to save my + head." + </p> + <p> + "Suppose I see what is the matter." And Bay drew a chair to + the table and sat down, glancing his eye over the slate. + </p> + <p> + "Rather, suppose you see for yourself," he said in a few + moments. "Just run over that multiplication at the top of the + slate." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, bother!" Edward said, after he had obeyed orders; "that + figure three has made me all this trouble." + </p> + <p> + "Smaller things than figure threes make trouble. Have you + been to school lately?" + </p> + <p> + "Always, till I came here; but I might just as well have been + out until last winter." + </p> + <p> + "What happened last winter?" + </p> + <p> + "Lots of things," answered Edward, with brightening eyes. But + he didn't seem disposed to state any of them; so, after + waiting a little, Ray asked,— + </p> + <p> + "Wouldn't you get on faster with your books if you had a + teacher?" + </p> + <p> + "Think likely I should; but I haven't got any, so I'll have + to get on as fast as I can." + </p> + <p> + "How would it do if I should play teacher while I am at home, + and give you the hour from nine till ten?" + </p> + <p> + Edward laid down his pencil, turned his eyes for the first + time full upon Kay, and looked at him in silent astonishment. + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean it?" he asked at last. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly I do; I shouldn't say so if I didn't. Don't you + think you would like it?" + </p> + <p> + "Like it! I guess I would. But I don't know—What do you + do it for?" + </p> + <p> + "Because I am glad to help a boy who seems to be trying to + help himself. We will consider it settled, then. It is ten + o'clock; will you come out to prayers now?" + </p> + <p> + And at this the astonished look on Edward's face deepened. + </p> + <p> + "Is Mr. Minturn here?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "No; but his son is. Are you so surprised that I should have + prayers in my father's absence?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Edward; "I didn't know—I mean I didn't + think"— + </p> + <p> + "You didn't think I had learned to pray, perhaps. Thank God, + I have." Then he laid his hand kindly on Edward's shoulder. + "Have <i>you</i> learned that precious lesson yet, my + friend?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Edward softly; "a good while ago." + </p> + <p> + "I am very glad; you will never learn anything else that is + quite so important. What is all the study for, by the way? + Have you any plans.'" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Edward, astonished at what he was about to tell + to a stranger; "I want to get an education, and then, if I + possibly <i>can</i> do that, I want to be a minister." + </p> + <p> + Ray's hand fell from his shoulder, and when he answered this, + his voice was low and a little sad: + </p> + <p> + "God bless you, and help you. I hope you will never have to + give it up." + </p> + <p> + Edward made up his mind that night that a prig meant the best + and kindest,—yes, and the wisest young man in the + world. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH24"><!-- CH24 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. + </h2> + <h3> + "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so + to them." + </h3> + <p> + The long, bright summer days and the glowing autumn days were + gone; mid-winter was upon them. During all this time Edward + was hard at work; there was plenty of business to be done at + the store. He had been promoted; very rarely, now-a-days, was + he called on to carry home purchases, or to do errands. He + had his counter and his favourite customers. There had been + another change, too, which Edward felt sure Ray had had a + hand in; Ray had a hand in everything that was good and + thoughtful. He had long evenings for study now; he came up to + dinner with Mr. Minturn at six o'clock, and had no further + work to do until the next day. Oh, those long evenings! What + rapid progress he made! what a teacher Ray was! Could a boy + help getting on who was so carefully and kindly led? + </p> + <p> + What was <i>not</i> Ray to him?—teacher, friend, + brother; constant, unfailing, loving guide. Edward was + learning to love him with an almost worship. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, every one saw better than did Edward himself how he + had changed. He had not been in constant intercourse with a + Christian family, who lived their religion every day and + every hour, for nothing; his improvement had been constant + and rapid. + </p> + <p> + He came home from the post office one evening with his hands + full of letters, among them a very queer-looking one for + himself. He carried the others to the library, and his own to + his room. Such an odd letter as it was! He was glad it was + his business to get the mail, and that none of the other + clerks had seen this, with his name written at the very top + of the envelope, and written "Tip" at that. How oddly it + looked, and how queerly it sounded when he said it over! It + was so long since he heard that name, he never wanted to + again. He was glad that Ray Minturn had never called him Tip, + nor heard him called so. + </p> + <p> + Who could it be from? Nobody wrote to him except Kitty, and + once in a long while his mother; but this was no home-letter. + At last he broke the seal, and read:— + </p> + <p> + "DEER TIP,—Mother's dead, I feel bad, you kno that, so + what's the use? I've got to go to work. I like you better + than any of the other felows, always did. Can't I com out + there to your store and work, I'll behave myself reel wel; I + <i>will</i>, honour bright, if you'll git me a place. I've + got money enuff to get there. I dug potatoes for old Williams + and earned it. Rite to me rite off that's a good fellow. I + want to com awful. BOB TURNER." + </p> + <p> + Edward was thunderstruck! he dropped the letter on the floor + in disgust. What was to be done now? The idea of having Bob + Turner there was perfectly dreadful; besides, thank fortune! + it was impossible. They wanted more help, to be sure, had + been looking out for a boy that very day, but not such a one + as Bob,—that was out of the question; and + yet—Bob's mother was dead! In his rude, careless way, + Bob had loved his mother rather better than he had any one + else, and Edward did not doubt that he felt badly. He was + without friends now; surely he needed one if he ever did. But + it was <i>so</i> disagreeable to think of having him + there,—he was so different from any of the others, and + he would call <i>him</i> Tip, and be always around in his + way; would seem to lead him back to the old life from which + he thought he had escaped altogether. It was not to be + thought of for a