Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-06-30
CHAPTER II.
DR. 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
young man was seated on bench.
He held book in his hand, over which
he pored.
Never was attitude Of wrapt stu diouSnesS
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 page.
He was of slender build, yet with shoul-
ders broad enough to warrant him a man.
His feet We're such compact curves as q
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 We're 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 ord
While he thus sat, there came briskly on
TO platform whence flight of steps led to
the playground 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
Illumination 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 slackened, 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.
"Cuthbert." 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 hand" inquired
the old gentleman, with his eyebrows
knitted, and the hair of them glittering like
frost in 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 pair Of blue eyes, aud dis
closed beautiful and winning counteAance
aJuvenal, indeed! Much Of Juvenal have
you read since have stood here with my
eyes upon you"
"Really-"
"No, 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 fogging for using their
fists. That was proceeding in true line
with your nose, and all the waggeries Of the
poet should not keep you from noting mis-
conduct, if your mind was not elsewhere than
in your head
This was spoken in 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 little deepening of the
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 several
moments, and then, bidding him "step with
him into his study" wheeled about and went
into the house.
The boys, left to themselves, fell to their
sports again with an uproar that took new
edge from its short suppression.
The doctor seated himself in a crimson
velvet armchair, and motioned to the other
to sit. Then, crossing his legs, and nursing
LIS knee with plump hands, on the forefinger
of one Of which was great signet. ring, he