The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-04-15
,contlnued from ,e.rerday1

WITH smile MARK ODeySu' AiV visa
used to queer commands from THIS
$3.50. sAes vent ON, each bges "2th
his own thoughts, Courtneys cues
lions continued. Had he failed again
completely? And why?
He became aware that Mark had,
broken the silencer IL owe you
lot. he had said
Not very much Courtney sighed.
II wish il we're more-much more
"Oh. yes, il is much. You've taught
me TO read and talk and-and think.
Courtney depressed an unhappy smile.
you've made me-see big. You We
got me ready TO go away from mere.
IL appreciate it,
I'D rather you could see true. But
must you go?" The plea was without
spirit: he knew its uselessness,
There's a life 10 be lived here, even
by man who sees big. wish you
would stay, at least for a while
mo, / must go now I've a reason
you don't know.
The preacher felt jealous pang.
a." he thought, for ten years have
been giving my best thought. my best
prayers, 10 the making OF this boy.
A pretty face crosses his path, and
in a moment my fine creation shrlnks
TO this passionate young animal
merely shrewd where | would have
him big, exulting in strength where l.
wanted him 10 rejoice in service, de-
slrous where ! have taught him to as
pire. have failed again.
After a while he said aloud, Did
you by any chance hear my sermon
this morning.
Mark looked away uncomfortable.
"Only part Of it. was thinking
pretty hard
"Of yellow Draids and a pretty com,
plexion," Courtney said TO himself Dit
terly.
Mark was frowning in an effort TO
recall and piece together detached
phrases that had floated TO him DUR
ing the service and then, finding no
welcome. hoated away. 1t was
about" he said hesitatingly, 1T was
about a man finding his big idea
Il am battered The dry droll In
Election was a concealment.
THE big idea" said Mark vaguely,
does il mean-God|
IT'S His way OF lifting the world
forward. It S. Courtney stopped aU'
ruptly, with a hopeless smile lie
looked away across the hills.
Suddenly, with an oddly appearing
gesture. he turned again 10 Mark. All
the intense longing OF the man who
has dreamed and failed and yet chung
TO some fragment OF his hope, paint
ing his vision, breathed in his words.
Some day you may remember
told YOU. It's the big purpose that
sometimes comes to the big passion
ate man, TO accomplish some work for
it's own sake. that grips him, drives
him. makes him ruthless TO his own
desires, forgetful OF his failures and
blind TO everything but his task; that
transforms him into narrow Zealot,
fanatic, but power-always a
power. because he is his purpose in
carnate. It il that without which
the big man is wasted, because he Is
that dangerous useless thing, force
uncontrolled It's what | wanted
you 20 have
Mark stared. lin afraid don't
understand.
And l." Courtney cried II can't
make you understand! But you will
know when IL comes TO you The
fire began TO die from his eyes and
voice III Il comes, he added.
What is your big idea|"
The man looked at him queerly.
"Ah, You shouldn't have asked
that" he answered. in quick relapse
10 the odd dry infection. IF we're
not as am, | should say-you.'
And again Mark had 10 say. But
don't understand
Courtney did not try TO enlighten
him. Let us so back he said.
They retraced their steps down the
.undulating road thar led into the val
ley
They had passed the watering
trough again before Mark noticed It..
He stopped. pointing back TO IL.
II think he smiled. eager to soothe
the disappointment he felt but could
not explain in his mentor, Il under
stand that I'd forgotten was
thirsty"
you think 500" Courtney answered
almost roughly But You don't IN
derstand. Though that al least, Is
something life will teach you-and
before long. You viii forgive
me Il am a bit sharp ! am a little
disappointed today-in myself
For a while Mark considered per
pleXedly this outburst Then he dis
missed u as one OF the Incompetent
sible moments Ola man whom despite
oddities. he liked very much. lie