El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-13
PAGtS 9 TO IL.

ing He was on the sidewalk now
sweeping the last step. with his face
toward the settlement and his back
turned partly on the saloon across the
alley He swept the step dozen times
The sweat rolled over his face and drop
ped down at his feet. By degrees he felt
that he was drawn over toward that
end of the step nearest the saloon He
could smell the beer and rum now as
the fumes rose around him 1t was like
the Internal sulphur of the lowest hell.
and yet it dragged him. as by a giants
hand. nearer its source.
He was down in the middle of the
sidewalk now, still sweeping. He clear
ed the space in front of the settlement
and even went out into the gutter and
swept that He took off his hat and rub
bed his sleeve over his face. His lips
were paid, and his teeth chartered He
trembled all over like a palsied man
and staggered back and forth. IS if he
I were already drunk His soul shook
within him
He had crossed over the little piece of
stone tagging that measured the width
of the alley, and now he stood in front
of the saloon. looking at the sign and
staring into the window at the pile Of
whisky and beer bottles arranged in
great pyramid inside. He moistened his
lips with his tongue and took step
forward, looking around him stealthily.
The door suddenly opened again. and
some one came out Again the hot,
penetrating smell of the liquor swept
out into the cold air, and he took an
other step toward the saloon door.
which had shut behind the customer.
L l.; Z l.; fha Il rdIo
tall figure came around the corner. 1t
was the bishop
He seized Burns by the arm and drag
ged him back upon the sidewalk. The
frenzied man. now mad for drink.
shrieked out curse and struck at the
bishop savagely 1t is doubtful if he
really knew at first who was snatching
him away from his ruin The blow fell
upon the bishops face and cut cash
in his cheek.
He never uttered a word, but over
his face look of majestic sorrow swept
He picked Burns up as if he had been a
child and actually carried him up the
steps into the settlement He placed
him down in the hall and then shut the
door and put his back against it.
Burns fell on his knees, sobbing and
praying The bishop stood there. pant
ing with his exertion, although Burns
was slight built man and had not
been a great weight for one of the
bishops strength to carry. The bishop
was moved with unspeakable pity.
''Pray, Burns-pray as you never
prayed beforel Nothing else will save
your
40 Godl Pray with mel Save mel
Oh, save me from my hellI'' cried
Burns. and the bishop kneeled by him
in the hall and prayed as only he could
After that they arose, and Burns
went into his room. He came out of it
that evening like a humble child. and
the bishop went his way. older from
that experience. bearing on his body
the marks of the Lord Jesus. Truly he
was learning something Of what it
means to walk in his steps.
But the saloonl 1t stood there, and
all the others lined the street like SO
many traps set for Burns How long
would the man be able to resist the
smell of the damnable stuff The bishop
was out on the porch The air Of the
whole city seemed to be impregnated
with the odor of beer. "How long, o
God, how long3" the bishop prayed.
DIR. Bruce came out. and the two
friends talked over Burns and his temp
tation.
"Did yot ever make any inquiries
about the ownership of this property
adjoining us?' the bishop asked
mo; haven't taken time for it. I
will now if you think it would be worth
while. But what can we do, Edward,
against the saloon in this great city, It
Is as firmly established as the churches
nv
move it2''
"God will do it in time, as he re-
moved slavery" replied the bishop
gravely: Meanwhile 1 think we have
right to know who controls this saloon
SO near the settlement
"I'n find out, 3" said Dr. Bruce
Two days later he walked into the
business Office of one of the members of
Nazareth Avenue church and asked to
see him a few moments. He was COR
daily received by his old parishioner,
who welcomed him into his room and
urged him to take all the time he
wanted.
81 called to see you about that prop
erty next to the settlement, where the
bishop and myself now are, you know.
am going to speak plainly. because
life is too short and too serious for us
both to have any foolish hesitation
about this matter. Clayton. do you
think it is right to rent that property
for a saloon2''
DR.. Bruce's question was as direct
and uncompromising as he had meant
it to be. The effect of it on his old pa
rishioner was instantaneous
The hot blood mounted to the face Of
The man who sat there picture If