Front matter
Reading edition
Boston
THE ROXBURGH PUBLISHING CO. Inc.
Copyrighted 1917
By R. E. BARRETT
Rights Reserved
PREFACE
The chapters in this book are not based on fiction, they are not drawn from imagination, they are not gems that come from culture and learning, but are gleaned entirely from the rugged school of life, and are for the purpose of cheering the down-hearted to a realization that a good life has its just reward, that through continued combat every temptation, obstacle and evil will vanish if a strict observance of God’s law is kept in carefully treading in the narrow way.
DEDICATION
To that dear teacher who urged me to go to school when I was past twenty years of age, and helped to mold in me the true principles of honor.
To a fine Judge on the Bench whose many fatherly talks to poor unfortunates, whose feet had slipped from the narrow way, who helped me to obey and respect the law.
To a splendid intellectual lawyer, one of God’s clean home men, whose guest I have been at many intellectual feasts, to him I owe the avoidance of the saloon and learned the intrinsic value of sobriety.
To my two eldest sisters, one sister-in-law, and my devoted wife through whom I learned the desperate struggle and what it means to live clean.
To a poorly paid self-educated minister to whom I am deeply indebted for the first introduction to my master.
To these in the major part, and a few others, God bless them all, I owe whatever I am to them, to these dear people I affectionately dedicate this book.
R. E. B.
CONTENTS
CHAPTERPAGE
I.Early Footsteps.9
II.Getting the Backbone.21
III.The Two Paths.32
IV.God’s Intention Man’s Prevention46
V.The Sadness Behind the Vale61
VI.Gratitude.71
VII.Just Poems.87
VIII.Sallie’s Loyalty.112
IX.Sunshine.117
X.Temperance.133
XI.Every Day Philosophy.145
XII.Glimpses from the Past.158
XIII.Hopes That Exploded.179
XIV.The Weary Traveler.196