When this story of my life, or of such portions of my life as present any out-of the-common features, is read, it will be found that I have committed errors of judgment - that I have sinned not only socially, but also against the law of the land. In excuse I can plead but two things - the strength of love; the weakness of human nature.If these carry no weight with you, throw the book aside. You are too good for me; I am too human for you. We cannot be friends. Read no further.I need say nothing about my childhood; nothing about my boyhood. Let me hurry on to early manhood; to that time when the wonderful dreams of youth begin to leave one; when the impulse which can drive sober reason aside must be, indeed, a strong one; when one has learnt to count the cost of every rash step; when the transient and fitful flames of the boy have settled down to a steady, glowing fire which will burn until only ashes are left; when the strength, the nerve, the intellect, is or should be at its height; when, in short, one's years number thirty.
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