The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-09-02
BY JERE. CROWLEY.

I
and robbed me of living profit, in order
that he might secure double gain?
| think not There is not even the live and
let live principle in that. No-no sir. If
| he has Joined the church my word for it,
there is black sheep in the fold; or, |
might say, without abuse of language, a
wolf therein, disguised in sleeps cloth
ing"
''Give the man time" said l. 'Old
/ habits of life art strong, you know. In a
little while, | trust that be will see clearer,
and regulate his life from perceptions Of
higher truths
Il thought his heart was changed" an
swered the merchant with some irony in
his tones That he hadibeen made new
creature"
| did not care to discuss that point with
him, and 50 merely answered.
"The beginnings Of spiritual life are as
the beginnings Of natural life. The babe
is born in feebleness, and We must wait
through the periods of infancy, childhood,
and youth, before we can have the strong
man ready for the burden and heat of the
day, or lll-armed for the battle. If Mr.,
Gray is in the first effort to lead Chris
tan life, that is someteing. lie will grow
wiser and better in time, hope"
"There is vast room for improvement"
said the merchant. ''In my eyes, he is, at
this time, only hypocritical pretender. l
hope for the sake of the world and the
church both, that his new associates will
make something better Of him"
| went away with the same same opin-
ion as the merchant. My next meeting
with Mr.. Gray was in shop of mechan-
ic to whom he had sold bill of goods
some months previously. He had called
to collect portion of the amount which
remained unpaid. The mechanic was not
ready for him.
Il am sorry Mr. Gray" he bagan, with
some hesitation Of manner.
"Sorry that have not the money to
settle your bill, l have been disappointed" !"
Il don't want that old story. You
promised to be ready for me to day, didn't
you!" And Mr.. Gray knit his brows, and
looked angry and imperative.
"Yes, promised. But"
"Then keep your promise. No man
has right to break his word. Promises
are sacred things, and should be kept re-
ligiously."
"If my customers had kept their prom
ises to me there would have been no fail
ure in mine to you I" answered the poor
mechanic.
eft is of no use to plead other mems
failings in justification of your own. You
said the bill should be settled to day, and
| calculated upon it. Now, cf all things in
the world. | hate trihing. | shall not call
again sir!'
"If you called forty times, and hadn't
themonev tosettle your account, you would
call in vain" said the mechanic, showing
considerable disturbance of mind.
"You needn't add insult to wrong" Mr..
Gray's countenance redeemed, and he look
ed angry.
L" If there is insult in the case it is on
your part, not mine, retorted the mechan-
ic with more feeling. q am not digger
of gold out Of the earth, nor a coiner Of
money. must be paid for my work be
fore | can pay the bills | owe. 1t was not
enough that | told you Of the failure of
my customers to meet their engage
ments"
you've no business to have such Gus
TONER'S" broke in Mr.. Gray. mo right
to take my goods and sell them to men
who are not honest enough to pay their
bills
"One of them is your own son" replied
the mechanic, goaded beyond endurance.
His bill is equal to half of yours. | have
sent for the amount great many times,
but still he puts me off with excuses. L
will send it to you next time
This was tVrusting home with sharp
sword, and the vanquished Mr.. Gray re
treated from the battle field bearing pain
full wound.
That wasn't rightin me, know" said
the mechanic, as Gray left the shop. I'm
sorry, now, that said it. But he pressed
me too closely. ] am but human"
ale is hard, exacting, money-loving
man. was my remark.
"They tell me he has become a Chris
| tian," said the mechanic HAS got relig
| ion-been converted Is that so 7"
alt is commonly reported; but | think
common report must be in error. St.
Paul gives patieLce, forbearance. long suf-
fering, meelness, brotherly kindness, and
| charity as some of the Christian graces
| 90 not see them in this man. Therefore
common report must be in error.
81 have paid him good many hundreds
Of dollars since | opened my shop here,
| said the mechanic. with the manner of one
who felt hurt. "If | am poor hard
working man, | try to be honest. Some
times / get little behind hand, as | am
now, because people work for don't pay
up as they should. It happened twice be
fore when ! wasn't just square with Mr.
Gray, and he pressed down very hard or
me, and talked just as you heard him to
day. lie got his money. every dollar o
/ it, and he will get his money now. | die
think, knowing that he had joined th'
church and made profession of religion
that he would bear little patiently Will
me this time. That as he had obtained
forgiveness, as alleged, of his sins toward:
Heaven, he would be merciful to his fel
low-man. All, we'll These things make
US very sceptical about the honesty of mer
who call themselves religious. Ny exper
fence with professors has not been very
nuanuraoiDr~ AZ a General thinor 7 Il M