-
Articles/Ads
Article FATHER AND SON. ← Page 4 of 30 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Father And Son.
together of the past , although not altogether unconstrainedly ; for while I could trace back my calm and happy married life year by year , and almost day by day , Avithout seeking to create one hiatus in the record , I remarked that his OAvn memories Avere less freely poured forth . Often would he pause , faulter ,
and turn aAvay , as though some bitter recollection had suddenly obtruded itself upon him ; and for hours afterwards he Avould remain brooding moodily over his own thoughts . As our intimacy increased , I occasionally urged him to a more active career ; representing , Avith the authority of one considerably his senior in years , the great responsibility entailed upon him ,
alike by the name he bore , and the noble fortune to Avhich he had succeeded ; but all my efforts Avere in vain . 'I have no son , ' Avas his constant reply , either to succeed to my name , or to inherit my Avealth . Why should I toil , and struggle , and strive with a ivorld in Avhich I have no part ? No , no ; belieA r e me , it is better as it is . My stake in society has already been
played , and lost . ' " Still , I Avas not to be disheartened ; for , as time passed on , my regard for my unhappy friend increased . Never did one unkind or uncharitable Avord escape his lips ; Avhile he ever sought to silence those Avho were inclined to censure others . Even where the fault Avas manifest and undeniable , he had
always some extenuating suggestion to make , some deprecatory comment to offer . He was , in short , the very soul of that charity Avhich ' thinketh no evil ; ' and was so eAndently pained by every allusion to the frailties of those Avith whom he Avas brought into contact , that none of his intimates ever ventured to indulge in a tale of scandal when he Avas present .
" Nevertheless , you will readily understand that he was very far from a popular member of our little circle ; for , although he respected the feelings of all , he flattered the foibles of none ; and I remember being on one occasion forcibly struck by the remark of a very shreAvd old friend of mine , who whispered to me as ho left the room ; "That man has deep
remorse , eA'en if not actual guilt , upon his mind . It is useless for you to be either hurt or offended by this frank expression of my opinion , for I Avould peril my existence on its correctness . ' " ' What possible foundation can you have for so harsh and uncharitable a judgment ? ' I asked , someAA'hat angrily . " ' Mdear MrsPorter' Avas her rejoinder' consider his
y . , , position dispassionately . He is a widoAA er , it is true , and we will believe his Avife to have been everything that Avas amiable and attractive ; he is the childless father of two fair boys , and we will admit that they were as beautiful as angels , and full
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Father And Son.
together of the past , although not altogether unconstrainedly ; for while I could trace back my calm and happy married life year by year , and almost day by day , Avithout seeking to create one hiatus in the record , I remarked that his OAvn memories Avere less freely poured forth . Often would he pause , faulter ,
and turn aAvay , as though some bitter recollection had suddenly obtruded itself upon him ; and for hours afterwards he Avould remain brooding moodily over his own thoughts . As our intimacy increased , I occasionally urged him to a more active career ; representing , Avith the authority of one considerably his senior in years , the great responsibility entailed upon him ,
alike by the name he bore , and the noble fortune to Avhich he had succeeded ; but all my efforts Avere in vain . 'I have no son , ' Avas his constant reply , either to succeed to my name , or to inherit my Avealth . Why should I toil , and struggle , and strive with a ivorld in Avhich I have no part ? No , no ; belieA r e me , it is better as it is . My stake in society has already been
played , and lost . ' " Still , I Avas not to be disheartened ; for , as time passed on , my regard for my unhappy friend increased . Never did one unkind or uncharitable Avord escape his lips ; Avhile he ever sought to silence those Avho were inclined to censure others . Even where the fault Avas manifest and undeniable , he had
always some extenuating suggestion to make , some deprecatory comment to offer . He was , in short , the very soul of that charity Avhich ' thinketh no evil ; ' and was so eAndently pained by every allusion to the frailties of those Avith whom he Avas brought into contact , that none of his intimates ever ventured to indulge in a tale of scandal when he Avas present .
" Nevertheless , you will readily understand that he was very far from a popular member of our little circle ; for , although he respected the feelings of all , he flattered the foibles of none ; and I remember being on one occasion forcibly struck by the remark of a very shreAvd old friend of mine , who whispered to me as ho left the room ; "That man has deep
remorse , eA'en if not actual guilt , upon his mind . It is useless for you to be either hurt or offended by this frank expression of my opinion , for I Avould peril my existence on its correctness . ' " ' What possible foundation can you have for so harsh and uncharitable a judgment ? ' I asked , someAA'hat angrily . " ' Mdear MrsPorter' Avas her rejoinder' consider his
y . , , position dispassionately . He is a widoAA er , it is true , and we will believe his Avife to have been everything that Avas amiable and attractive ; he is the childless father of two fair boys , and we will admit that they were as beautiful as angels , and full