Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-11-26

a.
CURLY, dismissed him a little while be.
fore would I In some unaccountable
manner relent and give him hfs hearts
desire. & f III = sss!t'>za ss4's>s 2 81? j
Mr.. Hardy walked along in silence q
little way. y Then he said almost
abruptly: Ia liz s4k5.f9;i .J.t,- =.
James, do you drinkY' - :,>... :
e.. mo. SIR q, :..s. ,..< -..:..
i"Or* gambler II -.a,,,.. .......
"You forget my mother, Mr.. Hardy
The reply was almost stern. a
Mrs. Caxton's younger brother had
been ruined by gambling. He had
come to the house one night, and in a
fit Of anger because his sister would
not give him money to- carry on his
speculation he had threatened her life.
James had interposed and at the risk
Of his own life had probably saved his
mothers. Mrs. Caxton had been SO I'M
nerved by the scene that her health
had suffered from 1t seriously. All this
had happened when James was grow
ing out Of boyhood.s But not a. day had
passed that the young man did not see
a sad result Of that great gambling
passion in his own mothers face and
bearing. He loathed the thought Of
vice so debasing that it ignored all the
tender ties of kindred and was ready
to stop at nothing In order to get
means for its exercise.
Mr.. Hardy knew the story, and he
exclaimed: "Forgive me, James. I did
not think" Then, after pause: care
you a Christian? I 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
supreme love for God controlling life?
Do you live every day as If it 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
son-in-law was an idea too remote for
occurrence. He could see, however,
that some very powerful change had
taken place in Mr.. Hardy's usual de-
meanor. His words also produced a
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 I a 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; I don't think I am what
would be called Christian. AS for lv'
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
II want to have another talk with
you," Mr.. Hardy said. '"Today is Tues
day; say tomorrow evening. I want tt
see your father also, and"- MI. Hardy
was on the point Of saying that hi
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 tn
matter of my love for Clara" He low
cred his voice and spoke very strongly
you don't forget your own youth ant
the way in which you yourself bega1
your homer
Mr.. Hardy answered never a wore
to this appeal, but looked into tn
young mans face with a gaze he dit
not forget all day, then wrung his hant
and turned on his heel abruptly AM
walked rapidly down the street.
James looked after him as he disap
peared among the crowds Of people 60
ing to their business, and then turne'
to his own tasks. But something II
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 yo1
a Christian?' And even when he wen
home at night that question pursue'
him more strenuously than any othe
and would not give him peace.
fro BE Continued