The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-01-07
KIRBY's GOALS OF FIRE.
BY LOUISE STOCKTON.

Considering it simply ~ an excur-
sion, George Scott thought. leaning
over the side of the canal-boat and look
ing at the shadow of the hills in the
water. his plan for spending his sum-
mer vacation might be a success, but he
was not so sure about his opportunities
for studying human nature under the
worst conditions. Ii was true that the
conditions were bad enough, but so
were the results. and George was not in
search Of logical sequences. He had
been in the habit OF saving that nothing
interested him as much a. the study Of
his fellows: and that be was in earnest
WAS proved by the fact that even his
college experiences had not yet dis
heartened him, although they had cost
him not few neckties and coats, and
sometimes too many of his dollars. But
George had higher aspirations, and was
not disposed To be satisfied with the OPP
portunities presented by crude collegians
or even learned professors. and so meant
to 20 out among men. When he was
Younger year or two before he had
dreamed Of a mission among the In
dams, fancyinn that be would reach
original principles among them; but
the Modes and Captain Jack had low
cred his faith, while the Rev. DR.. Bucks
story Of how the younger savages had
been taught to make beds and clean
knives, until they preferred these civil
lied occupations To their old habit of
scampering through the woods, had dis
PEELED more of the glitter. and he had
resolved 10 contine his iabors To his
white brethren. lie did not mean 70
seek his opportunities among the rich,
nor among the monotOnously dreary
poor Of the city, but in fresher field.
Like most theological students, he was
well read in current literature, and he
had learned how often the noblest vir-
tues are found among the toughest
classes II was true, they were some
times 50 latent that like the jewel in a
toads head they had the added
grace Of unexpectedness, but that
did not interfere with the fact Of their
existence. lie had read Of Califor-
mia gamblers who had rushed from
tables where they had sat with bowie
knives between their teeth, 10 warn a
coming train Of broken rails, and, when
picked up MANNED and dying, had simp-
liz asked if the children were saved, and
then, content, had turned aside and
died. He knew the story of the Missis-
sippi engineer who, going home with a
lOng-sought fortune 10 claim his waiting
bride, had -avedhis boat from wreck By
supplying the want Of fuel by hat, coat,
boot. wedding clothes, gloves, favors,
and finally his bag Of greenbacks and
Northern Pacific bonds, then returning
90 his duty. sans money, sans wife, but
plus honor and rewarding conscience.
When men are capablco Of such heroism,
George would say, arguing from these
and similar stories. they are open to
true reformation, all that is necessary
being some exercise Of an influence that
shall make such impulses constan, in
stead ~ spasmodic.
About noon he had not been quite 80
sanguine regarding his mission, and had
almost resolved that when they reached
Springfield he would return East and
Join some cf his class who were going
10 the kaatskills The sun was then
pouring down directly on the boat, the
cabin was sitting. the horses crept
sluggishly along, the men were rude
and brutal, and around him was an at
mosphere ~ frying fish and boiling
cabbage The cabbage was perhaps
the browning evil; for while he found
" possible 20 force his ear and eve To be
deaf and blind TO the disagreeable. he
had No amount d will that could con-