The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-01

never 10 his knowledge seen before. Yet
| the impulse To start back before IL
| seemed 10 spring from the recollection
OF just such "a countenance moving over
| his spirit when he was In prayer or in
| trouble. II all passed In seconds time.
and then he confronted the man as a
| complete stranger.
| There was nothing remarkable about
| him. He was poorly dressed and carried
| a small bundle. IIs looked cold and tired.
Philip. who could never RESIST the mute
| appeal of distress I'm any form, reached
| out his hand and said kindly: Come In,
my brother: you look cold and weary.
| Come I'm and sit down before the fire, and
| We'll have a bite of lunch. ] was Just be-
| ginning 10 think of having something to
| eat myself"
Philips wife looked a little remon-
STRANGE. but Philip did not see IL. and
wheeling an easy chair before the fire he
made the man sit down. am. pulling UP a
rocker he placed himself opposite.
The stranger seemed little surprised
| at the action OF the minister but made no
resistance. lie took OFF his hat and dis
closed head OF hair white as snow and
said i'm voice that sounded singulary
sweet and true:
"You do mo much honor. sir. The fire
feels good this chilly evening, and the
focd will be very acceptable. And | have
no doubt you have a good warm bed
tlht ! coulu occupy Tor the UiHni.
Philip stared hard at his unexpected
guest. and his wife who had started out
OF the room to get the lunch, shook her
head vigorously as she stood behind the
visitor as a sign that her husband should
refuse such A strange requess lie was
taken aback little, and he looked puz-
zled. The words were uttered i'm the ut
most simplicity.
why. yes we can arrange that all
right" he said. There is spare room.
and-eXcuse me for q moment while ! go
and help To get our lunch. Philips wife
was telegraphing TO him 40 come into the
other room and he obediently got up and
went.
Now. Philip" she whispered when
they were out ga the dining room. YOU
know that is q risky thing 10 do. You are
all the time inviting all kinds OF charac-
ters I'm here. We can't keep this man all
night Who ever heard of such a thing
as a perfect stranger coming out with
request like that? | believe the man rs
crazy. IL certainly will not do TO let him
stay here all night"
Philip looked puzzled
II declare It is strange. He doesn't APP
pear like an ordinary tramp. But some
how l don't think he's crazy. Why
shouldn't we let him have the bed in the
room of the east parlor. can light the
fire I'm the stove there and make him
comfortable"
But we dom know who he ~. You let
your sympathes run away with your
Judgment"
well. little woman, let me go In and
talk with him awhile. You get the lunch,
and we'll see about the rest afterward.
So he went back and sat down again
He was hardly seated when his visitor
said:
III your wife objects To my staying
here tonight. of course. | don't wish TO.
don't feel comfortable to remain where
I'm not Welcome
"Oh. yuu're perfectly welcome. said
Philip hastily, with some embarra ssment,
while his strange visitor went on
I'm not crazy. only a little odd. You
know. Perfectly harmless. II will he per-
fectly safe for you to keep me over
night"
The man spread his thin hands out be-
fore the FIRE. while Philip sat and watch
ed him with certain fascination new to
his interest in all sorts and conditions OF
men.
Mrs. Strong brought In a substantial
lunch OF cold meat. bread and butter,
milk and fruit and then placed II on a
table In front OF the open fire. where ne
and his remarkable guest ate like hungry
men
II was after this lunch had been eaten
and the table removed that a scene oc-
Cured which would be incredible II Its
reality and trHthfHlness did not compel
uS 10 record II as part OF the life OF
Philip Strong. No one will wish 10 deny
the power and Significance OF this event
II is unfoded in the movement OF this
story.
(ro he continued)