--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Done, Willard collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 10 number: 7 published: 1907-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Willard Done, "The Greatest Victory," *Improvement Era* 10, no. 7 (May 1907): 497–509.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1007unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1007unse start_page: 497 end_page: 509 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1907-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1007unse publication_year: 1907 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1907, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Greatest Victory THE GREATEST VICTORY. BY PROF. WILLARD DONE. In the little town of Millville, the seat of one of the frontier counties of a Middle state, there lived, at the time of which this story treats, two young men. One of them, Hugh El- wood, was a bright, ambitious lawyer. From his early boyhood he had had a desire to rise to the head of the profession in his district, and to gain political and judicial honors. With this end in view, he had studied and worked his way up; and in spite of the handicap of poverty and obscurity, his progress had been rapid. Yet he was scarcely able to keep himself free from the taint of shiftiness which almost invariably (but most unfortunately) at- taches to modern politics. The insatiate desire to gain one's point, no matter if the price paid be the dimming of individual honor, had almost insensibly made its inroad into his soul, and chilled a naturally delicate moral sense. Elwood bad a friend, Edgar Belnap, whose disposition and training showed a marked contrast to his own. Like Elwood, he hfd been a hard worker from childhood. But his work had taken the form of industrial invention, and free thought and research in productive industries. His friends criticised him on account of his care-free, open nature, and his apparent lack of definite pur- pose. But they did not know of the hours of ceaseless thought and experimentation, and the earnest zeal of mind, which he kept hidden from the world. As to seeking preferment, and especially by questionable methods, such a thing was farthest from his thoughts. He would rather turn his mind to the development of a new idea in economics or mechanics, and gain the reward of in- creased skill, and the material betterment of his neighbors. A " 498 IMPROVEMENT ERA. political campaip^n was on in the district. Elwood had been sum- moned to the home of Peter Gregg, the leading politician of the county, to consult regarding his candidacy for the judgeship. Gregg was a large, pompous looking man, with chin whiskers, a florid complexion, and a general air of bulldozing superiority. He smiled blandly as Elwood entered the room, and motioned the young man to a chair. "Well, Hugh, my boy, how's the prospect?" "Pretty good, I think. Uncle Peter, I've made a thorough canvass of the district, and I think I can land the nomination. I'm a little in doubt about Millville, on account of the Methodist ele- ment here. You know I've always been inclined to favor the Presbyterians, and the feeling between the sects in Millville is a little bitter just now." "How about the other towns in the district?" asked Gregg. "It doesn't matter very much anywhere but in Millville," an- swered Elwood. In the first place, my former religious leanings ' aren't very well known outside of my own town; and it doesn't make much difference anyway, because the leaders of the two churches are rather friendly there." "We want to encourage that friendly feeling, Hugh. There is no use antagonizing anyone, when as little a thing as religious preference is involved. For my part, I'd as soon switch from one church to another as not, if a good fat office was the bait. Re- ligion may be all right for the next world; but I'll take my chances in this with any religion, or none at all. This was somewhat at variance with the teachings the young man had received from childhood; but he seemed to think it a jDart of the political wisdom he was learning, and swallowed it ac- cordingly. "How about Belnap?" said Gregg after a short pause. '. "Has he committed himself to you?" A trace of bitterness was in Hugh's voice as he answered. "No. He won't commit himself to anything or anybody. In fact, I don't think he knows his own mind a day at a time." "Don't make such a mistake as that, my boy," said Gregg, with an impressive air. "Edgar Belnap knows where he stands. The difficulty is, he doesn't let others know. He has a mind of his own, but it is his own. He doesn't give it away to everybody. We THE GREATEST VICTORY. 