own judgment about it." But "Dodd" looked down and said nothing.

It was a critical moment. A soul was at stake, and fiends and angels
were striving together for it. Mr. Bright was the captain of the
heavenly host, and devoutly he stood, waiting the issue.

There are no rules laid down in the machine guide books that lead up to
this high estate, nor does the machine manager care so much for
marshaling angelic forces as he does about controlling the election of
a member of the board from the --th ward.

As Mr. Bright spoke his last words a silence fell upon the group. The
father sat with his hands over his face, "Dodd" gazed at the carpet,
and the school teacher bowed his head reverently. For nearly a minute
this impressive calm brooded over all. Then Mr. Bright felt in his
soul that the tide was turned in his favor. He advanced towards "Dodd"
and extended his hand.

"Come!" he said.

The boy did not raise his eyes, but he did lift his hand, just a
little--only a little--and Mr. Bright grasped it with all the fervor of
his thankful soul. He drew "Dodd" towards him, and he arose,
hesitatingly. They walked out of the room hand in hand, nor did they
break their clasp till they reached the school-room. When people are
too weak or too timid to go alone they musk be led; yes, sometimes they
must be carried! But, led or carried, the point always to keep in mind
is this, that the nearly dead are to be made alive again, the lost are
to be found.