"Isn't he awful looking, Mother? Why does daddy let him come in so much? I don't like the way the study smells after he's been in."
Little Ruth, of a village manse, made many other observations, and asked many other questions as a poor, wretched-looking man shuffled3 across the lawn in the early evening of an autumn day.
The mother's smile changed quickly to a look of sadness, and giving the wee girl a kiss, she said, "Mother will tell Ruthie all about it at story-time to-night."
From the Children's Bible Story Book that night the mother read of the Prodigal Son. There were a number of interruptions from the occupant of the little bed: "Why didn't he go home before he got so dreadful hungry, Mother?" "Where was his mother?" "Why did his father run so far?"
After answering many questions the mother continued: "There are lots and lots of prodigal sons still living; men who have been bad, and who then, like some little children who have been naughty, run away from those who love them best. And all the time those who love them are wishing so much that they would come back, and say they are sorry and that they will try to be better. God is our Father, and He loves everybody; you know what we often say when daddy has prayers: 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten4 Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting5 life.' Well, darling, you wanted to know why daddy let poor Mr. Gage6 come in so often? He lets him come because God would let him come. The poor man thinks that God doesn't want him because he's been so bad, and because he's gone, oh! so far away, and daddy is trying to tell him that God does want him, and that God will take care of him if he will only love Him and trust Him, like you trust daddy and mother to take care of you. Mr. Gage is awful looking because sin is awful, and he has let sin be his master instead of God. But mother's darling will be nice and kind to him, because God loves him, and we must love those whom God loves. Perhaps some day you will see him look as much different as the Prodigal Son looked after he came back home."
Ruth did not altogether forget her mother's words, and when the half-drunken man was brought to the Manse for a meal a little later on in the week, she somewhat timorously7 handed him two or three asters that she had picked from the garden. John Gage looked a little embarrassed, and at first seemed inclined to leave them in Ruth's possession, but the little hand remained outstretched, and with sweet winsomeness10 the child told him she had picked them for him.
"Picked them for me! Well, well! then I guess I'll take them. Thank you."
On several occasions, as he sauntered around the village, his attention was arrested by a childish voice calling him by name, so that he came to feel he had a friend in the minister's little girl.
There were many head-shakings among the village wiseacres regarding the minister's interest in John Gage. It was generally agreed that while the preacher was well meaning enough, his knowledge of human nature was not very keen. The village constable11 knew John so well that he felt able to speak authoritatively12 on the matter. "'Tain't no use, young man," he said to the preacher. "We wus talking about him the other day in Cyrus Haag's blacksmith shop, and every man says the same as I do. He's just a-bleeding you, that's all. Five years' hard labour is what he needs; s'long as you'll take care of him when he's drunk, and feed him when he's broke, he'll just bum14 around. Don't I know the whole bunch? Didn't me and the county constable arrest his father when he pretty nigh murdered Sam Collins? Ain't his brother in Kingston Penitentiary15 this very minute? The only way to improve them fellers is to hang 'em."
The authoritative13 information having been given the preacher, there was no further need of sympathy for him if he wilfully16 rejected the constable's gratuitous17, labour-and-money-saving counsel.
And the passing of the weeks seemed to confirm the "'tain't-no-use" judgment18. People living near the Manse reported everything that happened, and a good deal that did not happen, in connection with the visits of John Gage and others of his type, for it was generally known that the preacher was "easy." But the preacher went on with his work, and whatever the results of his efforts might be, nobody ever doubted his belief in the Gospel he preached.
Every Sabbath evening, in some form or other, he dealt with the Fact of Sin and its Soul-destroying power. He knew that "sin and punishment go through the world with their heads tied together," but he knew also, and he preached it as a fact that for him was beyond all controversy19, that by immediate20 act of God salvation21 might come, and had come, delivering the life from the gripping, enslaving, murderous power of sin.
