The Detroit times., 1911-01-09

! CHAPT6H NIN.-(Continued.)
The only discreditable thing about
IL Is that you admit IT," said Merkle.
Let me Tell you something. son!
Nine out OF every ten men that strike
this city 90 up against ii. The tenth
man may find IL easy. Things. break
right for him from the jump, and be-
| fore he realizes what it's all about he
finds himself at the top. He doesn't
deserve any credit for that. It's been
handed TO him on a silver platter.
But the other nine have TO fight
for II. Some OF them haven't the
staying qualities, and lay down. but
those who have the right stun in them
refuse to acknowledge that they're
licked. 30 they shut their teeth hard
and go at IL once more.
Perhaps they get another solar
plexus, but they're up at the sound OF
the gong. and they keep coming up in
spite OF their knockdowns until the
world realizes that they can't be kept
down and is forced to make a place
for them. Believe me, son, a man
isn't a failure until he admits 1t him
self"
That sounds all right" said Tom,
| y.
to 1t than worldly success. I've found
out-a man has to have character.
I've shown how little | have"
You've got character, all right"
said Merkle, "or you wouldn't admit
that you haven't. All you have to do
| is to prove IL, and to assume the re-
sponsibility that goes with it,"
What responsibility
Myself" said Merkle, with a
chuckle. i've agreed TO take a
chance at your suggestion. That's
your esponsibility-and you can't
shirk 1t. Now | propose to do the
same for you. Let's be responsible
for each other. Let's go into this
thing as partners"
Not at Fairview," said Tom.
Its the only way you can make
good"
You don't understand 1t, Merkle.
There's a girl"
THE girl at home? There always
is, but that's all the more reason why
you shouldn't lay down"
Il can't face it,"
THE devil you can't! You're going
home with me-" Merkle rose and
gave Tom a savage slap on the back.
I'm not" Tom was weakening.
Think 1t overt"
"Oh, don't you suppose I've thought.
I've thought until my brain reels.
Don't talk to me any more! l want
10 be alone!"
He rose and began to pace the floor
nervously. But Merkle seized him
firmly by the shoulders and backed
him to the wall
"I've made up my mind to go, and
you're going with me-" he said stern
ly AS Tom hung his head. he con-
tinued, kindly: Just think how
comfy Wen be in the old house, and
her boy again.
"The Girl Is Waiting"
and as for the girl, she's probably
waiting and hoping that you will come
back. What II you have made a fool
OF yourself? Don't you suppose that
she'll understand that you're all the
better for the experience? Come
nome, kid" he pleaded, holding Tom
at arms length and looking at him
pityingly. Come home with ME
now"
Tom sank into the chair by the
table and sobbed Historically: why
couldn't you have stayed out OF here!'
he cried II knew what | wanted to
do before you came in! Why didn't
YOU leave me to myself?'
He gave way completely 20 his feel
ings, sobbing like a child
II wanted to show you. SAID
Merkle, very gently, the folly OF
what YOU had in mind"
Tom lifted his head and stared at
him stupidity.
Then you knew all the timer
81 couldn't help overheariug what
passed between you and Leroy and
with a glance ct the gas tube
guessed the rest"
So" Tom broke out, you've had
an evenings fun at my EXPENSE
THAT isn't fair, kid, | meant all
that | said. and I'm in earnest now"
Well" said Tom, what was left
me? I've disappointed the girl that
loved me. I've disappointed my moth
er's faith in me. and worst OF all, I've
disappointed myself. | thought my.
self fit for the biggest things, and
found that | couldn't rise above the
smallest OF them. l was told TO go
out into the world OF real men and
women and find out what | wanted
and what | could do. And all I've
succeeded in doing is to find out what
don't want, and what | can't do.
1.-THE Crucibie of Experience"
Doesn't that prove that you're not
failure?" cried Merkle. Success Is
process OF elimination and when n
man has found out what he doesn't
want, and what he can't do, he has
found himself. And you have found
yourself in the crucible OF expert
ence"
That's what Jane said, said Tom.
THE crucible OF experience"
That's why Ewant you to go back
to Fairview,' said Merkle. "Oppor-
tunity isn't geographical 1t lies with
IA ones self. It's waiting for you
now IL you will only seize IT, Moth
ing but vanity or cowardice will keep
you from IT,"
I'm not coward" said Tom, In
dignantly.
will you go, them"
"Sure!" Into Toms face there
came the old fire, the old determine
ton. New York might go hang. he
was going to succeed.
Good BOY" shouted Merkle with
the air Of a conquerer. He ran quick
ly into his room, returning with a