The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-03-10


jury. A joint that has been dislocated
or attacked by rheumatism, or mu-
cous membrane that has been the seat
of catarrh becomes weaker and more
susceptible by each attack. Thus
habit becomes second nature to all,
or perhaps more 6ttingly as Yelling
ton said: ssHabit becomes ten times
nature" Being once in the grip Of a
habit it can readily be seen how diff
cult it is to overcome. Habits. are
either good or bad. Good habits make
our nervous systems, our time, our
associates and our possessions, our
alias, instead Of our enemies. They
invest our powers and our acquisitions
so that we become persons Of means as
far as individually is concerned, living
in perfect security and often at leisure.
Bad habits array our bodies, minds
and means in continuous warfare
against ourselves; arm them with the
most modern weapon; place at their
disposal the most reliable information
and surrender to them the moststrate-
gic positions. They make the path
way through life dark and fearful.
They trample into the dust all that
honors human nature. Daily the VIC
tim becomes increasingly debased in
his own sight until self respect has
been eliminated. He disgraces his
family, his friends and his calling. He
subjects to the most exquisite torture
those who are dearest. Fettered they
lead him through the bitter pathway
of barren life. They entomb him in
an 1lnhonored grave. They open be-
fore him a future unilluminated by q
ray Of hope.
That there are people that have ac-
quired such habits IS, unfortunately,
too true. Surely there can be nothing
more welcome to their friends, the
public OF to any individual who has .
spark Of manhood or a particle Of self
respect, than an effort on the part Of
such to reclaim their worse than
wasted life. That there are people
who thoughtlessly or deliberately place
fresh stumbling blocks in the way of
such people on such occasions or even
attempt to undermine whatever power
of resistance there may yet remain,
seems incredible, yet "'tis true, and
pity tits, 'tis true"
10 those who act thoughtlessly in
such matters we say reflect. Incalcu-
liable is the pain inflicted and injury
done, without what may properly be
called malicious intent or premeditat-
ed wrong. There is merely lack Of
considerations disregard of results.
Our sports happen to interfere with
the interests, welfare and safety Of
others and we are not prepared to give
up our policy, prejudice or amusements
for their sakes. These stumbling
blocks are necessary to complete the
circuit of our pleasures. How heavily
these objects may cause others to fall
or severely they may be injured there
by is too remote for our seltishness
to consider. But the consequences
are the same, Others must reap the
harvest of tares which we have sown
in their fields while they slept; must
dance the dance of death for our
amusement. Surely this is inexcuse.
able. That there are those who delib
e1ately tempt the weak, when yielding
means so much, seems beyond belief.
To assume the guise of friend fol
sinister purposes has always justly
been held in unspeakable contempt.
The word traitor is unpleasant in
taste and sound. Benedict Arnold is
a by-word among all English speaking
people. He has the respect of no one.
When on one occasion he was intro
duced to Earl Barcarras, one of Bur
goyne's officers, the earl turned from
Arnold refusing the extended hand
saying, "Sir, I know General Arnold
to be an abomination. Likewise the
name of Judas Iscariot carries with it
snch weight of infamy, that in the
estimation of man he has long ere this
reached the lowest pool of the bottom:
less pit. The .betrayer who under the
guise of love blasts life or robs home
Of q danphfor NAV ho Shnt nv the
father as though he were wild beast
and is regarded as haying received his
just deserts. The man who enters a
home, alienates the affections of a wife
and detiles its threshold, may be treat
ed like yiciouscur without comment
Is a man so much inferior to woman
that he may be ruined without COM
Function? Surely he who under the
guise of a friend robs a man of honor
and selfrespect; wastes health and shat
II e