moment. But then—and now came a + startling thought. How long he had been praying for Bob! + Perhaps this was the way in which God meant to answer, by + giving him a chance to work as well as pray. Perhaps he ought + to be <i>willing</i> to have him come. No matter how much the + clerks might make fun of him for having such a friend; no + matter how much pain and annoyance it might cause him; if + this was God speaking to him to help his brother, how + dreadful it would be to make no answer! + </p> + <p> + He sat down to think about it; his algebra lay open before + him; he was not quite ready for Kay, but he could not attend + to algebra now. + </p> + <p> + "Let me see," he said; "if there <i>should</i> be such a + thing as that Bob could come, what would I do for him? One of + two things is certain, either he'll lead me or I shall him; + we always did when we were together much. Which will it be? + If he leads me, he'll lead me into mischief, just as sure as + the world; if I lead <i>him</i>, I'll try to keep him out of + mischief. It's clear that I ought to be the leader. Now, how + would I do it, I wonder? Bob ought to be a Christian; he + won't be safe two minutes at a time until he is. If God says + anything, He says He'll hear prayer. If I believe that, why + don't I pray for Bob, so that he'll be converted? I <i>do</i> + pray for him always, but it's kind of half-way + praying—kind of as if I thought it was a pretty hard + thing for God to do after all. That's wrong. God wants him + safe, and He knows he isn't safe now, and He's willing to + help him; it must be my fault that He don't. My business and + lessons, and all that sort of thing, are putting Bob and + Ellis, and even father, pretty much out of my thoughts. + That's wrong too, and must be stopped. Mr. Minturn says a + thing is never half done that hasn't a corner in the day + belonging to itself. I'll try that rule. After this, every + evening at half-past eight, I'll come up here to my room and + lock the door, and I'll pray for Bob; I'll pray as though I + expected an answer, and was going to be on the look-out for + it. I won't let anything hinder me from coming at just that + time, unless it's something that I can't help. Meantime, I'll + get him a place if I can." + </p> + <p> + Edward was as straightforward as Tip had been; this point + decided, he went down-stairs to the library door, and + knocked. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Minturn was alone, and busy; but he looked up as Edward + entered in answer to his "Come in." + </p> + <p> + "Well, sir, what is it?" + </p> + <p> + "Have you time for a little piece of business?" + </p> + <p> + "Always time for business; sit down. What is it about?" + </p> + <p> + "Have you found a boy yet?" + </p> + <p> + "No. Have you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir; there's a boy out home who wants to come; I've + just had a letter from him. His name is Turner—Bob + Turner." + </p> + <p> + "Is he a good boy?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Well, that's plain! What are you talking about, then?" + </p> + <p> + "I want you to make him a good boy, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Humph! that's an idea. I can't make boys over new. Is he + honest?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir, I don't think he is very,—not what you mean + by honest; but his mother is dead, and he hasn't any friends; + he goes with a miserable set of fellows, and he'll get worse + than he is in no time if he stays there." + </p> + <p> + "And the whole of it is, you think it's my duty to let him + come, and try to save, him! Suppose I should, what would you + do for your share?" + </p> + <p> + "I'd try, too." + </p> + <p> + "How?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, I'd try to get him to do right." + </p> + <p> + "Suppose he should try to get you to do wrong?" + </p> + <p> + "He couldn't!" said Edward positively. + </p> + <p> + "How did you find that out?" + </p> + <p> + "Because I should pray for myself every day, and for Bob too; + and God hears prayer." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, but God's people sometimes get very far away from Him; + if this Bob should lead <i>you</i> astray, I'd be sorry I + ever heard of him." + </p> + <p> + "I don't feel much afraid," Edward said, speaking this time + in a more quiet, less positive tone, "for I never go wrong + when I pray often; pray about everything that comes up, you + know, and mean what I pray for." + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" said Mr. Minturn; "that's a good idea; I guess + you're pretty safe under <i>that</i> rule." + </p> + <p> + "Besides," said Edward, reserving one of his best arguments + till the last, "I know somebody who would help Bob ever so + much,—Mr. Ray would find him out." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Minturn's eyes grew bright, and he smiled a half sad + smile. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," he said, "that's true enough; Ray can't come near + anybody without helping him. Well, write to the boy to come + on; we'll try him. Has he anything to come with?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir, he says he has money enough to get here." And + Edward went away glad, for he had begun to be very willing to + have Bob there. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH25"><!-- CH25 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. + </h2> + <h3> + "If ye abide in Me, and My word abide in you, ye shall ask + what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." + </h3> + <p> + Edward got up one morning feeling years older than he had + only the morning before,—older and graver, feeling a + great responsibility resting on his shoulders; for he was The + weary frame, racked with so many pains, was at last at rest. + Kitty had written just a line, telling the sad story, but it + did not reach him until nearly a week after; and with it came + Mr. Holbrook's,—a long letter, full of tender sympathy, + telling all about how, in the afternoon of an early spring + day, they had laid his father by Johnny's side. + </p> + <p> + Edward read on eagerly, until he came to this sentence: "My + dear boy, I have a most precious message for you. I was with + him only an hour before he died, and at that time he said to + me, 'I want you to tell Tip that God has heard his prayer, + and saved his father; and that I shall watch for him to come + to heaven, and bring all the rest.' And, Edward, I haven't a + shade of doubt but that your father is with his Redeemer; you + must let me quote again a verse which I once gave you: 'I + love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my + supplications.'" + </p> + <p> + And at this point the letter dropped from his hand, and + Edward shed his first tears for his