Yes, I myself came on a case of heroism hardly less
striking. I was riding my bicycle along the public street when there
dashed past me a runaway horse with a carriage at his heels, both
moving so madly that I thought all the city was in danger. I pursued
as rapidly as I could, and as I neared my home, saw horse and carriage
standing by the sidewalk. By the horse's head stood a negro. I went up
to him and said, "Did you catch that horse?" "Yes, sir," he answered.
"But," I said, "he was going at a furious pace." "Yes, sir." "And he
might have run you down." "Yes, sir, but I know horses, and I was
afraid he would hurt some of these children." There he stood, the big
brown hero, unexalted, soothing the still restive horse and unaware of
having done anything out of the ordinary. I entered my house ashamed.
Had I possessed such skill, would I have ventured my life in such a
fashion?
Such are some of the shining examples of self-sacrifice which occur to
us at the first mention of the word. But we shall mislead ourselves if
we confine our thoughts to cases so climactic, triumphant, and
spectacular. Deeds like these dazzle and do not invite to full
analysis of their nature. Let us turn to affairs more usual.
I have happened to know intimately members of three professions--
ministers, nurses, teachers-and I find self-sacrifice a matter of
daily practice with them all.
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