by Al Lacy
He rose from the bunk with a heavy heart over Jubal Packer’s execution and moved slowly to the cell door. It was guard Hank Overton who moved up to his cell and unlocked the door.
“Breakfast time, Dane. Hungry?”
“Not exactly.”
“The execution?”
“Yes.”
“Well, let me tell you about Jubal. I’ve walked a lot of condemned men from their cells to the gallows. He showed absolutely no fear when he was being led up the gallows steps. Oh, I’ve seen some of them try to act tough when they were about to be hanged, but I could tell it was a facade. Even the toughest of them usually break down about the time the noose is being cinched tight on their necks.”
“I can imagine.”
“But not so with Jubal. He wasn’t putting on a mask of toughness at all. There was just obvious serenity and peace of mind. I mean, even when the noose was looped over his head and tightened on his neck.”
Dane sighed. “Oh, I’m so glad.”
“It was like you had shown him from that verse in Psalm 23. God would comfort him at his time of death. Well, He did, Dane. It was quite evident that Jubal had comfort when he was facing death like no man I’ve ever seen.”
Overton stepped into the corridor and Dane followed. As they headed for the big steel door with other guards and prisoners ahead of them, Dane said, “Thank you for telling me about Jubal. I’m so glad he finally believed what I showed him in the Bible about salvation and forgiveness of his sins and turned to Jesus before it was too late.”
“Ah, Dane?”
“Yes, sir?”
“I … ah … I’d like to know about being saved too.”
“Well, I’d love to show it to you.”
“All right. I’ll find time to come to your cell as soon as I can.”
Dane smiled at him. “My time is your time, Mr. Overton.”
Shortly after Dane had returned to his cell from breakfast, he was taken to the visiting room where Pastor Alan Wheeler was waiting to see him. Wheeler was glad to learn that Jubal Packer had indeed received Christ as his Saviour, and to hear what guard Hank Overton had told Dane about the peace Jubal had at his execution. He would tell the story to the church from the pulpit tomorrow morning.
Dane passed on Jubal’s apology for having refused to see Pastor Wheeler when he had come to talk to him about salvation.
Later in the morning, Dane was called back to the visiting room, and was glad to see Dr. Lee Harris. The doctor was also happy to hear of Jubal’s salvation and of the peace he had demonstrated when facing death at the gallows.
As with the pastor, Dane passed on Jubal’s apology for his refusal to see the doctor when he had offered to talk to Jubal about salvation.
At midafternoon, a guard came to Dane’s cell and told him he had another visitor. When he sat down at the barred window, he smiled at Russell Mims. “Sure is good to see you. I appreciate so much your walking Tharyn over here so she can see me. She said you’d be coming by yourself today.”
Russell grinned. “Well, that’s the way it was supposed to be, but guess who’s down in the waiting room?”
Dane shook his head in amazement. “So she came, too?”
“Yes. She insisted I come up first, since it’s been a while that you and I have seen each other.”
“Some kind of girl, isn’t she?”
Russell nodded. “I was so glad to hear from her when she visited you yesterday that Jubal had opened his heart to Jesus. How did it go this morning when the guards came to take him to the gallows?”
Dane told him of the peace that Jubal showed at the cell, then shared the story told him by Hank Overton about Jubal’s peace demonstrated when the noose was cinched around his neck.
Russell smiled. “Everybody in the colony will be glad to hear about this.”
Dane told Russell about Romans 8:28 fitting with his being arrested and put in prison for the crime he did not commit, and how Jubal brought up that if he had not been his cell mate, he would have died lost.
“God really knows what He is doing, doesn’t He, Dane?”
“That’s for sure. I’m thinking that since Jubal got saved, the Lord may be going to clear me of the crime soon.”
“Oh, I hope it will be very soon. That would make everybody in the colony happy.”
Dane’s brow furrowed. “Speaking of the colony, Russell, I’m really concerned about your lack of food. You look a little thin yourself.”
