“The Evidence of His Claim”
There is a story told of a cottage in a little country village, in which lived a family of four: father, mother, and two small children.
One evening something happened, what, no one knows – and the little cottage caught on fire. In a few seconds the thatched roof and wooden timbers were ablaze.
There was no fire engine in this remote spot, and the villagers stood round helpless. But suddenly a young man, who had only recently come to the place, came striding up.
“What, can nothing be done to rescue the people inside?” he cried, and as no one responded, he dashed through the flames. A moment later, he emerged bearing under each arm a little child. They were unhurt, for Andy had hidden them under his coat – but he was terrible burned.
Scarcely had he got out before the roof of the cottage fell in with a sickening crash, and the parents of the children were never seen alive again.
A kind old woman took Andy into her home and nursed him carefully. Meanwhile, there was much discussion in the village as to what was to become of the two rescued children.
It was decided that a council should meet to decide what was to become of them. When the day of the decision arrived, there were two who claimed the little ones. The first was a young nobleman of the village. He had money, position, and a home to offer the children. The second one to claim the children was – Andy!
When asked what right he had to the little ones, he said never a word, but held up his hands – burned and scarred for them.
---Christian Life