499 must find out as much as we can about him, for he's popular, if his friends do thinkhe's lazy and careless. Hugh, my boy, that man will bear watching," The two then went into unimportant details regarding the coming campaign, the outcome being that Peter Gregg was retained as Hugh Elwood's manager, and a campaign of conciliating re- ligious and other differences and watching Edgar Belnap, was decided upon. In reality there was no need of watching Edgar Belnap. He was taking no interest whatever in the campaign. He was at work just then on an invention which he hoped would better the condition of the working people of the neighborhood. But he mis- chievously enjoyed the thought that politicians were suspicious of him, and while laughing inwardly at them, he remained perfectly inscrutable outwardly, At the close of his interview with Peter Gregg, Hugh El- wood was in high spirits. That interview marked the actual begin- ning of his progress toward a high ambition. He was confident of receiving the nomination of his party; and the district was so divided politically as to favor the election of that candidate. On his way home, he called on a friend whose support he very much desired in the coming campaign. Judge Gresham occupied the position to which Hugh was aspiring, and intended retiring at the end of the present term. But there was another and very differ- ent reason for the call Elwood made on that day. For some months he had been paying attention to Judge Gre^iham's daugh- ter Edith. He did not know whether or not she returned his re- gard, but in the flush of his newly acquired prospects, he felt juftified in seeking her father's assistance, and in asking her to share his coming triumph. As he approached the house, the sun was just setting. At- tracted by the beautiful sunset, Edith had come out on the porch, and was looking intently toward the west, her sweet face lit up by the rays of the descending sun. Elwood thought he had never seen a more charming sight, than this pure, beautiful girl admir- ing the pure and beautiful in nature. She was a briglit-eyed, golden-haired girl, with a well-rounded figure, set off in its fairest outlines by the dainty dress she wore. So intent was she upon the 500 IMPROVEMENT ERA. sunset that he was almost at the foot of the porch steps before she saw him. He bluntly proceeded to his declaration of love, speaking of his brightening prospects, urging her to join him in his rise to favor. To his astonishment she kindly, but firmly, rejected his offer, telling him that prospects or the lack of them would make but lit- tle difference in a case of true love. In his surprise and disappointment he lost all self-confidence. He trembled with emotion. "May I not hope?" he pleaded. "Is there someone else?" Before she could reply, her father came on the porch, and Edith made a frank statement of the situation. He took his daughter's hand, and gently led fcer toward the door. "You were right, my dear," he said in a tone that Elwood could hear. "We may say something more to Hugh after a while; but now I want to speak to him on another matter." The judge's kind, tactful way of relieving the situation was appreciated by both the young people. Edith went into the house, and the men sat on the porch and talked about the approaching campaign. H. A week or two later, Edgar Belnap was at his work-bench, busily engaged in the adjustment of a delicate piece of machinery. The walls of his shop were lined with models and designs, some simple, some complex, but all 'of them indicating a thorough ac- quaintance with mechanical work, and a love for its intricacies and difiiculties. Judge Gresham came to the bench where Belnap was working, and watched him for a short time with great inter- est. The conversation started with a discussion of the work Bel- nap was doing, and then drifted to the subject of thn coming elec- tion. The fact is. Judge Gresham wanted to discover Belnap's atti- tude on two important matters, and the subject of Elwood's candidacy and the general political situation was discussed. The trials and disappointments of candidates were referred to, and the / THE GREATEST VICTORY. 501 judge asked Belnap if those disappointments constituted his only reason for remaining out of politics. ''To be frank with you, Judge, that isn't the only reason, nor the chief one," answered Belnap. "I have taken no part in politi- cal affairs, for the reason that it interferes with my serious work; and— and — " He . hesitated, while the judge regarded him criti- cally. "Well," he continued, "because lately politics seems to besmirch everyone in our little village that dabbles with it. I can't and won't compromise myself for a petty office, or a great one. I can't and won't crawl at the feet of men whom I regard as my inferiors, just because they have the political situation well in hand, and the power of dispensing a political plum to the high- est bidder." The judge had the answer he wanted. He abruptly turned the conversation to another topic. "Have you heard of the new missionary movement?" "The 'Mormons' you mean, I suppose?" "Yes." "I heard that two of their elders had come to town. Their preaching is no new thing to me. I heard some of their mission- aries a year or two ago. They have some pretty good doctrines. I don't know whether their practices tally with their professions and beliefs, or not. