Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-03-26

Gavin Carmichael was staying at a
friends house in the country when he
met with the following extraordinary
experience. Mr.. French was Il man of
varied knowledge and broad views,
who seldom, if ever, used the word
'imposstble'so that he II Carmichael
often discussed ideas and theories
that to an ordinary person would have
seemed beyond or beneath discussion.
They were talking one night about
the curious and unexpected develop
ments in human nature when a visitor
vas announced. 1t was Il ncighbOr of
Mr.. Trench's who often dropped in
for Il chat, and he was easily per-
suaded to take a third armchair in
front of the fire, with Il cigar.
II was just saying Mr.. French
sHid. when he had seen that his guests
were made comfortable, how ones
trends astonish one sometimes. They
suddenly show themselves in quite a
different light from what one expected.
1t may be better or worse. Anyhow,
1t is different. Of course, with your
Interest in human nature, you have
noticed that, ?'-turning to
the newcomer.
"Of course; but | don't think it has
astonished me. One knows oneself so
tmperfectly that why should you eS-
pect to know all the ms and outs OF
your friends mind? lie probably isn't
aware of half that he might do him
self in certain circumstances, so how
rhn,,1I y-n,, ha n b1n tn r,,oSsS TbarN iS
a Russian proverb which says, The
soul Of thy brother is a dark forest
and not your brothers soul only. but
very often your own, too
THAT is true enough" Carmichael
Joined in. Il am convinced that half
a mans nature may sleep through all
his lif~~if the special circumstances
tat would appeal to it are never
brought into play. l am afraid that
our environment has more to do with
our being good or bad-to use those
broad terms-than we sometimes care
&c acknowledge"
II wonder how many men - and
women, too-are heartily sick of the
life they lead. and would gladly break
away; but the trammels Of habit and
convention keep them steady. Person
ally, l do not believe that humanity
was ever intended to lead the dull,
monotouous existence Of our modern
civilization"
Il was Lambert who spoke.
you think we should improve if we
went back a little way to barbarism?'
French said, with a laugh.
Il do distinctly. We are educated
out of all originality. We are 50 well
taken care Of that we have forgotten
how to take care Of ourselves. We
don't know how to use half our senses.
We are as helpless as children If we
ore taken out of our groove
what remedy would you suggest?'
Carmichael asked, looking at. him with
interest. Il agree with much that you
say, but how would you effect an i'm
provement?'
Il don't know. 1t is, Of course,
easier to find fault than to find Il
cure. But because many of us are liv-
ing against the graham unnatural,
Stultifying life-I would deal more
lightly with those who rebel, even
"llh SbSh iiit'Pp 80 -
fought with temptation and succumb-
ed. Who can tell how they have
struggled first? Who are we to judge
and condemn? What do we know of
=. the days-years, ~perhaps-of self-re-
preston, Of WEAKNESS, Of loathing,
that have gone before a great crime?'
The two listeners looked up in sur
prise at the passion in Lamberts
voice. lie was quite carried away by
his feelings. His grave, rather hard,
face was flushed and excited. He
leant forward, g~esticulating with his
hands.
81 beg your pardon !" he exclaimed,
the next moment, looking rather
ashamed of himself. I'm afraid I
have been r~anting~but w nc patience
with the platitudes of your dull moral
lists. They seem quite to forget-if
they ever knew-that what is possible
to one temperament is absolutely i'm
possible to another"
".tll the same. there must be general
laws for the guidance Of the whole
community Carmichael said. "If
yori once began to make exceptions,
yvliare would YOU stopT
NO doubt you are right" was the
Finest indifferent reply. and Lambert
s;,it, TO more. lie seemed to have lost
Interest in the subject.
"That.s rather a curious ~personali-
ty.. Carmichael said, when he had
ysie. What Ices he do-anything?
..Sot to my knowledge, beyond a lit
tte literary work. He is the sort Of
i.aH - s-siaai people begin by expect
GREAT things and finish by shaking
+. t8,r Leads over. ! believe even now
tejdld Il, anything il he gave his
4 to it. brit he seems to lack ener-
= --a *. re-DsVser."
rs le .nirrted9'
lis wife has been abroad,
u. Is c-psyted back shortly, I believe.