And for one breathless moment across the stable
space,
The Baby's eyes gazed at him -- AND THEN THE BABY
SMILED!

A thief he was by calling, but there beside the door
He saw a Holy Vision -- he knelt and tried to pray --
And something, thrilling, whispered of love forever-
more --
And then he rose, half weeping -- and it was Christmas Day!
A thief he was by calling, who felt the Father's plan,
But back across the desert there silent rode a man!


III.

The years are met as milestones upon a winding road,
And some slip by like shadows, and some are fair
with flowers;
And some seem dreary, hopeless -- a leaden chain of
hours --
And some are like a heart-throb, and some a heavy
load,
The thief, a thief no longer, a lonely figure strode
Heart-weary down life's pathway, through tempest
and through showers,
But always prayed that somewhere among sweet-
scented bowers,
A Baby's smile might show him where happiness
abode.