For
over three weeks Mr. Ridley remained at the institution, its
religious influences growing deeper and deeper every day. He met
there several men who had fallen from as high an estate as
himself--men of cultured intellect, force of character and large
ability--and a feeling of brotherhood grew up between them. They
helped and strengthened each other, entering into a league offensive
and defensive, and pledging themselves to an undying antagonism
toward every form of intemperance.
When Mr. Ridley returned to his home, he found it replete with many
comforts not there when love and despair sent him forth to die, for
aught he knew, amid nameless horrors. An office had been rented for
him, and Mr. Birtwell had a case of considerable importance to place
in his hands. It was a memorable occasion in the Court of Common
Pleas when, with the old clear light in his eyes and bearing of
conscious power, he stood among his former associates, and in the
firm, ringing voice which had echoed there so many times before,
made an argument for his client that held both court and jury almost
spellbound for an hour.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE seed and the harvest are alike in quality. Between cause and
effect there is an unchanging and eternal relation. Men never find
grapes on thorns nor figs on thistles.
As an aggregate man, society has no escape from this law. It must
reap as it sows.
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