DANGER CLIFF.
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THERE was once a gentleman, it is said, who was very wealthy. He had a large family of beautiful children; and he loved his wife and sons and daughters very dearly; and daily he would have his coachman take them out to ride.
Away they would go through country and city, and forest and park. But near one of the pleasant rides there was a deep chasm, and its sides were rocky and steep, so that to go too near it would be almost certain death.
But the coachman would often see how very close he could drive to the edge of the abyss without dashing his precious load to destruction. This he continued to do day after day; though he did not mean any harm. He only wanted to show how near he could come to danger and yet escape. But one day he came just a little nearer, when in an instant he became dizzy as he looked down into the dark chasm, and whirled from his high seat and was gone.
But horses, coach and family, all escaped and came safely home.
Then another coachman must be found; and the gentleman sent word all about, and advertised for a good, safe, skilful man. And many came and he questioned them, each by himself, in order to get the right one.
"How near can you drive to Danger Cliff—" so that chasm was called—"without driving over?" asked the gentleman of the first one who came.
"Alt, your honor, it's not every coachman that can do the likes o' me. Sure, I've driven as near as your finger's bridth minny's the time, an' twas as the sim as though 'twas a mile or more. I've niver hurt a hair o' the hid."
"You may pass out," was the answer. "I do not wish your services."
Then came another, and he was asked the same question about driving near the chasm. And he said he could come within six inches, but feared to go nearer.
"I do not wish you," was said, and he passed out, wondering how near the gentleman wanted his coachman to drive to this place of danger.
So they came and went, till one answered: "Sir, I think I could drive very near, even to the edge if necessary; but I always make it a point to keep as far-away as I can."
DANGER CLIFF.
"And you are the very man I wish, sir. Keep far-away from that and all other dangers as you drive the coach about the country. Remember, my family are in your keeping, and for their sakes as well as for your own, do not take one risk unless you must."
Many's the boy who has said: "I'm not afraid to taste cider, or beer, or wine, just this once. I know where to go, and where not to go, and what I can stand. And I don't need any pledge. And if I want to smoke a cigar I can smoke one, and there stop. And I can read one bad book and no more, if I set my heart upon it. And I can spend an hour with Jim Brown and not swear, even if he does. What's the use of a fellow's going to excess every time? Why can't he have a little of these things even if they are not quite so good, and stop just where one wants to?" Yes, but nine chances to one, the boy will keep coming nearer and nearer to Danger Cliff, and then in an instant his head will whirl, and over he will go and disappear in darkness forever.
Yes, but who ever plunged over Danger Cliff who kept as far-away from it as possible?
Keep far-away from every Danger Cliff.