father. + </p> + <p> + It was curious, the different ways that Mr. Minturn and his + son had of expressing sympathy. + </p> + <p> + "Oh," Mr. Minturn said, when he was told, "why in the world + didn't they send for you?" + </p> + <p> + "Because, sir, my father died very suddenly, and my mother + thought I could not afford to come so far for the funeral." + </p> + <p> + "Afford! as if that would have made any difference. Did they + think I would let it cost <i>you</i> anything?" + </p> + <p> + Edward showed Mr. Holbrook's letter to Ray after that; and + when it had been read, expressed the feeling which had been + much in his heart ever since the news came, and which had + been strengthened by Mr. Monturn's words: + </p> + <p> + "I shall always be sorry that I could not have gone to the + funeral." + </p> + <p> + And Bay answered, resting his arm, as he spoke, lightly on + Edward's shoulder, to express the tenderness which he felt, + "No you won't, my dear fellow; when you get up there, in the + glory of the Redeemer's presence, and meet your father face + to face, you will not remember to be sorry that you did not + see him <i>buried</i>." + </p> + <p> + Meantime Bob had come, and been set at work. He did not board + at Mr. Minturn's. Edward had heard that matter arranged with + a little sigh of relief; his precious hour with Ray, then, + would be undisturbed. + </p> + <p> + Bob was doing very much better than anybody who knew him + would have imagined he <i>could</i> do; he seemed to have + made up his mind to behave himself, sure enough. Yet his + being there was a trial to Edward in several ways: he had a + great horror of being called "Tip;" that name belonged to the + miserable, ragged, friendless, hopeless boy who used to + wander around the streets in search of mischief, not to the + young man who was a faithful clerk in one of the finest + stores in Albany, besides being a teacher in Sabbath school, + and a very fair scholar in Latin and algebra. But Bob Turner + could not be made to understand all this; and though he + stared at the neat black suit which Edward wore, and opened + his eyes wide when Mr. Minturn went and came in company with + his old companion, and honoured him in many ways, he still + called him "Tip," in clear, round tones, that rang through + the store a dozen times a day. But there was nothing which + Ray could not smooth over, so Edward thought, when one + evening he flounced into the library with a very much + disturbed face. + </p> + <p> + "I wish that fellow knew anything," he said angrily. + </p> + <p> + "What is the matter now?" Bay asked, meeting the bright, + angry eyes with a quiet smile. + </p> + <p> + Edward laughed a little. "Well, I can't help feeling vexed; + Bob screeches that hateful little name after me wherever I + go. I despise that name, and I wish he could be made to + understand it." + </p> + <p> + "How did you happen to be called Tip at first?" + </p> + <p> + "Why," said Edward, turning over the leaves of his + dictionary, "my little sister Kitty made it up before she + could talk plain. How she ever got that name out of Edward, I + don't know; I'm sure I wish she had been asleep when she did + it; but that's what she called me, and that's what I've been + ever since." + </p> + <p> + "And did Johnny, the little boy that died, ever call you so?" + </p> + <p> + Edward's eyes began to grow soft. + </p> + <p> + "Often," he said gently; "and it was about the only name he + could speak; he was a little fellow." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Edward, I should not think it would be such a very + disagreeable name to you, when your father, who is gone, + always used it, and always in kindness, you told me; and it + is the only name by which little Johnny can remember you. + There are two things to be thought of in this matter," Ray + continued, after a moment, finding Edward not disposed to + speak: "one is, if you hope to do anything with this old + companion of yours, you must be ready to take worse things + from him than a quiet, inoffensive little name like that; he + will learn your right name, perhaps, in time. And the other + is—What is Bob Turner's right name, my friend?" + </p> + <p> + Edward's face flushed, his lips quivered into a little smile, + then he laughed outright. + </p> + <p> + "It would be ridiculous to call <i>him</i> Robert!" he said, + still laughing. "Ray, here's my exercise, if you want it + now." + </p> + <p> + And Ray heard no more complaints about the offending little + name. + </p> + <p> + "Say, Tip, just go home with me to-night," Bob coaxed one + evening, as Edward, having been detained late at the store, + was leaving just as Bob was closing the shutters. "Mr. Ray's + head is so bad you won't have any plaguy lessons to-night to + hinder you. Every single fellow in the store but me is going + to the theatre, and I am awful lonesome up there alone." + </p> + <p> + "It is a wonder you are not going too," said Edward. + </p> + <p> + "No, it ain't. I can keep a promise once in a while, I + reckon. That Ray Minturn can do anything with a fellow, and I + was fool enough to promise him that I wouldn't go. Come, go + up home with me; do, that's a good fellow!" + </p> + <p> + "No," said Edward decidedly, "I can't." + </p> + <p> + "Now, Tip Lewis, I think you're real mean; you don't never + come to see me no more than if I was in Guinea. You act as if + you were ashamed of me, and I keep my word and behave myself, + too; and you're a mean, chicken-hearted fellow, if you're + ashamed to notice me now-a-days, just because you board in a + big house and dress like a dandy." + </p> + <p> + "Poh!" said Edward; "what nonsense that is! I'd look well + being ashamed of any one that Minturn talked with. But, Bob, + I can't go to-night, nor any other night just about this + time; because I made a promise that I'd do something else, at + exactly half-past eight, and that nothing in the world should + hinder me if I could help it; and it can't be far from + half-past eight now." + </p> + <p> + Bob eyed him curiously. "Tip, you're the oddest fellow born, + I do believe," he said at last "Is it lessons?" + </p> + <p> + "No, it's nothing about lessons." + </p> + <p> + "Couldn't I <i>help</i> you to do it?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Edward, after a thoughtful silence; "you + <i>could</i> help me better than any one else, only you + won't." + </p> + <p> + "Well, now," Bob answered earnestly, "as sure as I'm alive, I + will, if you'll tell me what it is; I'll help you this very + night." + </p> + <p> + "Do you promise?" asked Edward. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I do, out and out; and when I promise a thing through + and through, why, <i>you</i> know, Tip Lewis, that I do it." