Installment six

On our previous installment we saw Harold Wilson determined to outdo
God. Harold was angry because God had taken away his dear mother.
Now he was ready to go deeper into wickedness to teach God a lesson.
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Installment six:

After learning about his mother's death Harold Wilson became
extremely successful at separating himself from God. Upon reaching
San Francisco he abandoned himself to a life of riotous pleasure,
licentiousness and crime. His companions were of the baser elements
of the city, versed in the business of lawbreaking even to the extent
of staining their hands with the blood of their fellow men.
Howard Huffman, the writer of the message sent to Honolulu, picked
up the morning Chronicle. As he glanced over the headings, his eye
was held by the following:
"Murder in the Mission District. Harold Wilson A Sailor Held As A
Suspect. Police Sure They Have The Right Man. An Old Criminal."
Mr. Huffman dropped his paper. "An old criminal." Yes. He knew it
to be true; for in that robbery of many years before, he himself had
been associated. Now Harold had returned to continue his course in
crime. What should he do?
Without saying anything to his wife, he got dressed and left the house
in a hurry.
Now Mr. Huffman was well-known throughout the city as a man of
sterling integrity and large business acumen, and prosperity had
smiled upon him from the very first day that he turned his feet to
the way of Christianity. He had been at peace for many years but
now he was anxious for Harold's sake. He had trusted that God
would help him redeem his old partner in sin, and lead him to be
a fellow worker in righteousness. But Harold had come, had fallen
even lower, and perhaps the uncorrected and unforgiven past,
now coming to light, would serve to defeat the purpose he had in
mind.
Reaching San Francisco, Mr. Huffman hastened to the police
station, and asked to interview the prisoner.
What a picture met his gaze as he looked upon his companion of
former years! Brutality seemed stamped upon every feature.
But the adage, "so long as there's life, there's hope.," buoyed him
up. With loving interest he sought to have Harold understand
that he still trusted him and would stand by him in this hour of
need. Howard Huffman offered to try very hard to lighten the
penalty Harold was facing. At the end of Mr. Huffman's efforts
Harold received freedom only on condition that he leave the
country for five years, and wtiht he admonition that when he
should return, it must be with a recommendation of good
behavior from his employers.
These conditions made Harold almost a man without a country,
and they seemed hard indeed to meet; but through Howard
Huffman's encouragement he determined to try.
He obtained a position as a common sailor on the "Pacific
Clipper" which sailed from San Francisco to Yokohama one
week later; but little did he suspect that the captain of that
vessel was his old friend, Captain Mann, of the trip of many
years before.
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To be continued...