"
He then told of the methods adopted by the committee, of the help they
had received, and how they had at last decided upon the report which
he was about to submit; then carefully detailed the plan, enlarging
upon the outlines as he proceeded. Drawing upon the mass of information
gathered in the few weeks, he painted the city in its true colors, as
shown in the light of their investigation; and then held out the
wonderful promises of the plan for the future.
As he talked, Dick forgot himself, and forgot his audience. He saw
only the figure of the Christ, and heard Him say, "Inasmuch as ye did
it unto one of the least of these, my Brethren, ye did it unto me."
While his hearers sat lost to the surroundings under the magic spell
of his eloquence; an eloquence that even his most intimate friends
never dreamed that he possessed.
Charlie Bowen was enraptured. Clara Wilson wept and laughed and wept
again. Uncle Bobbie could only say, "I jing," and "To-be-sure," while
George Udell sat in wonder. Could this splendid man who, with his
flashing eye and glowing face, with burning words and graceful gestures,
was holding that immense audience subject to his will, could this be
the wretched creature who once fell at his feet fainting with hunger?
"Truly," he thought, "the possibilities of life are infinite. The power
of the human soul cannot be measured, and no man guesses the real
strength of his closest friend."
As Dick finished and turned to resume his seat by the side of Mr.
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