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Edward, as he tried the door to see that all was + safe before leaving, "then I'll tell you. Every night, at + exactly half-past eight, I go to my room and ask God over and + over again to make you want to be a Christian." + </p> + <p> + Not a single word did Bob answer to this; he took long + strides up the street by the side of Edward in the direction + of Mr. Mintern's, never once speaking until they had reached + the door, and stood waiting to be let in; then he said, "Tip, + that's mean." + </p> + <p> + "What is?" + </p> + <p> + "To get a fellow to promise what he can't do." + </p> + <p> + "I have not. Don't you want to be a Christian?" + </p> + <p> + "No; I can't say that I'm particular about it." + </p> + <p> + "But that's too silly to believe. You need a friend to help + you about as badly as any one I know of, and when you can + have one for the asking, why shouldn't you want Him? Besides, + I didn't say <i>make</i> you a Christian, anyhow; I said make + you <i>want</i> to be one. You can pray, that <i>I'm</i> + sure; any way, you promised, and I trusted you." + </p> + <p> + Bob followed him through the hall, up the stairs, to his neat + little room, and whistled "Hail, Columbia," while he lighted + a match and turned on the gas. + </p> + <p> + "My! you have things in style here, don't you?" he said, + looking around, while the bright light gleamed over the + pretty carpet and shining furniture. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Edward; "everything in this house is in style. + Bob, it's half-past eight." + </p> + <p> + "Well," Bob said good-naturedly, "I'd like to know what I'm + to do; this is new business to me, you see." + </p> + <p> + "I'm going to kneel down here and pray for you, and you + promised to do the same." + </p> + <p> + Edward knelt at his bedside, and Bob, half laughing, followed + his example. But Christ must have been praying too, and + putting words into Edward's heart to say. By and by, in spite + of himself, Bob had to put up his hand and dash away a tear + or two. He had never heard himself prayed for before. + </p> + <p> + That evening was one to be remembered by Bob Turner, for more + than one reason. Bay sent for both of the boys to come to his + room; he was sick, but not too sick to see and talk with Bob + whenever he could get a chance. He made the half-hour spent + with him so pleasant, that Bob gave an eager assent to the + request that he would come often. More than that, he kept his + word; and as often as he passed Edward's door, towards nine + o'clock, he stepped lightly, for he knew that he was being + prayed for, and there began to come into his heart a strange + longing to pray for himself. One evening he discovered that + Ray, too, prayed every night for him, and the vague notion + grew into a certainty, that what they two were so anxious + about for him, he ought to desire for himself. + </p> + <p> + "Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." + </p> + <p> + Edward had taken this promise into his heart; he was trying + to live up to the condition to abide in Christ, and in due + season God made His promise sure. + </p> + <p> + "I wish," Bob said to Ray one evening when the weary head was + full of pain,—"I <i>do</i> wish I could do something + for you." + </p> + <p> + "You can," Ray answered quickly,—"something that I + would like better than almost anything else in the world." + </p> + <p> + "What is it?" Bob's question was sincere and eager. + </p> + <p> + "Give yourself to Christ." + </p> + <p> + Bob heard this in grave, earnest silence. + </p> + <p> + "I would," he said after a minute, "if I knew how." + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean that?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I do; I'm sick of waiting, and I'm sick of myself." + </p> + <p> + "If I should tell you how, would you do it?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I would," spoken evidently with honest meaning. + </p> + <p> + "Kneel down, then, here beside me, and say to God that you + want to be a Christian; that you are willing to give yourself + up to Him now and for ever, to do just as He tells you." + </p> + <p> + Bob hesitated, struggling a little, and at last knelt down. + There was silence in the room, while three sincere hearts + were lifted up in prayer; and surely Christ bent low to + listen. When Bob would have risen, Bay laid one hand on his + arm, and, steadying his throbbing head with the other, said + solemnly,— + </p> + <p> + "Blessed Redeemer, here is a soul given up to Thee. Do Thou + take it, and wash it in Thy precious blood, and make it fit + for heaven. We ask boldly, because Thou hast promised, and we + know that Thy promises are sure." + </p> + <p> + "Edward," Ray said the next evening, as they sat alone, and + were silent for a little, after Bob had left them, and gone + home rejoicing in the hope of sins washed away, "what was + that verse that your minister at home quoted for you in his + letter?" + </p> + <p> + "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my + supplication," Edward repeated it with brightening eyes. + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH26"><!-- CH26 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. + </h2> + <h3> + "And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled + away." + </h3> + <p> + Onward sped the busy days, until at last there came an + evening which made it exactly three years since Edward had + first set foot in Albany. They had been years of wonderful + progress to him. He had gone on steadily with his evening + studies; he had been an eager pupil, and Ray had been a + faithful teacher. This evening he sat in the library waiting + for Ray, but he had a very troubled face. Once more he took + Kitty's long letter out of his pocket. Kitty wrote long + letters once in two weeks, but it was a rare thing to have a + postscript added by his mother. He turned to this and read it + again; it was a very kind one. They were doing well now, so + she wrote. Her health was very good, now that she slept + quietly at night; and just here Edward knew there had come in + a heavy sigh, because there was no constant coughing to + disturb her rest. She had steady work, and could support + Kitty and herself nicely without his help; he must keep what + he earned for himself after this. "Kitty says you want to go + to school," so the letter ran; "if you do, save up your money + for that. Your poor father had a notion that you would make a + scholar; I think it would please him if you did." + </p> + <p> + Surely he could not wish for a kinder, more thoughtful letter + than this; coming from his <i>mother</i>, too! she must have + changed much, as well as himself. But this very letter had + greatly unsettled his quiet life; the old longing to give + himself up to study, to prepare for the ministry, had