New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-02-22
e SOLDIER S REEEaToM.
Chinese Gorlon's Modest Estimate Of Els
Own Powers.

Chinese Gordon's Modest Estimate Of Els
Own Powers.
Slightly built, somewhat below the
average height, Gen. Gordon's most re-
markable characteristic at rstsightis
childlike simplicity of manners, says the
Pail Mall Gazette. Notwithstanding
his 50 years, his face is almost boyish in
its youthfulness, bis step is as light and
his movements as 1.-the as the leopard.
Although he is still excitable and We
hement, those who know him best say
that he has under much frmer
control those volcanic fires
which blaZed out with fercest fury
in his younger days; as, for instance,
when he hunted Ii Hung Chang, re-
volver in hand, from house to house
day after day, in order to Stay the man
who had dishonored and massacred the
prisoners whom he had pledged his
word to save. But there is that in his
face at times, even now, that contrasts
strangely with the sweetness of his
smile, OF the radiance which lights UP
his face when discoursing on his favor
lite author and the choice texts of the
"Immitation" Thomas a Kempis], which
for the present seems to have super
seded his old favorite, watson on Con-
tentment" 'sThis," said he, holding a.
small copy Of the Imitation" in his
hand, is my book. And, al
though l never shall be able to attain
to a hundreth part of the perfection of
that saint, [ strive toward it-theideal
is here" Gen. Gordon carries with him
the sanity ideal Of the cloister into the
rough realities of the camp. His self
less humility and absolute abnegation
was broken only now and then by
morbid horror of publicity or praise.
ssNo gilt, mind; no gilt. Say what is to
be said, but no praise. Remember" he
added, with a smile, 'sit is;the superior
who praises his inferior, Pan observation
which, taken by itself, conveys curl
his distaste Of laudation. In all
my career" he once wrote. 'sI
can lay no claim to clever
ness, discretion or wisdom. My success
has been due to series of (ealled by
the world) fukes. When one knows
the little one does of ones self, and any
praises you, I, at any rate, have a
rising In the gorge which is q suppress
sed You lie" To him ga true pre-
ception of the gospel is entire emptiness
| OF self, and utter absence of any pre-
tension, a complete and entire refusal to
accept the worlds praise or judgment.
Who is he Or who is any man, that he
should be praised? I do nothing, I
am a chisel which cuts the wood. The
carpenter directs it. If lose my edge.
he must sharpen me; if he puts me aside
and takes up another, it is his own good
will. None are indispensable to him.
He will do his work with a straw equally
as well"
Harry Houseiey was bound over to
keep the peace at Heanor, Derbyshire,
/ Eng, recently for sending the follow
ing letter to Eliza Elliott, a female
captain OF the Salvation Army:
"Dear Captain: | just write to ask
you favor. [ want to know if you
will marry me, ais | have taken a
fancy to you. If you don't agl ee
with my favorit will be worse for you.
| either mean to marry you or muir
der you. Ii you say no, mean to do
/ for you, so you can order your coffin
at once. know shall have to be
hanged for it, but don't want TO 90
| to hell by myself; I want you to 60
| with me. Prepare to meet your God,
/ Your comrade, Harry Houseley.''