* * * * *
The year was drawing to its close. The little village had its share of Christmas festivities, and family reunions were taking place. There were men from the East, and men from the West, back in the old haunts for the holiday season. Wonderful stories of material success were told as "the boys" from the West expounded22 the opportunities of the prairie provinces. As is too often the case, the bar-room was the main social centre of week-day life in the village, and John Gage was always ready to fall into line when the prosperous ones gave the all-inclusive invitation, "Come on, boys." And so long as John helped to swell23 the receipts, his drunken presence was tolerated around the bar. Scores of times did he join in the greeting "A Merry Christmas," and the merrier it seemed to be to the frequenters of the Derby House bar, the sadder it really was to the homes from which they came.
Weeks of drinking, followed by the revelry of Christmas, brought John to such a condition that when the bar-room closed on Saturday night he was turned out of the house, and a little later dragged out of a corner of the drive-shed, and told to "get clean away" from the premises25.
There was a strange look about the man on this particular Saturday night—a wild, almost savage26 appearance. He stood a moment on the sidewalk as if uncertain of his whereabouts, and then turned and walked in the direction of the Manse.
The minister answered the door-bell, and without a word John walked right in and through the hall to the study. At last he spoke27. "You—told—me—to—come—any—time. I—want—to—stay—here—to-night." Then, with body bent28, and as if in pain, with arms crossed, he rocked himself to and fro. "Oh, God! but I'm sick; three days nothing but whiskey: I've got it to-night for sure."
After much persuading the minister had the man in bed. The mistress of the Manse had prepared strong coffee as fast as her trembling body would let her. Once before she had passed through a night such as she feared this would be, and the prospect29 might well make her timorous8. But the Manse and its furniture had three years ago been pledged to His service, and she murmured not.
The doctor had been sent for, but he was on a country call, and was not expected back until eleven.
At one end of the bedroom the minister sat watching John Gage. In some way the drink-inflamed man had placed under his pillow an old revolver and a short stiletto. After a time the hands clasped these with a vice-like grip. Suddenly standing30 out on the carpet he looked at the preacher, and said, "Why in the devil don't you go home? D'you want a fight? Say! I could rip you so's they'd have to pick you up in baskets."
A little later he imagined he was once more on the South African battle-field. With a sickening shudder31 he pointed32 to where his deluded33 eyes saw again the wounded and bleeding. "My God! see that poor devil with his leg nearly off! Look! ain't that awful. See that one squirming!—him yonder with his head half open!" Then straightening himself, he said, as if addressing some audience, "Friends, I say, and I know, war is hell!"
From time to time, under persuasion34, he would return to his bed. Once he imagined he was driving down the old concession35 road near his grandfather's farm as in boyhood days. The sheets were jerked and handled as if reins36. "Well, now, this is a slow horse. It will, ladies and gentlemen, be quite appropriate to sing we won't get home till morning.' I tell you what I'll do—I'll put the horse in the rig, and I'll get in the shafts37, and then there'll be a horse in the buggy and an ass9 in the shafts, but we'll make better time." Then followed a weird38 burst of laughter.
The doctor arrived about midnight. For a couple of hours he watched the effect of his treatment, but rest would not come to the occupant of the guest-room. The eyes would appear to be closing in sleep, and then would suddenly open wide as if their owner were in terror of some impending39 disaster. Then the danger spot seemed to have been located, and with a series of jerks the head was raised higher and higher until John was sitting up in bed. Never once did the gaze leave the corner of the room. With the utmost stealth, first one foot and then the other was pushed from under the bedclothes to the floor. Very slowly and noiselessly, with knife still gripped, the demon-possessed man glided40 toward the corner. With great caution, as if measuring the distance, he bent the left knee, and at the same time lifted the right hand ready to strike. Then with blasphemous41 exclamations42 he stabbed the imaginary monstrosities. Again and again he seemed hurled43 back as by some real enemy in the fight. At last the knife went deep into the floor, and he seemed to have conquered. Never once taking his gaze from where the knife stood he backed slowly toward the bed. "Ah! I got him that time! See him! see him!" Then followed a blood-chilling burst of profanity at the wriggling44 object of his delirium. "But he can't get up! No! no! no! it's through his neck."
And so the long night wore on, and the wearied preacher, looking upon what drink could do with "God's Masterpiece," vowed45 anew to fight the cursed traffic in intoxicants as long as life lasted, and never knowingly to have his home defiled46 by such a life-blasting beverage47.
