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dence by their unkept and tumbled down appearance of the decay that was at work in the neighborhood. The faces of the women did not bear the rosy cheer of the countenances of the farmers' wives and the purposeful look of the girls of the College.

He found the woman who had written the letter, and learned from her many things that a stranger could not discover. There were many honest steady people in the vicinity, but they had forgotten God and were hopeless to attempt to stop the influences that were destroying the community.

"Oh, sir," said the woman, "it is terrible to be caught here, unable to get out and compelled to see the children corrupted and our lot growing more hopeless every year. If only the good people would bring Christ down to help us."

Late in the afternoon Richard started for home. The atmosphere seemed charged with filth and vice. What a relief to be again out in the country with its green, clean fields, its pure air, and its joyous life! He felt a sense of relief that one might experience who was released from a foul, dark dungeon.

"Is one called upon," he said to himself, "to make such a sacrifice and live among the vicious and the indifferent? But some one ought to do it. Could not one of less talent and culture do this work and was he not fitted for work work among the cultivated? Did not his relationship with Kate forbid such a thing? But a hundred could be found to do that while not one could be found for this needy field. And would it not require, after all, the best talents and the most complete preparation to grapple with the problems of such a community? Should anything or anybody, however dear, keep one from following love?"

So he thought with himself while his horse, eager to be home, hurried on.

They had waited supper and as they sat around the table, Richard told them of what he had seen and heard. Till late at night they talked over the experiences of the day and the bearing they had upon the decision of Richard.

"It is late, and we must sleep," said Mr. Harrison at last. And as they kneeled for the prayer that always was the benediction. of the day it seemed to all an occasion of

unusual solemnity. The father prayed for all but with special tenderness for Richard that the Lord would lead him forth into the right path.

I know not how it was with the others, but Richard told me once of his dream that night. He seemed at first to be a child again and going over the work and sports of the home and school. Then once more he was in college with its hard work and inspiring friendships. He gave again, it seemed to him, the oration at Commencement, and was startled by the strange face of the gipsy girl. The dream changed and the way seemed strange. He was in a city. Thick about him was its vice and filth, its ignorance and despair. At times the air seemed suffocating and a sense of weakness was creeping over him. But in his dream One stood with him whose Face was love and whose Voice, as it spoke to him, had in it the tones of eternity, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

First Steps.

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