Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-05-10


naif Of the obligation had pesn aiscnargso.
Tho second rcsted chiefly with his children.
He did not tell thcn this In definite words,
but all the same preached II TO them most elo-
qucntly, and was more than content, and felt
that the fruits Of his, training were showing
themselves, when his daughter married Sir
Maingay Clauson, . fairly respectable and
well-to-do baronet.
This satisfactory alliance gave the Talbsrts
lift in the social scale; although, 10 far a.
Oakbury was concerned, IL was little needed.
Mr.. Talbert had now been out Of business for at
least ten years. He was quiet, gentlemanly,
and, II not retiring, at least unobtrusive. His
wealth was estimated at about three times it's
correct amount. With these advantages he
already found himself we'll received by the
families Of position, his neighbors. Content
M he no doubt felt ON his own account, he
nevertheless, held up their sisters brilliant
match az an example to his sons, and talked
NO much about the necessity Of their choosing
their intimates fittingly that It Is marvel
the young men did not speedily develop into
fools or snobs
But even now when verging upon middle
age they were neither-although any man
who would decline your acquaintance or
mine ought, Of course, to be one or the
other-perhars both. The worst that could
be urged against the Talberts was this: From
the very first they had told themselves. 1--WE
can find as pleasant and AZ true friends among
the upper ten thousand--among those who do
not make their living by barter-as we can
among commercial people. Let us therefore
only associate with the best A man has an
undoubted right to choose his own friends.
Weshall not go out Of our way to toady the
great but with our ideas on the subject we
can only make associates Of those whom we
consider the proper class Of people. A Duke
Of Badminton may associate with whomsoever
ho chooses. He Is always, per Sc, the duke.
We are not dukes. Our father made his
money in-well, never mind in what. We
are not even millionaires. We have enough
wealth to live comfortably and like gentle
men, but not enough to roll In. II we 70 hand
In glove with oil, tobacco, sugar, ETC., we
must, on account Of the narrow distance
which divides US from the status of commerce,
sink to the level, or at least get confounded
with those useful, respectable, profitable, but,
to u.s. distasteful commodities. Therefore it
behooves us to be fastidious even to fault"
Who can blame such sentiments as these}
To my mind there is a kind Of shrewd nobility
In them!
Why, with such sensible views on things in
general, the two young men did not follow
their sisters example and make brilliant
matches is a matter which has never been
clearly explained. When, after an immacu-
late career, they left Oxford, they were tall,
well-built, young fellows; moreover carrying
about them an Inherent look Of distinction.
So far as the world knew they had no vices.
Indeed, in spite Of stature, good looks, and
broad shoulders, In some quarters they were
accounted milksops. Perhaps because, in ad-
ditiOn to the polite, even courtly, style which
they strove to adopt towards every one, they
had many little finnicking, old-maidish ways
which were a source Of merriment to their
contemporaries. Nevertheless, among those
who were honored with their friendship, the
Talberts were not unpopular. With many
women-the middle-aged especially-these
tall, handsome, refined young men were
prime favorites The fact of the brothers
having reached the respective ages Of 40 and
Al without having selected helps-meet for
them argues that something which makes
. marrying man was missing from their
natures.
It may be that the pleasure they found in
travel prevented their settling down. For
many years, either together or singly, the
Talberts spent nine months out Of the twelve
away from home. Their father, who had no
wish to see his sons striving in the ruck of
humanity for the worlds prizes, made them
handsome allowances Greatly to their credit
they lived within their incomes, even saved
money. These savings they invariably in
vested in works Of art, SO that as years went
by their acquisitions if united would have
formed valuable and tasteful collection, the
units Of which had been culled from east,
west, north and south--so judiciously that
the brothers felt sure that, If such a thing
were needed, the selection would enhance the
reputation they already enjoyed for refined
tastes and knowledge Of matters artistic.
The brothers were the hest OF rr1enus
They understood and sympathized with each
others likes, dislikes and weaknesses. Only
once in their lives had they quairelled, but
that quarrel had lasted for six years. They
shudder now as they look back upon that
time.
1t was no vulgar dispute, which Is made
known to all the world and In which mutual
friends are expected to take sides. It was
only the Talberts themselves who knew that
quarrel existed. To outsiders they seemed
more absurdly polite to each other than be-
fore
The cause Of the quarrel was the interfer-
ence Of one brother in the others affairs. They
were peculiar men, and very tenacious of the
Englishman's duty Of minding his own busi-
ness. On a certain occasion one of them
fancied a rather delicate matter as much his
own business as his brothers. He was mis-
taken. They did not use high words, because
such things were not In their line; but each
brother was sadly firm. The upshot was that
for six years they only'spoke when they met
In society
At last old Talbert died. His successful
daughter had been dead a long time. The old
man left Hazlewood House and its contents
to his sons conformity. The rest of his fortune
he divided into three parts, and '"ft in this
proportion to each Of his children or their
children, If any. Then the sons met at Halle
wood House and considered what they should
do
First Of all, as was becoming, they made up
their differences. Very little was said on
either side, but it was understood that cordial
relations were re-established At which happy
conclusion each man rejoiced greatly-the
six years separation had been terrible affair
and tacitly registered a vow that for the
future his brothers. affairs should be his own
distinct, private property.
By this time our friends had grown rather
weary Of gadding about. Moreover, 1t was
due to their position that some place should
be called their home. For nearly twenty
years they had lived in tho various capitals Of
Europe, and they knew that they had con-
quered society. Indeed, 1t Is doubtful whether
any two men, not celebrities, we're better
known than Horace and Herbert Talbert. 80
they resolved to settle down and begin house.
keeping on their own account.
They collected their art treasures, and -
ing not traders, but still thorough men of
business, In order to save any question arising
In the remote future made exact inventories