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, however." Judge Gresham had again received the information he wanted. With a kindly smile and a hearty hand-shake he left the shop, and Belnap went on with his work. As he worked he heard a light footstep on the pavement. Looking through the open door, he saw a dainty figure passing. "Hello, Edith," he called in a hearty tone. The girl looked in and answered his salutation. "Still grub- bing av/ay at your work, Edgar?" she said in a voice full of friendly interest. "What are you working at now?" He smiled quizzically as he answered, "I'm like the boy that was learning to draw, I never know what my work will turn out to be. I label it after it's finished." "I think you libel your work when you talk like that. What problem are you trying to solve?" 'The everlasting one of the relationship of energy and resist- ' ' 502 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ance. It is solved, a little at a time. It has been a problem ever since the resistance of a woman's heart toman's love commenced.'' She gave a little start, but he was too busy to notice it. She wondered if he knew of her refusal of Elwood. In a country vil- lage news goes fast. But she was sure that her father would be too discreet to speak of it, and she judged that Elwood's natural pride would keep him from mentioning it. She soon recovered her composure, and returned his light banter. "Have you ever tried to solve that problem?" she asked. He smiled as he answered. ''No, I haven't. They say the problem of a woman's heart is so deep that a mere man who ap- proaches it is likely to be engulfed." He paused for a moment, and then continued with a meaning smile, 'I'd rather like to be engulfed in a woman's love; but that and other joys are denied to a 'grubber' like me. I guess it will be a matter of wheels and cogs and tools and machinery with me till the end of the chapter. And yet I suppose man was made for more than this ceaseless and grinding work. Now the 'Mormons' say that love and marriage ' are not only a privilege, but a duty. "By the way," she said, "I hear that the 'Mormon' mission- aries are creating quite a stir in Millville." "They seem to have the citizens pretty well lined up," an- swered Belnap. "I wouldn't be surprised if those people exerted an influence in this community socially, politically, and otherwise. Yet they seem to be quiet, earnest, well behaved fellows. But there is a storm of opposition to them, in which all the sects are united, and I think it will go pretty hard in general with the man who befriends them." "Would you befriend them, anyway?" "To the limit of their rights as American citizens, yes," he answered with earnestness, "I wonder if Hugh Elwood will get the nomination?" he asked at length. ' 'I was speaking to him the other day, and he came out very strongly against the 'Mormon' delusion, as he called it. I think he ia on the discreet side of that question, if he wants the nonination and election." "But is he sincere in his unfriendly attitude?" she asked. "I always give a man credit for honesty till he betrays my THE GREATEST VICTORY. 503 confidence," he answered. "I have every confidence in Hugh El- wood." "Always the same kind, trusting Edgar," she said laughingly, as she turned to go. '1 hope you will not be disappointed." And before he could question her regarding her remark, she was gone. He watched her as she tripped lightly down the street, and then with a sigh he returned to his work. "Bless her," he said under his breath. "I wish she could understand." HI. A few weeks later the political convention was held. In the mean time events had moved very swiftly in the little town. The elders, full of zeal and enthusiasm for their work, had spread the doctrines of "Mormonism" broadcast. Their work was the subject of general comment in all circles. What Belnap had hinted at, actually came to pass. The division between opponents of the elders and sympathizers with them, extended into all circles and affected all interests. As could have happened only in a small, isolated place, it had its influence in the campaign, which was now opened in earnest. The rival candidates for the nomination ap- pealed for support on the broad ground of