“Well, I admit we miss the money you were putting in the kitty for our food. Tharyn said she told you the begging hasn’t gone too good of late.”
“Yes, and she told me about the café’s garbage cans even being short of discarded food.”
Russell nodded.
“I’ve been praying about that, Russell. The Lord has promised to take care of His own children, and I know He won’t let you starve. But it seems He wants all of us to pray harder about it.”
“And we are, Dane. We will also be praying hard about the Lord getting you out of here and back with us.”
With that, Russell left the visiting room, and moments later, a guard brought Tharyn in. She was thrilled to hear how it had gone with Jubal, and she would pray that the Lord would soon deliver Dane from prison so he could be back with the colony.
The next morning, Dane was sitting on his bunk, thinking about the services that were going on at his church and wishing he could be there.
His attention was drawn to Hank Overton, who stepped up to the cell door. “Dane, I’ve got a little free time. Would you show me how to be saved?”
Thrilled to do so, Dane moved up to the cell door, Bible in hand.
Twenty minutes later, a happy Hank Overton walked away from the cell, a child of God. Dane wiped joyful tears from his face and sat down on the bunk. “Thank You, Lord. Mr. Overton was also in Your Romans 8:28 plan for my being put in this prison.”
Time passed, and on Monday October 9, Dane was visited at separate times by Pastor Alan Wheeler and Tharyn Myers. Both had done their best to encourage him, saying they believed that with Hank Overton also being saved, it would be soon that the Lord would see that he was cleared of the murder charge and released.
On Tuesday afternoon, a guard escorted Dane to the visiting room. A smile lit up his face when he saw that his visitor was Dr. Lee Harris. As he drew up to the barred window, he was about to sit down when he noticed that Dr. Harris had his black medical bag with him.
“How come you brought your medical bag in here with you?”
The doctor let a grin curve his lips. “Well, my boy, I brought it because I want to give it to you.”
Dane frowned. “I’d love to have it, sir, but don’t you need it?”
“Not anymore. As of yesterday afternoon, I’m retired. I’m now a man of leisure!”
A sadness registered in Dane’s brown eyes. “Y-you sold your practice?”
“Yes. To a fine young Christian physician. His name is Dr. Stanley Norris. He has agreed to look after the street children as I have—especially those in your colony.”
“Oh, that’s good. So you’ll be moving to Virginia now?”
“That’s right. I’ve already purchased a good-sized wagon, and at this moment, I’m having a canvas cover put on it. As I told you, this would be the only way we can transport Lawanda down to Roanoke.”
Dane nodded. “Well, sir, I’m really happy for you. But I have to say I’m selfishly sorry for me, my colony, and all the people you have so faithfully cared for.” His eyes widened and he put a hand to his mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry, Dr. Harris. Please forgive me. It was unkind of me to say that. You and Mrs. Harris certainly deserve to live out the rest of your lives close to your family in Virginia. And you deserve to have time to enjoy the things that you have put aside for so many years to dedicate your life to healing and helping others. But—but I will most certainly miss you.”
Dr. Harris looked at him kindly. “I’ll miss you too, Dane. And believe me, I’ll miss pract
icing medicine, and I’ll miss all my friends. But, Dane, I’m so very tired, as is Mrs. Harris. We need to spend our remaining years at a slower, less demanding pace.”
“Of course, sir. I understand.”
Harris lifted the medical bag. “I want you to have this as a keepsake to remember me by.”
Dane smiled. “Dr. Harris, you have no idea how much I appreciate your giving the bag to me. Just having it to touch and hold will give me hope that someday I can use it as you did to heal and help people. Thank you, sir. Thank you with all of my heart. I will always treasure it.” Tears clogged his throat. He swallowed hard. “And—and I will always treasure your friendship.”
“That goes both ways, son. You have been such a blessing to both Mrs. Harris and me.” He paused, looked at the bag, and said, “It’s empty, so the guards will bring it to you.”
“All right.”
