Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/420



punishment for the offense of pilfering what is of five shillings' value (dollar and a quarter).—, "Heroes of Modern Crusades."

(1770)

Lawless Business Men—See.

LAWLESSNESS

We see in the following incident how men who break law forfeit the right to secure the protection of the law:

A man in the preventive service on the south coast told this history to Mrs. Norton, the authoress. He said he had once been a smuggler. Desiring to reform he went to his smuggling companions and demanded his share (one-third) of the boat, as he wanted to leave the partnership. They refused, and laughed at his demand; tho he offered to refer the claim to an arbitrator, they only laughed the more. This exasperated him; so he went out one night and sawed off a third of the boat. This did him no good, but the expense to his companions would be more than his share if they had peaceably given it to him. Mrs. Norton made some comments on this method of redress, to which the man rejoined: "Yes, marm, but you see they darn't nor I darn't complain at law, 'cos it was a smuggling craft; and that's how it would always be, if there was no law, a man wud try and right hisself, and if he couldn't, he'd revenge hisself. That just it." (Text.)—, "Curiosities of Law and Lawyers."

(1771)

LAWLESSNESS, SPRINGS OF

It was recently my good fortune to be invited to talk to a club of Jewish boys. Among other matters I talked to them about law and lawlessness, and tried to show that the spirit of lawlessness, now so rife in this country, manifests itself at first in little ways. I reminded them of the wanton lawlessness of automobile drivers in exceeding speed limits, and then I sought to bring the illustration close home to them by asking if they ever saw a fellow at a ball-game, where scores of men were standing in line waiting for their turn to get a ticket, pass up to the head of the line and surreptitiously induce some friend there, or even a stranger, to buy a ticket for him, and thus take advantage of all those who had come before him. They all recognized the illustration. It is a very common incident in American life. Then I pointed out that such a proceeding is a rank violation of the law of courtesy and fair play, and that any one who would do that thing ruthlessly is sowing the seeds of lawlessness, and may some day expect to reap the consequences.—, "Searchlights."

(1772)

Laymen, Opportunities of—See.

LAZINESS, EXCUSE FOR

In the book of Proverbs is this verse: "The sluggard saith, 'There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the street.'" This means that a lazy man did not wish to go to work, and so pretended that there was a lion in the street, and offered as an excuse for not going to work that the lion in the street would kill him if he went out.

It is a fact that every lazy boy and every indolent girl has a lion; that is, some excuse for not doing what is asked. A daughter is told to do her piano practising and exclaims: "Oh, I can't! It is so cold in the parlor" (lazy man's lion). A son is asked to run to the store on an errand and answers that his shoe hurts his foot when he walks (lazy man's lion). On Sunday morning he can not go to church because it is rainy (lazy man's lion). He can not study his lessons because his eyes hurt him (lazy man's lion). She can not eat the crusts of her bread because her gums are sore (lazy man's lion). She can not get up in time for breakfast because her throat pains her (lazy man's lion).

Look out for the lazy man's lion, that foolish excuse for not doing what we should do!—, Congregationalist.

(1773)

LEADERSHIP, FAITHFUL

Sir Garnet Wolseley, in his Egyptian campaign against Arabi Pasha at Tel-el-Kebir, selected a Scotch Highlander to lead his force over the desert sands by the light of the stars, so timing the silent march as to reach the point of assault at daybreak. March and assault were successful, but the poor Highlander fell mortally wounded. Sir Garnet, learning of this, went over to the brave man, who, seeing his commander, said: "Didn't I lead them straight?"

Happy the Christian guide who in death can make a similar claim. (Text.)

(1774)

Leaf, The Form of a—See.