Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-31
CHApTER TX.

Crane heard Of the accident on one Of
his visits to Brookf1eld q couple of days
later, and Of course must needs hurry to
Ringwood to see his employee. 1t hap
! pened that Rev. Dolman graced the Porter
home with his presence the same evening
that Crane was there.
Naturally the paramount subject Of in
terest was the narrow escape Of Miss AIlis
but the individuality OF discussion gradually
merged into a crusade against racing, led
by the Jealous clergyman. John Porter
viewed this trend with no little trepida-
ton Of feeling.
1t was Mrs. Porter who precipitated mat
tiers, by piously attributing Allis's escape
to Providence.
Undoubtedly, undoubtedly" Mr.. Doll
man said, putting the points of his fingers
together in front OF his lean chest. He
paused a moment, and Porter groaned in
wardly; he knew that attitude. The I'm
gers were rapiers, stilettos; presently their
owner would thrust, with cutting phrase,
proving that they were all indeed a very
bad lot. Perhaps John Porter would have
that the reverend inquisitor was realIt
honest in hts beliefs. albeit intolerably
narrow in his conclusions.
Dolman broke the temporary silence,
but We shouldn't tempt Providence by
worshipping false images. Love Of ami
mails is commendable@' he emphasized
this sight concesslon-'but race horses al
ways appeal to me as instruments of the
evil one
1T wasn't the horses fault. at all, Mr.
Dolman." Allis interposed. but Just a de
PRAYED humans It was the boy. shandy'i
fault"
II wasn't thinking OF one horse con,
tinued the minister. airily; II meant rac'
horses in general"
II think Mr.. Dolman is right" Mrs. Por.
ter, ventured, hesitatingly. TITS flying IL
the face Of Providence for a giE to g
amongst those race horses"
'Bad-tempered men l--.s them vicious
mother" Allis said; "and I believe tina
shandy's punishment was the visitation o
Providence. IL there was any"
Rev. Dolman's face took on an austen
look. 1t was an insult to the Divine power
to assert that they had taken the part of
race horse. But he turned the point to hi
own ends TITS quite wrong to abuse tn
noble animal, and that's one reason why
hold that racing is contrary to the Creator
Intentions, quite apart from the evil effec
Il has on morals
"Are all men IMMORAL who race, Mr.. Dol
MANI John Porter asked. His question
forced Dolman to define his position. Por
ter always liked things slmplihed; raeln
was either wrong In principle OF right
nolman found him rather a difheult man I
tackle. He had this irritating way OF brush
ing aside generalization and forcing tn
speaker to get back to nrst principles.
The reverend gentleman proceeded cauti
. ously. II should hardly care 70 so so far a
Ithat-to make the rule absolute; a YER
strong man might escape contamination
perhaps"
, Mrs. Porter sigher audibly. The ministe
was weakening almost ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
her husband a loophole to escape,
! II hardly think racing quite as bad as
Is generally supposed to be-" interpose
Crane. feeling that Porter was being Pill
> loried somewhat. He received a reproachfU
I look from Mrs. Porter for his pains.
Il have never seen any good come Of Il.
I ~retorted Dolman. "a Christian man mus
feel that he IL encouraging Eambllng II b
eountenanees racing. for they contend ths
e without betting racing is impossible"
D Everything in life Il pretty much Of
gamble Porter drawled. lazIly; 'theI
e aren't ans sure things. The ships that (
20 sea, the farmers crOps-everything
more or less a matter OF chance. II a ma
I goes straight he has a fairly easy time vii
Q his conscience. no matter what he's at, b.
I II he doesn't, well. he'd better go hungry
q "A great many very honorable men Al
q racing to-day" added Crane: 'msn who ha'
built up large fortunes through honest dsA