by
MARY WOOD-ALLEN, M. D.
Author of Teaching Truth, Child-Confidence Rewarded, TheMan Wonderful in the House Beautiful, etc.
“What is man that thou art mindful of him?” David. |
“Every true man is a cause, a country and an age.” Emerson. |
“God on thee Milton. |
published by
WOOD-ALLEN PUBLISHING CO.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
COPYRIGHTED BY
MARY WOOD-ALLEN, M. D.
1895.
| PAGE | |
| Prelude | iii |
| Almost a Man | 5 |
| A Gateway and a Gift | 22 |
| The White Cross | 40 |
Two lads had crossed the sunny meadow-land ofchildhood and stood by the gate, at the entrance tothe rougher paths of youth leading up to the granderheights of maturity. They glanced backward, butnot with regret, for their eyes shone with eagerness toclimb the upward way. As they waited, an angel camebearing a gift for each, which he gave them, saying:“I have brought you a wondrous gift, not for yourselvesbut for others. Listen.”
And they bent their heads and listened. And onesaid: “I hear most entrancing music. It thrills myvery being. It is for me, for me.”
But the angel said: “Listen again. Shut your earsto those bewildering tones and you will hear a deeper,holier strain.”
But the youth said: “No, I hear only that melodywhich speaks to my own heart. I can hear nothingelse.”
The other youth too took the gift and, bending hishead at the command of the angel, said: “I hear thatsweet entrancing strain which speaks to mysel