And Mrs Jo looked anxiously at him ; for a sudden lowering expression had come into his face , and he leaned forward as if to hide it . ` Nothing very bad ; but ` Frisco is n't just a heaven on earth , you know , and it 's harder to be a saint there than here , ' he answered slowly ; then , as if he had made up his mind to '' fess ' , as the children used to say , he sat up , and added rapidly , in a half-defiant , half-shamefaced way , ' I tried gambling , and it was n't good for me . ' ` Was that how you made your money ? ' ` Not a penny of it ! That 's all honest , if speculation is n't a bigger sort of gambling . I won a lot ; but I lost or gave it away , and cut the whole concern before it got the better of me . ' ` Thank heaven for that ! Do n't try it again ; it may have the terrible fascination for you it has for so many . Keep to your mountains and prairies , and shun cities , if these things tempt you , Dan . Better lose your life than your soul , and one such passion leads to worse sins , as you know better than I. ' Dan nodded , and seeing how troubled she was , said , in a lighter tone , though still the shadow of that past experience remained : ` Do n't be scared ; I 'm all right now ; and a burnt dog dreads the fire . I do n't drink , or do the things you dread ; do n't care for 'em ; but I get excited , and then this devilish temper of mine is more than I can manage . Fighting a moose or a buffalo is all right ; but when you pitch into a man , no matter how great a scamp he is , you 've got to look out . I shall kill someone some day ; that 's all I 'm afraid of . I do hate a sneak ! ' And Dan brought his fist down on the table with a blow that made the lamp totter and the books skip . ` That always was your trial , Dan , and I can sympathize with you ; for I 've been trying to govern my own temper all my life , and have n't learnt yet , ' said Mrs Jo , with a sigh . ` For heaven 's sake , guard your demon well , and do n't let a moment 's fury ruin all your life . As I said to Nat , watch and pray , my dear boy . There is no other help or hope for human weakness but God 's love and patience . ' Tears were in Mrs Jo 's eyes as she spoke ; for she felt this deeply , and knew how hard a task it is to rule these bosom sins of ours .
XXXXX looked touched , also uncomfortable , as he always did when religion of any sort was mentioned , though he had a simple creed of his own , and tried to live up to it in his blind way . '
Dan Frisco Jo Nat day fess moose prairies right scamp