The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-10-04
FER COUNTY, Pa THURSDAY, OCTOBER a, 1860

was the old false argument in favor of
appropriating auothers goods because
th were doomed to be stolen by some
BODY
IN an hour my tempter feturred.
whats the word, Mr. Martin? 2 he
asked, looking at me so confidently that
saw he vas in 10 doubt about my ac
reptance of his proposal l had settled
the question, after severe struggle, and
was prepared to answer without heslta-
ton.
1.-The thing seems promising enough
said | but have concluded against
becoming party in the transaction
"Why not ? he asked, locking dlsap-
pointed.
Plainly was my answer, because
it hasn't fair look Advantage wlll be
taken of another's ignorance
"The mans face betrayed an instant
angry movement of his feelings, aud he
muttered something in an uhdertone, in
which my ears seemed to detect the words,
Stupid fol =
"'And are you really in earnest " said
he, scarcely seeking to hide a look of con-
tempt that was rising 20 his face.
al am was my firm answer.
"'(iood morning
"He threw the words at me with All
impatient impulse, and lett me on the iu-
slant
Did he find less scrupulous indi-
vidual to join him 2" | asked,
Yes and what is more, the purchase
of the land was made, aud it has since
been sold to a company for some fabulous
sum--two or three huudred thousaLd dol
lars, believe"
Half of which would hare been
yours 2" SAID [.
Yes" he answered, without change
OF tone or manner
"And instead of being away down in
this low, dim valley, you would now be
on the sunny heights Of prosperity?'
He looked at me for little while with
out answering.
"Have yeu at any time, regretted that
decision p / asked.
"Not for a single instant" he replied.
"After the temptation was over, and my
mind was able to rise into Clearer re-
gion, | saw the transaction in such an
hideous aspect that almost shuddered
in thinking of my escape. All Sir,
there are greater evils than poverty, and
higher good than riches. With that sin
upon my conscience, | would have gone
down into regions of doubt and darkness,
and mayhap lost my way, never to find it
again. 1t is better, far better, | think
to walk in the right way, even if it be
with naked feet, than to tread on soft
velvet in passing along the road that
leads 10 destruction at last.
"Botter? Yes. thousand times bet
ter said | with ardor. This fall, then
this going down again, as the Com
mon saying is--can not, n one sense, be
called misfortune, bat trial in which
there might come death OF something
evil and selfish in your soul, and thence
a new birth OF higher and more heavenly
principles. Yuu were brought into a
strong temptation, in which good gained
victory over evil and you are trucr
man for the fierce struggle and ctnquest" J"
81 know not how that may be, - he an-
swcred 81 only know that have Il
clear conscience that in the fire through
which have been required to pass |
have not let truth or justice 60 to the
flames"
How think you, reader? Had that
man gone down lower or up higher p
What would you have doue under cir
cumstances of like trial? Would you
have clutched eagerly at the golden ep-
portunity which came with such tempt
ing slniles or, like Martin, risk the fire ?
If you are man looking heavenward--
aud doubtless this is so--,et the question
come home; it may give you new cen
sciousness of your own state In the mir
ror Of his scrupulous action you may see
reflection of Yourself.