opposition to the spread of the "pernicious doctrine of 'Mormonism. ' " It seemed to be a case where the man who could show the greater degree of antag- onism to the devoted missionaries, would get the prize. The night before the convention, El wood did not sleep. He paced the floor, torn with contending thoughts. In his own secret heart he was a believer in the] principles the elders taught; but he thought that the chance of winning the position for which he sought, and the hand of Edith Gresham, depended on show of op- position to their work. To still his accusing conscience, he argued that after he had gained the objects of his ambition, he could set himself right in the matter. In this thought he was prompted by Peter Gregg,who insisted on a show of bitterness toward the "Mor- mons" in the convention itself. It was this combination of circum- stances that drove sleep from him. On the morning of the con- vention he was haggard, but hopeful. The convention was dominated by Peter Gregg and the other 504 IMPROVEMENT ERA. friends of Elwood. In connection with essential and important issues, the question of "Mormonism" received consideration. Gregg insisted on referring to it, and pledging his candidate to a policy of "stamping out the evil;" and by these remarks and others, El- wood was committed to a course at variance with his feelings. Judge Gresham and his daughter were present, and listened with mingled amusement and indignation to the scathing denunciation of the unoffending elders, Edgar Belnap had consented to serve as a delegate to the con- vention, because he could thus do more to allay the feeling of an- tagonism, and show the absurdity of the anti- "Mormon" agitation, than if he took no active part. Toward the close of the conven- tion, he delivered a short and telling address, deploring the useless bitterness and saying as much as he deemed prudent in behalf of the maligned elders. He blushed like a school boy when, at the close of the convention Edith Gresham congratulated him on the "good sense and moderate tone" of his address. Elwood sat in his room that evening, pondering on the words of his manager, and the utterances of his friend. That night he slept but poorly; for on his spirit was the burden of injustice done to others, that he might thrive. The campaign was short and bitter. When election day came, the town was at fever heat. The injection of a foreign and un- necessary element into the political discussions of the community, had engendered a new and extreme bitterness between former friends. The only ones who were not worrying about it, were the elders themselves. The agitation had helped, rather than hindered, their cause. An unheard-of interest had been aroused, and more people were investigating the maligned doctrine, than the young men had thought possible. These events had one effect —the lining up of several people on this question, who otherwise might have delayed announcing themselves. Edgar Belnap had become known as an open cham- pion of the Latter-day Saints. Judge Gresham and his daughter were a little slower in aligning themselves, but they were known as sympathizers with the maligned elders, largely because they were maligned. Peter Gregg was a pronounced opponent, and his posi- tion compromised his candidate, although Elwood himself had to THE GREATEST VICTORY. 505 belie his own feelings to maintain the attitude forced upon him. It was noticed by his friends that he was growing more worried every day, and the strain on his mind was wearing him down. But he reasoned that the strain would soon be over, and in the Hush of his expected success, he hoped to find compensation for all that he was suffering. Election day opened with mutterings of trouble. Some of the friends of the elders had warned them in all kindness not to re- main in the village during the excitement of the election, but the suggestion, though received with all good feeling, was not acted upon, because the men did not wish to appear to attach too much importance to the rumors of impending danger. Harangues were given during the forenoon by Gregg and others, attacking the elders with great fierceness, and accusing the candidate on the other ticket of tacit friendship for them. He went so far as to accuse Belnap of betraying the candidate of his party, because of his open friendliness for the Saints. When the news of this accusation was brought to Edgar, he merely smiled and went about his work. But more serious trouble was impending. As Belnap worked at his bench in the evening, after the announcement of El wood's election had been made, he was startled to hear a muttering noise in the direction of the house occupied by the missionaries. He listened for a moment, and then rushed out of his shop, and ran toward