Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-07-18
[oRIGiNALl.
BROKEN BARRIERS.

IOR1GlNALJ.
BROKEN BARRIERS.
BY RYE RossE.
On the banks Of the Schuylkill stood
Oroy lands, . fine, old country mansion,
the river and commanding an
excellent view Of the pleasant sur
rounding estates. 1t was huge, gray
pile of masonry looming up distinctly
from . dark background of pine trees
in front stretched a magnificent lawn,
dotted with choice rose. bushes and
mounds OF bright, delicate flowers
giant oaks cast their broad, thick
lesved branches in kindly shelter over
the velvety green sward groups OF
stately palms occupied conspicuous
positions and graceful naples futtered
their silvery foliage In the glittering
The well-kept gravel-walks were
broad and winding. And mingled with
the notes of the sweet voiced songsters
that had their tenements in the tree
tops was the musical fall of water over
a lovely marble Naiad in an alabaster
fountain. Rustic seats were placed
IN the most attractive spots, and in the
of an immense oak was swung
a hammock, in which reclined the sole
proprietor of this delightful estate,
General Ralph Croyland, fine old
gentleman Of sixty or thereabout,
who might have done credit to the
ancient regime.
For nearly two centuries Croylands
had belonged to his ancestors-and OF
his old name, "blue blood" and spot
less reputation, he was undoubtedly
proud. 1t was his boast that he came
Of race Of which the men were ever
and honorable, the women
pure and noble-no dark blots or dis
graceful misalliance stained his es.
cutcheon.
During the rebellion he had served
with honor in the northern army, and
when the war was over and he was at
liberty to return home to his beloved
Croy glands and his family, 1t was with
the proud consciousness of having
earned the straps adjoining his broad
shoulders.
He had married somewhat late In
life fair, delicate woman, who for a
few short years made happiness In his
home; then she passed away and left
as consolation bright, beautiful boy,
who was known as Ralph, Junior.
Often, for his child's sake, General
CrOyland had been tempted to bring
another mistress to his home, but the
firm conviction that no other woman
could ever be to him what his beaut iful
dead idol had been, ever acted as q
barrier, 30 that no other children evel
came to share the thoughts, hopes and
and ambitions that centred around his
one son.
The sound Of approaching carriage
wheels reused the General from his idle
reverie, and knowing they betokened
the arrival Of his son, who had been
absent in Philadelphia for a few days
and whom he had been hourly expect.
ing, he sprang from the hammock with
the agility Of youth, despite his grow
ing age, and sauntered with erect
soldierly figure up to the portieo In
time to behold u dainty phDton, drawn
by pair Of prancing bays, whirl In
sight, and in moment more the occu'
pant had alighted and was heartily
shaking hands with his father; the
warm greeting showing the friendly
terms on which the two stood.
Standing there the marked likeness
between father and son was unmista-
kable. The same proud port, the same
erect bearing, the same bright, steady
hazel eye, the same leonine countenanct
marked both.
The blue" blood that had percola
ted through the veins of five generations
Of Croy lands had not become degene
rate in this last scion, as is too often
the case with our aristocracy. The last
of the race was worthy representative
Oh the first.
"You had pleasant trip" hazar
ded the elder man as they were passing
through the wide hall with its dark
oaken floor and quaint carvings, re-
minding1 one If a banqueting room OF
some olu baronial stronghold.
enjoyed myself hugely" returned
the other. Excuse me until relieve
myself of this abominable dust, ant
then l will be ready to recount my ad.
ventures"
You will find me in the library"
said his father, and passed on to that
comfortable apartment.
Everything about Croylands wore
an air OF quiet elegance and comfort
rest. Around the sides of the room ran
low book cases OF ornamented walnut,
Allied with valuable editions of stand
ard authors-curious old manuscripts,
and priceless works of literature
Here beside vellum bound copy of the
Targum reposed parchment edition o.
the Edda. There touching the brown
covering of Talmud rested a papyrui
scroll of Egyptian lore. Curious in
Spanish and Greek researches, abstrust
works In religions aud science, mingled
scociably with the Koran and the teach
ings of Confucius. A savant might
mere have Toasted for years withOu
OK hausting the wonderful well of know
ledge.
The walls were richly papered ii
gold and crimson the carpet Was q
velvet pile of thiOkly strewn oak leaves
the easy chairs and couches scattered
round were covered with dark red
leather before the empty CRATE wal
stretched the Tin OF the Royal Benga
tiger and upon all, through four open
windows, played the soft nreezs and
warm g. nshine of june afternoon.
A very short time sufficed for Ralph
Junior, to remove all traces of his jour
ney, and he soon appeared in hit
fa hers presence looking undeniably
fresh, and cool and handsome. Throwing
himself with careless Incidence in a
comfortable chair, he lighted cigar
aud waited for his fathers first inter
rogation.
"Did you buy those railway shares
adj vised you?" he finally queried.
"Yes sir; and at discount. l thint
they are a fortunate investment" wa
the RESPONSE. "I met Ponsonby and {