180 LUTHER BURBANK 



tie thrust my fingers well down into the almost 

 boiling fat. Distinctly do I remember the pain 

 that followed, and also the sympathy of parents 

 and neighbors extended in this trouble. 



"This incident is mentioned partly to show 

 that young investigators have their trials as well 

 as older ones, especially if they strike out along 

 new lines of thought or action for themselves. 

 I have had reason later in life to know this holds 

 true in all cases where original investigations, 

 along any line, are undertaken. The pioneer in 

 any new line of thought is usually first ridiculed 

 and frowned upon; then abused; later endured 

 and pitied; and often afterward accepted as an 

 oracle. This can be explained satisfactorily: 

 The partisan does not think deeply, but is 

 prompted almost wholly by prejudice, and is 

 always ready to rail at and ridicule any innova- 

 tion, whether good or bad. Intelligent men and 

 women suspend judgment until they can have 

 an opportunity to weigh evidence, and dispas- 

 sionately decide for themselves whether any 

 proposition advanced is true or false. Un- 

 reasoning ignorance may be a necessary check 

 upon us all; for envious, jealous, and ignorant 

 enemies are often our best friends in disguise. 



"Every man and every woman must meet 

 some of them sooner or later in life, and each 