the place. A mob, worked up to a frenzy by the har- angues they had listened to, and inflamed by liquor which they had purchased on the previous day and kept for such a purpose, had attacked the house; and a small band of peace-loving citizens was defending it. The elders were known to be inside. In fact, the time chosen for the attack was the regular supper-hour of the young men. As Belnap came running up, the attention of the frenzied mob was centered on him for a few moments. He tried to dissuade the men from violence, and pleaded with them in the name of law ani order, not to injure the reputation of their town. But all his ap- peals were vain. With howls of rage, they set upon him, and it was only by reason of his superior strength that he was able to make his way to the door of the house, and join the defenders. " ' " 50e IMPROVEMENT ERA. The struggle went on, and a few slight wounds had been inflicted on both sides, when a new development occurred. Attracted by the unusual noise, Edith Gresham came running toward the place. As she was seen by the mob, one man so far forgot himself as to hurl at her an epithet and an accusation. This was more than Bel- nap coulc^ endure. Like a giant he hurled himself through the crowd, and sent the vile wretch senseless to the pavement. Cowed by this sudden attack, the mob took up the injured man and beat a hasty retreat. Edith ran to Edgar and asked if he was hurt. He blushed at her solicitude, and assured her of his safety. Leav- ing a guard at the door of the house, in case of further attack, Belnap walked home with Miss Gresham. "Why did you come?" he asked. "I want to tell you what has happened this evening," she said, ignoring his question. "I reached home soon after the returns had been announced, and found the newly-elected judge waiting for me. He came, he said, expressly to renew a subject on which he spoke to me some time ago." Belnap gave a violent start as she said this, for he knew what that subject must have been. "Don't tell me of this, Miss Gresham, unless you particularly wish to make me the first to know of Elwood's good fortune in love as well as in politics." There was a tremor in his voice which betrayed his feelings to the girl, and she was not displeased. "But I wish you to know, Mr. Belnap," she said, "I look upon you as one of my dearest friends, and at such a time as this I need one. First, I want to thank you for your brave de- fense — "Don't say a word about it," he said hastily. "I did no more than any man would have done. ' * 'Well," she continued. ' 'Mr. Elwood told me again of his love, as he had done when the prospect of his nomination first ap- peared certain. At that time he pressed his suit on the ground of his prospects; this time on the ground of his certain future of prosperity and distinction." ' 'She paused for a moment, and Belnap sighed to think of his own state, as compared with Elwood's. THE GREATEST VICTORY. 507 "Now, Mr. Belnap, what do you think I ought to have done?" "Do you ask this question of me, Edith?" the young man cried, his feelings breaking through restraint. "Don't you know how I have loved you during these years? Don't you know that I would have done anything within honor to win and deserve your love? I have worshiped you at a distance, knowing all the time that it was only such ambitious men as Elwood that deserve the superb among women. But I could not be like him. It wasn't in me. I never could soar higher than I have soared. I was born a plodder. But, Edith, I could have made you happy in a humble way, and I hoped some time to do it. But now I awake to find that while I have been dreaming of winning a prize, another has won it. What would I advise you to do? Why a girl who loves and is beloved by a man of Elwood's prospects need not ask a man like me for coun- sel. I congratulate you, Edith, and wish you all joy and happiness. Good by." He held her hand a moment, and then turned to gp. "Wait a moment, Mr. Belnap," she said. "It is not the part of bravery or discretion to leave so soon." He came back, a won. dering look in his eyes. "I appreciate your sage advice, but you know the perverse tendencies of young ladies, and I'm afraid I shall have to protest. " He came nearer and seized her hand. She blushed under his intense, questioning gaze, and spoke in a low voice which he had to lean forward to hear, 'I told Mr. Elwood ' tonight, as I told him two months ago, that I could not be per- suaded by prospects to marry the man I did not love. But I told him more than this. I told him that the man who would betray a cause, no matter how unpopular, to advance his own popularity, unworthy of my love, and he was such a man." Belnap was caught her other hand. She lifted her face to his, and the light of love and