The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-10-23

sinners, who had just gotten new summer
suits, were in the churches, saying their
prayers, or nodding-approval?- their
pastors. won't deny there were loung.
ers around depots, ard groups of vaga.
bonds splitting and growing before the
low boarding houses, and one young man
caHtering up streets and down alleys, as if
witch-ridden. But. generally speaking,
the city was moral city, and had gone to
church.
What allied that man? His body was
big and vigorous. He walked with a
broad.chested swing. You knew he was
a gentleman by the fine contour of his
face; did not his dress, notwithstanding
its disorder. impress that fact on you be.
fore you noticed this. But he was acting
like lunatic. Ever as he swung for.
ward, he turned and watched the ground
behind him. Often he wheeled and
kicked the past. His eyes were dilated.
Cold sweat stood on his forehead, and
broke through the beard of his cheeks.
Organ thunder and peoples voices
filled all the air around him.
"Oh, you're all safe and comfortable"
he painted, fercely; I'D like to take it in
there, and let it wriggle down some of
your backs, and then hear your thanks
givings! oh, God, if you are up aloft,
listening to all the gable made to you
this day, send ME deliveranoe from this
thingr'
So, over crossing, down a street, across
the river-bridge, 1.-THE thing" marched him
on. He was in the suburbs; miners
wives and broods staring after him. He
was in the woods, crushing grass beneath
his heels, writing with his arms reached
treeward. His face turned again to the
town, and he tramped through ways of
men, lion wrapped by boa-poor Reg
inald!
Folks were flowing out of the churches,
and sweeping homeward with thoughts of
Sunday dinners on their peaceful counte-
nances.
Now the man was mad, indeed.
He darted this way and that among
the tranquilly-moving flock. Rushing
round corner, he came in contact
with Marion, and rebounded, pant
ing aloud. Marion stood, drawing
a deep breath of establishment. He swept
her with lightning glance into his per-
ception. She was woman, all puppies
and grays as to her drcss-rain-washed
purple and pearly gray. She was of wo-
manly stature, plant; cool to look at,
under the fiery sun, as silvery fag.lily.
Her face flashed suddenly beautiful as
he encountered it. OF all the souls going
home from spiritual pasture. he, by in
stinct or accident struck the right soul
for him. How the twittering young wo-
men would have stared at him! how
would even the mild pastor have stood at
bay!
She OWNED his need before he twisted
his hands and strangled to her-"Help
me! for Gods sake, helm mew
What shall dor"
SHOW me where to 60 from that snake
which is following me!'' he pointed be.
hind, near his feet-"Quickw
"Come this wayv said Marian, snatch
ing his hand. She took charge of him as
she used to do of her young brothers on
stormy nights from school.
There is but a step from the sublime to
the ridiculous, we learned in our COPY
books. In fact, thing may be sublime
to one or two, and ridiculous to every.
body else.
They ran; Marian a purple scudding
cloud, her patient the gale which blew
her. She guided his force, and let the
people stare.
Thus they dashed into the grotto parlor
Of her cool, large home. She thanked
Providence that mamma was safe in q
morning nap many rooms away, and the
boys employing all the powers of their
minds getting ready for luncheon and
Sabbath-schOol.
"Oh, you've saved me from i'll" breathed
on SOFA fhink U Of the ea ahd u scaix
thing following you a whole night-dart-
kicked it-trod on it-and it grew bigger
every minute. When l first saw il. it
wasn't as large as my finger, but now it's
the size of a tree. / know it's delirium
trenens; but, Oh, God! it would unman
anybody! You angel.woman, how must
have frightened you! But there-therc it
is again! It came in under the do0rl''
He rolled back in commissions.
Marian went swiftly between him and
the door.
"Your foot is on its neck {" yelled Regai.
maid, leaping up, with his eysballs start
ing horribly.
rian.
"But it can turn and strike you! Come
of-come away from there!" with q des.
pairing howl. He threw himself before
her and tried to fling her from the spot
mo woman shall stand between me and
what dreadr"
Marian threw up her arms, and trust.
full, believing looks, before which he fell
back, an exhausted, abject heap, upon the
floor.
"Oh, our Christ" she begged, tive shall
die unless Thou come to us. There is no
help in man. Satan is here, even in per-
SON. Now, show us that Thou art q
mighty Savior, and q Savior to the utter.
most, no matter what selfsufflcient folks
have told us to the contrary. We can't
see Thee. Oh. our Christ! take hold of
us! We lie at Thy feet! Thou art love-!
thrill US with all Thy heroism and pa
thence! Oh, take hold of us or we shall
diet" @ .t
Here Marian's heart burst and ran in
stormy tears over her face.