The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-04-28

~ pIONt -
he was fairly on the scales. Prior
to this he had been weighed along
with his money bags and with ms
fathers influence; now he would
learn what he was really worth. The
revelation was not very flattering. al
though il was we'll worth while.
The hard test of circumstances
proved the young mans market val
ue to be only that of a s~wineherd.
What a fall was there. This young
exquisite. This liberal giver Of Law
ish feasts. only a swineherd. Still 1t
is better for a man TO know that he
is really worth, however great n
hardship entailed. than to live com
fortably under an illusion. The best
thing the world does for any one OF
us is TO give US a just estimate Of
our own powers. 1t would be the
greatest fortune that could be befall
many a young fellow who goes speed
ing about in his automobile to be
brought into fair competition with
the young machinist III helped
make his toy.
Experience is a hard school. but
fools will learn in on other run the
proverb. The Prodigal had to feel
the teachers rod before he would
learn the lesson. Absolute hunger
came to be his lot, and the m
Of the many feasts he had shared
and given did not lesson the pangs
of his cravings. Physical needs re-
duce all men to the one level. The
hungry swine herd once q pampered
son Of luxury. in the face of starva-
ton was no better than the lowest
slave or peasant. He even would OH
tend with the beats for the dry carob
beans which were their food.
The Morning After.
The climate of the far country
has one dreadful characteristic. 1t is
---. 49,
gray Of its early mornings. At night
it's lights are bright and alluring, and
the raiment of its people is gorgeous,
and their gay. But in the
morning to which every visitor and
so%journer inevitably awakens-ah.
that is tragedy and disillusionment
and horror.
Lights are out, and a thick, chok-
ing fog is over all. The gay laugh
ter has given way to groans. The
festive companionship is followed by
a heart-sick loneliness. The flight Of
the wanderers MONEY from his purse
has been followed by the disappear
ance Of everything hat made 1.-The
far country" seem desirable-com-
panions, flattery, excitement, festivi-
ty, ARE foods and rich wines. Gone
GOne!. Gone.!! Nothing remains
The prince of the night before find
himself the beggar Of the morning
after, with not even a beggar's com
rades. Forsaken.-that is the bit.
! terest drop in the dregs of every
: prOdigal's cup on that bleak and res
! olate morning after when he comes
? to himself.
$ Hear the cry, as it resounds from
. the death house at Sing Sing. Fou
y "gunmen," who were representative
{ Of the gang types of the loyalty Q
q the far country" ready to commi
r murder at the behest of their crowd
But the "old fogies'' of law and orde
and decent society have caught u
with them: they are to have the lou
q vOndicated on themselves in the cleo
trio chair within a few hours. Thei
calloused bravado has remained IN
Is broken hitherto. But now where ar
'e their friends? What is 1.-The gang
! doing for them? In the blue light thu
Is Kisses and crackles from the cha
of death they can see things wit
l. new clearneSs. So what have the
Oh to say, as a dying message?
o1 Only this: and it should be brand
n ed into the brain of every FOOLS
boy tempted to play prodigal: "Te
r the boys that the synagogue was rigl
in Everybody has gone back on US e:
ne cept the synagogue and our famil
u Keep away from the gang and be
a companions. Mind what the hon
ne ok say. Stay by the synagogue, 4
or it is right There you have in sun
10 mary the latest attestation of the oil
er old truth, which youth is SO ready
lie. diSbelieve. that home and church a
a boys best riends. The boon cor
I'M paniOnS of the far country fl
est away in the hour of trial: but fam
&c and religion are loyal to the end.
no The Portrait of u Father.
The picture of this father. who
God. patiently waiting. day after d.
week after week month after mon,
year after year. is u~nspeakably touc
gal ing. He knew the son would COZ
an. back some day, even though it mig
not be until his garish world had c;
ny him out. All. the homes that W;
to and watch; the windows where t
light burns all the night through, a
the doors that are never locked, Tt
Tho may have the comfort that God L
The derstands all about it. for he too
err doing this.
ned This father saw his son afar {