The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-03-22
IAHAsKA COUNTY. IOWA. THURSDAY. MARCH a. 1900


s.Not 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
Eyes, Mr.. Strong, | tell you the rum
mics will almost hold prayer meeting
when you leave Milton. And they
mean to make you trouble enough until
you do leave. If | was you"-the man
paused curiously-''if | was you, I'd
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
had about made up my mind to do just
that thing?
"Oh, no, Mr.. Strong, you don't mean
thatr' The man made a gesture to-
ward Philip that revealed world of
longing and of hunger for fellowship
that made Philips heart throb with a
feeling of intense joy. mingled with an
ache of pain. The man at once re-
pressed his emotion. 1t had been like
a lightning fash out of summer cloud.
"Yes," said Philip, as if continuing,
II have been thinking of leaving Mil
ton"
"That might be best. You're in dan
ger here. No telling when some harm
may come to you"
swell, I'm thinking l might as well
leave My work here has been a fail
ure 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 an earnestness
that concealed an emotion he was try
ing to subdue. "Mr. Strong, if you were
to leave Milton now it would be a
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
and man for 80 years, and / never
knew so many laboring men attend
church and the lectures in the hall as
during the few months you have been
here. Your work here has not been a
failure; it has been great success"
A tear stole out of Philips eye and
rolled down and fell with n warm
splash on the letter which lay beside
him. If $1,000 call could be drowned
by one tear. that professorship in So
GEOLOGY in Fairview seminary was in
danger.
$50 you think the people in this
neighborhood would miss me littleY'
he asked almost as mOdeStly as if he
were asking a 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 a body and almost compel you
to stay. l cannot bear to think of your
going. And yet the danger you are in,
the whisky mem
Philip reused himself up, interrupt
ing his visitor. The old time fash of
righteous Indignation shot out Of his
eyes as he exclaimed: II am more than
half minded to stay on that account!
The rummies would think they had
beaten me ont if I left"
"Oh, Mr.. Strong, can't tell you how
glad we would be If you would only
stay! And yet
And yet" replied Philip, with sad
smile, there are many things to take
nto the account. l thank you out of
ny heart for the love you have shown