Trail-Tales of Western CanadaRobinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Religion
Trail-Tales of Western Canada
Robinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Canadian fiction -- 20th century; Missions -- Canada, Western -- Fiction; Short stories, Canadian
"This is not the time for much talking. Be good enough to tell me
where the parcel is now, and what you paid for it." Again there was
hesitancy, and again there was pressure. At last the information was
elicited that the toys were beneath the roof that sheltered them, and
that the price paid was fifty cents.
"Be good enough for the children's sake, if not for your own, to take
back your fifty cents and let me take the parcel."
Eventually the deal was consummated. When the toys were safely in his
possession the minister said, "Mr. Klint, if you were dealt with as you
deserve, you would spend Christmas day, not in your own comfortable
home, but in the hospital or in jail: I only hope you are not as
contemptible as your deed. I shall see you again, some other day."
The hand-clasp from the thankful mother was ample repayment for the
midnight search, and in the early morning the exclamations of delight
from her little ones in turn lifted something of the burden from her
trouble-worn life.
Thus had it been, sorrow after sorrow, for poor Nell Roande for over
eight years, and at times she felt there was little hope of any change,
but the new day was soon to come, and the night of weeping was to be
turned into the morn of song.
On the Tuesday night following the commencement of special services, as
a little group of young men were leaving the Pool-room adjoining the
Opera House, Jack Roande came stumbling along. It was a great joke, so
Bill Thornton thought, to "jolly" Jack into believing that there was a
"free show in the Opera House, with pretty girls and swell dancing."
Within a few minutes Jack was sitting with eyes as wide open as he
could get them, ready to take in the "swell dancing." He quickly
realized that he had been fooled, and catching the word "religion" he
shook his fist as he departed saying, "Religion! it's all d----d rot.
There's nothing in it." The missioner was down the aisle in a few
seconds, and as Jack was passing through the swinging doors a kindly
hand was laid upon his shoulder, and a voice, made tender by
acquaintance with the Friend of sinners, said "Good-night, friend; you
have the marks of a gentleman although you have made a slip to-night.
I hope you will come again."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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