Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-11-08
THE PENALTY OF PROGRESS.

Boston Globe.
had not seen my old friend Thornton
for some months, when he dropped into
the club one Saturday evening, and as
turned to greet him l was shocked by the
great change which had come over him.
He looked both pale and worn, and 1
could see that he had lost several pounds,
for his clothes wrinkled visibly upon him.
while twas evident that all the old-tlme
elasticity had departed from his step.
Even the broad and genial smile which
heretofore had always lighted up his
pleasant countenance now sadly lowered
round the dropping corners of his mouth
the mere ghost of its former self.
Thornton, what ails your anxiously
INQUIRED. drawing him aside, while l be-
gar to speculate upon the likely cause Of
this strange alteration in his bearing. 1
knew that l had heard no rumor regarding
any business troubles, and had but recent
" been told, on the contrary, fortune had
lately smiled upon him. nor had l learned
that death had carried off any Of his
family. so I concluded that he himself
had fallen a victim to some fell disease.
Come. old man, 1 want good long
chat with YOU" said, making my way to-
ward a secluded nook where we might
talk without fear of interruption.
He followed lstlessly, like one who felt
but little interest in the world about him.
I watched him stealthily, meanwhile re-
solving in my mind whether 10 recommend
trip down South or to suggest dose OF
mental healing"
Thornton. tell me all about It," urged
in tones of sympathy, but he merely sighed
and shook his head.
This evident depression seemed to me
to point toward the advisability Of men
tai healing" so l said decidedly. You
must brace up; nothing is worse than Civ
ing way to melancholy mental pictures.
The more I follow the advanced thought
Of the day and penetrate into the scienti-
hc revelations, the more l realize
At this he interrupted me with great ex-
element. and L marked with much sur
prise that his impressiveness had vanish
cd. His breath came rapidly, his eyes
we're fierce and bright, his whole frame
Shook with violent emotion.
Don't speak to me-" he cried. "of the
advanced thought of the day; It's the de-
structon of all happiness and peace, the
curse Of tranquil homes! A plague on
scientific revelations Look at me and
witness the result of their most baneful
inhuencew
I eyed him helplessly; poor Thornton,
his mind has surely given way, sorrow
fully concluded to myself
Not many months ago" he went on,
brokenly, we were as happy and content
ed a household as could be found in all
New England, blessed with health and
spirits and endowed with enough worldly
goods to satisfy all reasonable demands.
/ sometimes used to tease Hortense my
wife) by telling her we We're altogether too
happy-go-lucky and regarded the response
biity of living far too lightly.
u often asked her why she didn't worry
more about the bringing up Of the three
children, when she knew what Il scientific
problem the process was in these days,
but ! secretly exulted in our ability to
hold aloof from what termed the modern
surerstitions.
II loved to shock our over-prudent
neighbors with tales of monstrous slices
of mince pie consumed, without injurious
effect, by my rising progeny and I de-
lighted to foster the impression that fatal