broken + loose, and well-nigh overwhelmed him with its power. He + wanted it, oh, so much! it had grown strong, instead of weak, + during these three years. But what to do, and how to do it? + That was the question. Certainly he was not prepared to + answer it. If he stayed where he was, led his busy life all + day in the store, how was he ever to go through with the + necessary course of study, which it was high time he + commenced in earnest? If he left them, these dear friends, + who had taken him into their home and hearts, and made him + feel like one of thorn, how was he to live while he studied? + How, indeed, could he study at all? The truth was, Edward, + calling to mind Mr. Holbrook's lecture that last evening in + the home prayer-meeting, and his resolution taken then, + thought that the stone was ahead of him no longer, but that + he had walked <i>close</i> up to it, and could not take + another step because of it, and very large and impossible to + move did it look to his shortsighted eyes. + </p> + <p> + Just as he was growing hopelessly moody, Lay came in, and + settled himself among the cushions, rather wearily. + </p> + <p> + "Ray," said Edward anxiously, "you are not well enough for + lessons to-night." + </p> + <p> + "No," answered Ray, smiling, however, as he spoke; "I think I + am not, because I want to talk instead. I am full of a scheme + which needs your help; for once we'll let the lessons go. It + is an age since I have heard anything concerning your plans; + you have not given up your desire for the ministry, I hope?" + </p> + <p> + "No, Ray; I shall never give that up." + </p> + <p> + "I thought not; it would not be like you. That being the + case, isn't it time to do something definite?" + </p> + <p> + "Time, certainly," Edward answered gloomily; "but what's to + do?" + </p> + <p> + "That brings me to the unfolding of my scheme. Edward, do you + know that it was my lifelong desire to reach the point + towards which you are looking?" + </p> + <p> + "<i>No</i>," said Edward, with pitying interest; "I never + thought of it." + </p> + <p> + "Well," and Ray smiled sadly, "it is so; and I hope you may + never know how hard it is to have to give up such a wish. I + cannot say that I did actually give it up entirely until very + lately. I gave up all study three years ago, and came home to + regain strength! <i>you</i> know how well I have succeeded in + that." And Ray pressed his thin, wasting hand across his damp + forehead. "It is all over now, <i>utterly</i>." The hand did + duty now for a moment, shading his eyes from the light. + Presently he spoke more cheerily. "All over for myself, but + not for you; so, Edward, what I want to say to-night, in + brief, is this: You have talents, perseverance, and health; I + have money,—the four combined cannot fail to speed you + in your work. What say you?" + </p> + <p> + "I—I don't understand you," Edward spoke, in complete + bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + "Let me speak more plainly. I want you to go now, + <i>immediately</i>, to some good preparatory school, thence + to college, thence to the seminary, and the means wherewith + to do these three important things shall be at your disposal. + Isn't that plain?" + </p> + <p> + "Why," said Edward, "I don't know what to say; I am too much + astonished, and—and thankful." + </p> + <p> + "Then you will do it?" + </p> + <p> + "Only,—Ray?" + </p> + <p> + "Well?" + </p> + <p> + "Isn't there a right kind of pride, about being helped in + these things?" + </p> + <p> + "There is a great deal of wrong kind of pride. Let me show + you;" and he sat up and spoke eagerly. "It is right and + honourable for people to help themselves in this world, but + very vain and foolish to refuse help which would greatly aid + the cause that they profess to have at heart. You see how it + is: God has given me money; I am ready and waiting to give it + back to Him. I would gladly give myself to Him in the + ministry; I have longed and prayed for this; but He has seen + fit not to answer as I wished. I have no strength to give; + you have, and are ready to give it. Do you think God would be + less pleased with the offering if we united it, thus giving + me a chance to do something?" + </p> + <p> + "No," said Edward, speaking very slowly; "only, I had hoped + to accomplish my plans without help from any one but God." + </p> + <p> + Ray leaned back again among the cushions, and spoke + wearily,— + </p> + <p> + "That is, you prefer to be a great many years longer in + preparation than you need be, and have about half as much + strength finally as you would have, had you not overworked, + rather than give me a chance to do what I could, since I + cannot do what I would." + </p> + <p> + "But, Ray, there are plenty of people to help, even if you do + no more for me. The world is full of poor young men, + struggling to get an education." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, that is so; and I suppose you would enjoy helping some + young man out in Oregon, of whom you had never heard, quite + as well as you would me." + </p> + <p> + Edward came quickly to the sofa where Ray was lying, and laid + his hand tenderly over the closed eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Ray, there is nothing in the world I would not do for you." + </p> + <p> + "Will you let me help you into the ministry, as rapidly as + money <i>can</i> help?" + </p> + <p> + "I will be glad to; it is a great, noble offer, and I thank + you from my heart. You mustn't think that I don't; only I + thought—perhaps" + </p> + <p> + "I know," said Ray, for Edward had stopped doubtfully; "I + understand just how you feel; but I <i>do</i> think the + feeling, in this case at least, is wrong; and, my dear + brother, you will be glad when you know how thankful you have + made me." + </p> + <p> + "Yes; and after all you will not be doing any more for + me—you <i>can't</i>—than you have done. I think + money is very little, compared with that. Ray," and Edward + sank down among the cushions in front of him, "I do believe + you are more to me than any other human being ever will be." + </p> + <p> + Ray smiled, quite as if he did not think so, but would not + unsay it for anything. + </p> + <p> + "It is all right," he said gently, after a little silence. "I + think you will do so much more than I ever <i>could</i> have + done. God bless you, my dear brother!" + </p> + <p> + After that Edward went up to his room, got out his little red + Bible, his precious lamp, and, opening at the history of the + rock-bound grave, read on until he came to the verse, "And + when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away." + Around this he made heavy marks with his pencil, thinking, + meantime, that the angel of the Lord was still at work on + earth. + </p> + <p> + "Bob," said