It was just nine o'clock in the morning.
The 8:50 train had been dispatched and the station master was settling down for an hour's quiet when a gentleman, with face red hot and bursting with ill-temper, rushed upon the platform. He loudly stormed against the bus driver whose neglect had caused him to miss the train. He declared he would rather have forfeited $25.00 than miss that particular train.
What was to be done? The only course was to wait for the ten o'clock train. But the gentleman was infuriated, and walked up and down the platform excitedly. Presently, when he had cooled down, the station master went up to him and said, "There's a comfortable waiting room inside, if you would like to sit down, sir.”
The man went in, and found a pleasant room, shaded by climbing roses on the outside. There was a table, on which were spread some gospel tracts. To while away the time he took one up and began to read:
"Passing onward, yes; but whither bound?”
Soon his whole attention was absorbed.
Time fled. Passengers began to arrive. The ticket office was opened for the coming train. Still he sat on, deeply interested in the message he was reading.
"The train's in sight," said the station master.
"The train?" replied the man, like one waking from a dream. Will you sell me this tract? I want to read it again.”
"Take it, and welcome, sir," responded the station master. "The lady who supplies the tracts will be glad if you will accept it.”
"Thank you, and her," said the man. He took it, and in another minute he was speeding away in the train.
A month rolled by. A gentleman leaped out of the train, offered his hand warmly to the station master, and said, "Do you remember me?”
"I do, sir," he replied. "You are the gentleman that missed the train a few weeks back, and were so troubled about it.”
"I need not have been. I missed the train that morning, but I found the Savior. Oh! what a tract that was. I had been so absorbed with business that I did not allow myself time to think about God, or to read His Word. I could not get away from the solemn questions that tract asked. Please tell the lady that tract has led me to the Savior. Now I want others to know Him, so I am buying all I can, and giving them away wholesale. I never knew what happiness was before.”
The gentleman resumed his seat in the train, and the steam-whistle sounded. There was a solemn joy in the heart of the old station master as he waved farewell to him, and saw the joyous look upon his face―a new creature in Christ Jesus.