One can remember the case of a middle-aged gentleman, the most strict of
Presbyterians, a church-goer almost fanatical in his attendance, one who
would have suffered martyrdom rather than be compelled to forego long
family prayers morning and evening; a man ordinarily rigid in his
observance of the law to its last letter, unforgiving of those who even
in the mildest manner stepped an inch beyond the line. Yet that old
man, returning after long years to the scenes of his boyhood from a far
land, where like Jacob of old he had "increased exceedingly, and had
much cattle," when in remote Border waters one day he was tempted by the
Evil One with a salmon, fell almost without a struggle. To secure that
salmon the old gentleman must needs get exceeding wet; moreover, it was
close time. There was no shadow of excuse. But he was a boy again; fifty
years had slipped off his shoulders. And I know not what came of the
salmon, but it left the water; nor do I know what the watcher said who
came over the hill inopportunely. Maybe the trouser-pocket where the old
gentleman kept his silver was a good deal lighter, and that of the
watcher a good deal heavier, when the twain parted. And therein the old
gentleman sinned doubly; for himself he broke the law, and he put
temptation in the way of the watcher, and caused him also to sin and to
be guilty of grave dereliction of duty.
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