Edward, stopping before Bob's counter, two days + after this matter was settled, "I am going to start for home + in the morning." + </p> + <p> + "Are you, though?" Bob answered eagerly, stopping his work to + take the sentence in fully. "My! I wish I was going along, + just to see what folks would say." + </p> + <p> + "About <i>you</i>, do you mean?" said Edward, laughing, and + thinking wonderingly, as well as joyfully, of the change + which there had been in Bob Turner. + </p> + <p> + Bob had a counter too, and was no longer an errand-boy; there + had very rarely been known such a rapid promotion in that + store; but the truth was, Mr. Minturn had early learned that + Bob Turner was destined to be, not a minister, nor a lawyer, + not even a scholar, but a thorough, energetic, successful + merchant. He had no sooner made this discovery than he + determined to give the boy a chance. + </p> + <p> + So Bob had earned a name and a place in the store, and was a + general favourite with the other clerks, and was beginning to + have customers who sought him out, and liked to make + purchases of him. More than all, Bob was an earnest + Christian; his loving tenderness for, and almost worship of, + Ray Minturn, kept him from being much led into temptation, + and his influence over the younger clerks was growing to be + for good. He was destined to be more popular than Edward had + been; for Edward had risen too rapidly, and was too much at + home with the entire Minturn family, not to be looked upon + with some degree of envy. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Tip,"—Bob had never learned not to say Tip, and + probably never would, but Edward had long since forgotten to + care,—"tell every one at home that I'm well and happy, + and never want to see one of them again. I don't believe I + have a friend there: anyhow, I know I don't deserve to have." + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH27"><!-- CH27 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. + </h2> + <h3> + "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking + heed thereto, according to Thy word." + </h3> + <p> + Kitty Lewis shook out the folds of her new bright pink calico + dress, walked to the little looking-glass, for about the + tenth time, to see if the dainty white ruffle around her neck + was in order; then took a survey of the room, lest there + might possibly be something else to do which would improve + its appearance. + </p> + <p> + It was the same little room in which Kitty had spent her + childhood, from which Johnny first, and then long afterwards + the husband and father, had been carried out to return no + more. And yet it was not the same,—there was a neat rag + carpet on the floor, a Christmas gift from Mrs. Minturn; the + round table in the corner was covered with a bright red + cloth, and strewn with a few books and papers; the full white + curtain was looped away from the window, and the light of a + clear sunset glimmered in the room; everything was neat and + bright and cheery. The table was set for tea, the white cloth + showing just the folds in which it was ironed; there were + three plates and three cups and saucers, instead of two, + while Kitty, in her restless wanderings around the room, and + Mrs. Lewis, in her frequent glances out of the window, both + showed that somebody was being watched and waited for. + </p> + <p> + "The eastern train is in," Kitty said finally "Now, if he + comes to-night, he'll be here in three minutes." And it could + not have been much more than that when a quick, crushing step + was heard on the gravel outside, then on the plank before the + door, then the door swung open, and Edward Lewis walked into + the little room out of which he had gone three years before. + </p> + <p> + Kitty was all ready to spring forward, say, "Oh, Tip!" and + throw her arms right around his neck. Instead, she stood + still. Some way, in spite of the long letters which had + passed between them during these years, Kitty had fully + expected to see a stout, tanned boy, in a strong, coarse suit + of grey, with thick boots and a new straw hat. Of, at + least,—why, of course, she knew he must have changed + some; hadn't she? But then she did <i>not</i> think he would + be so tall, and have a face and hands without tan or freckle, + or that his clothes would be so <i>very</i> black and fine, + and fit as though they had grown on him, or that his collar + would be so white and glossy, or his boots so small and + shiny. So Kitty stood still in embarrassed silence. But the + mother,—oh, she saw in him the picture of the dear, + dead father, as he used to come to her long, long ago; the + husband who, through all change and poverty and pain, she had + <i>always</i> loved! And all the tenderness that had ever + been in her heart took form, and spoke in those words with + which she came forward to greet her son,—"Oh, my + <i>dear</i> boy!" + </p> + <p> + There was happiness in the little home that night; only the + bedroom door was closed, and Edward knew that his father's + bed was vacant. + </p> + <p> + Such a queer feeling as possessed him all the next day, while + he went around the village! He went <i>every</i>where. He + felt like walking through every street, and stepping on every + stone on which his feet had trod in the old life, now utterly + gone from him. He wandered down to the river-bank, where he + had lain that summer morning and envied the fishes; and, + standing there, thanked God for the mission class in Mr. + Holbrook's Sabbath school. Thence to the cemetery, where by + the side of little Johnny's grave the new life had been + commenced. There was a long grave beside the short one now; + and, standing there, he thanked God for the hope which he had + of meeting the father and the baby in heaven. Thence to the + great elm-tree at the foot of the hill; and, standing there, + he took out once more the little red Bible, and turned the + leaves lovingly; lingered over the name written by Mr. + Holbrook's hand, turned again to the first verse which he had + ever read from its pages: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, + and a light unto my path." Time and again had he proved the + truth of that verse. There, under that very tree, it had + helped him to fight battles with Satan and come off + conqueror. And he thanked God for the Bible. After that he + went directly to the village; just looked in at the meat + market for the sake of the old days. + </p> + <p> + Somebody told Mr. Dewey who was coming, and he was just ready + to say, "Hallo, Tip!" but instead, he came around from behind + the counter, and, holding out his hand, said, "How do you do, + Lewis? Glad to see you." Something, either in the city-made + clothes or the quiet air of dignity with which they were + worn, made him dislike to say "Hallo, Tip!" to the tall young + man before him. