The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-04
CHAPTER Y.


Northwlck was now 80 years old. but long
before he reached this age he had seen many
things to make him doubt the moral govern
ment OF the universe. His earliest instruction
had been such as we all receive. He had been
taught to believe that there was an overriding
power which would punish him II he did wrong
and reward him II he did right: or would. at
least, be displeased In one case and pleased
in the other. The precept took primarily
the monitory form. and first enforced the
fact Of the punishment or the displeasure:
there were times when tho reward or the
pleasure might not senslbly follow upon good
behavior. but evil behavior never escaped the
Just consequences. This was the doctrine
which framed the mans intention IL not his
conduct of life. and continued to shape It years
after experience of the world. and especially
Of the business world. had gainsaid 1t. He had
seen q great many cases in which not only
good behavior had apparently failed Of its re-
ward. but bad behavior had failed Of It's pun
tshment. In the case of bad behavior. his OBJ
servadon had been that no unhappiness not
even any discomfort, came from 1t unless 1t
was found out: for the most part It was not
found out This did not shake Northwiok's
principles: he still intended to do right, 30 as
TO be on the safe side even in q remote and
improbable contingency: but 1t enabled him
to compromise with his principles and to do
wrong Professionally and then repair the wrong
before he was found out, or before tho over
ruling power noticed him.
But now there were things that made him
think. in tho surprising misery Of being found
out, that this power might have had its eye
upon him all the time. and was not sleeping.
or gone upon journey. as he had tacitly fiat
tered himself It seemed to him that there
was even q dramatic contrivance in the cir
oumstances to render his anguish exquisite
He had not read many books. but sometimes
his daughters made him 60 to the theatre. and
once he had seen the play Of Macbeth"
The people round him were talking about
the actor who played the part Of Macbeth.
but Northwick kept his mind critically upon
the play. and It seemed to him false to
what he had seen Of life in having all
those things happen just 80. to fret the con-
science and torment the soul Of the guilty
man: no thought that In reality they would
not have been quite so pat: 1t gave him rather
low opinion OF Shakespeare. lower than he
would have dared to have II he had been
moro cultivated man. Now that play came
back into his mind. and he owned with pang
that 1t was all true. He was being quite as
aptly visited for his transgression: his heart
was being wrung. too. BY the very things that
could hurt 1t most He had not been very we'll
Of late, and was not feeling physically strong:
his anxieties had preyed upon him. and he
had never felt the need Of the comfort and
quiet OF his home SO much as now when he
was forced to leave It. Never had II oil been
80 precious; never had the beauty and luxury
OF 1t seemed 30 great All that was nothing.
though. to the thought Of his chill
drop. especially Of that youngest child.
whom his heart was so wrapt up in.
to whom he was going to leave shame
and ruin. The words she had spoken
from her pride In him. her ignorant oensure of
that drunkard. as a man who had better die
since no had become nothing but burden and
disgrace to his family. stung on rs II by inces-
SAINT repetition. He had crazy thoughts. i'm
pulaos. fsntasios. in which he swiftly dreamed
OF escape. Then no knew that 1t
would not avail anything to roman: 1t would
not avail anything even to die; nothing could
avail anything ut once. but in the ond his
going would avail most He must go; 1t would
break the ohild's heart to face his shame. and
she must face 1t. He did not think OF his eldest
except to think that the impending
disaster could not affoct her 30 ruinously.
My God. my God!" he groaned. as he went
up stairs. Adeline called from the room he
had left, did you speak. father"
He had conscience. that mechanical con-
science which becomes so active In times Of
great moral obliauity. against telling q little
lie. and saying he had not spoken. He went on
up stairs without answering anything Ho In
dulged the self pity Q little longer OF feeling
himself an old man forced from his home. and
no had o blind reasonless resentment OF the
OF tho men who were driving him
away. and whose interests. even ut that mo-
ment, he was mindful OF. Buth threw or this