Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-04-26

4 came nome. Ana just now i saw q
man stop and look in here. Who can
it be-"
Maybe it's the man with the bur
| glars lantern come back TO get his
knife said Philip, who had always
made a little fun of that incident as
his wife had told it. However, he rose
| and went over TO the window. Sure
enough, there was a man out on the
sidewalk looking straight at the house
! He was standing perfectly still.
Philip and his wife stood by the win
dow looking at the figure outside, and,
as 1t did not move away, at last Philip
grew a little impatient and went to the
| door to open it and ask the man what
he meant by staring into peoples
houses in that fashion.
''Now, do be careful, won't you?" en-
treated his wife anxiously.
Eyes. | presume it is some tramp or
other wanting food. There's no dan
ger, know"
He flung the door wide open and call
ed out in his clear, hearty voice:
"Anything you want, friend? Come
up and ring the bell if you want to get
in and know us instead of standing
there on the walk catching cold and
making us wonder who you are
! In response to this frank and inform
al invitation the figure came forward
and slowly mounted the steps Of the
porch. As the face came into view
more clearly Philip started and fell
/ back n little
II was not because the face was that
Of an enemy nor because it was re-
| pulsive nor because he recognized an
| old acquaintance. 1t was a face he
/ had never to his knowledge seen be-
fore. Yet the impulse 10 start back be-
! fore it. seemed to spring from the rec
| objection of just such a countenance
moving over his spirit when he was in
prayer or in trouble, 1t all passed in a
seconds time. and then he confronted
| the man as n complete stranger.
There was nothing remarkable about
| him He was poorly dressed and car
/ ried a small bundle. He looked cold
and tired. Philip, who could never re
sist the mute appeal Of distress in any
form, reached out his hand and said
kindly. Come in. my brother; you
look cold and weary. Come in and
! sit down before the fire, and we'll have
a bite of lunch. I was just beginning
to think of having something TO eat
myself"
Philips wife looked a little remon-
STRANGE. but Philip did not see 1t, and
wheeling an easy chair before the fire
he made the man sit down, and, pull
ing up a rocker, he placed himself OPP
posite.
The stranger seemed a little surpris-
ed at the action of the minister, but
made no resistance. He took off his
hat aud disclosed a head of hair white
as snow and said in voice that
sounded singularly sweet and true:
'You do me much honor, sir. The
fire feels good this chilly evening, and
the food viii be very acceptable. And
have no doubt you have a good,
warm bed that / could occupy for the
night"
Philip stared hard at his unexpected
guest. and his wife, who had started
out of the room to get the lunch, shook
her head vigorously as she stood be-
hind the visitor as sign that her hus-
band should refuse such strange re-
quest. He was taken aback a little,
and he looked puzzled. The words
were uttered in the utmost simplicity.
"Why. yes. we can arrange that all
right" he said. There is a spare
room. and-excuse me for a moment
while | go and help to get our lunch
Philips wife was telegraphing to him
to come into the other room, and he
obediently got up and went
"Now. Philip" she whispered when
they We're out in the dining room, you
know that is a risky thing to do. You
are all the time inviting all kinds of
characters in here. We can't keep
this man all night Who ever heard Of
such thing as a perfect stranger COM
ing out with a request like that? l
believe the man is crazy II certainly
will not do to let him stay here all
night"
Philip looked puzzled
81 declare it is strange! He doesn't
appear like an ordinary tramp. But
somehow ! don't think he's crazy.
Why shouldn't we let him have the
bed in the room Off the east parlor l
can light the fire in the stove there
and make him comfortable"
But we don't know who he is. You
let your sympathies run away with
your Judgment
Well little woman, let me go in and
talk with him awhile. You get the
lunch. and wen see about the rest
afterward'
So he went back and sat down again.
He was hardly seated when his visitor
said.
If your wife objects to my staying
here tonight. of course. | don't wish to.
don't feel comfortable TO remain
where I'm not welcome"
ooh. you're perfectly welcome said
Philip hastily, with some embarrass-
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