Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-12-20

Gco~ch.
before. Mr.. Hardy thanked God for
it, and prayer went out of his heart
for his own son. that the Spirit might
touch him in his sin and bring him in
to the light of Christ.
A little after noon the storm cleared
up, and Robert prepared to go down to
the shops. Clara had not yet come out
of her stupor. The doctor had called
and done what he could. There was
nothing in particular that Me- Hardy
about l o'clock and entered his office
at the shop, hoping as he went in that
he would have no trouble with the
men.
Mr.. Burns reported everything quiet,
and the manager, with sigh Of relief,
proceeded with the routine duties of
the business. Nothing Of any special
interest occurred through the after
noon. The storm had ceased entirely,
and the sun had come out clear and
warm. People were clearing off the
walks. and the ringing Of sleigh bells
incessant hum Of the big engine.
Toward o'clock one Of Mr.. Hardy's
old friends, an officer Of the road, came
In and said there was a general move
ment on foot through Barton to hold a
monster mass meeting in the town hall
for the benefit of the sufferers, both in
the railroad accident and in the explo-
sion Of the Sunday before in the shops.
1t was true the company would settle
for damages, but in many cases
through Barton the adjustment of
claims would not be made until much
suffering and hardship had been en-
dured.
There was common feeling on the
part of the townspeople that meet
ing for public conference would result
in. much good, land there: was also, as
has been the case in other large hors
rors, craving to relieve the strain of
feeling by public gathering and con-
sultation. 81.
"Can you come out to the meeting,
Hardy?' asked his friend. --s
Mr.. Hardy thought minute and re-
piled, Yes: l think l can" Already
an idea had taken shape in his mind
which he could not help feeling was
inspired by God.
Might be a good thing if you could
come prepared to make some. remarks.
I find there is disposition on the part
of the public to charge the road with
carelessness and mismanagement.'
''l'll say a word or two" replied Mr..
Hardy, and after a brief talk on bust
ness matters his friend went out.
Robert Immediately sat down to his
desk, and for an hour, interrupted on
~ by an occasional item of business
brought to him by his secretary, he jot-
ted down copious notes. The thought
which had come to him when his
friend suggested the meeting was this:
He would go and utter message that
burned within him, message which
the events Of the past few days made
imperative should be uttered. He went
home absorbed in the great idea.~ He
had once in his younger days been ia
nous for his skill in debate. He had
no fear Of his power to deliver mes
sage of life at the present crisis in his
own. He at once spoke Of the meet
ing to his wife.
"Mary, what do you say? l know ev-
cry minute Is precious. owe to you
and these dear ones at home a very
sacred duty, but no less, it seems to
me, is my duty to. the society where L
have lived all these years. doing literal
" nothing for it's uplift toward God,
who gave us all life and power. Ifeel
as If he would put a message into my
mouth that would prove a blessing to
this community. It seems to me this
special opportunity is providential:"
Robert" replied his wife, smiling at
him through happy tears. 1T is the will
Of God. Do<your duty as he makes it
clear to you.".. !, &. r .s Z
: 1t had been an agitating week to the
wife. She anticipated it's close with a
feeling akin to terror What would
the end be? She was compelled to say
to- herself that her husband was not
insane, but the thought that he was
really to be called out Of the world in
some mysterious manner at the end Of
the rapidly approach ching Sunday had
several times come over her with a
power that threatened her own reason.
Nevertheless the week SO far, in
spite OF its terror and agitation, had q
sweet Joy for her. Her husband had
come hack ff,sgher the lover = = m 4nnno
] had been. only. with the added tender
ness OF III the years Of their compan-
ionship, Shs thanked the Father FOR
Is and lezi the hour came Cor Rob
- 6 q dawn 20 the meeting she
blessed him md prayed heaven 10
make his words "a the people like the
words of God. .535.
.s5s. Father. what % ron want mo to
do1 Shall Iatax herr 2:.-aaked GAofxe,