Evening star., 1923-09-06

world was wrong I was wrong, moth
ing mattered -"
Thus Pete went on, describing him.
self as one of the many men who
become entangled in a maze of false
philosophy. until. by sheer question
ing of motives, analyzing of actions.
they first become ,egotistical or their
own mental ability. looking wisely
out from their tower of wisdom upon
the foolish world that stih works,
loves. eats and sleeps. OF men, who;
having passed through this stage OF
mental activity, find nothing worth
while in life. until they end inclosing
respect for themselves and acquire
nothing but lazy contempt for
others.
He told Hawkins all. unburdening
his heart as though he could not
halt the rush of words that came
him. He described his affairs
with women, with one woman in par
ticular, one who, when he 'old her
he thought he should go back TO-
work, had called him silly ass.
and ridiculed the idea. lie had owed
this woman. he thought.
AT length he ended his story, and as
he did so. a sudden thought came
over him. This was the first time
he had ever made a clean confess
sion. He had never spoken this way
as he spoke he knew somehow that
he was nearing the path his soul
longed to tread. Where it was or
how his journey would start, he
knew not.
Hawkins listened patiently as Pete
talked. considering well every word.
and showing plainly by the express
sion on his face how well he under
stood the turmoil that had swept the
heart of the man who spoke.
ID Ill 80 nxrr-
kins tapped HIM gently on the shoul-
der. My boy" he said, you feel
better now, don't you?"
Yes, much better, l don't know
how to explain 1t. either. God knows
I've done nothing to justify II. but
do feel better, Mr.. Hawkins. much
better"
It's the telling it. son. it's the tell.
ing it. I'm a niner> and l don't
know much about all the things YOU
mentioned, but as | see your case
you've been slipping down throu.:h
soft mud and slush. trying to hit
hard pan. Leastwise. that's how
would call it, and now you feel lik"
you're on rock bottom, isn't that
it,"
Good" Pete smiled for tn" first first
time. That's good. and there's mud
up to here" he laughed, running ms
finger across his chin, but I've
struck bottom, that's II, I've struck
bottom
you see" the old miner continued.
were all alike in the main. just like
the hills: some's faulted and some )
slipped Now take me. I've mined here
abouts for twenty-odd years. yet there ;
aulenty in Moapa who say that !
haven't found my bearings yet. But
know | have.
Then there's that thought idea. you
was talking about. Now | believe In
thinking. That is. well. in using your
brains Take some miners L know VINO
spend most of their time figuring out the
hows and why's of their tools; yet they
never have time to use them. hold
Il man shouldn't be figgcrin' too much
on the how of his brains or his tools
either. lest he don't have time to use
them, And he's liable to get all mud
G,cd up and useless. too"
Pete nodded his head in vigorous ap-
prevail quietly ordering third cup of
coffee for Hawkins, hoping it would
hold him longer.
But it's all had its use. my boy. it's
all had its use. Take me. ] spent six
years chasing FOOLS gold before l. learn
I'd how to prospect. But l had TO learn,
YOU see But. after all, 1t amt so much
the getting the learnin that hurts, it's