Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-08-27
From the Saturday Evening Post.
The Two Fathers or True Philosophy
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

In village near New York. lived a physician
named Cornelius. He had an only son, in whose
education he spared neither expense nor care
The young man, after being Two years at college,
decided on adopting his fathers profession, to
which Doctor Cornelius made no serious objection,
although he laid before his son. most plainly, the
great responsibility that would rest upon him, and
the labor he would have to undergo, in the prac.
tice of medicine. This did not deter the young
man. His reply was
"You have always taught me, that in choosing
that pursuit which | am 10 follow for life, should
think Of usefulness TO community as well as good
TO myself. With this in my mind, have deci-
ded to study medicine"
The father had nothing 10 urge against this de-
cison Of his sons.
In the same village resided man Of some dis
tinction US a lawyer, named Enfield. He too,
had an only son, for whose future position in So
ciety he felt as lively an interest as that experen-
ced by Doctor Cornelius. This son early mani
tested the possession of strong natural powers Of
mind, He, also, from early childhood, had indi.
clled, in various ways, the possession Of fine
moral sense; and was inclined 10 have religious
feelings. This arose, mainly, from the Iacl that
his mother was piOus woman, and had, from
his earliest infancy, taught him to fear God and
Keep his commandments.
Enfield was exceedingly proud of his son. and
as he saw his mind opening with so much beauty
and promise, began 10 fix, III imagination, his Iu-
Iure place in society high up among the names of
men who had distinguished themselves as STATES
men, and those whom the public delighted 10 hon
or. When Enfield asked his son about The pro-
tession he intended TO choose, he was surprised
aud disappointed to hear him say The ministry.
He Immediately reped-"O, no, my son, new
er think Of that. You will attain emnencein any
pursuit you adopt, but what is eminence in min
lister compared with emnence in lawyerl To
the former, all is restricted 10 a single circle, and
he must move in that circle without advancing or
rising. BuI The awyer becomes a statesman if
he has the ability. He can rise from the bar 10
the bench-or 10 The legislative hall and The SEN
ale chamber. In fact, The highest office in The
nation may be his reward"
The son had set his heart upon being minis.
ter. As yet, there was no stirring Of ambition
within his bosom. He had only thought Of do
ing good and being useful. The objection OF his
father troubled him for awhile; but his of repeat
el contrasts of The Two spheres in which the min
lister and the lawyer moved, or might move, at
length awoke feeling of ambition in the mind
of the young man. He began 10 look at and
think about The proud emlnence men Of talent
had attained; and TO feel desire TO win for him.
self distinguished name.
The fathers wishes we're at length gratihed.
The son yielded. and with the end of becoming
eminent instead of useful, decided 10 study law.
Not that the pursuit of law necessarily implies
the love of becoming eminent instead OF useful.
That altogether depends upon the individual who
enters upon it, and the motives by which he is
Influenced.
The two young men had grown up together as
boys, and being about the same age, entered to.
gether upon their collegiate course. They were
sent 10 Harvard University. Here they pursued
their studies with an ardor and success that fully
met the wishes and expectations of their parents,
who often conversed about their sons. Doctor
Cornelius usually spoke Of his son without en,hu-
siasm, but yet with deep feeling of satisfaction
that was very apparent; but Enfield could not
hide the delight he experienced whenever he
thought Of the honors his son would win after he
had stepped into The worlds broad arena. He
watched the intellect of his boy, as it unfolded
day by day, with so bright promise for the fu-
ture, and almost lost sight of himself and his
own position.
As time rolled on, and the two boys approach.
ed the closing period of their college life, full of
honorsg gained upon thatfied of intellectual strife,
the hearts of their parents turned towards them
with a still more earnest feeling. Enfield was
entirely wrapped up in his son; so much so, that
he seemed lo forget his own identity. He talk.
ed of him TO almost every one, as prodigy of
Intellectual ability and requirements. Doctor
Cornelius, on the contrary, never for a moment
forgot his own position, nor was he often betray.
ed into the weakness of making any allusion TO
his sou except in his family.
The four years course, for which each of the
young men had entered at Harvard, was within
a few months of expiring, and they had nearly