Willmar tribune., 1900-03-21
CHAPTER Y.

AS people walked up in Milton the
Wednesday morning after the shoot.
Ing Of Philip Strong they sgrew con.
scious Of the fact. as the news came ia
their knowledge. that they had been
nursing for so years one of the most
brutal and cowardly institutions on
earth and licensing it to do the very
thing which at last 1t had done. For
the time being Milton suffered genu-
Inc shock. Long pent up feeling against
the whisky power burst out, and pub
lie sentiment for once condemned the
source Of the cowardly attempt to MUIR
der.
Various rumors were flying about. It
was said that Mr.. Strong had been
stabbed in the back while out making
parish calls in company with his wife
and that she had been wounded by 4
pistol shot herself. 1t was also said
that he had been shot through the
heart and instantly killed. But all
these confused reports were finally set
at rest when those calling Mt the par
sonage brought away the exact truth.
The first shot fired by the man from
behind the tree struck Philip in the
knee, but the ball glanced off. He felt
the blow and staggered, but his next
impulse was to rush in the direction Of
the sound and disarm his assailant
That WAS the reason he had leaped into
the street. But the second shot was
better aimed. and the bullet crashed in
to his upper arm and shoulder, shatter-
ing the bone and producing an exceed
ingly painful. though not fatal wound.
The shock caused Philip to fall, and
he tainted away. but not before the
face Of the man who had shot him was
clearly stamped on bis mind. He knew
that he was one Of the saloon proprie-
tors whose establishment Philip Had
visited the week before. lie was a man
with a harelip. and there was no mis-
taking his countenance.
When the people of Milton learned
that Philip was not fatally wounded.
their excitement cooled n little. \
wave Of indignation, however, swept
over the town when it was learned that
the would be murderer was recognized
by the minister, and it was rumored
that he had openly threatened that he
would Fix the cursed preacher so that
he would not be able to preach again."
Philip, however, felt more full Of
fight against the rum devil than ever
As he lay Oh the bed the morning after
the shooting he had nothing to regret
or fear. The surgeon had been called
at once, as soon as his wife and the
alarmed neighbors had been able to
carry him into the parsonage. The ball
had been removed and the wounds
dressed. By noon he had recovered
somewhat from the effects Of the op-
GRAFTON and was resting, although very
weak from the shock and suffering
considerable pain.
"What is that stain on the floor,
Sarah?' he asked as his wife came in
with some article for his comfort.
Philip lay where he could see into the
other room.
1T is your blood. Philip" replied his
wife, with a shudder. ut dripped like
q stream from your shoulder as we
carried you in last night. Oh. Philip,
1t Is dreadful! 1t seems to me like an
awful nightmare. Let US move away
from this terrible place. You will be
killed If we stay here"
''There isn't much danger if the rest
Of 'em are as poor shots as this fel-
low" replied Philip. "Now, little wo-
man." he went on cheerfully, don't
worry. don't believe they'll try it
again."
Mrs. Strong controlled herself. She
did not want to break down while Phil
lp was in his present condition.
"You must not talk" she said as she
smoothed his hair back from the pale
forehead.
''That's pretty hard Oh a preacher,
don't you think. Sarah? Ny occupa.
ton is gone If can't talk
'"Ihen III talk for two. They say
that most women can do that
"Will you preach for me next Sun.
dayT"
'What, and make myself target for
saloon keepers? No, thank you. l have
half mind to forbid you ever preach.
ing again. 1t will be the death Of
you."
1T is the life of me, Sarah. would
not ask anything better than to die
with the armor on, fighting evil. Well,
all right. l won't talk any more.
suppose there's no objection to my
thinking little?' !
shrinking is the worst thing you
can do. You just want to lie there
and do nothing but get WELL" !
"Au right. III quit everything ex-'
cept eating and sleeping. Put up lit
tie placard on the head of the bed say
ing: Biggest curiosity in A1ilton! A
live minister who has stopped think
ing and talking! Admission 10 cents!
Proceeds to be devoted to teach sa-
loon keepers how to- shoot straight y"
Philip was still somewhat under the
influence Of the doctors anmsthetic,
and 90 he family murmured this abb.
surd sentence he fell into slumber
which lasted several hours, from
which he awoke very feeble and realiz-
Ing that he would be confined to the
house some time, but feeling In good
spirits and thankful out Of the depths
Of h1y vigorous nature that be was still
spared to do Gods will on earth. 4
The next day he felt strong enough
to receive q few visitors. Among them
was the chief Of police, who came TO-
inquire concerning the Identity Of the
man who had done the shooting. Phil
ip showed some reluctance to witness
against his enemy. It was only when
he remembered that he owed 4 duty