Willmar tribune., 1901-07-03
Wenner111nd.
JEWELER and OPTIClAN,

EO~A AASA ~~~AA~O
ward inexcusable. And yet, he now
asked himself, Is it any worse to carry
Bible around under ones arm than
to puff cigarette smoke into peoples
faces, as half the smart boys in Hope
were in the habit of doing? And when
1t came to scholarship, was Wheaton
to blame If his mental ability was Of
q second rate order?
"Mr. Wheaton told me-" continued
Mrs. Blake timidly, "that he has been
praying for your recovery and hopes
you will become a protesting Chris
tian."
Edward felt uneasy. He wished that
his mother had not said anything about
that. OF course, he said to himself, he
felt grateful to Wheaton for the way
he had acted. 1t had been an unself-
sh, noble thing for him to do. But he
disliked Wheaton's praying over him
and talking about his Christian life.
And yet why not, Edward Blake, NOR
al stickler for truth and righteousness?
Is it so common thing that one man
should have an earnest solicitude for
another mans eternal welfare that it
can be carelessly or even impatiently
treated, as you seem to treat this feel
ing Of another soul for your soul?
There was long silence in the room.
Mrs. Blake did not know anything
about Edwards thoughts or expert
ences along the line Of personal
Christian life. He had never written
her anything about it, and the two
had seldom talked about it. Edward
had always avoided the matter.
How are the folks at homer" Ed
ward asked as Mrs. Blake rose to ar
range some medicine.
'"They are all well. Freeda has man.
aged matters beautifully In my alb
sence. She wanted to come on here
and help, but it was not necessary.
Miss Seton has spent part of the
summer on the farm, and Freeda has
enjoyed her company. She has taken
hold and helped Freeda and Aunt Sa-
rah wonderfully. You would think she
was born on farm instead Of In a
city. Freeda wrote you several letters
to read when'yo were able. l was to
give them to you one at time, one a
day, as you grew stronger.
"Give me one of them now, mother" !"
II don't know. You have talked a
good deal. Aren't you tired?"
Edward protested that he was not,
and his mother let him have the first
letter. During that week he enjoyed
reading the letters one day. They
were written in Freeda's brightest
style and gave accounts Of the happen.
lngs on the farm. In several of the
later letters Ida Joined with Freeda in
hoping that Edward would speedily
recover and sent her regards to him.
It was during the week Of his recov-
cry that Edward had little interview
with Wheaton which was not altogeth-
er satisfactory to either Of them.
Wheaton came in one forenoon, and
Mrs. Blake went into the little bedroom
to lie down awhile.
"I'm awfully thankful to you, Wheat
on, for your kindness during my sick
ness, about the paper route and all
that Mother has told me. won't
forget it."
Wheaton looked somewhat haggard;
but he was naturally thin and some
what consumptive in general appear
ance.
'That's all right, Blake. was right
here and haven't had much to do this
summer. You would have done the
same for me-"
"Do you think so?"
"Of course l do. Why notT asked
Wheaton. who was not one of the thin
skinned students and complacently
took any quantity Of snubbing and
scorn from the smart set in college
Or perhaps his real anxiety for the
souls Of other men made him indiffer
ent to their sights. Edward could
never quite make up his mind which o1
the two was more probable.
Mother says I've been really very
ILL.," said Edward just to say some
thing. Wheaton was a poor talkel
when it came to general topics .o1
everyday interest. $3.50 ......
1es, said wheaton graVely, yOu
came very near going into the othe1
world" He paused, and then added sol
emnly: Il wondered q good many
times, Blake, If you were ready to go
I wondered If you had accepted Chris
as Saviour .:~szs IN
Edward shut his lips. and kept still
Wheaton went on. .szs.s.. -.
"Were you ready to 60 before thu
Judgment seat of Christ, Blake?"
Edward felt an unreasonable wave Of
anger go over him. And yet this othe1
man had perhaps saved bis life.
y try to live good life don't fee
afraid Of dying" be said shortly.
But the personal acceptance O
Christ as a Saviour is q different thing
from that" persisted Wheaton, VIII,
sometimes unwisely argued in the fac
OF apparent opposition And yet /
even q little unwise zeal as bad as ,
good deal Of proud lnditrerence7
q don't feel able to talk about It to
day." said Edward, O. he closed bill
i ewes and nrofondpi1 IN Ia IN nnod Il