ural man," I don't care what, only this--recognize the
condition and deal with it, when you come squarely up against it, so
that it will not ruin its victim.

"The very thing I am fearing," returned Mr. Bright. "In one sense it
is nobody's business but your own what becomes of you; in another
sense, it is the business of a great many. Young man, I tell you again
to get out of your present defiant mood as soon as you can. I know
that your life for the past few months has had more of genuine
enjoyment for you than you have experienced for years previous to this
time. I don't say this boastfully, I say it thankfully. And what I am
anxious for is to have you keep going in the same way. Just think it
over, and see what there is before you. On the one hand, a return to
your place in school, and with that a continuation of all that you have
so much cared for; on the other hand--but I leave that for you to think
out. There are two ways right here, and you must choose which one you
will take."

"Well, what have I got to do if I go back?" asked "Dodd," yielding ever
so little.

"You must apologize to the school for your conduct and pledge to your
fellow students your word of honor that hereafter you will behave like
a gentleman."

"Dodd" gave his head an angry toss and was about to speak when the
parson sprang to his feet, and, rushing across the room, shouted:

"He shall do it, or I will disown him, and he shall never enter my
house again, but shall be--"

"Sit down, sir!" exclaimed Mr. Bright, almost forcing the distracted
parson into his chair. Mr. Weaver sat down and was silent.

Mr. Bright proceeded:

"So now, my boy, here it is for you to choose, and you must use your
own judgment about it." But "Dodd" looked down and said nothing.

It was a critical moment. A soul was at stake, and fiends and angels
were striving together for it. Mr. Bright was the captain of the
heavenly host, and devoutly he stood, waiting the issue.

There are no rules laid down in the machine guide books that lead up to
this high estate, nor does the machine manager care so much for
marshaling angelic forces as he does about controlling the election of
a member of the board from the --th ward.

As Mr. Bright spoke his last words a silence fell upon the group. The
father sat with his hands over his face, "Dodd" gazed at the carpet,
and the school teacher bowed his head reverently. For nearly a minute
this impressive calm broo