Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-09-17
A CRUCIAL TEST
BY HORACE GLASS


Mf hEN duncan Taylor was com
w PEELED 70 give up his eollep
course at the end Of the PRESUME,
year he was bitterly disappoiBfed
From his boyhood he had looked for
ward 70 a political career with all m,
enthusiasm Of his ardent nature. II,
had gone in for political econom,
and all the allied studies and his head
was filed with ideas and ideals. H,
knew that bis father was not wealth,
but had supposed that his bushes,
was on a sound basis and woulf
stand for his education and a start in
the law.
Hence il came as much of a
shock 70 him as to the rest Of the
/ family and the outside world to learn
after the sudden death Of his father
that the business was badly involved
and only by the closest and most
faithful and intelligent application
could the entire property be saved
from being swept away. Being the
only male member of the family Of
mature years, this task manifestlv
fell on him. In any event there was
no money available for his further
education.
So bravely and without complain he
babe farewell TO college and his
dreams and took up the family bur
den. Being a young man Of intelli-
gence and industry he was fairly well
equipped for the work and although
his heart was not IN il he succeeded
in preventing a crash and got the
business IN shape where 10 yielded an
economical living for the family and
tended toward the up grade.
OF course he did not lose his inter-
est in politics. leopard does not
change his spots. but his vision was
changed from congress. the senate
and the presidency 70 the closer du-
ties Of good citizenship aud particl-
patton IN ward and precinct orgauiza-
tiou.
II was not long before he became a
thorn and a menace 70 the gang who
controlled his party in the city and
county When he FIRST surprised the
managers Of the Organization" by
heading an Independent delegation
from his ward in the county conven-
ton and fighting the prearranged /
slate. they laughed at him and were
satisfied by the victory Of their slate, I
But when be attacked their methods I
and plans by persistent talk with peo-
pie with whom he came in contact /
and by communication 60 the papers /
as well. they became uneasy and /
when year later he cleaned them
ont again Ia the ward in an open
fight in which they used all their re-
sources. and headed another indie
pendent delegation which was joined
By others in two other wards they
became alarmed and realized that he
must be dealt with as positive fac
or.
In the meantime a new factor had
,ome into Duncan's life He fell in
owe and when a man Of his temper
,ment falls in love II is a serious
natter He was practically alone in
is family. His mother and sisters
lad always esteemed themselves in
circumstances and the
ruth so suddenly thrust upon them
Il the fathers death had been hard
O realize. The rigid economy insist
"A upon by Duncan when be under
ook the task OF reestahlishing the
business was not taken 20 kindly and
here was an atmosphere almost Of /.
omplaiut and discomfort at home.
And So when Alice Morton crept in.
o his life and he learned little by
title to know the breadth Of her :
mind and the deep sympathy OF her /.
ature II came as balsam to his wor-
led mind and heart. He sought her
more and more and
anne more and more TO confide in
or and lay down upon her hopeful
hind the problems that confronted
i'm. As his attentions came to be .
lore and more marked his people
rose in revolt.
why, Duncan" said his mother !
he Mortons have neither money nor !
ocial position. You must not be- !,
ONE involved with them Our only t,
ope IS for you TO make a good mar .
iage which you can easily do with !,
our name and personality"
"By a good marriage you mean :.
ich marriage suppose" he replied "
18th more feeling than he often dis .
laved in family differences We'll,
must disagree with you. Our only I
ope is TO live within our income and I
lalxe tho business 60 ! hope ] am G.
OF an unmindful son and brother, o
nj declare myself here and now Ii
Sat come what may ] viii not be a q
,rtune hunter and matrimonial ad- h
.nturer All else will ! do for the il
lmily but not that" E"
And his intimacy with Alice Morton b
,ntinued and increased until she be- Il
,me the brightest spot IN his lie o
nd then one soft spring evening c,
lrried away by the poetry Of her Of
ha- l