Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-02
SELECTED MISCELLANY
LOVE. THE AVESGER.


believe In novels, aud which so often
occur in real life, with a man whom i
had not seen for ten years, and whom
/ had lost all trace of. He was Phillip
Chase more, a surgeon, whose life and
abilities had been devoted to the OBJ
scure we'll doing of country practice,
although his abilities were worthy of a
more brilliant sphere of action. And
/ specially wished to see him, because
he had been the intimate college
friend and companion of a man who
WAS the admiration of most Of the men
IN the university during my time, their
admiration being only equalled by their
Derplexity; for the man In question,
Gerald Stauncel, -"Firew oTk Gerald, +"
as he was surnamed from his cratic
renius-was a person very unique IN
his way. With the most brilliant ablll-
ties and some of the best qualities, he
united to these others proportionably
bad. Generous, courteous, high-spir-
tied. free of money, time, and interest
on his friends behalf, and the life and
soul of every circle wherein he chose
TO exhibit his real wit and humOr, he
would change in a minute from the
frank, brilliant bon UiUGHt companion,
to an enemy fierce and passionate as a
revenpeful southern; the blazs IN his
dark eyes, and the white pallOr. Of fury
which oyerspread his face, might be
excited by "a harmless speech az any
moment, and his physical strength
rendered him a most dangerous antago-
mist. No wonder, then, that with all
their admiration of his good qualities,
men felt insecure as Oh a Volcano
edge, when IN Gerald Stauncers society.
His intellect was of the highest order.
How often have / heard the brilliant
epigrams and the lucid arguments flow
iu AN unbroken stream from his lips,
when he was really warm to his work
and nothing crossed his temper. The
lore of Greece and Rome was as famil-
lar and dear to him, with all his fond
ness for modern life and pursuits, as
the latest odds and the gossip on the
things of the day were tn his compan-
ions. The power of concentration, ar
pument, aud fluent dictiOn which he
possessed-and he had little or none OF
the wordy cTndity of youth marked
him out for distinction. So thought
we all, and so, of course, did his father,
ii grand old specimen of the English
squire, stately country gentleman,
who supported his load of years like a
hoy, aud carried his white head as gal
JantIy as "a soldier Of the old guard. -
He was the owner of the gIey Staunee
Court, which stood surrounded by Its
beeches In the midst of a fair domain
of three Thousand acres, every tenant
on which was prepared to fight any mar
who doubted that the young squire
would be the best member for the
county," In Parliament.
When he and 1 quilted the university
simultaneously, an advantageous Offer
IN Australia caused us to separate.
had heard nothing of "FirewOrk Ger.
ald' for ten years. 1 had been think
ing of him but few hours back, for
landed at the place where ten years
previously he had wished me good bye,
and the flTst man lit on, in London,
was one better able, than most, 20 tel
me of GeTald's career.
''And you have never heard?" said
ChasemOre, grayely. ''Why, his name
was In most Of the newspapers"
Likely enough; hut in the bush,
newspapers were very few and far be-
tween" rt
Its a long story" said Chassemore;
''dine with me, and I'll tell you abOut
it. I'm all alone, for my wife and child
are atsthe seaside.
A few hours afterwards found my
self an inmate of a house which showed
that its owner had a good London
practice. ChasemoTe had certainly
II, IL ,o,,,, -, ouff4Sp~ hfnddIatovvu
and settling IN Tyburnia.
The cloth removed, my host pushed
over the claTet, and, drawing his chair
to the fire, relapsed into silence; his
CHEEKY conversation ended, silence re-
NAMED unbroken.
sAh," he said, suddenly, II never
feel so thankful for my own domestic
happiness wish my Laura had been
at home for you to make her acquain-
tance-than when pnt together all the
links. half forgotten, of poor Stauncel's
story" r.-
He rose and went to a drawer, tool
something out, and brought it to me
It was leatheTn case, in which was 9
gold hunting watch, with one cover
denied IN by a heavy blow. I looked
at the crest and saw it was the Staunce
falcon.
.'There, said Chasemore, ''there':
my sole relic of poor Gerald. he gave
IL me inst before he died.
'.Diedl" L said, in inter bewilder
ment; edo you mean that Gerald
dead?"
Dead. Eight years ago.
1 was thunderstruck. / had so keeI
a remembrance of the man we SPOKE
of. His athletic form and splendid
health were the envy of us all. III,
came of a long-liVed and sound stock a
could be found in England; and, eigh
years ago ne was in the very first prim
of matured manhood.
sab" said Chasemore, as if b
guessed nay thoughts, ''no disease car
y ried OF Gerald; he was killed. Iiltel
Won all the story. -5
lyon know the generous offer th
old Squire made to me 20 reside as tn
salaried physician of the family at th
Court, till / could find a practice {
suit me. To young fellow fresh froI
college and hall, with a bran new d
ploma, the attractions of a handsom
salary, perfect kindliness, and equaht
with an ancient family, one of the mr.:
IN the country, were great temptations
i went. was treated by every one a
a friend and visitor and shared a
their invitations. My work was sir
Genre an kent my hand In by pre-