Show I The Man Who Came Back By HERBERT KAUFMAN I 4 ITHE HE most thrilling novels are bound in man Reality is the I T THE inkwell of fiction Today the incredible adventure The most amazing characters are in the moving pictures on side side- walk Not long ago a gray haired man walked out of a certain state penitentiary The felons felon's stripe was on his name name but but he did not bury his identity under an alias in a strange city city he he went straight home to make good where he had gone wrong Ive found a place for you in Louisville remarked one of I his friends But I didn't make a mess mess of things there answered the ex- ex prisoner Heres where I 1 fell down and where I mean to get up The other day some men formed an organization to advance commercial efficiency They were the thinkers fore-thinkers of the country country country coun coun- try the best players of a game in which stability and honor are basic rules trade cannot extend far beyond the limit of credit character is essential wherever barter exists on a considerable scale The directing officers of an association whose fortunes are predicated upon the promotion of clean methods and fair dealing must necessarily have demonstrated the possession of unusual moral force Among the delegates were heads of corporations whose trade trademarks trademarks trademarks marks are tongue coin throughout c civilization n ex-cabinet ex officers owners of chain stores and strings of factories factories all all willing candidates candidates candidates candi candi- dates for the presidency of such a powerful body But the assembly by overwhelming vote expressed its preference preference preference prefer prefer- ence for a human dime novel novel for for a bundle of steel springs whose vehement compelling mind had dominated the session from front the opening hour They chose a MAN who had long before that day manhandled I Ia I a destiny against which a multitude has vainly battled from time immemorial They knew his past the splendid story of will that triumphed over error error and and they were honored to honor the courage and strength that accepted Fate on her own bitter terms and forthwith beat the jade to her knees Straight on up from the mire out mire out of disgrace and doubt and pre prejudice through preJudice through setback and rebuff despite rebuff despite handicap unbelief and suspicion the suspicion the man who wouldn't be scrapped be-scrapped had come back Determined to surmount adverse circumstances he forced society society society so so- to yield place and respect There is no shame attached to a past which has been expiated i by a useful and worthy career Stumbles are not counted in the winning score A good finish erases a bad start Only a coward permits one mistake to junk his future Copyright 1916 by Herbert Kaufman Great Britain and all other rights reserved |