The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-06-21
/ WHEN THE LONG LANE TURNED
Man Relates Boyhood Experiences IN
Learning to Measure Life and
Conduct by Gods Standard.

almost forty years ago. when I
was lad Of fourteen. crotchety old
farmer named Josiah Sipbbins ordered
me and two other boys out Of his
woods, where we were gathering chest
nuts" said gentleman recently. I'm
reminiscent conversation with q
friend. "Of course, Mr.. Stebbins was
within his rights. but there were BUSH
els of nuts that he could never use.
and his rough, abusive language an.
gered us.
"'we11 get even with You for this
Lyman Crosier shouted back defiantly,
ana he added In a lower tone: ITS u
long lane that don't turn somewhere
"On the way home we discussed
ways and means of getting even with
Josiah Stebbins. but none of our boy
ish projects were practicable. The
other boys soon forgot the whole mat.
ter. but as for me, the adage about
the long lane was scarcely out of my
mind for day, and | repeated II to
myself every time saw Mr.. Stebbins.
1t did not occur to me that was nurs-
ing n revengeful spirit: on the con-
trary, I felt rather proud Of standing
up for my own rights.
"One October afternoon the next
year, as was crossing corner Of Ira
JudsOn's pasture, l saw eleven lambs
jump over n low place in the fence into
Mr.. Stebbins' field. Something had
started them. for they raced full speed
the length Of the back meadows and
disappeared over the crest of rocky
ridge beyond.
"When reached the top Of the
ridge the lambs were nowhere in sight.
| There was small, unused hay barn
in the next field, and found the
frightened animals huddled, the sag
gng door closed behind them. Plainly
the lambs had iOstled against the door
when they crowded In, setting 1t
aswing, and the high wind had done
the rest. To my mind, the accident
was full of possibilities. The heavy
door was not likely to be pushed open.
and when the animals were missed 1t
would be easy to direct the search In
the right direction. Then I should
find the turning of the long lane.
81 decided to take Lyman Crosier
into my confidence and actually set of
for the Crosier farmhouse; but half.
way there I halted. Could I state the
circumstances in way to reflect cred
itably on the part l was playing?
did not intend to disclose all the facts
but only to tell Lyman that had
Stebbins' hay barn. l had always
hated lying and deceit, and 1t shocked
me to realize how near / had come
to telling my friend falsehood. No
/ would keep my secret.
"Could I? stopped short az II {
real questioner blocked my path, de
manding an instant answer. Some
times l think he did. God knew al
the details that had hesitated t,
relate to schoOlmate, and what mus
he think of me? Was the thought O.
petty revenge / had cherished an!
more pleasing to him than the OpeI
deceit l had refrained from practic
Ing? And could I carry my pr0jec
through without acting Il lie?
II opened the door OF the hay BARI
and let the lambs out before return
ed home. and told Ira Judson tina
they were in Mr.. Stebbln's field. NJ
one else knew of the matter. That wa
the turning point, Ct my whole life
for out there in the silence Of the au
tumn fields l learned to measure III
and conduct by Gods standard."-
Youths Companion.