Black Rock | Page 9

the face changed,
and seemed to settle into resolve of some sort, stern, almost gloomy, as
of a man with his last chance before him.
After the prayer Mr. Craig invited the men to a Christmas dinner next
day in Black Rock. 'And because you are an independent lot, we'll
charge you half a dollar for dinner and the evening show.' Then leaving
a bundle of magazines and illustrated papers on the table--a godsend to
the men--he said good-bye and went out.
I was to go with the minister, so I jumped into the sleigh first, and
waited while he said good-bye to Graeme, who had been hard hit by the
whole service, and seemed to want to say something. I heard Mr. Craig
say cheerfully and confidently, 'It's a true bill: try Him.'

Sandy, who had been steadying Dandy while that interesting broncho
was attempting with great success to balance himself on his hind legs,
came to say good-bye. 'Come and see me first thing, Sandy.'
'Ay! I know; I'll see ye, Mr. Craig,' said Sandy earnestly, as Dandy
dashed off at a full gallop across the clearing and over the bridge,
steadying down when he reached the hill.
'Steady, you idiot!'
This was to Dandy, who had taken a sudden side spring into the deep
snow, almost upsetting us. A man stepped out from the shadow. It was
old man Nelson. He came straight to the sleigh, and, ignoring my
presence completely, said--
'Mr. Craig, are you dead sure of this? Will it work?'
'Do you mean,' said Craig, taking him up promptly, 'can Jesus Christ
save you from your sins and make a man of you?'
The old man nodded, keeping his hungry eyes on the other's face.
'Well, here's His message to you: "The Son of Man is come to seek and
to save that which was lost."'
'To me? To me?' said the old man eagerly.
'Listen; this, too, is His Word: "Him that cometh unto Me I will in no
wise cast out." That's for you, for here you are, coming.'
'You don't know me, Mr. Craig. I left my baby fifteen years ago
because--'
'Stop!' said the minister. 'Don't tell me, at least not to-night; perhaps
never. Tell Him who knows it all now, and who never betrays a secret.
Have it out with Him. Don't be afraid to trust Him.'
Nelson looked at him, with his face quivering, and said in a husky
voice, 'If this is no good, it's hell for me.'

'If it is no good,' replied Craig, almost sternly, 'it's hell for all of us.'
The old man straightened himself up, looked up at the stars, then back
at Mr. Craig, then at me, and, drawing a deep breath, said, 'I'll try Him.'
As he was turning away the minister touched him on the arm, and said
quietly, 'Keep an eye on Sandy to-morrow.'
Nelson nodded, and we went on; but before we took the next turn I
looked back and saw what brought a lump into my throat. It was old
man Nelson on his knees in the snow, with his hands spread upward to
the stars, and I wondered if there was any One above the stars, and
nearer than the stars, who could see. And then the trees hid him from
my sight
CHAPTER II
THE BLACK ROCK CHRISTMAS
Many strange Christmas Days have I seen, but that wild Black Rock
Christmas stands out strangest of all. While I was revelling in my
delicious second morning sleep, just awake enough to enjoy it, Mr.
Craig came abruptly, announcing breakfast and adding, 'Hope you are
in good shape, for we have our work before us this day.'
'Hello!' I replied, still half asleep, and anxious to hide from the minister
that I was trying to gain a few more moments of snoozing delight,
'what's abroad?'.
'The devil,' he answered shortly, and with such emphasis that I sat bolt
upright, looking anxiously about.
'Oh! no need for alarm. He's not after you particularly--at least not
to-day,' said Craig, with a shadow of a smile. 'But he is going about in
good style, I can tell you.'
By this time I was quite awake. 'Well, what particular style does His
Majesty affect this morning?'

He pulled out a showbill. 'Peculiarly gaudy and effective, is it not?'
The items announced were sufficiently attractive. The 'Frisco Opera
Company were to produce the 'screaming farce,' 'The Gay and Giddy
Dude'; after which there was to be a 'Grand Ball,' during which the
'Kalifornia Female Kickers' were to do some fancy figures; the whole
to be followed by a 'big supper' with 'two free drinks to every man and
one to the lady,' and all for the insignificant sum of two dollars.
'Can't you go one