WOODFULL'S STORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22226, 28 September 1935, Page 5 (Supplement)

WOODFULL'S STORY

Many years ago a young Wesleyan minister was driving along a dry and dusty road toward Melbourne when he noticed a trudging tattered figure of a tramp. "Care for a lift?" he asked the man, and it was 110 sooner said than done. Reaching tho manse about two hours later, tho stranger scrambled down, and was about to ofler his thanks, when tho minister said, " What about a cup of tea?" Again there was a ready acceptance. "There is only one thing I would like better," ho said, "and that is a bit of a wash." ~ "Perhaps you would liko a batnr suggested the clergyman. And. taking it for granted, ushered the tramp into the bathroom, and gave him soap and clean towels, lhen tiiey sat down to tea. . Forty years later, during tho Great War, a number of Australian soldiers, who were returning to I'ranee alter sick leave, wero resting 011 a grassy plot, when an elderly man with white hair and a kindly face, approached them. " Australians?" ho asked. " Yes, was the reply, " wo aro waiting for our boat." . "Well, what about a little something to eat?" suggested the stranger. Unanimously agreed. They accompanied the old man to his large house, set in ample grounds, and were dined lavishly. When it camo to formal introd notions, tlie old man stopped at tne mention of "Woodfull," as the young man stepped forward. "Of course you would not be related to a young Wesleyan minister who was in Melbourne somo 40 years ago?" "That would bo my father," answered tho soldier. There was a moment of tense, troubled and thoughtful silence. Then, in a trembling voice, 110 told his story. Tho derelict and tramp in Australia; the futility and the despair following the loss of character, self-respect and friends. "I was thinking desperately of deen water in Melbourne and the end of even-thing." he Raid, "when tho young minister camo along. . . . "That kindly net. tho hath, and that clean, white towel started 1110 on a new road. T determined to be a man. " This house, these grounds, T owe to that young minister who was your father. T was a stranger and he took mo in." Woodfull told the story to a minister whose service ho recently attended. Now snnnose the young minister had smothered the impulse and driven on?