San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-01
the best natures are ever slew K atpepe r1eh

the best natures are ever slew K atrert r1eh
truths
The doctor thoroughly possessed his heart,
but perhaps he exaggerated his influence
over his mind. Certainly Jean-Marie
adopted some of his masters opinions, but
have yet TO learn that he ever surrendered
one Of his own. Convictions existed in him
by divine right; they were virgin. un-
break the heart Of my Anastasie with inf
delities"
This was too much for Jean-Marie That
place should 80 transform the most excel
lent of men transcribed his belief. Paris,
he protested, was even an agreeable place of
| residence. "Nor when I lived in that city
| did feel much difference" he pleaded
What" cried the doctor. 'Did you not
steal when You were theres'
But the boy could never be brought to see
that he had done anything wrong when he
STOLE Nor indeed, did the doctor think he
had but that gentleman was never very
scrupulous when in want of retort
"And now," he concluded, "do you begin
to understands My only friends were those
who ruined me. Gretz has been my acad-
envy, my sanatorium, my heaven Of innocent
pleasures. II millions are offered me wave
them back: Retro, Sathanas Evil one be-
gone! Fix your mind on my example; de-
spise riches, avoid the debasing influence Of
cities. Hygiene-hygiene and mediocrity of
fortune-these be your watchwords during
lifeln
The doctors system Of hygiene strikingly
conceded with his tastes; and his picture of
| a perfect life was faithful description of
| the one he was leading at the time. But it is
easy to convince a boy, whom you supply
with all the facts for the discussion. And
besides there was one thing admirable in the
| philosophy, and that was the enthusiasm of
| the philosopher. There was never any one
more vigorously determined to be pleased !:
and if he was not great logician, and so
had no right to convince the intellect, he
| was certainly something of poet, and had
fascination to seduce the heart What he
could not achieve in his customary humor Of
a radiant admiration of himself and his cir
cumstances, he sometimes effected in his fits
of gloom.
boy" he would say, "avoid me today. II
I were superstitious, should even beg for an
interest in your prayers. am in the black
fit; the evil spirit of King SAUL the bag of
the merchant Abudah, the personal devil Of
the medieval monk, is with me-is in me,n
tapping on his breast. "The vices of my ma
ture are now uppermost; innocent pleasures
WOO me in vain; long for Paris, for my
wallowing in the mire. See," he continued,
producing a handful of silver, 81 denude
myself, am not to be trusted with the price
of fare. Take it, keep it for me, squander
it on deleterious candy, throw it in the deep
est river--I will homologate your action.
Save me from that part of myself which
disown. If you see me falter do not hesi-
tate; if necessary, wreck the train! speak,
of course, by parable. Any extremity were
better than for me to reach Paris alive"
Doubtless the doctor enjoyed these little
scenes, as variation in his part; they repre-
sented the Byronic element in the somewhat
artificial poetry of his existence; but to the
boy, though he was dimly aware of their
theatricality, they represented more The
doctor made perhaps too little, the boy pos
sibly too much, of the reality and gravity of
these temptations.
One day great light shone for jean Marie
"Could not riches be used wellp' he asked
| I'm theory, yes" replied the doctor. "But
| it is found in experience that no one does So
| All the world imagine they will be excep-
tional when they grow wealthy; but possess
sion is debasing, new desires spring up; and
the silly taste for ostentation eats out the
heart Of pleasure"
"Then you might be better if you had less, !"
said the boy.
Certainly not" replied the doctor; but
his voice quavered as he spoke.
"Whyg" demanded pitiless innocence
DR.. Desprez saw all the colors of the rain
bow in a moment; the stable universe ap-
peared to be about capsizing with him "Be-
cause, said he-affecting elaboration after
an obvious pause-'because l have formed
my life for my present income. 1t is not
good for men of my years to be violently
discovered from their habits" f.s
That was a sharp brush. The doctor
breathed hard, and fell into taciturnity for
the afternoon: As for the boy, he was de-
lighted with the resolution Of his doubts;
even wondered that he had not foreseen the
obvious and conclusive answer. His faith
in the doctor was a stout piece of goods
+ DeSprez was inclined to be a sheet in the
winds eye after dinner especially after
| Rhine wine, his favorite weakness. He
would then remark on the warmth of his
feeling for Anastasie, and with inhamed
cheeks and a loose, hustered smile, debate
upon all sorts of topics, and be feebly and
indiscreetly witty. But the adopted stable
boy would not permit himself to entertain a
doubt that savored Of ingratitude It is
| quite true that man may be a second father
| to You, and yet take too much to drink: but