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Minturn shook him heartily by the hand. "Never rejoiced + over any one's luck more in my life!" he said; then, in the + same breath, "How's Ray? Oh yes, I see how it is, poor + fellow! And you love him too; of course, every one does." + </p> + <p> + There was still the schoolroom to visit, and as Edward went + up the familiar walk he wished Bob Turner could have been + with him to make this call. But Bob was probably rushing like + a top through the city store, without a thought of the old + schoolhouse or the miserable days which he had spent there. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows himself answered the knock, and gave him a hearty + greeting. Three years had made changes there. Edward found + himself looking eagerly towards the back row of seats fur the + old faces,—Will, Howard, Ellis, and half a dozen + others,—before he remembered that they had long since + entered higher schools. The boys whom he hid left plodding + through long division were filling those back seats now, and + leading their classes in algebra and Latin. He sat down near + the blackboard to watch the progress of Joe Bartlett through + an example in division. And behold, he was doing that old + never-to-be-forgotten example about the cows and sheep! He + picked up an arithmetic eagerly. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Burrows, do you remember that example?' + </p> + <p> + "I remember that it has puzzled some forty or more of my boys + in the course of time," said Mr. Burrows, laughing; "but + nothing very special about it." + </p> + <p> + "I do; it was the cause of my first promotion." + </p> + <p> + "Was it, indeed! I'm afraid it will never be the cause of + poor Joseph's; it seems to be mastering him." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows was engaged with a grammar class, and Edward + offered to assist the bewildered Joseph. + </p> + <p> + "I remember those sheep of old," he said kindly, as he turned + to the board. "Isn't it the 'stood him in' that troubles + you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, it is," Joe answered grumbly. "I don't see no sense to + it." + </p> + <p> + "Let me show you. Suppose"—And he went through with the + well—remembered explanation. It was successful, Joe + understood it, and went on briskly with the figures. + </p> + <p> + Edward turned towards Mr. Burrows. "It was the way my father + explained it to me," he said, with eyes that glistened a + little. + </p> + <p> + Some one brought Mr. Burrows a note, and, as he read and laid + it down, he said, "Now, Edward, if you had continued at + school instead of running away from us, I should get you to + hear this recitation in algebra, and take leave of absence + for a few minutes. There is a friend in town whom I would + give much to see before the next train leaves." + </p> + <p> + "Suppose you set me at it as it is." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burrows looked surprised. + </p> + <p> + "Have you been studying algebra, Edward?" + </p> + <p> + "Somewhat." + </p> + <p> + "How far have you been?" + </p> + <p> + "Through." + </p> + <p> + "Do you feel <i>positive</i> that you could do examples over + here?" turning to "Evolution." + </p> + <p> + "<i>Entirely,"</i> Edward answered, smiling at Mr. Burrows' + doubts. Ray had been a thorough teacher. + </p> + <p> + So Mr. Burrows went away, and Edward took his seat on the + stage and commenced the recitation. At first the boys were + disposed to be wise, and display their knowledge; when they + had known him last, he was in division. But he was in algebra + now, or rather through it, and they speedily discovered that + he seemed to have every example in the lesson committed to + memory. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Mr. Burrows returned, and listened with + astonishment and delight. + </p> + <p> + "Thank you heartily," he said afterwards. "You ought to fit + yourself for teaching. But, Edward, you did not get through + algebra alone?" + </p> + <p> + "No," said Edward, flushing at the thought of Ray; "I had the + best and wisest teacher on earth." + </p> + <p> + Well, he sat down in what had been his seat, and tried to + imagine that it was his seat still; that Bob would be in + pretty soon, and plague him while he studied his + spelling-lesson. But he could not do it. "Things were + different,"—very different. First and foremost, there + was Ray: he had not known <i>him</i> in those days; if he + had, he said to himself, things would have been different + long before they were. + </p> + <p> + Going back up town he met Mr. Holbrook, who turned and walked + with him. + </p> + <p> + "And so," he said, after the long talk was concluded, "you go + next week, do you?" + </p> + <p> + "Next Tuesday, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Well, God bless you, my friend, as He has, and will." Then, + after a minute, "Edward, my son is a wanderer yet: do you + still remember him?" + </p> + <p> + "Always, sir," Edward answered, in firm, steady tones; "and, + Mr. Holbrook, God <i>never</i> forgets!" + </p> + <p> + As he went on past Mr. Minturn's store, could he have heard + the remarks that were made there, very likely he might have + remembered a certain statement which he made to the little + fishes that summer morning. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Minturn, looking out after him, said to Mr. Dewey,— + </p> + <p> + "There goes one of the finest and most promising young men in + this town." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," answered Mr. Dewey, laughing a little; "I used to + notice that he improved every day after he brought back those + circus tickets." + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p><a name="CH28"><!-- CH28 --></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. + </h2> + <h3> + "For them shalt find it after many days." + </h3> + <p> + "Come in;" and the Rev. Edward Lewis laid down his book, + pushed back his study chair, and was ready to receive whoever + was knocking at his study door. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Lewis," said the little girl who came in in answer to + his invitation, "father has just come from the post office, + and he brought you some letters, and here they are." