Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1900-06-20

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"1had 'ctte. She's dcod-of consump-
ton and answered for few minutes
| you say that You meant to rob me,
taking me for another man?'
eyes. | thought you was the mill
man. What is his name? Winter"
"Why did you want to rob him?"
/ The man looked up and said hoarse-
~, almost savagely, because he has
money. and | was hungry"
":How long have you been hungry"
II have not had anything to eat for
almost three days."
"There is food to be had at the poor
commissioners. Did you know that
fact"
The man did not answer, and Philip
asked him again. The reply came in
tone of bitter emphasis that made
the minister start:
Eyes; knew it! would starve be-
fore l would go to the poor commits
sioners for food"
"Or steal?" asked Philip gently.
"Yes, or steal. Wouldn't your
Philip stared out into the darkness
of the court and answered honestly;
IL don't know"
There was a short pause. Then he
asked:
Cant you get work?'
1t was a hopeless question to put to
| q man in a town of over 1000 idle
men. The answer was what he knew
It would be:
"Work! Can pick up a bushel of
gold In the street out there? Can a
man get work where there amt any|
"What have you been doing?"
II was fireman ut the Lake mills.
Good job; lost it when they closed
down last winter"
"What have you been doing since?"
Anything could get"
care you married manw
The question affected the other
strangely. He trembled all over, put
| his head between his knees, and out of
his hearts anguish flowed the words
II had wife. She's dead-of con-
sumption. l had Il little girl. She's
dead too. Thank Godv exclaimed the
man. with change from 4 sob to a
curse. 'Thank God! And curses on
all rich men who had it in their power
| to prevent the hell on earth for other
people, and which they will feel for
themselves in the other world!
Philip did not say anything for some
time. What could any man say to an
other at once under such circum-
stances? Finally he said:
"What will you do with money If
give you some?"
IL don't want your money" replied
the man.
II thought you did little while ago."
1T was the mill owners money
wanted. You're the preacher, amt
you, up at Calvary church?'
| eyes. How did you knowY'
I've seen you; heard you preach
once. I never thought ! should come
to this-holding up q preacher down
here? And tue man laughed hard,
short laugh.
'Thheln 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. "Yop're
driven to this desperate course ON your
lwn account? The reason | ask is be-
fause ! have been threatened by the
whisky men, and at first supposed
you were one of their men,
mo, sir,' was the answer, almost in
disgust. Il may be pretty bad, but I've
not got so low as that
"Then your only motive was hum
ger?"
"That was all. Enough, amt it?''
1--WE 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?' -.s.
"God knows. am an outcast on lis
earth!' = .-~,>.
"Have you no homer" .
Home! Yes; the gutter, the street,
the bottom Of the river"
"My brother!'' Philip laid his hand
on the mans shoulder. Come home
with me, have something to eat, and
stay with me for awhile" ~, <
It was all said so calmly, so lovingly,
so honestly, that the man softened I'M
der it. A tear rolled over his cheek.
He brushed his hand over his eyes. = It
had been along time since any one had
called him brother. 8 ...5..s s. z 81. j.
Comet, Philip reached out his hand