The doctor turned to the guard who had brought him in. “Will you see that this is given to Dane?”
The guard moved up, took the bag in hand, and opened it to make sure it was empty. “Yes, Doctor. I’ll see that he gets it.”
Dr. Harris thanked him, then turned back to the window. “Dane, I would be honored if you will use it when you become a doctor.”
Dane started to speak, but before he could say a word, Harris said, “I am absolutely confident that the Lord will see to it that you are cleared of the murder of Benny Jackson. You are going to get out of prison, and the Lord is going to make sure that you get your education and become the physician and surgeon you’ve dreamed about.”
“You are indeed a great encouragement, Dr. Harris. I promise you that when I become a doctor, I will use the bag. And sir, I want to thank you again for leading me to the Lord. I will never forget you.”
“That also goes two ways, son,” said the doctor, reaching into his shirt pocket. He took out a slip of paper and slid it through the small space beneath the barred window. “This is my son and daughter-in-law’s address in Roanoke. I want you to write me when you get out, and let me know what happens next in your life. You can address your letter to me in care of my son.”
“I’ll do that for sure, sir.”
“Well, Dane, I’ve got to keep moving. We’re pulling out at dawn. Let’s have prayer together.”
Dr. Harris and his young friend prayed together, then as the doctor rose to his feet, he said, “Dane, you and I may never see each other again on this earth, but we’ll meet in heaven.”
Tears filmed Dane’s eyes. “Yes, sir. I’ll meet both you and Mrs. Harris in heaven.”
Dane watched the doctor and the guard go out the door, and a moment later, the guard who was to escort him back to his cell came in and gave the bag to him.
The next evening as the sun was setting over Manhattan, the orphans in the alley had very little to eat for supper. Their breakfast had been very light, and they had not eaten lunch. Each one was definitely showing a loss of weight, and their faces were taking on the sallow look that was caused by malnutrition.
As the night chill began to settle over them, they stood in a circle around a metal trash can in which the boys had built a fire.
Tharyn rubbed her arms briskly. “I sure do miss Dane. I hope the Lord gets him out of that prison soon.”
The others spoke their agreement.
Bessie Evans said, “Not only do we miss Dane, but we miss the money he always put in the kitty.”
Nettie Olson looked at Russell. “Are we going to starve to death?”
Russell shook his head. “No, Nettie. The Lord is going to provide more food for us, but He wants us to pray harder, so we will do just that. Let’s pray right now, even before we have Bible reading.”
Russell and the older ones led in heartfelt prayer, asking God to provide the food they needed very soon. They also begged Him to let Dane be cleared of the crime so he could be released from prison and come back to them.
When they had finished praying, a chilly breeze whipped down the alley. They scattered to get their coats from their cardboard boxes.
When they returned to the fire, buttoning up their coats, they all noticed Tharyn standing there by herself.
She had no coat.
Russell slipped out of his coat. “Here, Tharyn. You can wear mine.”
She shook her head. “No, Russell. You need your coat.”
“I’ve got another one. Here, put this on.”
When he had helped Tharyn into the coat, he returned to his cardboard box, took out an old tattered coat and was putting it on as he returned to the group.
Tharyn eyed the coat. “Russell, where did you get that?”
He grinned at her. “I found it in a trash receptacle last winter, and I’ve been keeping it in my box as a spare.”
She frowned. “Then let me wear that one. You need this coat.”
Russell shook his head vigorously. “You keep that one. I want you as warm as possible.”
Tharyn’s eyes showed her appreciation. “How can I thank you for being so good to me?”
“No need,” said Russell. “Could we talk for just a minute?”
“Well, of course.”
While the others watched with interest, Russell took Tharyn by the hand and led her a few steps away. He bent close, keeping his voice so only she could hear him. “Tharyn, I want you to know that I love you. I would do anything in the world for you.”
There was enough light from the fire reaching them, that Russell could see Tharyn blush.
“Tharyn, someday you and I will be old enough to get serious about each other. And—and when we are, I want to marry you.”
