Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-08-15

self, was yet able to play upon the
heart strings of those about him.
But to resume our story. The out
come of the talk recorded above was
that McClure's farm was legally trans
ferred to Blair Mcclure at once
moved his wife and two babies to
Ailsbury; took possession of a small
cottaGa and found work in a brick
yard. He was good worker.
The farm was rented, and three
years passed without incident. But
the souls of the McClures were wrung
with anguish when they beheld tine
| havoc wrought by careless runters ON
their little farm. The Young orchard.
their special pride, was trampled to
death by horses and cattle; the lawn
in front of the house WIS turnal into
a nursery for pigs and geese, and
cockle-burs Were fast taking the place
of all other crops in the field. Still,
the real owners of the land must suf-
fer in silence; they Ind no right to
protest.
During all tins time Mr.. Bhlir WIS
very busy and the McClures could not
complain if they saw but little of
him. his success as Il preacher was
marked; his church was crowded at
| every service: lecture committees
We're most urgent in their demands
upon him, and, as n fitting crown to
all this, he had just accepted a call
to a leading pulpit in the metropolis.
The Mcclure family was as poor
Mt the end of the three years rs at the
beginning, but they had saved enough
money TO pay all back interest ON the
mortgage. They could get time on
the mortgage now because of I'm
proved business conditions; good
health had come ogain, and, above all,
they desired to PCT Il stop to the ruin
on the farm.
With this in mind, Philip called orn
morning upon 01r. Blair in his study
The minister listened to all his Wis
itor had to say. neryously marking
| with q pencil the while ON the tablet
on his desk. When the story was fin
ished he said without looking Up:
II see no necessity for opening UP
that subject at this late day, Mac"
"But Ralston," reasoned Mcclure,
~I feel able TO run the farm nicely
now, and l thought that as you were
gotng away sDon- you'd not want to
bother with it any longer, anyhow,
Besides. you know I was to have it
back whenever 1 thought best"
NO, SIR said Blair in great irrit1-
ton, Il don't know anything Of the
kind. The deal between me and you
was well understood. 1 was to hold
your place or not, as saw fit l took
It off your hands in good faith, 10 re-
ieve you of a burden yon were unable
to Dear. So considering, I sold the
farm to Peddicord last week"
Then fearful thing occurred. Det
those who have probed deep into the
human soul and laid bare its inner
workings, tell whether Philip Nc
Clure's action was prompted by the
blind passion 6 the mment, by the
thought of his loss, or by the shock
caused by the sudden revelation of
Rlair's true character, or by all OF
these combined. What he did was to
spring to his feet and with one mur.
derUus blow with chair strike the
minister to the floor and then BUT out
into the street.
Before he had gone urfny steps the
horror of what he had done rushed
upon him, and he hurried back in
breathless haste to undo as far as pos
sihle the evil of his insane act lie
found Blair lying Just as he had fallen.
He was dead. The corner of the chair
had struck him ON the temple and
crushed the skull.