The Morning herald., 1876-12-30

h8Ipn Dr6uuOn, De&60 4nOTntOn, was
& man Of many high qualities, but Of un-
bounded pride, and utterly impractieable.
He was no 9ddge Of character, and there
fore was easily deceived. He was utterly
inexperienced in business, and he was al
ways liable to be led astray by any sudden
impulse. Somehow or other man named
Potts excited his interest about twelve or
fifteen years ago. He mere vulgar ad-
venturer; but Brandon became infatuated
with him, and actually believed that this
man was worthy to be intrusted with the
management Of large business transactions
The thing wen: on for years. His friends
all reuonstra,ed with him. /, in particu-
lar, went there 10 explain to him that the
speculation in which he was engaged could
not result in aly thing except loss. But he
resented all interference, and had to
leave him to himself @
"His son Louis was a boy full of energy
and fire. The family were all indignan,
at the confidence which Ralph Brandon
put in this Potts-Louis most Of all. One
day he met Potts, Words passed between
them, and Louis struck the scoundrel.
Potts complained. Brandon had his son
d on the spot; and after listening to his
explanations gave him the alternative Ell
ther 70 apologize to Potts or to leave the
house forever. Louis Indignantly de-
nounced Potts to his father as swindler.
Brandon ordered him to his room, and gave
him week to decide
"The servants whispered till the matter
was noised abroad. The county gentry had
meeting about it, and felt so strongly that
they did an unparalleled thing. They
actually waited on him to assure him that
Potts was unworthy OF trust, and to urge
him not to treat his son 80 harshly. All
Brandon's pride was reused at this. He
said words to the deputation which cut him
off forever from their sympathy, and they
left in rage. Mrs. Brandon wrote to me,
and | went there. found Brandon indexi-
bic. urged him to give his son longer
time, to send him to the army for while,
to do any thing rather than eject him. HE
refused to change his sentence. Then
pointed out the character of Potts, and told
him many things that had heard. At
this ne hinted that | wished to have the
management of his business, and was &C
tnated by mereenary motives. Vi course,
after this insult, nothing more was to be
said went home and tried to forget all
about the Brandons. At the cad ofthe
week Louis refused to apologize, and lett
his father forever"
.-"Did you see Louis"
Loc |, :, II IN ooh If ho
would apologize" o,,
"Did you try to make him apologize ?'
asked Mrs. Thornton coldly.
"Yes. But he looked at me with such
an air that l had to apologize myself for
limiting at such thing He was as intiexi-
BILE as his father"
"How else could he have been?"
"Weil, each might have yielded little
1t does not do to be 40 inaexible If one
would succeed in life"
"No," said Mrs. Thornton. "Succsss
must be gained by lexibility: The mar
tvs were all inAexible, and they were all
unsuccessful"
Thornton looked at his wife hastily.
Despard's hand trembled, and his face
grew paler still with more llvid pallor.
"Did you try to do any thing for the
ruined son?'
show could l, after that insult?
"Could you not have got him govern
ment office, or purchased commission tor
him in the army" :,
"He would not have taken it from me"
"You could have co-operated with his
mother, and done it in her name"
81 could not enter the house after being
insulted."
"You could have witten. From what |
have heard of Brandon, he was just the
man who would have blessed any one who
would jnterpose to save his son." t,-
"His son did not wish to be saved. tie
has all his fathers inhexibility, but an in
tellect as clear as that of the most practical
man. He has will OF iron, dauntIess
resolution, and an implacabIe temper. AT
the same time he has the open generosity
and the tender heart of his father"
"Had his father tender heart p
$50 tender and al1ectionate that this
sacrifice of his son must have overwhelmed
him with the deepest sorrow"
"Did you ever make any advances to any
of them"
"No, never. 1 never went near the
bouso -