Evening journal., 1905-04-12
My Cynical Friend
[orlginal.l

fNhANS AoiA Sphtlh6 pulito was llc ue- /
NAL Of spontaneous good. He granted |
there are good people in the world, but
maintained that they are good because
It is their interest to be good.
did not meet Hinckley for several
years after our leaving college, and
then, curiously enough it was at
meeting of the Salvation Army.
why. Hlnckley," exclaimed, who
ever would have thought to run across
you in a place like thisl Surely you
must have got rid of your cynicism.
If you don't find dlsinterested good
among these people you'll not find it
anywhere"
Not at ALL" Hinckley replied. ''These
people have a 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 low tone without being
overheard. Like all well organized
shows" he went on. these Salvation
lists save the best till the last There's
a lassie to appear in a few minutes
want you to see"
Presently Captain Ida Sherwood.
came upon the platform and began to
speak It seemed to me that If I had
not seen her-had only listened to her
volce-I would have been convinced of
her love for her work. But that heav-
enly face contrasting with the poke
bonnet which surrounded It, 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" / 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
or for a little supper together. and
Hinckley told me that Captain Ida
Sherwood would soon have an Oppor-
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 a good wife and mother of
her
"But suppose" I said. "she declines
20 marry you unless permitted to fol-
p low the life she has chosenT'
"she won't do that" he replied. "she
loves me-"
The next time saw Hincl1ley he
was bitter against the Salvationists
"The whole thing is a 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?'
"Yes."
"Why do you except herr"
Because she loves me as love her,
and she won't leave her work because
she loves it better than either me or
herself"
"H'm," I replied musingly "Well,
having found one sincere person
among them. perhaps in time you will
find others. But if you love her and
wish to possess her why don't you per
nit her to go on with her work after
marriage?"
'"She says that a marriage between
a S8lyationist and one absorbed in get
ting rich would be no marriage at ALL
/ met Hinckley on the street not long
after this, and I 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." exclaimed
whats lnppened?"
Nothing"
"Nothingr'
"Jim, I'm wearing out" he said, his
reserve suddenly breaking down.
Business mattersT'
me. I'm getting rich Everything
touch turns to gold. It's in the heart"
ssThe Salvation lassieT
'Yes."
s'Can't You strike a compromised
"a woman doesn't know what the
word means"
Cant 1 help your"
He shook his head mournfully, broke
away from me and went on.
One night passed the Salvation Ar
my headquarters and, seeing a great
crowd entering. went in with the
throng 1 had no sooner entered thar
saw there on the stage the cap
tain, md beside her in flaming ret
shirt stood my old friend Hinckley.
was rubbing my eyes TO make sure thai
1t was he when a Salvation officer ad
vanced and announced that Recruit
Henry Hlnckley and Captain Ida Sher
wood would solemnize the bonds o
matrlmony. I waited for the service t
! be over, then left as quickly as possible
did not care TO meet Hinckley or Il
have him know that 1 had witnessed
his humiliation.
When / saw Hinckley again there
was great change in him. He had be
come one OF the principal commander
In the Salvation Army and was who'll,
engrossed In his work / called on hin
at his Office In the headquarters build
ing and instead Of looking humiliateS
he looked triumphant He insisted oI
my going home with him to dinner
where l found his wife much occupied
by their first child, who was by nj
means neglected for the good of suffer
ing humanity.
There. JIM" said Hinckley, "ls tn
woman who broke down my system o
philosophy. By proving to me that ther