The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-09-20

blew the fire to the barn which was soon in
. blaze. There was plenty of excitement in
the neighborhood that day; people ran to
and fro, and shouted, and drew water, and
waited for the engine to come that they
might pour the water into 1t so that things
might be done in the regulation way. Well,
amid the running and the shouting and tho
Juggling at the engine from the town, the
dry old barn vanished into the air and left
bHt white heap of ashes.
'Placide was finely strong boy and his
heart brimmed with terror. 1t was a fire
cracker that he had exploded that had set
on fire the straw stack, and this he owned
UP to when questioned by the other boys
After he made this confession he was seen
to turn pale. and he sank down upon the
ground. His father had been very sensi-
tive man, and had died insane after false
accusation. Placide had inherited his ten
denotes. The boys, some nine in number,
were touched at his distress. and they all
promised, then and there, that they would
never tell by what accident the stack had
been set on fire. The attempt to conceal
this fact was the one mistake of Placides
life. 1t was a weapon to be taken up by
another. to smite him in the years to come.
Among the boys who promised never to tell
was Brayton Grant.
Grant and Placide were friends, chums
as we say. They sat together at school,
they spent their evenings together; there
were years that day didn't pass without
they saw each other. They were brothers in
heart and companionship, and at that time
Grants friendship for Placide was honest
and true. The devil Of ambition had not
entered his heart. He. was not all self yet
Grant had money that had been left to
the family by his grandfather, who had
traded at sea. He went to Providence, and
started a small cotton factory. His business
grew, and he saw an opportunity to make
money; he had mind for the business he
wanted a man Of heart to bring good will
to his plans and he turned to Placide. He
gave him place In the business and prom
Used him that he would make him part
ner at some future time. Placide was like
a mascot to him. From the day he entered
the doors, the factory became a mine of
gold. Placide never doubted Grants word.
Placide worked for Grant. and not for
himself. The prosperity of his old friend
was his happiness and life. The two had
one heart Mr.. Grant regarded Placides
interests as his own. The devil of ambition
had not come yet, but he was waiting out
side the door.
"Placide continued to work for the pub.
lie good, but without any ambition for HIM
self, but only fer the cause. He was fine
public speaker, and he gave Fourth Of July
addresses in many places, and was always
invited to be present on patriotic occasions.
His name was magic word; his heart won
everyone. People crowded all places where
he was to speak.
"a fever of politics came. new party
was formed. 1t wanted popular candidate
for congressman in this district, and it nom-
mated Placlde.
1.-THE people thought that he was certain
to be elected. The other party saw how the
election would be likely to turn with such
o candidate. What was to be done? A
strange thing happened. The opposition
party nominated Brayton Grant. A strang-
er thing happened. Brayton Grant accepted
the nomination, on the ground of prnci-
pie; the devil of ambition had come into his
heart from out of doors. The nomination
was most polite thing!
Grant saw in his mind the capitol of
Washington looming up in the distance and
himself there with Hon before his name.
His heart turned against Placde; the past
was nothing to him now and 1t became the
one purpose of his life to belittle his old
friend, and to destroy him.
ION the day when man becomes untrue
to anyone. life becomes untrue to him--I
can see that, can't you?-Wbat are our
heads for, Doctor? Every ones world Is
what he is himself-is it not? Everyone
creates his own sphere. It was all honor
able enough for Grant to run against Placlde
as a candidate, on the ground Of principle
and a difference Of opinion, but it was not
right for him to be treacherous to his old
friend-it was Iscariotism. That's what l
call it-Iscariotism. Better always to drink
out of the old cocoanut dipper at the we'll
on the farm, than to gain wealth without
integrity, or honors without honor! If
thing is right it is right, and there need
be nothing more said about it; If a thing
Is wrong it is wrong. and there need be
nothing more said about that. I can see
that-what is my soul for, Doctor?
"Now when man begins to practise de-
ception in politics he Is morally gone. 1t
takes two lies to cover the first one, and four
i,,o Gov, ,o;o