Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-26


having arrived went to the baggage
room. two blocks away. to see about
it. 1t was found. The baggage mas
ter said he would send it AT once.
Then eneued Il curious performance.
A little boy, apparently about 10
years Of age, was called in, and two
men lifted the heavy trunk-it was
as much as they could manage-2nd
settled it upon the small boys back.
Then that child carried il down the
street, into the house, and up the
three stairways into our room. The
loads people can carry when they get
used TO ii Is amazing.
And they carry still more amazing
loads on their minds. Every man has
his Pack. IN fact, the human soul IS
the most tremendous freight carrier
known. Beside il the freight train and
the steamship sink into insignificanco.
Every ono who reads this Eas his
load. You. Mr., Ono, are bearing up
under n heap OF debt, crueIcst Of bur
dons: q note is due next week: You
can see bankruptcy coming over the
hill. Mr.. TWO has family complica-
tons. 4 boy developing strong symp-
talent for causing hoartache. Mr..
Three las just como from tho phys!-
clan, who has told him that he may
i've year perhaps only few months.
Mrs -Four has borne a husband trag-
cdy until the last spark Of girl JOY
has been put out; every hour threat
ching epectcr is behind her. Mr.. Five
has D huge growth Of bad habit that
is slowly sitting him. MIR. Six IS wor-
RED over his position; things are be-
coming unbcarablc 1T the shop And
so on to the last one. Never q man
spirit without its pack saddle.
1t was not always so. We began life
free. like Young colts frisking in the
meadow. with nothing to do but kick
up their heels, iced and frolc. Then
VIC were caught, bridlod, broken TO tilc
saddle and the shafts. and nov no
more open pasture days but thc dull
street ana the load and the drivers
lash.
Since we arc all destined to be pack
mules there must be some design in
H. What is natures object? Does
she want 70 break US down. plow wrin-
kjcs in orr hrows. dig crows feet by
our eyes, dry our skins and our hearts,
hump our backs ana squeeze al The
injcc and snarEle of youth out OF US?
IF This were al nature were surely a
stcpInOther.
There is another end she has in.
view in the carrying out Of which our
Iira rorcae aro srcnt Ana that end is
character. No man can reflect long
1lnor tho events and laws Of life anG
avoid The conclusion that we we're put
hero. not to be happy. bat To become
great. Happincss is the bait. great
ness The hook. Nature sets 4 great
deal more store BY character than We.
She does not care 50 much Tor get
ting things done. such as building
cities and churches, establishing huge
Institutions. and carrying on wide re-
terms IS she uses these things 70
tro IN her children.
II IS The burden that makes the
soul fiber. No careless snirit ever be
came lofty and strong. Those VINO do
not work have 10 muscle, and those
Who 10 not @u(Ter have no snirit mus
Gle.
Who are the patient but the tried
ana annoyed What can produce pa
ti2noo but unpleasant things? And
nature cares more for that fine resi-
dunn OF patience than for years or
pleasure in us.
VINO can grow the quality Of cour-
ago save those continually III danger"
OF what value is virtue except II Do
oltcn tempted? Where win You find
oa<lllo honesty except in the mind that
has Wrcstlcd with the tempcsts OF
fraud? How can self-control be de-
ve'oped unless by the stress Of pas
sion?
Sncrulatc' as we may about the
presence Of wrong in the world, and
give what answer We choose to the
riddle, VIC cannot deny that if il were
not d tho things that tend 10 ruin us
VIC would not amount 10 much. THE
first lesson of history" says Emcr-
son, lis the good Of evil. Good is
good doctor, but to tell US how the
crushing dcspotism of William the
Norman made possible the Magma
Chara under John; how Edward T.,
wanting money and armies, paid for
his subsidies in privileges and the
house Of commons arose; how the
cruel vars that followed the march