perfect confidence in her eyes opened the gates of young man. "I told him," she continued, "that heaven to the tempta- my hero would be the man who, in spite of difficulties, his own convictions, tions and pitfalls, would hold to the path of with God. Edgar," and her voice was tremu- and trust the result lous with her great love, "you know now what my feelings are; what is your advice?" ' 508 IMPROVEMENT ERA. He took her in his arms, and sealed on her lips the answer he could not give in words. IV. The elders were not attacked again that night, nor were they afterward molested. The sentiment against violence and malignity- aroused by the Greshams, Edgar Belnap and others, made way against the passion of the mob, and the missionary zeal of the men themselves and their exemplary conduct, gave their work a great impetus. But Peter Gregg and a small band of his sympathizers de- cided upon another process of opposition. Belnap was the object of their attack.Not many days after the election, he was arrested on the charge of assault with intent to commit murder. This action was no surprise to him, and he took it with good-natured philosophy. Edith was very anxious, but Edgar re-assured her. "It will be all right, dear," he said. '"Let us wait'" The preliminary hearing was set before Judge El wood, who had just assumed the duties of his position. Some of Edgar's friends tried to persuade him to object to this on the ground of prejudice; but he merely said, "I think I know Hugh Elwood. I'll ' take my chances. At the hearing, the little court-room was crowded and the feeling was intense. The witnesses for the prosecution presented a strong case against Belnap. Edith, pale and anxious, sat in a front seat and watched the proceedings. Judge Elwood glanced at her occasionally with an anxious, troubled air. When the de- fense was called, Belnap testified briefly in his own behalf, and then Edith Gresham was called. Pale and determined, she faced the judge, the lawyers, and the audience. Amid death-like still- ness she told of the insult to her and of Belnap' s vigorous de- fense. Then a startling incident happened. Facing the judge, she poured forth a flood of impassioned pleading. Hugh Elwood sat as if spellbound — the auditors scarcely breathed. She told of the noble lives and exalted teachings of the abused elders; of the risks assumed by their defender. She asked for justice on their behalf and his. "And I, Judge Elwood," she said, stepping to Belnap's side, ' 'proclaim myself a convert to their faith. Though friends IHE GREATEST VICTORY. 509 desert and fortune fail me, and calumny follow me as it has fol- lowed them, here and now I accept the gospel of our Lord, and agree to abide the results. To this man, the brave defender of the faith and of its advocates I publicly pledge my love and loy- alty.* You, Judge, Elwood, may abridge his freedom, may 'wrest the law to your authority' to oppress him. But he will live and be loyal notwithstanding personal spite and judicial prejudice!'' It was a dramatic moment. The judge sat with bowed head and chastened, sorrowful countenance. When she ceased, not a sound 'was heard in The accused and his the court room. defender stood erect, the center of interest. The afternoon sun shone into the room flooding it with a golden glory. The silence was painful. Judge Elwood raised his head. A new light was in his eyes. He looked kindly, but sorrowfully upon the girl he had lost for- ever, and on his successful rival, now completely in his power. As one man the 'spectators leaned forward to catch his wdrds. During these few minutes, Hugh Elwood had won the greatest victory of his life, — the victory of justice and self-conquest. His words fell like calm on the troubled spirits of his hearers. He reviewed the case in its legal phases, and touched the subject of religious free- dom. He deplored the useless passion of the past few months, and his own involuntary connection with it. Then turning to the accused he said, "Edgar Belnap, yours is the greatest victory. My triumph was my defeat. Technically I could hold you for trial, but in justice I will not do so. No case has been made against you. You are discharged." A shout of approval went up through a hundred throats. With a glad cry, Edith threw herself into her lover's arms. First, Judge Gresham, then a score of others pressed forward and thanked and congratulated Judge Elwood. Then the crowd joy- ously escorted Edgar and Edith from the court room, and Hugh Elwood was left alone. He sat at his desk with bowed head, while the sounds of joy floated to him from without. The last rays of the descending sun touched with gold the light-brown of his hair, and the dusk of twilight gathered round his bowed head and pale, sad face. Salt Lake City, Utah.