The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-15
More Than MAN,
An Easter Story.
Az FREDERIC VAN RENSSELAER, DEY
copyrighted, 1900, F. V. X. Dey)

A man who tottered as he walked
whose dress was so shabby that it was
long past even the appearance of gen.
Utility, whose unkcmpt hair was but half
concealed by battered ana greasy hat,
and who wore his coat collar turned up
and tightly pinned beneath his chin to
conceal the fact that his shirt was collar
less, paused before the entrance to one
of the great uptown rhurcnas ot New
York, and with bloodshot eyes peered
through the doorway into the vestipule.
Several moments he hesitated. Then
with an unconscious gesture of latent dig
nifty, his form Strengthened, and with
head erect he passed into the church
The chimes had long since ceased to
ring, the minister was already in the
midst of his sermon, and as the human
derelict drifted into the rearmost seat of
that vast auditorium, he heard from the
pulpit, in stentorian tones, these words:
Christ being risen from the dead, deth
no more. Sin hath no more dominion
over him.
1t seemed to the weary man as though
these words were addressed personally
to him, and as he knelt for moment and
had not required to him in years, some
thing like glow thrilled him so that pre-
sently he leaned back, and fixing his tired
eyes upon the preacher he listened with
concentrated attention to every word of
the sermon. So wrapt was he in what
he heard, and so intense were the emo
tions engendered by it, that he was not
conscious of the end of the discourse, an
it was not until many moments later,
when almost the entire congregation had
left the church, that he remembered
where he was.
He started to his feet then with sud
den energy, intent only upon leaving
the church before he should be recog-
nzed for there were many present who
had known him in the past. But the
throng of people in the aisle was too
dense for him to penetrate, so he sank
back upon the cushions again, and, with
bowed head, waited.
Presently he was startled by the touch
of hand upon his shoulder. and looking
up quickly, he started to his feet, shame
faced and flushed.
The hand that had touched him was
now stretched out, palm upward for him
to take, but he pretended not to see it.
II should have avoided YOU" he said,
drearily. Believe me, Roderick, l did
not mean that any one should recognize
me- l do not known why l came here at
all today" and then, smiling bitterly and
with irony in his voice, he added: II
did not even know that it was Easter
until after l entered the church.
will you go home with me, Phillip"
asked the other, still keeping his hand
extended, as if determined that it should
be seen and taken.
Home with you? No; thank you, all
the same"
Then let me go with you"
Il am sorry Rod, but | have no place
TO take you," was the reply. ct is long
since / possessed studio; longer since
] held brush or a palette in either
hand. The only home that I know now
i find in the back rooms of gin mills.
Does not my appearance vouch for the
truth of this statement"
Then let us sit here for little while,
for | want to talk to you, Phil. For
months l have tried in vain to find you.
Here we will be quiet and undisturbed."
Are you willing to be seen in the
company of such as /, Roderick?" asked
the artist, tensely. do you remember
what l was, and do you realize what I
am?"
Eyes; BOTH
II doubt it. Yet it was kind of you to
speak to me today; kinder still to wish
to help me, for that, | know, is your
wish. But / am beyond help from 9th
ers The only chance left to me now
lies within myself.
Haven't you forgotten" Phil, that this
is Easter Sunday"
mo; | have just remembered it.
why not leave that dead past behind
you today, and rise from this living death,
as Christ rose 1900 years ago?'
IF only could! If only | could"
You can if you will
= How"
"You say you have lost your manhood.
Have you also sacrificed your talents?'