Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-09-22

ed we could have ousted these evil
places In a week. That IL what has
happened In a number Of Iowa towns
after Mr.. Sundays meetings."
"McCrea knew that, and he used all
his power with the city administration
to keep them away from the taber-
nacle."
"Our present city administration rep.
resented very well the old Bronson.
but they misrepresent the new Bron.
son." said Allan Rutledge.
"But the trouble is.' persisted Regi.
maid, that the old administration keep
in power until next election, and fear
that by that time our newly recruited
forces Of righteousness will be sadly
weakened by assertions unless we can
arouse strong public sentiment against
these open and protected evils. We
must begin a fight for civic decency
at once"
"What do you propose?' asked the
minister. surprised to see the grasp Of
the situation shown by the young man.
II was reading in my Bible the 9TH
er day." began the other. "and I turn
ed to the book Of Nehemiah. like
Nehemiah, someway. He seems so
modern and practical to me. When
he came to Jerusalem to assist the peo-
pie in rebuilding the ruined city the
first thing he did was to arise by night
and make night circuit Of the city.
You remember the incident2"
Allan Rutledge nodded, and the city
reporter Of the Courier continued:
with few friends Nehemiah went
around valley gate, dung gate, the
jackars wall and viewed the broken
down walls of the once proud city Of
Zion. After this investigation he CALL
ed the people together. described the
desolation Of the city and cried, Let
US arise and build I think we ought
to initiate the ancient patriot
'The Bible is a practical book to you.
I see," remarked the minister. smiling.
This is practical world" replied
the other. "What do you think Of my
plan?''
"What exactly is your plan?'' asked
Allan Rutledge, becoming more earn
est. "You have told me of the meth.
DDS Of Nehemiah. but Bronson is not
broken down in exactly the same way
as ancient jerusalem"
II want you and Mr.. Townley to &C.
company me through Bronson in the
night time. l will engage the serv-
ices of policeman, who, l know, will
consent to guide US, and we will see
things that are done under the cover
of night in this CITY,"
"What night do you propose to 20
on this scouting expedition?' inquired
the other.
"The sooner the better. Let It be
tomorrow night. We can make the
arrangements tomorrow. We will start
from the Courier Office at II O'clock"
"Wfll that not be little late2' said
DR.. Rutledge questioningly.
"Bronson's underworld awakes when
others sink to Sleep" responded Regi-
maid. II have been making a COM
plete sociological survey of our city
for some time. This midnight tour
will almost complete my investiga-
tions."
Allan Rutledge consented somewh hat
reluctantly to join in Reginald's expe-
dition. 1T will be painful night for
me-" he said to himself, "but ! remem-
Der reading in one of Spurgeon's SER
mons that It required the sight Of in
iquity sometimes to arouse us to prop
er activity in behalf of Righteousness"
Before the two friends separated Al
Ian Rutledge asked Reginald what i'm
PEELED him to take the interest he did
In social and civic affairs.
1T seems strange to me to see a
young man like you throw himself into
fight for the common veal al you
are doing" said the minister.
do not give me any praise for It,"
replied the other. Before l left Eng
land felt this fire in my bones, and
over there it meant grief and loss to
me. l expect it may mean the same
for me in the new world eventually,
but I cannot help it. Unless l am en-
gagged in some such fight life would
lose all interest and zest for me-"
He is strange kind of immigrant"
said Allan Rutledge to himself as he
returned to the room after bidding
Reginald good night Il am afraid
he may find his pathway little rough.
as did at first in wellington"
1t was night. The mantle Of dark
ness covered the city Of Bronson and
invited every one to peaceful slumber
and rest But at the home of Allan
Rutledge the minister and his wife sat
together in the study wide awake.
You had better go to bed, dear"
the minister was saying. There is
absolutely no danger in this midnight
tour of ours. We will have police
man with us, and we shall do nothing
except observe what Is taking place in
our city under sanction of our city's
government"
Il am afraid that in these lawless
places some one may hurt you. Allan"
answered the wife, with an anxious
look. II don't like this excursion of
yours"
well, dear, didn't plan it, you
know, but Mr.. Nelson almost insisted
that l should accompany him. Mr..
Townley was anxious to 60. He said
today that he had been wishing to
make social survey Of Bronson by
night himself, and he was delighted
with the opportunity"
1T may be all right, Allan, but some
way dread it." Mrs. Rutledge shud-
dered as sho smoke