The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-07-19
prrone; ,ney mean business. =.

brrong; they mean business"
why don't you have them arrested.
then, for conspiracy? II you overheard
their talk, they are guilty and could be
convicted"
mot in Milton, Mr. Strong. Besides,
there was no name mentioned, and the
talk was scatteringlike. They are
shrewd devils. But we could tell they
meant you plain enough. Not to prove
anything In court, though"
"And you came to warn me? That
was kind Of you, my brother" Philip
spoke with the winsome affection for
men that made his hold on common
people like the graphing vine with low
ing tendrils.
"Yes, Mr. Strong, tell you the rum
mics will almost hold n prayer meeting
when you leave Milton. And they
mean to make you trouble enough until
you do leave. IL was you"-the man
paused curiously-''if l was you, Id
get up and leave this God forsaken
town, Mr.. Strong"
"You would:" Philip glanced at the
letter which still lay upon the couch
beside him. Suppose | should say l
had about made up my mind to do just
that thing"
"Oh. no. Mr.. Strong. you don't mean
that" The man made Il gesture to-
ward Philip that revealed n world Of
longing and of hunger for fellowship
that made Philips heart throb with Il
feeling of intense joy, mingled with an
ache of pain The man at once re-
lightning flash out of II summer cloud
"Yes," said Philip. as if continuing,
81 have been thinking Of leaving Mil
tor"
"Il!at might be best. You're in dan
ger here. No telling when some harm
may come to YOU"
"Wrll I'm thinking | might as well
leave. My work here has been fail
urc anyway
What. a failure? Mr. Strong. you
don't know the facts. There has never
been minister in Milton who did so
much for the poor and the working
man as yourself. Let me tell YOU" the
man continued. with IN "arncstncSS
that concealed an emotion he was try
ing to subduc. Mr.. Strong. if you were
to leave Milton now it would be Il
greater loss To the common people than
you can imagine. You may not know
it. but your influence among us is very
great. have lived in Milton as boy
ana man for 30 years. and | never
knew so many lahoring men attend
church and the lectures in the hall as
during the few months you have been
here. Your work here has not been Il
it has been great success"
\ tear stole out of Philips eye and
rolled down and fcll with warm
splash on the letter which lay beside
him. If Il $500 call could be drowned
by one tear. that profcsSorShip in so
ciology in Fairview seminary was il
danger.
80 you think the people in this
neighborhood would miss me Il little"
he asked almost rs modeStly as if he
were asking great favor.
"Would they, Mr.. Strong! You will
never know what you have done for
them. If the mill men Were to hear of
your leaving, they would come down
here in Il body and almost compel you
to stay. | cannot bear to think of your
going. And yet the danger you are in.
the whisky mcn'-
Philip reused himself up. interrupt
ing his visitor. The old time flash of
righteous Indignation shot out of his
eyes as he exclaimed: Il am more than
half minded to stay on that account.
The rummies would think they had
beaten me out if lcft"'
"Oh. Mr.. Strong, | can't tell you how !
glad we would be if you would only |
stay. And yet
And yet" replied Philip. with a sad |
smile. there are many things to take
into the account. | thank you out OF |
my heart for the love you have shown |