Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-28

| truth" he thought; only let people know
| themselves and other people. and all the
reforms which the world needs will
transpire automatically" The longer he
lived the surer he became that the truth
is what the world .most needs; the un-
vanished truth, clearly and even stylish
| ly presented. As for beginning to write
the truth himself. he could not since he
did not yet know what manner of thing
it might be. But he went about inquir-
Ing of this man and that, and picked up
a hint here and a hint there
1t was his plan at this time to practice
writing and to search for the truth until
he was 30 He did not wish to publish
n line until he was reasonably sure of
his matter and his manner His father
was dead and his mother did not believe
in young men working I'm offices unless
they had to. She trusted John Paul and
trusted that he knew what was best for
himself So. when tho sons OF other we'll
to-do mothers We're graduated and went
downtown and learned to chatter about
stocks and bonds land nothing better,
and some things worse for all the rest
of their livesD, she saw with equanlmity
her own son depart on a series of travels
which he thought would be good for him
and knowledgous
Writing, playing, wondering, inquiring
and finding out, he journed UP and down
the world. and almost twice around 1t;
rushing home for happy visits and rush
ing off again for happier vagabondings.
And he rubbed corners with all sorts of
people and things, and came off some
times the better, sometimes the worse,
but always and forever the more know
ing
In the midst of John Paul's educa-
tional heyday, the most of his mothers
trusteed money was lost, and John Paul
came scurrying home TO comfort and to
earn. But Mrs. Paul was staunch
woman. II don't mind" she said: 81
have kept big house for % years now,
and between you and me | have always
hated 1T. I've enough money left tc keep
me in Europe and enough friends in Eu-
rope to keep me amused. The unpleasant
part Of it is that 1 can't give you an al
lowance commensurate with your way Of
living, or your station in life In fact"
here Mrs. Paul smiled urolly. Il don't
think | can give you any allowance at
all"
John Paul burst out laughing. and then
he put his arm around his mother.
III you can be such a good sport" he
said, i've got to be. I'm not ready to
make living yet. But | will"
So Mrs. Paul sailed away for year
and day, and John Paul got him a job
in a publishers office at S. a week. Some
times, however, Mrs. Paul sent him a
little money. but that is n secret.
John paul's employer was man who
could never quite trust anybody to do
anything. There was consequently among
his employees none of that sense of re-
sponsibility which schools n man to do
little better than he knows how AS
far as work went John paul's position
was a sincCurc; but in regard to progress
and development tragedy
John Paul belonged to n country club,
from which in the fall of his mothers
fortunes he had forgotten to resign. 1t
got to be May in the publishing house.
and our hero had n sickness upon him
for blue water and green lawns. lie had
in his pocket $lj, which funny paper
had given him in exchange for verses.
If he waited till pay day he would have
$50 But it was high May. and no season
for waiting. He took his well-worn derby.
very swCaty as to the sweatband, from
its iron hook, and, without a word to
anybody. marched out of that office for
ever In later years he became very
good friends with his former employer
and so the world goes.
At the Country Club John Paul found
friends, borrowed fanncls and made one
of four at tennis. 1t was proposed that
there be corner bets of $40 on each set.
What you like" said John Paul, aloud. |
To himself he said, III we lose tho first
set l can always sprain my ankle"
But he and his partner won that set (a
next, and when John Paul went up to |
shower and change he was worth $40 |
and the world seemed to him an encour-
aging and kindly place.
That night he risked his little all In .
poker game, and won a hundred and |
ninety odd dollars. And thereafter for .
two years dt was very hard for him 10 |
sell stories at firsO he supported himself |
by betting and playing games of chance
and skill.
III
Then curious thing happened, He fell II
and despairingly in love. II
and his luck left him. But his stories Il
were beginning to sell (enOugh to support II
lifel and he withdrew gradually and for
ever from the green baize and the betting II
ring. And was neither better. | think, II
for his experimentation worse; only a
little more knowing. II
CONTINUED TOMORROW. II