The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-02
CHAPTER XI.


dining room.
did your" asked Philip. because he
could not think OF anything wiser TO
say.
yes" said the strange visitor sim
ply. He was so silent after saying this
one word that Philip did what he never
was in the habit Of doing. He always
shrank sensitively from asking for an
opinion of his preaching from any one
except his wife But now he could not
help saying:
what did you think OF it,"
1T was one Of the best sermons ever
heard. But somehow II did not sound
sincere
What" exclaimed Philip. almost an
erily. II there was one thing he felt sure
about II was the sincerity OF his preach
ing. Then he checked his feeling as
ne thought how foolish II would be to
get angry at a passing tramp who was
probably a little out Of his mind. Yet
the mans remark had a strange power
over him. He tried to shake II of as
he looked harder at him. The man looked
over az Philip and repeated gravely,
shaking his head. Not sincere"
Mrs. Strong came back into the room.
and Philip motioned her to sit down near
him while he said. And what makes you
think was not sincere"
sYou said the age I'm which we lived
demanded that people live in far sim
pier less extravagant style.
Yes. that is what ! said. ] believe
II. too" replied Philip. casplng his hands
over his knee and gazing at his singular
guest with earnestness. The mans thick
white hair glistened In the open frelight
like spun glass.
And you said that Christ would not
approve Of people spending money for
flowers, food and dress on osss-who
did not need IL when il could more wise
~ be expended for the benefit OF those
who were In want"
Yes. Those were not my exact words
but that was my idea"
.YeuF idea. just so. And yet we have
had here in this little lunch. or. as YOU
called IL. a bite of something three
different kinds OF meat, two kinds OF
bread. hothouse grapes and the richest
kind OF milk
The man said all this in the qiiietest
calmest manner possible. and Philip
stared at him. more assured than ever
that he was a little crazy. Mrs. Strong
looked amused and said. You seemed
TO enjoy the lunch pretty we'll" The
man had eaten with a zest that was
redeemed from greedirass only by a
delicacy Of manner that no tramp ever
possessed
my dear madam" said the man per
haps this was a case where the food was
given to one who stood really in need OF
it,
PHILIP started as II ie had suddenly
caught meaning from the mans words
which he had not before heard in them.
do you think IL was extravagant
lunch then?" he asked. with very slight
laugh.
The man looked straight at Philip and
replied slowly, Yes. for the times in
which we live
A sudden silence fell on the group OF
three In the parlor of the parsonage.
lighted up by the soft glow Of the coal
fire. No one except a person thorough
~ familiar with the real character OF
Philip Strong could have told why that
silence fell on him instead OF careless
laugh at the crazy remark OF half wit
ted stranger tramp. Just how long the
silence lasted he did not know: only.
when II was broken he found himself
saying:
Man. who are your Where are YOU
from? And that IL your name?"
His guest turned his head little and
replied: When YOU called me in here
you stretched out your hand and called
me brother. Just now YOU called me
by the great term. man These are my
names. You may call me Brother Man"
We'll. then, Brother Man." said
Philip, smiling a little to think OF the
very strangeness OF the whole affalr.
your renson for thinking | was not sin
cere In my sermon this morning was be
cause OF the extravagant lunch this
evening"
mot altogether. There are other rea-
sons" The man suddenly bowed his
head between his hands, and Philips wife
: whispered to him: Philip. what Is the use
of talking with a crazy man? You are
tired, and II is time 10 put out the lights
and 60 TO bed. Got him out OF the house
now as soon as you can"
The stranger raised his head and went
on talking just as IL he had not broken
81 abruptly.
Other reasons. In your sermon YOU
tell the people they ought to live less lux
uriously. You point them 10 the situa-
tion in this town where thousands OF
men are out OF work You call attention
20 the great poverty and distress all over
the world. and YOU say the times demand
that people live far simpler. less extra
VACANT lives. And yet here you live
yourself like a prince. Like a prince"
ne repeated after peculiar gesture.
which seemed 20 include not only what
was In the room but all that was IN the
house.
when they suspect third person being
ont Of his mind ami saw that her ex-
PRESTON was very much Ike his own
feeling. although not exactly Then they
both glanced around the room
II certainly did look luxurious. even
~ not princely. The parsonage was an
o.d mansion which had once belonged to
wealthy hut eccentric sea captain. lie
had built 10 please himself something
after the colonial fashion. and large
square rooms. generous irenlacss. with
quaint mantels and tillng and hard wood
floors gave the house an appearance OF
solid comfort that approached luxury.
The church In Milton had purchased the
property from the heirs who had become
Involved In rulnous speculation and
parted with the house for q sum little
represeDtlrg .ts real worth II hal been
changed little and modernized al
though the old freplaces still remained.
and one spare room. an annex to the
house proper. had been added recently
There was an air OF decided comfort
bordering on luxury. in the different
pieces Of furniture and the whole appear
tnce OF the room
You fndertfand" said phllfo as HE