Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-08-27
ASACRED TRUST.


ing many years ago, and which have
ever held as sacr,d. The few still living
who knew the man whose behest ! am
carrying out, ON reading my narrative
will at once recugnize him and their faith
in the nobility inherent in human nature,
which, for time at least, must have been
shaken, will be strengthened To the gem
eral public the story ought to prove
scarcely less interesting, as it reveals an
Instance of boundless love and sacrifice.
Ferrier was the most brilliant of my
contemporaries at Oxford, and not only
was he the most distinguished scholar of
his time. but it may be doubted il ever be-
fore there had been any member of the
university whose academical success was
greater. Though of course "a steady
worker, he had achieved his great distinc-
tion without any exceptional effort, and
as he possessed all the qualities which
command success in the more ambitious
paths Of life, his friends had formed the
highest expectations regarding his future
career. To man endowed with Ferrier's
great gifts ambition is second nature SO
instead Of remaining rs residentfel-
low Of his college, and engaging in tut
ton, he was called 70 the BAR and
with the determination TO succeed In his
profession was united the desire to earn
both literary and political fame. In Lon
don he became the center of small and
exclusive band of young men, who, like
himself, had taken high honors at the uni
versity, and were already making their
mark in the several careers which they
had adopted. The aim OF that talented
group was not less than that of influencing
the Thought Of the age in which they lived;
and more than one Of them-for good or
ill-has since attained this end. Ferrier
was their acknowledged leader; but l
trust he was not responsible for some OF
the opinions which was grieved to learn
prevailed among them. l, too, had come
to town; but, though knew most Of its
members, was never invited nor did
care to become one Of the coterie There
were several reasons which kept US apart.
Though had done as well as most of
them at the university, l seemed recently
to have dropped behind them, and could
scarcely now be cons idered as their intel
lectual equal Our religious and political
views We're opposed; and lastly, they were
all eager for social and material success,
and l was working hard in q poor
curacy. Like most of his Oxford
contemporaries, l was much inter-
ested in Ferrier's career, and by-and-by
heard without surprise that he was rap
idly making his way at the chancery bar,
and was already looking out for a seat in
parliament. / still occasionally saw him,
as we belonged to a university club, and
on all occasions when we met he showed
towards me an undiminished friendship.
We had been members of the same col
lege, and, though never one of his most
intimate companions, i had at one time
enjoyed a considerable share of his so
ciety.
can remember the surprise with which
l heard from q common friend that Fer
rier was about to be married. had not
thought he was man who was likely to
take wife on the threshold of
his career,t. but that he would
more probably wait till his position
was secure. I was told it was love
match. That too caused me to wonders as
| knew that he was one who was very
unlikely to permit sentiment to interfere
with his ambition. And that he would be
hampered by his marriage was clear, az l
was informed that the lady had no money,
and knew that Serrier had not much Of
his own; and could not yet be making a
large professional income. Soon after
wards learnt the tidings from his own
lips, and our intimacy had never seemed
to me SO close as when he made me his
contidant on this occasion. He asked me
to come to his rooms, and we had a long
talk together He had been staying in the
country, he said, during the long vaca.
ton, and had fallen In love. Then he re-
lated to me some incidents in his court
ship which / am sure he would never have
related TO his more intellectual
and cynical companions. Soon afterwards
read his marriage in the papers and
wondered what manner of woman she
could be with whom the brilliant Ferrier
bad linked his fate. When he returned to
town after the honeymoon he invited me
10 his house. You are the first Of my Ok
ford friends who has dined with US, he
said, gaily, as he received me. On seeing
Ferriers wife was no longer surprised at
his love match. Teere was something ex-
traordinarily fascinating about her. She
was beautiful, but to her comeliness and
grace there was added a charm that was
far more attractive than handsome looks
She was not tall, but both her form and
features were exquisite, and in her eyes
there was depth and tenderness which
have never seen equalled in any other
face. The world has since indorsed the
opinion then formed Of her, as 1t after
wards acknowledged her to be one Of the
most lovely women Of her time. They
were evidently greatly attached to each
Otler In WAS eaQV to see that Eerrier
cherished his wife with fondness and pride;
and she sometimes looked at him with
that expression OF trustful affection which
gives beauty to even the plainest features,
and makes face that is already lovely
appear almost divine.
was much impressed with the happi.
ness Of this newly married pair, and for
several days afterward my thoughts con-
stantly required to them How full OF
hope and happiness did their life appear
TO me: he so strong and talented, she so
beautiful and lovingl IL was scarcely
possible TO imagine a brighter future than
that which seemed In store for them. But,
alas, for the uncertainty Of human expec-
tationsl For only few weeks later lis.
| tened to tidings that taught me, more for.
cibly than all the sermons ever listened
TO, the futility of mans hopes and the in
stability Of his happiness.
Twas seated one morning at breakfast,
when a friend of FerrIer's, a barrister
like himself, entered my room. Though
slightly known to ne. be had never called
| on me before, and ~ he was pale and visi
bly, agftated, I saw that something serious
was wrong. He sat down without speak.