The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-08-21
A STORY OF A PREACHER.

IA SIUKY OF A PkEACHE k
Jack Brighton was one Of my dear
est and most peculiar friends
He was preacher-pastor OF little
church in a small Alabama town. He
was not more than thirty when I me-
him, unmarried, and one of those
strange beings who have strange and
mysterious experience stamped upor
their countenances, unreliable except
to the extent that something wonder.
full or some great struggle has beer
gone through.
knew him we'll for two years, was
with him daily and found him a most
devout Christian, charming companion,
and of magnificent brain powers.
was undoubtedly his most intimate
friend, but of his past life he never
uttered a word to me. Five years be-
fore he had suddenly appeared in the
town, and that was all known of him.
For while the people wondered at the
veil drawn before his life. but his noble
nature and actions soon caused them to
forget all else save the good he was
doing.
wondered at first and made several
attempts to penetrate the mystery,
but soon fell into the opinion of the
people, and only knew him as he then
was.
Handsome, brilliant and genial, he
was a man who would attract any to
him, and it is no wonder that all loved
him. One day I was called away for
week. While in a city not far dis
tant I received a telegram. It read
thus:
"Am called to Heaven leave papers
addressed to you. Do with it as you like.
JACK"
I was terribly shocked, and thoughts
OF many of my friends strange actions
entered my head. I fought it, but the
idea was constantly present that he
was insane and had been mildly so all
along. Now he had become raging
and would commit suicide.
1t was horrible thought and, to
refute it, took the first train to town.
/ reached it and found everything
quiet and peaceable. Where was
Jack? I asked; and several told me
they had seen him enter the little
church but few moments before.
With sigh of relief l entered but
saw no one. l searched for an hour
there, at his home and elsewhere, but
with no better result Others soon
Joined in, and on into the night we
hunted him. Many declared he must
be in the church, but he was not. His
bible was there, and in it was man
uscript addressed to me. I hurriedly
thrust it into my pocket and continued
the search until way into the next day.
Then, broken down, I fell asleep. I
awoke the next night and inquired for
Jack. The people were still looking
for him, but not a trace had been
found.
I bethought myself of the letter and
berated myself for having not read it
before. I give it to you just as it was.
DEAR FRIEND: My heart is overlooking
with gratitude to merciful God have
just been made conscious of the fact that
in one short hour I will be out of this cold,
cherries world, and will be in the land of
plenty and continual happiness.
My thoughts turned towards you and I
could see no better way of spending the
hour than to tell you something of my
past life, leaving it with you to do as you
will. The time is short and I must be
brief.
I was born and reared in large Eastern
city. Ny father was largely possessed of
this worlds goods, and I had every adj
vantage, socially and otherwise With
my disposition it is but natural that
became wild. Up to my twenty fifth
birthday and a little more, my highest
ambition was to get the good things out
of this world, paying no attention what
ever to the future.
One night, in small Western town, 1
met fair, young creature. The instant
saw her my eyes and attention were
fixed. What was this herculanean but
softly mysterious feeling that swept
through my every fiber! What meant
this sudden weakness and then heavy
throb of my templess This trembling of
the kneesa
And what meant that alternate paling
and flushing Of her cheekss Those spark
ling, mesmeric eyes set upon minea Was
it fate that we two should meet? Half
consciously we wandered out to lonely
spot. Then comes an almost blank.
remember how in a state of almost
wildness we both were. How at the lin.
gering touch of her lips my soul leaped
forth, and heavens doors could have
tempted neither to depart. How my heart
beat like heavy engine, and the heavy
throbs swelled the elastic arteries to al
most bursting and then relaxed them to
emptiness. How in this embrace our
hearts throbbed in perfect unison, pro-
ducing thrilling and overpowering in.
toxication, performing their physical
functions together as they were together
in love.
All this remembered and was on the
eve Of returning to her, when a note was
handed me.
Mechanically opened it. JOY! It was
from her! No! Misery! Read it:
II can not stay here. leave for far
of land before this reaches you. l pray
God we may never meet again. My duty,
as Christian, allows no human idol
Thou shalt have no other God before me-
Such love that burns within me for you is
sinful, and must put it away. hardly
know what hannoned 1act NIGHT b,,+