Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-05-10

knocked again. II was as still as be
fore. lie opened the door softly and
looked in.
TO his amazrmeut. there was no one
there. The bed was made up neatly
| everything in the room was in its
place. but the strange being who had
called himself Brother Man was
gone.
Philip exclaimed, and his wife came
! in.
so our queer guest has flown. lie
must have been very still about it,
heard no noise. Where do you suppose
lac is? And who do you suppose he isT'
Are You sure there ever was such a
person, Philip? Don't you think you
dreamed all that about the Brother
MANI" Mrs Strong had not quite for
! given Philip for his skcptical question
ing of the reality Of the man with the
lantern who had driven the knife into
! the desk.
Yes, it's your turn now, Sarah.
Wen, if our Brother Man was a dream
he was the most curious dream this
family ever had, and if he was crazy
he was the most remarkable insane
person / ever saw"
"Of course he was crazy. All that
he said about our living so eXtraya-
gantly"
DO you think he was crazy in that
particular" asked Philip in a strange
voice. His wife noticed it az the time,
but its true significance did not become
real to her until afterward lie went
to the front door and found it was UNI
locked Evidently the guest had gone
out that way The heavy storm Of the
night had covered up any possible signs
of footsteps. IL was still showing furi-
ously.
Philip went into his study for the
forenoon as usual, but he did very lit
tie writing. His wife could hear him
pacing the floor restlessly.
About 10 o'clock he came down stairs
and declared his intention of going out
into the storm TO see II he couldn't set
tie down TO work better.
He went out and did not return until
the middle of the afternoon. Mrs.
Strong was a little alarmed.
Where have you been all this time,
Philip? In this terrible storm too!
You are a monument of snow. Stand
out here in the kitchen while / sweep
you off"
Philip obedicntly stood still while
his wife walked around him with
broom and good naturally submitted
to being swept down, ''as if | were be-
ing worked into shape for snow
man." he said
'Where have YOU been? Give an ac-
count of yourself"
Il have been seeing how some other /
people live. Sarah, the Brother Man /
was not so very crazy after all. lie |
has more than half converted me-"
Did you find out anything about .
him."
yes: several Of the older citizens /
here recognized my description of him. |
They say he is harmless and has quite |
a history: was once a wealthy mill |
owner in Clinton. He wanders about
the country. living with any one who /
win take him in. II is a queer case. |
must find out more about him. But
I'm hungry. Can have a bite Of some !
thingT" Il
Haven't you had dinnerI'
"No; haven't had time
'Where have you becnf"
"Among the tenements."
"How are the people getting on
theref"
Il cannot tell. It almost chokes me
to eat when | think Of it,"
''Now Philip, what makes you take
1t so seriously? How can you help all
that suffering? You are not TO blame
for it,"
Maybe l am for a part Of it. But
whether l am or not there the suffer
ing Is. And don't know that we ought
TO ask who is TO blame in such cases. 1
At any rate, supposing the fathers and
mothers in the tenements are 10 blame
themselves by their own sinfulness.
does that make innocent children and
helpless babes any warmer or better
clothed and fedY Sarah, have seen
things in these four hours time that
make me want to join the bomb throw
ers Of Europe almost"
Mrs. Strong came up behind his chair
rs he sat at the table eating and placed
her hand on his brow. She grew more
anxious every day over his growing
personal feeling for others. 1t seemed
10 her it was becoming a passion with
him, wearing him out, and she feared
its results as winter deepened and the
strike in the mills remained unbroken.
You cannot do more than one man,
Philip" she said, with a sigh.
No, but If l can only make the
church see its duty at this time and act
the Christlike way a great many per
sons will be saved" He dropped his
knife and fork, wheeled around alb
ruptly in his chair and faced her with
the question. Would you give up this
home and be content 10 live in a sim
pier fashion than we have been used
TO since We came herey'
yes" replied his wife quietly. Il
will 20 anywhere and suffer ANYTHING