CONSCIENCE


The moral of this story may be that it is better to heed the warnings of

the "still small voice" before it is driven to the use of the telephone.



A New York lawyer, gazing idly out of his window, saw a sight in an

office across the street that made him rub his eyes and look again. Yes,

there was no doubt about it. The pretty stenographer was sitting upon

the gentleman's lap. The lawyer noticed the name that was letter
d on

the window and then searched in the telephone book. Still keeping his

eye upon the scene across the street, he called the gentleman up. In a

few moments he saw him start violently and take down the receiver.



"Yes," said the lawyer through the telephone, "I should think you would

start."



The victim whisked his arm from its former position and began to stammer

something.



"Yes," continued the lawyer severely, "I think you'd better take that

arm away. And while you're about it, as long as there seems to be plenty

of chairs in the room--"



The victim brushed the lady from his lap, rather roughly, it is to be

feared. "Who--who the devil is this, anyhow?" he managed to splutter.



"I," answered the lawyer in deep, impressive tones, "am your

conscience!"





A quiet conscience makes one so serene!

Christians have burnt each other, quite persuaded

That all the Apostles would have done as they did.



--_Byron_.





Oh, Conscience! Conscience! man's most faithful friend,

Him canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend;

But if he will thy friendly checks forego,

Thou art, oh! woe for me his deadliest foe!



--_Crabbe_.



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