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lewis thanked his little next-door neighbour, took his + letters, and, when the room was quiet again, settled back in + his chair to enjoy them. + </p> + <p> + The first one was from a brother minister, begging an + exchange. The next brought a look of surprise and delight to + his face, for he recognised Ellis Holbrook's handwriting. And + the delight spread and deepened as he read; especially when + he came to one sentence: "I asked father what message he had + for you, and he replied, Send him this verse, and tell him + that again it is peculiarly his, 'I love the Lord, because He + has heard my voice and my supplication.'" That, you see, + would have told me the whole story, without this long letter. + "I thank God that He put it into your heart to pray for me, + as also that He has heard your prayers. God bless you. By the + way, father wants you to assist him on the first Sabbath in + July. I earnestly hope you can do so; he thinks you will be + coming east about that time." + </p> + <p> + Was there ever a more thankful heart than was that minister's + as he laid down his old schoolfellow's letter? How + constantly, how sometimes almost hopelessly, had he prayed + for Ellis Holbrook! How many times had he been obliged to + reassure himself with the promise, "In due season we shall + reap, if we faint not." And now again had God's word been + verified to him. He took the letter up once more, to look + lovingly at that closing, never before written by + Ellis,—"Your brother in Christ." + </p> + <p> + There was still another letter to read. That writing, too, + was familiar; he had received many reminders of it during the + past years. He laughed as he read, it sounded so like the + writer:— + </p> + <p> + ALBANY, <i>June</i>—, 18—. + </p> + <p> + "DEAR TIP,—Do you have Fourth of July out your way this + year? We do here in Albany; rather, I'm going to have one in + my yard. Perhaps you remember a Fourth of July which you took + me to once, when we were ragged little wretches at home? I + do, anyhow, and this is to be twin-brother to that time. All + the ugly, dingy little urchins that I know have been invited. + We're to have fine fireworks and fine singing and fine + <i>eating</i>. My wife added that last item,—thought it + a great improvement. I'm not sure but it is; most things are + that she has a hand in. Now, to come to the point of this + letter,—you're to make the speech on that occasion. No + getting out of it now! I planned this thing one day in the + old schoolhouse. Oh, did you know Mr. Burrows had given up + teaching? Grown too old. Queer, isn't it? Don't seem as if + anybody was growing old except me. At first I wasn't going to + have my feast on the Fourth, because, you remember, it was on + <i>that</i> day that our blessed Ray left us; but, talking + with Mr. Minturn about it, he said Ray would have been + delighted with it all,—and so he would, you know. Don't + think we are going to gather in all Albany; it's only the + younger scholars of the mission school, in which my wife and + I are interested. + </p> + <p> + "Tell Howard and Kitty to be sure and come; they can put + their visit a few weeks earlier as well as not. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, by the way, if you have heard from Ellis Holbrook + lately, you are singing 'Glory Hallelujah' by this time! + </p> + <p> + "I am writing this in the counting-room, and am in a great + hurry, though you wouldn't think it. Shall expect you by the + third, <i>certainly</i>.— + </p> + <p> + "Yours, etc., + </p> + <center> + "BOB TURNER." + </center> + <p> + These letters came on Saturday evening. The next morning, in + Sabbath school, when the superintendent's bell rang, the + minister left his class of mission scholars, and went up the + aisle towards the altar, pausing first to speak with a + bright-eyed little lady, who sat before her class of + bright-eyed little girls. + </p> + <p> + "Kitty, where is Howard?" + </p> + <p> + "At home, coaxing a fit of sick headache." + </p> + <p> + "Well, here are letters that will interest you + both,—came last evening; one contains an invitation. + Tell Howard I think we must try to go. Mother bade me tell + you she wanted to see you at the parsonage in the morning; + she is not out to-day." + </p> + <p> + Then he went on. The scholars began to sit up straight, and + fold their arms; they knew they must listen if they wanted + Mr. Lewis to talk to them. When every eye was fixed on him, + he began,— + </p> + <p> + "Children, I have a very short story to tell you to-day about + myself. Years ago, when I was a little boy, my Sabbath school + teacher told us a story, one morning, which was the means of + bringing me to Jesus. I have to thank that lady, next to God, + that I am standing here to-day a minister of Christ. She was + not our regular teacher, but was a stranger; I never saw her + after that Sabbath. Perhaps you can imagine how I have + longed, since I became a man and a minister, to find that + lady, and tell her what one hour of faithful teaching did for + me. I thought it would help her, encourage her. I thought she + would be likely to tell it to other teachers, and it would + help them. But though I had it always in mind, and made very + earnest efforts to find her, I never succeeded until last + week. You know, children, it is ten years since I came here + to be your pastor, and last week I learned that during all + this time I have been living within twenty miles of the lady + whom I have so long been seeking. And what else do you think + I heard of her? Why, that two weeks ago she died. Scholars, + my first thought was a sad one, that I never could thank her + now. But you know I can; I expect to one of these days. Why, + when I get to heaven, one of the first things I shall do will + be to seek her out and tell her about it. So, you see, she + will know it, even if some of the watching angels up there + have not told her already. + </p> + <p> + "Just here, I want to say one word to the teachers. This + incident should come with wonderful encouragement to your + hearts, reminding you that you may often speak words which + spring up and bear fruit that reaches up to God, though you + do not know it, and <i>will</i> not, until in heaven you take + your crowns, and question why there are so many stars. + </p> + <p> + "Children, next Sabbath I will tell you the story which led + me to Christ; and all this week I am going to pray that it + may have the same effect on some of my scholars. + </p> + <p> + "It is time now for your verse. If any of you can find out + why what I have been telling you to-day made me think of this + verse, you may tell me next Sabbath. Now repeat,—'Cast + thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many + days.'" + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tip Lewis and His Lamp, by Pansy + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TIP LEWIS AND HIS LAMP *** + +***** This file should be named 9648-h.htm or 9648-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/6/4/9648/ + +Produced by Joel Erickson, Mary Meehan, David Garcia and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +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. 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