Willmar tribune., 1900-03-21


proved more refreshing than any il,
l1had yet enjoyed since fhe night Of tilt,
shooting. a. a# 5a .s.5
The next day found Philip improv
Ing more rapidly than Mrs. siren: L:,l
| thought possible. She forbade him tile
sight Of all callers. however. and in-
sisted that he must keep quiet. His
wounds We're healing satisfactorily.
and when the surgeon called he, ex-
pressed himself much pleased with his
patients appearance. ~.
"Say, doctor, do you really think it
would set me back any to think lit
tle?''r5a ~ 't'," 80.
No. never heard of thinking hurt
ing people. 1.havc generally consider
ed it a healthy habit" a.. T.,
''The reason / ASKED" continued Phil.
ip gravely. "was because my wife alb
solutely forbade. it, and l was wonder
ing how long could keep it up and
fool anybody"
"Thats a specimen of his stubborn
ness, DOCTOR" said the minister's wife,
smiling. "Why, only a few minutes
before you came in he was insisting
that he could preach tomorrow. Think
of it. a man with a shattered shoulder,
who would have to, stand on one leg
and do all his gesturing with his left
hand; man who can't preach with
out the use OF seven or eight arms and
as many pockets and has to walk up
and down the platform like a lion
when he gets started on his delivery!
And yet he wants to preach tomorrow!
He's that stubborn that | don't know
that can keep him at home. You would
better leave some powders to put him
to sleep, and we will keep him in a
state Of unconsciousnessu until Monday
morning."
"Now. doctor, just listen to me
awhile. Mrs. Strong is talking for
two women. as she agreed to do, and
that puts me in hard position. But
want to know how soon can get to
work again"
AOu w III Adte ~ uc llclc IL uOulu,
said the doctor bluntly.
Impossible! l never lied that time
in my life"' said Philip soberly.
1T would serve him right to per-
form surgical operation on him for
that, wouldn't it. Mrs. Strong?" the
surgeon appealed to her.
II think he deserves the worst you
can do, DOCTOR"
"But say, dear people, can't stay
here a month. must be about my
Masters business. What will the
church do for supplies?'
"Don't worry, Philip. The church
will take care OF that
But Philip was already eager to get
to work. Only the assurance Of the sur
geon that lie might possibly get out in
a little over three weeks satisfied him.
Sunday came and passed. Some one
from a neighborinS town who happen
cd to be visiting in Milton occupied the
pulpit, and Philip had quiet, restful
day. He started in the week determin-
ed to beat the doctors time for recov-
cry. and, having remarkably strong
constitution and a tremendous will, he
bade fair to be limping about the
house in two weeks. His shoulder
wound healed very fast. His knee
bothered him. and it seemed likely that
he would go lame for long time. But
he was not concerned about that if on
~ he could go about in any sort Of
fashion once more.
Wednesday Of that week he was sur
prised IN an unexpected manner by an
event which did more than anything
else to hasten hfs recovery. He was
still confined to bed down stairs when
In the afternoon the bell rang, and Mrs.
Strong went to the door. supposing it
was one Of the church people come to
Inquire about the minister She found
instead Alfred Burke. Philips old col
lege chum and seminary classmate.
Mrs. Strong welcomed him heartily,
and in answer to his eager inquiry con-
corning Philips condition she brought
him into the room, knowing her pa
tient quite well and feeling sure the
sight Of his old chum would do him
more good than harm. The first thing
Alfred said was:
"Old man, l hardly expected to see
you again this side Of heaven. How
does It happen that you are alive here
after all the times the papers have had
you killed:'
bad craftsmanship principally. l
used to think l was a big man. But
after the shooting came to the con-
clusion that must be rather small"
"Your heart is so big it's a wonder to
me that you weren't shot through it,
no matter where you were hit. But
tell you 1t seems good to see you in
the flesh once more"
'Why didn't you come and preach
for me last Sunday?" asked Philip
ouizzically.
:'Why, havess's you heard? I did not
get news Of the affair until last Sat
urday In my western parish, and was
just In the throes OF packing up to
come on to Elmdale."
"Elmdalew
eyes; I've. had call there. So we
shall be neighbors. Mrs. Burke is up
there now getting the house straighten-
ed out, and came right down here"
so you are pastor of the Chapel
Hill church? It's splendid opening
for young preacher. Congratulations.
Alfred"
THANK you, Philip. By the way. l
saw by the paper that you had declin-
ed a call to Elmdale, so suppose they
pitched on me for Il second choice. You
never wrote me Of their call to YOU"
he said, a little reproa chfully.