Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01
CHAPTER IL.
DIR. SHAW AND HIS son


On a certain Wednesday afternoon, the
walled inclosure of the back of this house
presented an agreeable scene of boys at play.
There were not less than forty of them, with
Just half an acre of ground for their feet to
measure Now, the whole circumference of
the horizon might truly seem narrow scope
for the impetuosities of their leap-frog, their
"horses," and other extremely animated
pastimes
Among the shadows under the chestnuts a
Young man was seated on a bench.
He held book in his hand, over which
he pored.
Never was attitude of wrapt studiousness
so intently expressed. In all the shouting
and leaping of the boys, there was nothing to
provoke single impatient lifting of the head
of this figure.
But he never turned a page.
He was of II slender build, yet with shout
ders broad enough to warrant him a man.
His feet were such compact curves as
woman's eye would love to dwell on, for the
mere sake of the breeding and pretti-
ness of them. His bountiful auburn hair
fell curling to his shoulders, as the fashion
then was among men who were forswearing
the wig, yet sticking to the traditions of lux
uriant head clothing
This was all of him now visible.
Yet enough to make a picture of gentle
masculine grace, and shape of strong and
nervous beauty.
He paid no more heed to the boys than
they to him, though he was there to keep
them in order.
While he thus sat, there came briskly on
to platform whence fight of steps led to
the playground a short, plump old man in
black stockings and tail coat, and frill
spreading out like fan from his bosom.
Catching hold of the rail he ran his small,
brilliant black eyes taking power of il
Elimination from shaggy white eyebrows and
dusky skim over the tumbling figures of
the boys, and then looked steadfastly at the
young man whose back was toward him.
By degrees the boys grew aware of his
presence.
Their shouts slaclIened, their mirth grew
constrained, their antics got flatter.
Still the befrilled figure stood staring on
the young man, and the young man sat
bending over his book, lost, in some deep
kind of contemplation, to all external change.
"Cuthbertw shouted the old man.
The young fellow looked around quickly,
as though alarmed by the voice, or rather
| by the meditations which the voice had dis
turbed.
He arose and went toward the house.
( what book is that in your hands" inquired
/ the old gentleman, with his eyebrows
knitted, and the hair of them glittering like
I frost i'll the beam of sunshine that fell straight
! on his face through the trees.
/ "Juvenal, sir.
And as the young man spoke he glanced
! upward with a pair of blue eyes, and dis
closed beautiful and winning countenance
/ 'Juvenak indeedl Much of Juyenal. have
( you read since l have stood here with my
/ eyes upon you"
"Really-n
/ mo, no: that's not your task And give
me leave to say that while you are wool
gathering Batemen, senior, and Francis IRE
maine have earned a flogging for using their
fists, That was proceeding in a true line
with your nose, and all the waggeries CT the
poet should not keep you from noting mis-
conduct, if your mind was not elsewhere than
in your head"
This was spoken in a low tone, not wanting
in sharp diStinctnesS.
The young fellow addressed as Cuthbert
made no reply. He stood in passive posture
with no more than a little deepening of tht
expression of thoughtfulness on his face, and
his eyes bent down upon the ground.
The'old gentleman, having made an end Of
his rebuke, gazed at him fixedly for severa
moments, and then, bidding him "step witt
him into his study wheeled about and went
into the house.
The boys, left to themselves, fell to theil
sports again with an uproar that took new
edge from its short suppression
The doctor seated himself in crimson
velvet armchair, and motioned to the Other
70 sit Then, crossing his legs, and nursing
his knee with plump hands, on the forefingel
Of one Of which was a great signet ring, h,
fixed his eyes on his companion with gaz'
which. for severity and &eenness, should have
bored his mind through and through.
"Cuthbert, said he, speaking in a clear
firm voice, not, perhaps, destitute Of touch
Of suayity. Il have long had it on my minC
to bring you to book with plain question
Living under my eve as you do, do you con
ceive it possible, sir, that the remarkable
change your character has undergone should
have escaped mef Come, win speak intelG
gibly. 1t strikes me that you grow weary Of
your apprenticeship Understand me. You
would rather not be a schoolmaster. Is that
it, Look at me full in the eyes, man, and re
member that your father abhors lie
Cuthbert raised his eyes, but they fell in
stantly. Still he answered quickly:
4 don't grow weary of it Why do yol
challenge mei Has a single murmur eve
escaped me-