Part 6 (1/2)

No sir. You must tell what kind of a man you were.

Well, I was what you might call a first-rate fellow. I loved my wife and children. My home was my heaven. My fireside was a paradise to me. To sit there and see the lights and shadows fall upon the faces of those I loved, was to me a perfect joy.

How did you treat your family?

I never said an unkind word. I never caused my wife, nor one of my children, a moment's pain.

Did you pay your debts?

I did not owe a dollar when I died, and left enough to pay my funeral expenses, and to keep the fierce wolf of want from the door of those I loved.

Did you belong to any church?

No sir. They were too narrow, pinched and bigoted for me, I never thought that I could be very happy if other folks were d.a.m.ned.

Did you believe in eternal punishment?

Well, no. I always thought that G.o.d could get his revenge in far less time.

Did you believe the rib story?

Do you mean the Adam and Eve business?

Yes! Did you believe that?

To tell you the G.o.d's truth, that was just a little more than I could swallow.

Away with him to h.e.l.l!

Next!

Where are you from? I am from the world too.

Did you belong to any church?

Yes sir, and to the Young Men's Christian a.s.sociation besides.

What was your business?

Cas.h.i.+er in a Savings Bank.

Did you ever run away with any money?

Where I came from, a witness could not be compelled to criminate himself.

The law is different here. Answer the question. Did you run away with any money?

Yes sir.