way. Back in his home town near Ogden, Utah, where he had worked for a mining company, his wife and five children had been faithfully praying for him. It all started when she married Charlie against the ad vice of her pastor. “Naomi,” he said, “ it just isn’t the way God would have it. You are a fine Chris tian girl and the Bible definitely proclaims the danger of starting a home with an unbeliever. Charlie is not a Christian, and what’s more, he isn’t interested and won’t even go to church.” During the past 10 years she had come to know just how right Dr. Harrison had been. However, she was determined to be a faithful wife and a good mother. Without the help of her husband and often against his wishes, she saw to it that the children all got to Sunday school, and as often as possible she’d go with them to church — always without Charlie. Charlie would spend his week ends hunting, fishing or at a party with some of his friends. However, all this time he did provide a good home as far as food, clothing and shelter were concerned. But things went from bad to worse and finally he left. Where he went, no one knew. This was to be his family’s first Christmas without Daddy. The chil dren missed him even though he’d never really been a father to them. As the holiday season drew near, Mrs. Kagel had the children join her in special prayer for their father during their daily devotions. They asked God to- perform another mir acle: that as Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem so long ago to bring new life into the old world, now He might somehow, some where, be bom into the heart of their father and give him new life too. On the Sunday before Christmas, which was only four days away, Mrs. Kagel arranged to have Dr. Harrison and some of her closer friends come to her house after the evening church service for a time of definite prayer in behalf of her husband. That same Sunday at the ranch, Melody and Happy came over to the bunkhouse after supper and asked me to play some Christmas songs for them. Then after we had sung two or three carols they want-
%t Music Mountain Ranch for
DOLEFUL CHARLIE
pened when I was working at Music Mountain Ranch one winter long ago. It was a big place and there were always a lot of men around to do the work. One man whose name was Charlie Kagel came to the ranch about two months before Christmas. He was a quiet, middle- aged man who always looked like he was brooding about something. I figured he was in some sort of trouble but all my efforts failed as I tried to find out what was wrong. I wanted to help Charlie if I could but without his wanting help, it was impossible. But I continued to pray for him because I figured if anything would help, that would. Ned Wiley, who was foreman at Music Mountain Ranch, lived just up the creek from the bunkhouse with his wife Ruth and their two children, Melody, seven, and Hap py, 10. The children and I had a lot of fun together. Happy was interested in spinning a rope and so I fixed up a piece of Samson’s spot cord (a cotton rope best suited for that purpose) and helped him get started by teaching him a few tricks. Melody was more interested in the guitar and wanted to learn how to play it and sing too. So I taught her a couple of the easier chords. Once in a while the three
of us would get together for a little whoopteedoo. I’d play my harmon ica and guitar and then I’d break out with some easy-to-sing song like “ Red River Valley” or “ Jesus Loves Me.” Then I’d wind up by reading them a story out of my Bible. Usu ally this, took place in the bunk- house while the men sat around reading, playing cards, talking or just sitting. Charlie Kagel always acted very restless while Melody, Happy and I were having such a good time. Be fore we finished, he’d go into the other room or go outside. It puz zled me. So one day I said to him, “What’s the matter? Don’t you like children?” “ I’d rather not talk about it,” was all that I could get out of him. Naturally, my curiosity was aroused and I was more concerned about him than ever. The Saturday before Christmas most of the men drew some of their pay to do their Christmas shopping. Charlie Kagel drew out all of his. He didn’t figure on doing any shop ping however. He had plans of his own as to what he was going to do —he was going to quit his job and go farther West after he did some celebrating all by himself for a few days at Sageville. But things didn’t turn out that
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The King's Business/December 1957
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