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provide the means。 We cannot be instructed unless they will teach us； we
cannot be rationally amused； unless they will amuse us； we cannot but
have some false gods of our own； while they set up so many of theirs in all
the public places。 The evil consequences of imperfect instruction； the
evil consequences of pernicious neglect； the evil consequences of
unnatural restraint and the denial of humanising enjoyments； will all come
from us； and none of them will stop with us。 They will spread far and
wide。 They always do； they always have donejust like the pestilence。
I understand so much； I think； at last。〃
But the Master said again； 〃O you labouring men！ How seldom do
we ever hear of you； except in connection with some trouble！〃
〃Master；〃 he replied； 〃I am Nobody； and little likely to be heard of （nor
yet much wanted to be heard of； perhaps）； except when there is some
trouble。 But it never begins with me； and it never can end with me。 As
sure as Death； it comes down to me； and it goes up from me。〃
There was so much reason in what he said； that the Bigwig family；
getting wind of it； and being horribly frightened by the late desolation；
resolved to unite with him to do the things that were rightat all events； so
far as the said things were associated with the direct prevention； humanly
speaking； of another pestilence。 But； as their fear wore off； which it soon
began to do； they resumed their falling out among themselves； and did
nothing。 Consequently the scourge appeared againlow down as before…
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Some Short Christmas Stories
…and spread avengingly upward as before； and carried off vast numbers of
the brawlers。 But not a man among them ever admitted； if in the least
degree he ever perceived； that he had anything to do with it。
So Nobody lived and died in the old； old； old way； and this； in the
main； is the whole of Nobody's story。
Had he no name； you ask？ Perhaps it was Legion。 It matters little
what his name was。 Let us call him Legion。
If you were ever in the Belgian villages near the field of Waterloo； you
will have seen； in some quiet little church； a monument erected by faithful
companions in arms to the memory of Colonel A； Major B； Captains C； D
and E； Lieutenants F and G； Ensigns H； I and J； seven non…commissioned
officers； and one hundred and thirty rank and file； who fell in the discharge
of their duty on the memorable day。 The story of Nobody is the story of
the rank and file of the earth。 They bear their share of the battle； they have
their part in the victory； they fall； they leave no name but in the mass。
The march of the proudest of us； leads to the dusty way by which they go。
O！ Let us think of them this year at the Christmas fire； and not forget them
when it is burnt out。
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