She gave him a strange look, but did not reply.
“I know you think a lot of Dane. So do I. But to you, he is your big brother. So even when he gets out of prison, he’ll still be your big brother. But someday, I want to be your husband.”
Tharyn said in a whisper, “I’m only thirteen, Russell. I’m too young to be in love. But—but maybe someday if we’re still together when we’re old enough to get serious, we might fall in love with each other. This will be up to God’s plan for our lives.”
This was enough to make Russell feel better. Later, when they had all gone to bed in their cardboard boxes, he prayed and asked the Lord to keep him and Tharyn close together as they grew into adulthood so they could fall in love and become husband and wife.
In Denver, Colorado, late in the afternoon on Thursday, October 19, attorney Mike Ross entered the post office to pick up the day’s mail before going home.
Ross greeted a man and his wife who were on their way out, then moved up to the counter where postmaster Harvey Thompson said, “Howdy, Mike. How goes the lawyer business today?”
Ross chuckled. “Well, it’s not as lucrative as being in the post office business, but we’re scraping by.”
Thompson laughed. “Who do you think you’re kidding?”
Ross noted a new face behind the counter. “And who’s this?”
Griffin looked at the young man, then back at the attorney. “Mike Ross, meet Ed Griffin, my new clerk.”
Mike reached over the counter and shook Griffin’s hand. “Where are you from, Ed?”
“Colorado Springs. This job opened up here with Harvey, so I applied for it, and here I am.”
“Well, good. I hope you’ll like Denver.”
“I already do.”
“Ed’s a Christian, Mike,” said Thompson. “He’ll be coming to our church on Sunday.”
Mike smiled. “Hey, great! Ed, I’ll look forward to seeing you at church. And I’ll probably see you when I come in for the mail tomorrow.”
Harvey turned and reached into one of the many cubbyholes behind him as Ed said to Ross, “If I ever need an attorney, you’ll be my man, sir.”
“Fine,” said Mike.
Harvey turned back with a bundle of mail in his hands. He gave Mike a sly grin, then looked at Ed. “I can recommend an attorney who’s a lot less expensive.”
Mike laughed.
“You scalawag!”
Harvey laughed louder. “Here’s your mail, Mr. Expensive Attorney.”
Mike accepted the bundle. “Thank you, sir.”
“How are Jerry, Theresa, and Mandy doing?” Then he chuckled. “After all, I haven’t seen them since last night at church.”
“Our children are doing fine, Harvey. And guess what?”
“What?”
“We’re about to get another one.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hmm. I’m expecting a letter any day from the Children’s Aid Society.”
Harvey’s eyes widened. “Hey, come to think of it, I remember seeing a letter from them today when I put the mail in your box. It’s in that bundle.”
Mike unfolded the bundle and began sifting through the envelopes. He grinned. “Ah, here it is! I just have to go ahead and open it right now.”
He laid the rest of the mail on the counter and tore the envelope open. The two men looked on as his eyes ran quickly across the lines and down the letter. The grin on his face spread from ear to ear. “Oh, I can hardly wait to get home and tell Julie and the kids the good news! They’ll be so excited. Praise the Lord, another sweet child to raise for Him!”
“Tell me about it, Mike,” said Harvey.
“Well, Mr. Brace says here that our next child is a blind girl whose name is Leanne Ladd. She’s thirteen years old, and she’ll be arriving on the orphan train that is leaving New York on November 6. It will arrive here in Denver on the tenth.”
Ed Griffin had a puzzled look on his face.
Harvey nodded. “Well, I’m glad you and Julie are getting your fourth child. Are you still planning on adopting five?”
“Well, that’s the plan for now, but who knows? Every child we take is so special in his or her own way. We feel so honored that God has chosen us for this most special mission. I have a feeling that if Charles Loring Brace has more unique children who need a loving home, we will take them into ours. Julie is so dedicated to the ones we have, and it is such a joy to watch her work with them.