The Book in the Court.
ITS TRUTH.
"'Well, lad!' he said, 'I've flung my life away,
And now must give the reckoning in, they say.'
I said, 'I hope, Sir, that you stand prepared
To meet the Judge, and 'bide by His award!'
'Prepared!' he said, 'Roger, my open eyes
Now look upon the past without disguise;
And I remember all the years gone by,
And all I've done, as 'twere but yesterday.
It is no use to urge me to repent;
I've lost my chance, and now must be content
To fare as others do,—so let that be:
But 'tis a dreadful word—Eternity!'
'Dear Sir,' I said, 'it is a dreadful word:
Lift up your heart and call upon the Lord.
Perhaps'—He started up impatiently,—
'I cannot call: so let that matter be!
I have no hope that I shall be forgiven;
I know a drunkard cannot go to heaven;
And as I stand upon destruction's brink,
I see I've sacrificed my soul for "drink."
Oh, what a fool I've been! but say no more;
My crazy bark will soon push off the shore.'"
Mrs. Sewell.
CHAPTER V.
ROLEY-POLEY'S OPINIONS—THE BUS-WASHER—COMMUNISM—AN INFIDEL CLUB ROOM—PHILOSOPHERS—CONFLICT WITH INFIDELITY—THE 'STROLOGY WOMAN—BIBLE ANSWERS—IMP WOMAN—THE CONVERTED INFIDEL.