Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-04-05

short laugh.
'Then you're not Philip hardly
knew how to say it. He wanted to say
that the man was not connected in any
way with the saloon element. You're
driven to this desperate course on your
Dwn account? The reason ask is be-
cause l have been threatened by the
whisky men, and at first l supposed
you were one of their men,"
mo, sir" was the answer, almost in
disgust. 81 may be pretty bad. but I've
not got so low as that"
"Then your only motive was hun
ger?"
THAT was all. Enough, amt itT'
I'VE can't discuss the matter here"
said Philip. He hesitated. rose and
stood there looking at the man, who sat
now with his head resting on his arms,
which were folded across his knees.
Two or three persons came out of a
street near by and walked past. Phil
ip knew them and said good evening
They thought he was helping some
drunken man, thing he had often
done. and they went along without
stopping. Again the street was de-
serted.
What will you do now? Where will
you go?"
"God knows. l an an outcast on his
EARTH
"Have you no home"
Home! Yes; the gutter. the street,
the bottom of the river"
My brotherr' Philip laid his hand
on the mans shoulder. Come home
with me, have something to eat, and
stay with me for awhile"
1t was all said so calmly. so lovingly,
SO honestly, that the man softened un-
der it, \ tear rolled over his cheek.
He crushed his hand over his eyes. 1t
had been long time since any one had
called him brother"
Gomez Philip reached out his hand
and helped him to rise. The man stag
gered and might have fallen if Philip
had not supported him. Il am faint
and dizzy" he said.
Courage, man! My home is not far
off. We shall soon be there" His
companion was silent. AS they came
up to the door Philip said Il haven't
asked your name, but it might save a
little awkwardnesS if | knew it,"
"William -" Philip did not hear
the last name, it was spoken in such a
low voice.
Mrs. Strong at once set food upon
the table, and then she and Philip with
true delicacy busted themselves in an
other room so as not to watch the
hungry man while he ate. When he
had satisfied his hunger, Philip show
ed him the little room where the
Brother Man" had staid one night.
you may make it your own as long
as you WILL" Philip said. You may
look upon it as simply part Of what
has been given us to be used for the
Fathers children"
The man seemed daZed by the re-
suit Of his encounter with the preach
er. He murmured something about
thanks. He was evidently very much
worn, and the excitement of the even
ing had given place to an appearance
Of detection that alarmed Philip. After
a few words he went out and left the
man, who said that he felt very drow-
sy.
yer or something" Mr.. Strong said to
his wife as he Joined her in the other
room. He related his meeting with the
man, making very light of the attack
and indeed excusing it on the ground
Of his desperate condition.
His fear was realized. The next
morning he found his lodger in the
clutch Of fever. Before night he was
delirious. The doctor came and pro-
nounced him dangerously Ill. And
Philip, with the burden Of his work
weighing heavier on him every mo-
ment, took up this additional load and
prayed his Lord to give him strength
to carry it and save another soul.
1t was at the time of this event in
Mr.. Strong's life that another occur
red which had it's special bearing upon
the crisis Of all his life.
The church was dear to his thought,
loved by him with a love that only
very few Of the members understood.
In spite Of his apparent failure to rouse
them to conception Of their duty as he
saw 1t, he was confident that the spirit
Of God would accomplish the miracle
which he could not do. Then there
were those In Calvary church who
sympathized heartily with him and
were ready to follow his leadership.
So he began to plan for a series Of
Sunday night services different from
anything Milton had ever known. His
life In the tenement district and his
growing knowledge of the labor world
had convinced him Of the fact that