The record-union., 1893-01-17
DICK
A STORY OF HEREDITARY VICE.

SIOK4- OF HEREDITARY VICE.
Written for the REcoRD-UNIoN by Wallace
Cobb Fenderson.l
II don't know what we are going to do
with Diekl lie is very dissipated and
has developed of late a remarkable inge-
nuity in the invention Of new and de-
structive forms of vice. To such an ex-
tent have his energies been exerted in
this direction that we have about given
up hope of his reformation, but still
while he lives we must not abandon
efforts intended to win him from his evil
ways. Your father wants him to take
the examination for Bates next month,
but his recent expulsion from Harvard is
pretty generally known, and 1 am not
quite sure that he could gain ad mission
TO the former institution. even though his
scholarship should surpass the req uired
standard. I have written you before of
his excessive indulgence in the Oriental
drug known as Cd7lnabis Iadicd q think
it IS usually called 'Hasheesh') and aside
from the various soul-destroying habits
to which he is addicted, his pronounced
atheism would initiate against a success
ful career in any New England college.
OF late he has left the neutral ground oc-
cupled by the agnostic, so-called, and has
come out boldly for an absolute denial ofan
overruling Deity. He glories in the creed
OF the atheist, and scotfs bitterly at those
things which l have been taught to rever-
ence throughout a long life. Even the
mention of Gods holy name in his pres
ence is signal for the most irreverent and
shameful language. Dick has been bad
enough and has caused US no end of
trouble. / can pardon all his other follies
but an infidel in the tamily-this is too
much. He is talking seriously of start
ing weekly paper here which shall
voice his opinions on the subject of re-
ligion. If he persists, l have no doubt
that he VIII succeed in raising the money
and carry out his design, though OF
course your father would do all in his
power to prevent this awful disgrace.
Harvey Melvin, who graduated from
ale the year after you entered Bates,
and whom you no doubt remember as
brilliant classical scholar is practicing
law here with a fair degree of success.
lie, too, is layingiclaim to some advanced
knowledge OF metaphysical theology, and
during the past three months has made
himself promiscuously prevalent in dis
seminating his profound opinions. In the
paper scheme he is giving Dick much en-
couragement, and l believe our boy is to
great extent influenced by him. They are
together a great deal, and this close asso-
citation is a source of much unhappiness
TO your father and myself. Now, Henry,
l see but one way out of this difficulty.
You must take Dick to New Mexico and
give him employment on the ranch. An
active life will serve to disturb this dream
of which his existence is made up and
turn his talents into channels OF practical
usefulness. / shall not mention the SUBJ
Ject to him, nor suffer any other member
of the family to 90 so. This duty will de-
volve upon you, TO whom he has always
looked for advice. You may encounter
some difficulty in your first attempt. but
1t is our only hope. If you can interest
him in money making, his mind must of
necessity become alienated from habits of
mind and body which now bid fair to
work his ruin"
So wrote my mother from her far-off
Eastern home. Dick was my younger
brother, and the only person on earth for
whom had ever entertained anything
like affection. At school we were insep-
arabic. l don't think that Dick ever en-
Joyed an hours sport in his life in which
1 was not participant, and l am sure he
regarded me more in the light of COM
panion and trusted friend than as
guardian and protector which is usually
the understood duty of an older brother.
Al the age of years II was years his
senior hlS'precocity was as remarkable
as 1t was alarming, and upon the advice
OF friends father determined to take him
from school entirely for a brief period of
IN law firm of which our parent was
the senior member. Dicks penchant was
Tor mathematics, and his devotion and
rapid progress in this study was without
parallel In the experience of those whose
outy II was to guide his growing powers.
When Dick was informed that he was
to leave school and become an employe
OF the firm OF Harper, Howell Il Crofton,
there was scene in the Harper house
hold not soon to be forgotten. A boy of
moods always, ne had never before shown
the full savageness of his violent temper,
An attempted explanation on the part of
relative who was visiting the family at
tnls time only served TO increase his
fury, which eliminated in paroxysIn of
grief and rage, in which he was carried
screaming TO bed. With kind words and
promise TO beg father to allow him to
return to school, l succeeded in allaying
his frenzy, and in the morning, reassured
with the hope that my request would be
granted, he was himself once more. NV
request was granted, and Dick was al
lowed to return to school on condition
that he should skip" geometry for one
year. My plea for his reinstatement he
never forgot, and another link was added
to the chain that bound us.
Al eighteen L was prepared to enter
college, and by reason of religious affilia-
tion my parents decided upon Bates. As
Tor myself, had no choice l desired
college education, and of course recog-
nized their right to designate an institu-
ton where l was to be fitted for NV battle
with the world. How and where this
battle was to be fought was a matter for
future consideration. Mother preferred
the ministry. Not that l had developed
any particular adaptability for this profess
sion, but being deeply religious herself
she conceived it her duty to send at least
one of her SONS into the world in the
cause of Christianity.
My life at college was very much like
that of other boys. l was a close student.
greatly devoted to history and literature
and but little given to athletics and those
other forms of diversion which 90 to
make up the life of the college boy. |
visited home nearly every week during
the course, and was glad to see that Dick
kept up his record for good scholarship.
His ardent passion for mathematics had
soon burned itself out, though he had of
course attained a rather remarkable de-
gree of proficiency in the science for one
so young, resulting from natural taste
and severe application.
In my senior year | went home for the
Christmas holidays. Two days prior 10
my arrival, father had received a letter
from his brother, Ben Harper, a stock
man of New Mexico. Not that this was
an unusual occurrence, for father and
Uncle Ben had always been on the best of
terms, and had exchanged letters at fire.
quent intervals during d long period of
time. What little l knew of nv western
relative was laboriously extracted from
my father by series of pointed ques-
tions, for he never seemed willing to talk
OF his brother, and his reticence was es-
peclaIly severe IN the presence of NV
mother, who entertained for him no very
cordial opinions. l did know, how