THE HERO OF THE SLUMS by Susan Teall Perry

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 11, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 32.

THE HERO OF THE SLUMS.

By Susan Teall Perry

THEY hurried along the crowded street, Through the chilling wind and the dismal sleet— The ragged boy and his sister Jen— She was just six, but he was ten. Turning a corner, they chanced to pass A merry lad and a glad-faced lass So warmly clothed and so well fed, But they scarcely glanced at Jen and Ted.

“How grand it must be to live like those, Have plenty to eat, and wear warm clothes!” The sister said, while she tighter clasped The brother’s hand, as the wind swept past. “O, never you mind, Jen, we’re most there At the mission rooms, where folks deal square! You’ll get warm clothes and a dinner prime, And, Bill Sykes told me, ‘a merry go time.’”

“Now here we are, Jen. Just look up and see These words about ‘you’ve done it unto Me.’ Don’t stop—move on—now brace ’gainst the door. There’ll be a hundred kids here soon, and more; They’ll push and squeeze, but you stand your ground; Then, if the things run out and don’t go ’round, We’ll be right on hand, the first ones to serve. In times like these we must keep up our nerve.”

Ted’s words of course must be very wise, Yet the tears would gather in Jen’s blue eyes, For the frosty pavement was so cold, And the shoes she wore were thin and old. Shivering she stood among the throng, And whispered, “Must we be waiting long?” While the little toes so cold and blue Ted chanced to see peeping out her shoe.

Then the noble brother from his head Took off his cap and softly said, “Just put your two feet on this, and then You’ll find they’ll warm right up, dear Jen.” When the doors at last did open wide, He pushed his loved sister first inside. “O, do, please, ma’am, ’tend to her,” said he, “She’s so cold and hungry—don’t mind me!”

A lovelight fell on Ted’s thin, pale face, Like a shining from the holy place, As, standing there with a noble pride, He watched his wee sister led inside. Ah! earth’s heroes are not always those Who live up aloft and wear good clothes; Down in the slums is many a soul Whose name shines on God’s honor roll.

—Susan Teall Perry, in Christian Work.