The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-01-20

ing confined him the heavy fist was the
only thing that, so to speak, carried
weight. And Jack was strong. At
this age his reputation was a bad one.
He had come to be known as tough,
q hard fighter and on occasions a hard
drinker. The language he spoke and
the only one with which he was ac-
qualnted was blasphemy. Yet, spite
VI all this Jack was good man. Not
savage but Primitive. His conduct
as the natural outcome of his train
ing, his views of the world and its con-
tents.
One day Jack was seated on the edge
OF pier gazing broouingiy on the oak,
sluggish Walter Ut the Inanes LnaL |
flowed beneath when SOMEONE behind |
him Iemarkeu: "GuOd uay, tlr. Jack |
was not III a particularly pleasant mood |
al the time, uut there NOS something |
in the tone uf Tue voice that na0 a Pc |
culiarly soothing effect, "as Certain
musical notes Lave on The insane,
which caused him to turn his head IN
the direction whence IL came. hat
he beheld was u clean, healthy looking
old gentleman, Eeatly dressed, pleas
ny spectacle, Dut specie with which
Jack was unacquainted, 80, growing
what was meant for a response, he re-
turned to his medlLatiOns. But the
old gentleman was not to be 50 easily
dismissed. He had evidently delermin-
cd upon a conversation aud seating
himself by Jacks side with few ap-
prOpriate remarks engaged his atten-
tiOn. Diplomatic was the old gentle
man and Jacks soul was to him as an
open book WherefrOm he read of tu-
multi, of wild, passionate yeaInlng and
melancholy brooding IN tie gloom OF
ignorance. The veriest savage is sus-
ceptible to the influence Of noble, un-
selfish characters, a quality which
makes it possible for Livingstone to
walk unarmed, unhurt, where armies
move with precautiOn. This quality
the old gentleman possessed and moved
by influence, that was entirely foreign,
Jack told the story of his life and his
yearnings. For hours they conversed,
seated on the edge of the pier and look
ing down at the dark water that flowed
beneath, Jack listened to the kind
words and advice of his companion that
fell like balm from Heaven upon his
wild. trOubletossed soul. At last when
tt lamps were lighted and the hustle
of the busy city had abated the old
, gentleman arose and promising to Ie-
new the acquaintance OH future Oc.
casion, departed.
When Jack returned to his lodgings
down in waterside slum that night II
was noticed that peculiar change haC
come over him. More than usually
savage was his demeanor, his hrOws
were knit, his face haggard as though
passions were surging in his heart thai
Q he found difficult to suppress. Two
r days after the owner of the restaurant
where Jack took his meals handed hin
letter and parcel addressed to Mr.
:. Henson, AS Jack had never received
t a letter before in his life the experienc,
t was not only novel but exhilarating
n fastening to his lodging he opened tn,
letter which proved to be, as he ha,
conjectured, from his companion of tn
s previous evening. A brief letter
n simply and excellently worded, con
n tanning appropriate advice for whicl
Jack felt grateful Men do not rejec
% advice they believe to be genuine, it i
q the stilted platitudes of the ''superio
d person. that they spurn. The parce
"a contained picture, small reproduC
;, ton of Bendett's Sunset at Sea, depict
ing the scene with all the resplendenc
a that belongs to it, Nothing coul
n have appealed to Jacks nature NOR
d strongly. All his widest and mobiles
!. impulses were stirred. His heart throt
% bed. his flood flowed with greater az
& celeration and he drew deep sobbin
le breaths as his Imagination conjured u
a visions of the sea, the clear expanse {
a. the sky and the fresh exhilaratin
breezes of the ocean. The next da
u he met the old gentleman by appoin
"a ment and together they went for
stroll through the quieter and more r
10 spectacle parts of the city. Mar
- topics they conversed upon, the oil
~ gentleman describing different thing
TO in way that gave them a beauty JAG
o. had never before detected. Toward
ia. evening they returned, separating
> the outskirts of the district wherei
- Jack had lOdgment and where he stot
ne pondering long after the departure
ed his companion, before plunging in
m the filthy confines, resolving Oh the mo
oe row to seek more salubrious abod
- This acquaintance developed into mo
rs than friendship. No purer or strong
y. sentiment exists than the love of OF
Mt man for another and from this ia,
n. drew inspiration and nourishment
a purer and nObier life. Under til
ho kindly guidance of his friend he devt
IN. ed himself to study, working with cha
lis acteristic energy and diligence, sparil
al neither time nor labor in his efforts
"a overcome the problems with which
ou was confronted. The harder the Ia
re- the greater the need for labor-th
hei was Jacks philosophy.
In. - q onfi511ed IN c0l,n7s thu D0oe. , =