Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-02

\
staring into the window at the pile of
whisky and beer bottles arranged in
great pyramid inside. He moistened his
lips with his tongue and took a step
forward, looking around him stealthily.
The door suddenly opened again, and
some one came out. Again the hot,
penetrating smell of the liquor swept
out into the cold air, and he took an
other step toward the saloon door,
which had shut. behind the customer
AS he laid his fingers on the door handle
a tall figure came around the corner. 1t
was the bishop.
He seized Burns by the arm and drag
ged him back upon the sidewalk. The
frenzied man, now mad for drink,
shrieked out curse and struck at the
bishop savagely. It is doubtful if he
really knew at first who was snatching
him away from his ruin. The blow fell
upon the bishops face and cut a cash
in his cheek.
He never uttered word, but over
his face a look of majestic sorrow swept
He picked Burns up as if he had been
child and actually carried him up the
steps into the settlement He placed
him down in the hall and then shut the
door and put his back against it.
Burns fell on his knees, sobbing and
praying. The bishop stood there, pant
ing with his exertion, although Burns
was slight built man and had not
been great weight for one of the
bishops strength to carry The bishop
was moved with unspeakable pity.
pray, Burns as you never
prayed beforel Nothing else will save
you'll
so God! Pray with me! Save me-!
Oh, save ME from my hell" cried
Burns, and the bishop kneeled by him
in the hall and prayed as only he could.
After that they arose, and Burns
went into his room. He came out of it
that evening like humble child, and
the bishop went his way, older from
that experience, bearing on his body
the marks of the Lord Jesus. Truly he
was learning something of what it
means to walk in his steps.
But the saloon! 1t stood there, and
all the others lined the street like so
many traps set for Burns, How long
would the man be able to resist the
smell of the damnable stuff? The bishop
was out on the porch. The air of the
whole city seemed to be impregnated
with the odor of beer. "How lcng, o
God, how long2" the bishop prayed.
Dr. Bruce came out, and the two
friends talked over Burns and his temp
| tation.
Ibid you ever make any inquiries
about the ownership of this property
adjoining us!'' the bishop asked.
"No; haven't takenttime for it. ]
viii now if youthink it would be worth
while. But what can we do, Edward,
against the saloon in this great city 1t
is as firmly established as the churches
or politics. What power can ever re-
move itY''
''God will do it in time, as he re-
moved slavery" replied the bishop
grayely. Meanwhile 1 think we have
a right to know who controls this saloon
so near the settlement. .
|
Two days later he walked into the
/ business Office of one OF the members OF
Nazareth Avenue church and asked tc
see him few moments. He was cor
daily received by his old parishioner,
who welcomed him into his room and
urged him to take all the time he
wanted.
81 called to see you about that prop
erty next to the settlement, where the
bishop and myself now are, you know.
| am going to speak plainly, because
life is too short and too serious for Il:
both to have any foolish hesitation
about this matter. Clayton, do yor
think it is right to rent that property
for saloon?'
DIR. Bruce's question was as direc,
and uncompromising ashe had meant
it to be. The effect of it on his old pa
rishioner was instantaneous.
The hot blood mounted to the face o.
the man who sat there, picture o.
business activity in a great city. Thel
he grew pale, dropped his head on hi
Aetaoob 'hu w liC4l ilS idlstl ~ again LII
Bruce was amazed to see a tear rol
over his parishioner's face.
/ doctor, did you know that I tool
the pledge that morning with the 9th
ers2"
"Yes, remember
"But you never knew how I hav,
been tormented over my failure to keel
| it in this instance. That saloon prop
erty has been the temptation of tn,
devil to me. 1t is the best paying in
vestment at present that 1 have, ant
| yet it was only a minute before 20,
came in here that was in an agony o
remorse to think how was letting ,
| little earthly gain tempt me into denia
of the very Christ ! had promised t,
follow. / know well enough that h
would never rent property for such ,
purpose. There is no need, dear doctor
for you to say word more. . Clayton
held out his hand, andDr Bruce graspet
it and shook it hard. After little h
went away, but it was long time aft
erward that he learned all the trutl
about the struggle that Clayton hat
known II waas only a mart of tho bic