It was nearly seven o'clock on Sabbath morning when John Gage fell asleep. At ten o'clock the bell of the adjoining church awakened48 him. The minister had anticipated the awakening49, and was at the bedside. John seemed dazed for a time, but in a little while conversed50 with the one who had befriended him. He was urged to remain quietly in bed, and after a few words the minister clasped the hand of the outcast man, and kneeling at the bedside, laid the burden of his heart upon the One who is mighty51 to save. As the Amen was uttered Ruth approached the door. "Alright, little one, come and see your friend John," were her father's words. Ruth was ready for church, and with garments and face alike attractive, laid her little hand in the big hand of the sin-wrecked man. Who can understand the power of the touch of a child's hand? Closing his fingers over the dainty, wee hand, John Gage turned his face to the wall and sobbed52 aloud. Little Ruth hardly knew what to do. Gently she placed the other hand on the dirty, unshaven cheek, and merely said sympathetically, "Don't cry."
Leading Ruth out the room, the minister gathered up his books and went to the morning service. When he returned John Gage had departed. Early Monday morning Allan Short, a near-by farmer, called to tell him that John was out at his place cutting away at the winter's wood-pile. Allan promised to do what he could for John, but incidentally remarked that he did not see why a man couldn't "take a glass of beer without making a fool of himself."
A day or two later the minister drove by the Short homestead, presumably to make a call at the Meen's farm, where he had several faithful church-goers. As he passed, he recognised John at the saw-horse, and waved a greeting as to a friend.
On his return he drove up the road to the Short Farm, and John at once came forward, with the customary Canadian courtesy, to tie up or unhitch the horse, according to the visitor's wish. After a few pleasantries the minister went to the house and made a call on such members of the Short family as were home, and then returned to where his horse was tied. Hesitating a moment, he turned and walked to the wood-pile, and after complimenting John on his ability to swing the axe53, spoke a few encouraging words. For a moment the hand rested on John's shoulder as he said, "You will be one of God's good men yet, John. I know it's a terrible fight, but God knows all about it, and with Him you can conquer. Come and see us any time you are in, but for the life of you don't loiter around the village, and do keep clear of the men who would be likely to make it easy for you to get what you know is ruinous to you. And don't forget we are your friends always, always."
As he turned the corner of the side road, he met Allan Short returning from a trip to the village. Referring to John Gage the farmer said, "He's been as straight as a British Columbia pine since he came out; but, say! it's kind o' pitiful, after all, the way he craves54 for whiskey. Me and the Missus watched him yesterday. She's been keeping her eyes open. Well! John was taking a breathing spell, after he had done a fine lot of splitting (and he's no greenhorn with the axe, let me tell you!), when all of a sudden he went to the fence-post where his coat was hanging, and putting it on as he walked, he made down the road. He got about ten rod and then stopped like as if he'd forgotten something, and then he started back, took off his coat, and pitched into that wood-pile as if it was sure death if he didn't get it finished by night. The missus says he's done the same thing three times to her knowledge, and once he went so far she was sure he was gone for good. But she says he sure did 'lambaste' them blocks when he got back."
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1
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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begotten
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| v.为…之生父( beget的过去分词 )；产生，引起 | |
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everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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gage
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| n.标准尺寸，规格；量规，量表 [=gauge] | |
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timorously
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| adv.胆怯地，羞怯地 | |
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timorous
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| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
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ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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winsomeness
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constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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12
authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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13
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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14
bum
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| n.臀部；流浪汉，乞丐；vt.乞求，乞讨 | |
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15
penitentiary
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| n.感化院；监狱 | |
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16
wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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17
gratuitous
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| adj.无偿的，免费的；无缘无故的，不必要的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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20
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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27
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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28
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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30
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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31
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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32
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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33
deluded
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| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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36
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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37
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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38
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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40
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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41
blasphemous
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| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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42
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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43
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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44
wriggling
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）；蠕蠕 | |
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45
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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46
defiled
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| v.玷污( defile的过去式和过去分词 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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47
beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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48
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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49
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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50
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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51
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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52
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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53
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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54
craves
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| 渴望，热望( crave的第三人称单数 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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