The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-04-26
My Cynical Friend
Ioriginal.l

there are good people In the world, hut
maintained that they are good because
Il is their interest to be good
did not meet Hinckley for several
years after our leaving college, and
then, curiously enough, it was at q
meeting Of the Salvation Army.
"Why, Hinckley," 1 exclaimed, ''who-
ever would have thought to run across
you In place like thisl Surely you
must have got rid of your cynlcism.
If you don't find disinterested good
among these people you'll not find 1t
anywhere"
Not at all" Hinckley replied. "These
people have living to make the same
as you and 1. This is their way of do
ing it,"
but what brings you here?"
wait awhile and I'll show YOU"
Pulling out his watch he glanced at it
and drew me to seats where we could
converse In a low tone without being
overheard. Like all well organized
shows" he went on, these Salvation
lists save the best till the last. There's
lasse to appear in few minutes I
want you to see"
Presently Captain Ida Sherwood
came upon the platform and began TO
speak. 1t seemed to me that If had
not seen her-had only listened to her
voice-I would have been convinced of
her love for her work. But that heav-
emily face contrasting with the poke
bonnet which surrounded II her ex-
preston and her accounts of her work
In rescuing the lost-it seemed to me
that the Saviour in woman's form had
come back to earth.
Il am glad" I whispered to Hinck-
ley, that you have found one who is
capable of breaking down that mis-
anthropy Of yours"
she hasn't broken down what YOU
call my misanthropy," he replied 'but
she Is capable Of breaking my heart"
When the meeting broke up we went
on for little supper together, and
Hinckley told me that Captain Ida
Sherwood would soon have an onnor-
tunity to show her preference for her
work to him, for he intended to pro-
pose to take her to a comfortable home
and make good wife and mother of
her.
But suppose" I said, "she declines
TO marry you unless permitted to fol-
low the life she has ,chosen?y
"She won't do that" he replied. "She
loves me-"
The next time l saw Hinckley he
was bitter against the Salvationists |
The whole thing is fraud" he said
There is but one among them who is
not making all they can out of it: she
Is sincere"
captain Ida Sherwood?,
Eyes"
why do you except herY
Because she loves me as l love her |
and she won't leave her work because |
she loves it better than either me or
herself"
Him." | replied musingly. '"Wen.
having found one sincere person
among them, perhaps in time you will
md others. But if you love her and
wish to possess her why don't you per
init her to go on with her work after
"She says that marriage between
a Salvationist and one absorbed in GET
ting rich would be no marriage at ALL"
l met Hinckley on the street not long
after this, and scarcely knew him.
He was walking abstractedly, with his
eyes staring vacantly before him. and
did not see me till tapped him on the
shoulder.
why Hinckley," 1 exclaimed.
whats happened?"
Nothing"
''Nothingr
"Jim, I'm wearing out" he said. his
reserve suddenly breaking down.
Business mattersT'
mo. I'm getting rich. Everything I
touch turns to gold It's in the heart.-
1.-The Salvation lassie?'
Eyes"
Cant you strike compromised
"a woman doesn't know what the
word MEANS"
Cant help your"
ne shOok MS mead mournfully, broke |
'way from me and went on.
One night l passed the Salvation Ar.
ny headquarters and. seeing a great
'rowd entering, went in with the
hrong. had no sooner entered than |
saw there on the stage the can I
ain, and beside her in a flaming red
hirt stood my old friend Hlnclxley. I
vas rubbing my eyes TO make sure that I
was he when a Salvation officer adj s
aneed ana announced that Recruit
henry liinckley and Captain Ida sher.
'ood would solemnize the bonds OF [
aatnmony. / waited for the service 10 4
e over then left as quickly as possible
ana not care 10 meet IIinckley or 10 y
ave him know that ! had witnessed
10 humiliation
When saw Hinekley again there
'as srent change in him. IIe had be.
opis one N fhe principal commanders
NE salvation Army ana was wholly
psrossed 10 bis work. ! called On MN