Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-05-11
Glendening's Philosophy

How about ourselves, Jim?"
Harry repeated.
Does anyone of us ever ques-
tion that we might sully a wo-
mans reputation, even a woman's s
honor, when we pay her attentions
without Intentions? If we think
we are in love with her for the
moment we feel that Is enough to
salve her conscience as well as our
own.
Do we not claim our right to
possess her, with her consent, of
course, either with or without the
marriage ceremony, IL we are
what-in our crooked code of
ethics-we call gentlemen? Or
without any ones consent If that
peculiar moral code is not neces-
sary in our young lives.
However, we won't talk any
more about it. I'm going to write
the story Of my life to you!'"
Clavering paused moment and
then continued:
Harry brought back the docu-
ment two days after our CONVEX
sation. He looked pale and drawn.
He must have written almost con-
tinuously to have gotten 1T COM
pleted in so short time. Perhaps
he had already begun it. Anyway,
here it is
4 don't look we'll on paper,
Jim,' he said as he handed the
manuscript to me with little
grimace, but at least I've been
honest, more Shonest with myself
than ever 1 have been In my life
before. This is the first time
ever sat down to figure out just
how much of a cad was and just
how much could put down that
would make me out a decent man
l think l have been more honest
than most of my friends would
have been under the circumstanc-
es-and I have to confess that the
page looks rather blotchy.
The philosopher who told us
I've said in my heart all men are
liars. told the truth Men are
great liars and unfortunately they
lie more to themselves than any
one else.
I've read this paper over care
fully, Jim, and may be mistaken
but it does not seem to me that !
am wholly to blame.
While l will not give the
usual whining excuse the woman
tempted me- yet I think it has
been really about fifty fifty
proposition, after all. Besides some
of the blame must be placed upon
society with It's silly inhibitions
and prohibitions. Society, you
know, virtually says that marriage
makes of two selfish. uniformed.
thoughtless human beings. one
splendid selfless human unit. You
and l know that getting married
does not change character instant
ly any more than getting
converted makes a good man out
of a bad man in a moment.
But what we poor mortals do
not take into consideration is that
every act, every thought. every |
heart beat, every nerve tingle.
makes its impression upon our
characters and plays part in our
lives. We are apt to wake up some
with the surprising |
that the man we
thought we were and the man we
are are total strangers
Great Scott, Jim" exclaimed
Davis. Il don't believe that's orig
NAL with Harry Glendening. He is
TOO lazy minded to have thought
hat all out. However. fire away
with the piece. / would like to
know what he has written. 'I'H
ell you though. Jim. cold turkey.
Milton and are not going to let
decide this divorce
'ase for himself. or even prejudice
,ur Judgment in the matter"
mo, we are not. echoed DR..
Hilton. slowly. He paused as
hough debating something with
limself. His companions gazed ex-
'ectantly. Presently he said: Az
er you have read Glendening's
tory I shall probably add to IL the