Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-02-19
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)

Listen, MarlOWe said earnestly.
THE sun is sinking we have not time
TO discuss the matter further. However,
let me say this,-it is my opinion, and
you are not bound to accept 1t as final
solution of the knotty problem-there
is no hard and fast line between right
and wrong The one imperceptibly
merges into the other. On the one side
is temperance, on the other, intemper-
ance. But the point that divides them
is lily defined Some things are essen
TALLY wrong. Others still are debat-
able. A course OF action may be ques-
tionable, not because of inherent evil,
but because of some remote or possible
temptation or danger connected with
1t. Some moralists would say avoid it
and thus avoid the danger; others
would say follow it-face, defy, and
overcome the temptation, thus gaining
strength to resist greater ones, and
thus developing moral stamina and
character. Each individual must decide
for himself. To my mind, the final test
of any course of action is the effect or
result of it. If it invariably-or gen.
eTalIy-produces a bad result, it is
wrong; if it usually produces a good
result, it is right. 1t is the duty of
each person to get all the light he can
from whatever source-make con-
gcientious use of his reasoning facul-
ties, and decide mooted questions for
himself"
Slowly Marlowe arose, brushed the
dust from his clothing, and with the
words-"Let us return to town"-start-
ed down the slope Clark silently walked
at his side, bordering deeply what he
had heard.
reaching the level at the foot of
IL Will, Ralph turned to the agent with
IN remark:
You said something about McDevitt
al lping his habits to please Miss Bar
wood. What did you mean?"
'Eh?' Clark returned vacantly, star
ing like one suddenly awakened. "Oh!
You want to know what | meant by
saying that McDevitt don't like to do
anything that displeases Julia Bar
wood? Well, just this: They've been
keeping company off and on for several
years. They like each other, I'm sure;
but they'll never get married"
"Why?"
For two reasons: In the first place,
her father opposes the match-not be-
cause he has anything against Nc
Dewitt, but just because he Is a McDe-
vitt--though he lets him come to the
house and call on his daughter. But
don't think the old docs opposition
would cut much figure with Julia, II
she once made up her mind to marry
McDevitt; and know it wouldn't with
Morris. But the second reason-and
the main one-is that Julia's Profess
tant and Morris is a Catholic; and
neither ones willing to give up their
belief for the belief of the other. He
church; she wants him to join the
Methodists. That's the lay of the land
exactly. So | don't think they'll ever
get married. And one of these days
Morris McDevittll get discouraged
he's inclined to fits of the blues, any
how-and he'll cut loose and go to the
devil, like old Number Six on a down
grade, with the throttle wide open"
Does he drink" Ralph asked care
leslys
"Sot much-a little once in a while"
"As YOU do"
"Yes. And Clark laughed uneasily.
1--WE don't drink much-any of us
fellows-just few glasses of beer oc-
CasionalIy. Do you think that wrong?'
at Is not wrong, perhaps. But you
are running an unnecessary risk, It
may be. You ought not to drink at the
bar of common groggery, that Is GER
tain and you ought never to drink to
excess, nor gamble. Bar-room loafing
IS a most seductive idleness; II winds
itself insidiously around its victims UNI
til they are bound and helpless in its
thralls. When I have fitted up my
rooms, will offer you and your COM
Tades a rendezvous. You may drop in
every evening, If you like. We will
form a social club; read, chat, and
play games. But vulgarity, profanity
and kindred bad habits will be tabooed.
Temperament the sense of self-re-
nance and self-control-will be our aim
and motto. How does the idea strike
your"
'All in a heap!" the operator cried
IOu suit utlltls
You understand us fellows-you do. I
can see what you're after; you want
TO reform us young heathens. But you
don't go after us like Julia Barwood
does; you don't preach at all-you rea-
son. She nags--and that don't do any
good. You're right, too. AS near as I
can understand, you mean that it's a
fellows duty to study out what will
Rurt himself or others, and let It alone;
and his privilege to indulge in any pas
time that won't injure himself OF 9TH
srs. Isn't that it,"
Ralph nodded.
well" Clark continued you can
count on me; and | know the other
fellows will fall right into line. Julia
Barwood, now-she lectures us on all
occasions. She saws it's wicked to
dance, play cards, and go to theaters
When | asked her why, she said be-
cause the discipline Of her church for
bids II. And when | answered that
could see no harm in such things, that
the Bible didn't say anything against
them, she got mad and called me an
nnregenerate wretch. Yes, she did
She says that everybody1l go to perdl.