The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-11-19

again his life alone, more resolutely
hopeful than ever.
But the year had left its mark upon
him too. He was broader and deep
er man. He had been living and think
ing with men Of larger ideas and rich
e. culture, and he was far too quick
III sympathy with life to remain un-
touched by his surroundings. He was
more tolerant of opinions other than
his own. but more uErelenting in his
fidelity to conscience and more impa-
tient of half heartedness and self in
duigence. He was full Of reverence
for the great scholars and the great
leaders of men he had come to know.
Great, noble fellows they are and
traordinariiy modest" he said-s'that
is, the really great are modest There
are plenty of the other sort, neither
great nor modest. And the books to
be read! I am quite hopeless about
my reading. 1t gave me queer sensa-
ton to shake hands with man who
had written a great book. To hear
him make commonplace remarks, to
witness fa!tering il knowledge-one
expects these men to know everything
and to experience respectful kindness
at his hands,
What of the younger men?" l asked.
bright, keen, generous fellows-in
things theoretical omniscient, but in
things practical quite helpless. They
toss about great ideas as the miners
Jumps Of coal They can call them by
their book names easily enough, but
often wonder whether they could put
them into English. Some Of them I
coveted for the mountains, men with
clear heads and big hearts and built
after Sandy McNaughton's mode. It
does seem a sinful waste Of Gods good
human stuff to see these fellows potter
away their lives among theories, living
and dead, and end up by producing q
book. They are all either making or
going to make book. A good thing
we haven't to read them. But here
and there among them is some quiet
CLAP who will make book that men
will tumble over each other to read"
Then we paused and looked at each
other.
:'Well?" l said.
He understood me.
"Yes," he answered slowly, "doing
great work. Every one worships her
Just as we Go, and she is making them
all Go something worth while, as she
used to make u.s.
He spoke cheerfully and readily, as if
he were repeating lesson well learn
ed, but he could not humbug me. /
felt the heartache in the cheerful tone.
"Tell me about her." / said, for !
knew that if he would talk it would do
him good, and talk he did, often forget
ting me, till, as listened, found my
self looking again into the fathomless
eyes and hearing again the heart
searching voice. saw her go in and
out Of the little red tiled cottages and
down the narrow back lanes Of the vii
lage; heard her voice in asweet, low
song by the bed Of q dying child or
pouring forth floods Of music in the
great new hall Of the factory town
near by, but l could not see, though
he tried to show me. the stately, gTa-
cious lady receiving the country folk
in her bone. He did not lingcr over
that scene, but went back again to the
gate cottage where she had taken him
one day to see Billy Breen's mother.
81 found the old woman knew all
about me" he said simply enough, "but
there were many things about Billy
she had never heard, and was glad
to put her right on some points, though
Mrs. Mavor would not hear it"
He sat silent for little, looking into
the Goals, then went on in a soft, quiet
voice:
ut brought back the mountains and
the old days to hear again Biily's tones
in his mothers voice and to see her
sitting there in the very dress she wore
the night Of the league, you remember
some soft stuff with black lace about
it.-and to hear her sing as she did for
Billy. All! Ahn'
His voice unexpectedly broke, but in
moment he was master Of himself
and begged NE to forgive his weak
ness. am afraid I said words that
should not be said, thing never do
except when suddenly and utterly up
set.
81 am getting selfish and weak" he
said. Il must get to work. l am glad
to get to work. There is much to do,
and it is worth while, II only to, keep
one from getting useless and lazy"
Useless and lazyw said to myself,
thinking Of my lifesbeside his and try
ing to get command Of my voice. so as
not to make quite fool Of myself,
and for many day those words goad-
ed me to work and to the exercise Of
some mild self denial. But, more than
all else, after Craig had gone back to
the mountains Graeme's letters from
the railway construction camp stirred
one to do unpleasant duty long post
poned and rendered uncomfortable my
hours Of most luxurious ease. Many
OF the old gang were with him, both
Of Iumbermen and miners, and Craig
was their minister, and the letters told
Of how he laborcd by day and by night
along tie line Of construction, carry
ing his tent and kit with him, preach