Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-03-08
"Whcrc?" asked Philip calmly.

'iicrc, in this ncighborhood."
"Wcll?' Philip waited for moro OK
PLANTATION.
81 didn't want to toll your wife for
fear of soaring her. but I thought you
ought to know, Mr.. Strong and then
you could tnke steps TO protect your
self or get away"
"Go on. Tell me the worst" said
Philip quietly as the man paused
well" tho man went on in low
tone, two others and me overheard
talk last night by the men who run
the Star saloon and den down by the
Falls. They have plan to waylay
| you. rob you and injure you. sir. and
do it in such way as to make it
| seem common hold up. They seem.
ed TO know about your habit of going
around through the alleys and cross
streets of the tencments. We heard
enough to make us sure they really
and truly meant to deal foully by you
the first good chance, and we thought
best TO put you on your guard. The
rummies are down on you. Mr.. Strong
you have been so outspoken against
| them. And your lecture in the hall
last week has made them mad. I tell
you They hate you worse than poi
son. for that's the article they seem
to sell and make living out Of"
Philip had the week before address
ed a large meeting of workingmen,
and in the course of his speech he had
called attention to the saloon as one
of tue greatest foes of the wage
Garner.
rs that all!" Philip asked.
"All, man alive. Isn't il enough?
I What more do you banker after!"
"Of course | don't banker after be-
ing held up OF attacked. but these men
are mistaken if they think to frighten
me"
They mean more than frighten. Mr..
Strong: they mean business"
why don't You have them arrested.
then, for conspiracy? If you overheard
their talk. they are guilty aud could be
convicted"
Not in Milton. Mr.. Strong. Besides.
there was no name mentioned. and tie
talk was scattcringlikc. They are
shrewd devils. But we could tell they
meant YOU plain enough. Not TO prove
anything in court. though
And YOU cam" To warn me! That
was kind Of YOU. my brother" Philip
spoke with the wiusomC 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 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 forsakcn
town. Mr.. Strong"
You would" Philip glanced al the
letter which still lay upon the couch
beside him. suppose | should say
had about made mp my mind to do just
that thing
"Oh. no. Mr.. Strong. you don't mean
that The man made n 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 nj once re-
pressed his emotion. 1t had been like
a lightning fash ont OF Il summer cloud.
YES" said Philip, as if continuing.
Il have been thinking of leaving Mil
ton"
"That might be best. You're in dan
ger hero. No telling when some harm
may come TO YOU"
well. I'm thinking | might as we'll
leave. My work here has been fail
urc anyway
what, II failure? Mr.. Strong. YOU
don't know the facts. There has never
been a minister in Milton who did 50
much for the poor and tho working
man as yourself, Let me tell YOU" the
man continued. with an carncStness
that concealed an emotion he was try
ing to Subduc.. Mr.. Strong. if YOU were
to leave Milton now it would he ii
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 80 years. and | never
knew so many laboring men attend
church and the lectures in the hall as
during tn" few months you have been
here. Your work here has not been n
failure: il has been a great success"
\ tear stole out of Philips eye and
rolled down and fell with warm
splash Oh the letter which lay beside
him. If ii $500 call could be drowned
by one tear. that profcssorship in So
GEOLOGY in Fairyiew seminary was in
danger.
so you think the people in this
neighborhood would miss me little:"
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. II the mill men were to hear of
your leaving. they would come down
here in a body and almost compel you
to stay. cannot bear TO think Of your
going. And vet the danger you are in.
the whisky men
Philip reused himself up. interrupt
Ing his visitor The old time fash of
righteous Indignation shot out of his
eyes as he exclaimed: Il am moro than
half minded to stay on that account.
The rummes would think they had
beaten me out if left"
y ,.,,'t t.,n I,