The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1900-05-02
of his own llfe had prohably sawed bis

of his own life had probably saved his
mothers. Mrs. Caxton had been SO un.
neryed Ivy the scene that her health
had suffered from II seriously. All this
had happened when James was grow
ing out of boyhood. But not day had
passed that the young man did not see
sad result of that great gambling
passion I'm his own mothers face and
bearing. i.e loathed the thought OF
vice so debasing that ii ignored all the
tender ties of kindred and was ready
to stop ut nothing In order to get
means for its exercise.
Mr.. Hardy knew the story, and he
exclaimed: Forgive me, James. l did
not think" Then, after pause: "Are
you a Christian? | mean do you have
a faith In the revelation Of God TO men
through Jesus Christ and do you try to
live according to his teachings, with a
supreme love for God controlling life?
Do you live every day as If 1t might be
the last you would have to live"
James started. Was Mr.. Hardy out
of his mind? He had never heard him
talk like this before. The idea of Mr..
Hardy caring about his religious char
acter In the event of his becoming a
son-in-law was an idea too remote for
occurrence. He could see however,
that some very powerful change had
taken place In Mr.. Hardys usual de-
meanor. His words also produced
strong effect upon the young man. He
was like thousands of young men
temperate, honest, Industrious, free
from vices, strictly moral, but without
any decided religious faith.
Am ! Christian?" he asked him.
self echoing Mr.. Hardy's question.
No; he could not say that he was. He
had never said so to any one. He had,
in fact, never been confronted with the
question before. SO he replied to Mr..
Hardy:
mo, sir; l don't think l am what
would be called n Christian. AS for liv-
ing as if every day were TO be my last
do you think that is possible, sir?'
Mr. Hardy did not answer He walk
ed along thoughtfully In the course Of
the conversation they had reached the
corner where the young man turned
down TO his Office, and the two paused.
IL want to have another talk with
YOU" Mr.. Hardy said. To-day is Tues
day; say tomorrow evening. | want to
see your father also, and Mr.. Hardy
was on the point Of saying that he
wanted to ask the elder Cations for
giveness but for some reason he stop
ped without doing so.
James exclaimed eagerly as Mr. Har-
dy turned TO go:
"Then you don't forbid my entertain
ing some hope of your good will in the
matter of my love for ClaraY He low
cred his voice and spoke very strongly.
You don't forget your own youth and
the way in which you yourself began
your home?"
Mr. Hardy answered never a word
to this appeal, but looked into the
young mans face with gaze he did
not forget all day, then wrung his hand
and turned on his heel abruptly and
walked rapidly down the street.
James looked after him as he disap-
peared among the crowds Of people go
ing TO their business, and then turned
to his own tasks. But something in
him gave him hope. Another something
appealed all day TO his inner nature,
and he could not shake off the impress
sion of Mr.. Hardy's question, Are you
a Christian?" And even when he went
home at night that question pursued
him more strenuously than any other
and would not give him peace.