Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1885-05-09

w oo Al t5oOu hiui LoI tuc AuOTIOW
was the reply, as the bright, manly
little fellow excused himself and
hastened on. That boy has his lad
der planted 10 enter a higher win
dow, and the higher it is the farth-
er from the moles and the mice
that dig under foundations.
Passing the door Of saloon we
saw once brave, proud, handsome
man, sneaking out and with stag
ger starting away. Ten years ago,
that man stood among the most
ini'aen;'.i in tins city. Friends by
the hundreds. Wealth in plenty.
He selected his companion, the en-
ticing demon clad in the attractive
garb of moderate drink. We have
seen laborers III the field and wrest-
lers in the ring lay off one after an
other Of articles of clothing, till at
last they stood almost naked to the
work. So, too, could we see that
the demon of drink had, after grasp
iEg the hand of this man in a
friendly way, finding him some-
what proud and stubborn, taken off
his outside wardrobe, his mint,
sugar, ETC., and came down to a
naked contest till now he was lead
ing his well whipped prisoner down
the ladder instead of up. And oh
the weariness of the climb to re-
trace steps to good starting point.
And the time, strenth, talent, abili-
ty, opportunities lost. Is it not
pltiful- the weakness of men who
have the mental courage to bs
strong ? Is it not pitiful to see
men throw their lives into dregs,
claiming that manhood consists in
daring to work for ones own ruin ?
Is it not sad, that 80 many who have
brains will be content to raise only
short ladders to enter the Heaven
reaching mansion by the lower
windows, when there is a clean
pathway to the ever open door and
a winding stairway that is broad
and beautiful, leading up, up, up,
up to the atmosphere of harmony,
happiness, Heaven.
Tonight we sit thinking and
writing. Anon the pen is quiet,
then it becomes the medium for
Thought to SOW its seed. We look
back along the lane of life to tho
first Of the fifty mile post already
safely passed. We see the way
dotted with graves of those who
took on habits that drove honor.
courage, ambition and good inten-
tions all out into the perpetual
storm. We see where those who
walked awhile with us have drop
ped suddenly out OF the procession,
pulled back by the dovotee Of dis
patton. We SEQ, standing like
pillars of salt or prone as disheart-
ened wrecks of dishonesty, those
who have robbed us, lied to us,
stolen from us, deceived and at
times discouraged us as all men are
at times weakened, but thank God
we see no place where we have
parted with disposition to temper
ance, to care for the physical and
the mental which is to-day as young,
OF no more weary than it was q
generation ago. Not regret in all
our life. Not a habit we would
shake of. Not a thought comes to
us in our sleep or when awake that
is unwelcome. Not the least fear
of that grandly beautiful change
called death. Not one fear of the
future. Not desire to live one
moment longer than we can be use
full. Not spite to work out againt
any one. Not doubt of our ability
to be our own safe guide and coun-
selor in those ways that lead to tho
reception of good inspirations.
Not a show of remorse over our
brain or in our heart over habits of
drink taken on to weaken. Instead
of these a hope of life here and
Over There. A desire to be care
full. A wish to help all who plant
good seeds and who place ladders
so that eternity can be entered on
the highest door possible. Thus
we review the week, enjoying our
rest, are content to labor on beliey-
the while that we are nearer to
manhood and to heaven, and to tho
beautiful life beyond by one moro
Saturday Night.
"BRIcK" PoMERoY.