The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-06-19
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MAN | DIDN'T SAVE
BY JACK 8RANT.

river. had moved out there to
lonely cabin where 1 could get inspira
ton from the canyons for my literary
work, with no one to bother me. Will
the exception Of the Indian who
brought my provisions. this was the
first man had seen.
He looked 80 sad that felt 1t my
duty to go up and speak to him. though
1t annoyed me to think had to do It
Sir" said, approaching him with
reverence, for he was an old man with
white beard, what are you doing
here?"
Young man." he answered, don't
bother me. am about to commit sui
eide by jumping of here"
Its a good place." l said, not be-
Ing able to think of anything else to
say.
THE best In the world" he said.
And I've come 1000 miles because
1t ia the best. know good place to
commit suicide when see one"
/ had to admit that he did. Then,
because my curiosity was aroused, l
asked him why he was determined
thus abruptly to end his existence.
Pride" he said sadly. Family
pride. can't bear to see our fine old
family name dlsgraced."
And who" l asked, lis disgracing
your family manner"
81 am" he said simply.
How" l asked, trying to conceal
my feelings ip my voice, how, pray,
did you disgrace your family?"
Il was teller in bank" he began,
"for 40 years. At the end Of that time
the deficit was only $4,000. 1t was
discovered.
Think Of 1t, only $4,000 in 40
years! 1t was a small thing, you will
say, but"-here he drew himself up
proudly-"but the fine old family name
of Griggs has never had blemish.
"Nol"-here he struck the rock with
his clenched flst-"I will not live to
see that bright name dimmed. Better
the rocks below, than blame above!"
My mind was working rapidly all
this time, seeking some method of saw
Ing him. And all at once 1t found one.
See here" l said, in the matter-of-
fact manner that is the most convinc-
ing of all oratory, have you consid'
cred your case carefully? Have you
thought of the dangerous step which
you are about to take?
THE life which you are about to
take Is, in one sense Of the word, no
more your own than the gold of a
bank. Ordinary embezzlement is
child's play compared to suicide"
Having said this, l sat silent and
waited for its meaning to become i'm
pressed on Griggs' mind. This hap
pened slowly, but the effect was as
good as l could have wished. When
he looked up at me, there were tears
In his eyes.
Young man." he said, IT feel that
what you say is true. You have put
things in a new light, light in which
have never seen them before. You
have saved my life. Take 1t and do
with 1t what you will"
He extended a hand trembling with
emotion, and l shook 1t heartily.
/ took him home, and as 1t was late
Immediately showed him to my room,
where he was to sleep. l would spend
the night on the straw In the shed.
Before left him he turned to me. and
again grasped my hand.
81 will try" he said earnestly. ito
repay you"
Gained him and went to bed. And
In bed l must confess felt good deal
like the hero no doubt was. And be-
sides that. had earned friend whose
one object IN life would be to repay a
debt of gratitude.
In the morning washed in the
kitchen, in order not to disturb my
guest. He came In while l was shaw
ing.
Good morning." he said. Don't
you know that you should always use
your left hand when you are shaving
the left side of your face?"
l tried it and cut my nose Just in
front of my ear. 1t always annoys
me to cut myself. l left that side Of
my face unshaved. and put tissue
paper on 1t.
But I only looked reproachfully at
Griggs, and started to get breakfast.
II there is one thing that do well,
it's pancakes. Raw pancakes are as
bad as raw peaches. l made one frying
pan full, and started another.
Don't you know" said Griggs, who
had been watching me, that eating
pancake that is too much Drowned is
like taking Just SO much poison into
your system? There are more green
graves caused by burned pancakes
than old age"
OF course l didn't like to be rude to
Griggs, considering that I had Just
saved him from precipitous death. 1
half baked the next frying painful.
But them" continued Griggs, "a
pancake is pancake, no matter in
what stage, and should be avoided like
leprosy. Young man, do you realize
that in eating pancake you take into
your body a mass of dough that be-
comes a solid ball in the course OF