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Show Vol 2, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, FEBRUARY No. 22. A MIDNIGHT INVOCATION. Bandmaster Christensen made the acquaintance of a pious hobo late the other night, but has long since ceased wondering whether the man was really religious, or had only assumed an ingenious deception. It very often happens that the leader of the First Regiment band is out late at night. Sometimes ne is directing an orchestra at private receptions, and at other times he simply walks abroad and thinks out a new orchestration for some popular piece of music. It does not make much difference what motive prompted him to be wandering the streets at midnight when he met the hobo with the religious mania. I just want enough money to pay the luckless for a bed, explained stranger. Ill tell ye the truth, mister, whether ye believe me or not. I had some money and I spent it for drink. Now I want a bed and am going to walk out to Brigham City tomorrow time for the philanthropist musician to wonder whether his generosity had not led him into trouole. But Bandmaster Christensen was raised in Box Elder county, and his father fought Indians and wildcats as a pastime. He moved cautiousiy behind the only chair in the room, and laid his hand firmly upon it. He knew just what Puice 7, 1903. he was going to do. Stand where you are, said he, and explain why you locked the door. Dont move a step. hat am I to expect for my kindness? I want you to pray with me, said the hobo, his voice trembling with mingled fear an, emotion. There was a moment of startling si- - Dont you think you ought to have a drink first? kindly inquired the band leader. No more drink for me, dramatical- drunkard. - How about a cup of coffee before you go lO bed? But how do I know Im going to bed? Because we will negotiate a loan. I have no money with me, said the but I can almusician, sorrowfully ways borrow some. I'll go and wake up Harry Mercer, who is as sure to have money as the Bank of England. He delights in loaning funds, even at midnight. When he goes to bed at night he always leaves a card on his door wtih the inscription: Money loaned here. You wait until I come mid-nfg- ht lence, the blue eyes of the musician searching the face of the strange character before him. Do you really want my prayers? he askeu. Then unlock the door. The band leader placed his back against the wall and raised the chair above his head. Unlock the dor, ie commanded, and then go over by the side of the bed and get down on your knees. I am. taking no chances. The door was unlocked, and the man in need of prayers crept cautiously across the room with his eyes firmly fixed on the upraised chair. Then he fell upon his knees and buried his face in the bed clothes. Will you pray for me? he asked tremulously, with his head still bowed. I cant pray very well, said the band master, but if you will pray I will kneel beside you. Then come, replied the convert, in a choked voice, for God alone can give me strength. Still in doubt regarding the mans sincerity, the master musician lowered the chair and pushed it slowly toward the center of the room. When it was within a few feet of tne bowed figure he knelt beside it, keeping a sharp lookout for any change of sentiment on the part of the sinner. With tears streaming down his cheeks the man of strange emotious poured out his soul in an invocation to the Deity. In a paroxysm of repentance he asked for strength to overcome his besetting sin, which was an uncontrollable desire for strong drink. He Implored the Angel of Peace to walk with him on his journey away from tne wickedness of the city, and to guide his steps always toward righteousness and salvation. Then his voice became too choked for words, and he couid only whisper Amen as his head sank on -- the pillow. back. The hobo showed some suspicion, but leaned up against a building with calm resignation and waited. A few minutes later the b&nd leader returned with a silver dollar. The bank was still in a state oi liquidation. Now you want some black coffee," was the first thing the hobo heard. All right, but do I get the bed? he asked, inquiringly. The bed comes next, said the musician, as he pulled his new acquaintance out into the light and looked steadily into his bleary eyes. Now Ill wait while you drink your coffee, and then for the bed. Soon afterward the hobo led the way into one of the toughest lodging houses in the city. He woke up a piratical looking landlord and they seemed to be acqauinted. Back through a narrow hallway went the three men, until they stopped at a dingy room and a smoky kerosene lamp wa,s; lighted. The band leader paid the landlord 50 cents for the bed and gave the hobo cents to pay for his breaktwenty-fiv- e fast.; The landlord hurried away and as he backed, out- of the room the hobo went over and locked the door, putting the key in his pocket. It was Cents , morning. ly exclaimed the reformed All I want is sleep. 5 IRVING A The band master slowly rose from his knees and tiptoed from the room' closing the door safely as he went. BENTON. Colonel Irving A. Benton, general was made joint ticket agent of the agent of the passenger department of Union Pacific and Rio Grande Western, he held until June, 1890, when the Rio Grande lines, was bom in New which he was appointed to the position of Haven, Conn., on one 10th of Decem- postmaster of this city, succeeding ber. The exact year is not stated, at the late Captain Barrett. He attended Colonel Bentons request and entreaty, to the duties of the place with fidelity because he wants people to think he is and patience until December, 1892, a great deal older than he looks. Al- when he, against his will, was made though a native of the home of the United States marshal for the terriwooden nutmeg, he never dealt in tory. He did the work and drew the those commodities in all his life, but salary and also paid the campaign exhas worked like the honest man that penses of the office until July 1, he is, all his days. He left New Haven 1893, when Mr. Cleveland, who was in 1868, and settled at Fremont, Neb., then president, removed him. From where, on August 9, 1871, he assumed that time until August 19, following, the position of chief clerk in the he was secretary of the chamber of freight department of the Union Pa- commerce. He then went back to his cific. For ten years he lived in. Fre- first love as ticket agent of the Rio mont, and had many narrow escapes Grande Western, a position which he from being nominated for mayor. In held.'until May. 1,,1902, when he was 1881, on May 1st, he came still farther made genereal agent of the passenger west, and was appointed agent of the department by Traffic Manager BabUnion Pacific at Ogden, a position cock. Mr. Benton is very popular with which he held for four years. He came 411 classes of people, and is a valuable to this city at the expiration of this man in his department. Under his term, and was chief clerk in the office .management the increase in receipts of W. C. Boland, general agent for nas been noticeable, as is shown by the Union Pacific. On May 1, 1886, he the annual reports of the company. . . o Senator Johnson says there are no drunkards in his county. Too true, too true. The whisky down there nev- er makes a drunkard of a man. It kills him before he has time to be- come a debauchee, and while he lives no jag cure would have any effect on him, for no cure ever invented can stay the process of the composition of prussic acid, old boots, kerosene oil and plug tobacco, which is sold in a great many places in the distinguished statesmans deestrick. o The Consolidated Street Railway company has a real scare on. As a result of the agitation for the nine-holaw for motormen, the directors have met and raised the scale of. wages voluntarily. .Thats good. Now pass the law and with fair wages and decent hours perhaps it will be possible for a motorman to see his wife in daylight occasionally and even go so far as to get acquainted with his children. ur ... |