Norwich bulletin., 1916-05-13
Sunday Morning Talk
WALKING BEHIND rHE MuLE.

 recently held that no damages can be collected by one who is injured while walking behind a mule. Through many centuries and in many climes the long -eared party has established a reputation for reckless use of his heels that marks his vicinity as danger zone. One who walks or stands where a mule can reach him is guilty of contributory negligence. He is simply courting calamity. He has no claim that the law is bound to respect.
 There is sound principle here that applies to other situations than ac- tions of tort One who rushes need lessly into any sort of danger forfeits the greater part of his claim for con sioeration. We are exceedingly sorry to see him get hurt, but we refuse to parcel out the responsibility. To smoke in the garage, to play with the loaded revolver, to fondle the lion cub ito walk behind any sort of mule whatsoever, is to play the part of the fool.
 There are two kinds of risks that men take-nobIe, and ignoble ones. It may be necessary for any of us in some supreme hour to throw ones life regardlessly into the balance for the or death comes then, either one is the portion of the hero in life's battle Only a, poltroon will refuse to take a risk when duty calls.
 But there are ignoble risks that men take that benefit nobody, and for which no justification can be found. Stupid acts of bravado abound which men sometimes mistake for heroism but which really deserve another name.
 I recall a blutering fellow whose ex- pressed contempt for precautions io T1I E,s,- to expose himself needlessIy to con tagion. His reputation as scientist suffered eclipse after he had taken the disease in virulent form, barely es- caping with his life and forcing an expense of several hundreds of dollars on the town for the quarantine of his house.
 There is lack of intelligence in 1 the way in which hundreds of young people will rush into danger this com ! ing summer. Three quarters of the accidents that plunge shocked reia- tives into grief are preventable by the exercise of a little common sense Rocking the boat, swimming out be- yond the breakers, climbing to the tor of the ledge, etc. all these useless stunts form part of the insane folly of youth.
 So it is with periIs of more spirit ual sort It is not courage but mad ness that leads one to see how neal he can go to the edge of some mora preciptce, and not tumble over. Nc one in full possession of all his fac l ulties will do it. It is sheer idiocy fol | a yc1gE man to begin to shake dice or to drink liquor, or to look in at low resorts on the notion that he can 'cut it out'' whenever he wants to. The l idiot human moth f1uttering around the hungry flame is pretty sure in tht end to be drawn into it
 A wholesome moral fear is one oI the prime safeguards. Life is not tht ! smooth and easy Jaunt the complacen I people advertise. T. is full of trapI for the unwary.
 On the night before the fight betweer the English and the Scotch at Ban. Il nockburn, Bruce honeycombed the | ground in front of his army with pit. falls, each of which contained a hid, J den stake, and then covered them Ill again with green turf. When thu | English cavalry charged across ground sI that looked firm and solid, horse ant rider plunged to their fate.
 Not otherwise does life appear a. saf. and solid road to the novitiate. Late,
 he learns the dangers that turk aloni the way. The wise man gives a mora peril the widest possible berth. Dali. J he prays Lead us not into tennpta. ton. He keeps out of range of blow, by. which he may be qnasmed or don
 to death before he fully realizes wha
 has struck him.
 THE pARsoN.