Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-03-29

IHE CRUGHX|ON Of PHILIP STRONG.
BY REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON,

Author Of SIN His Steps: What Would Jesus Do 2"
Kirk" Robert Hardys Seven Days." Etc.

gone. i lie one VINO remained eX-
planned that he thought three persons
would excite or tire the minister more
than cne. He had staid and would
not trouble Philip very long. But the
business on which he came was of
such an important nature that he felt
obliged to see the minister il he could
do so without danger to him.
So the man went up, and Philip
greeted him with his usual heartiness,
eycusing himself for not rising. The
man took chair, moved up near the
couch and sat down. He seemed a
good deal excited, but in suppressed
and cautious way.
81 came to see you, Mr.. Strong, to
tell you about a thing you ought to
know. There is danger Of your life
here"
"Where?" asked Philip calmly.
"Here, in this neighborhood."
"Well" Philip waited for more ex-
PLANTATION.
81 didn't want to tell your wife for
fear Of soaring her, but thought you
ought to know, Mr.. Strong, and then
you could take steps TO protect your
self or get away"
'Go on. Tell me the worst" said
Philip quietly as the man paused.
"Well," the man went on IN a 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 a plan to waylay
you, rob you and injure you. sir, and
do IL in such a 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 tenements. 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. 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 the greatest foes of the wage
Garner.
''Is that ALP Philip asked.
"All, mar alive! Isn't 1t enough?
What more do you banker afterT'
"Of course don't banker after be-
ing held up or 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 and could be
convicted"
"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.
"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. II | was you"-the man
paused curiously-"if / was you, I'd
get up and leave this God forsaken
town, Mr.. Strong"
"You wouldY Philip glanced at the
letter which still lay upon the couch
beside him. Suppose l should say
had about made up my mind to do just
that thing"
"Oh, no, Mr.. Strong, you don't mean
thatw The man made gesture to-
ward Philip that revealed a 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
q lightning fash out Of a summer cloud.
EYES," said Philip as II continuing,
81 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"
"well, I'm thinking I 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 a minister In Milton who did SO
much for the poor anc the working
man as yourself! Let me sell you" the
man continued, with an earnestness
that concealed an emotion he was try
ing to subdue, "Mr. Strong, II you were
to leave Milton now 1t would be q
greater loss to the common people than