The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-07-11

You are placing me in false posi-
ton.
If Mr.. Moxon had been wicked or
maligant man his wife would prob
ably not have found this trait so diff
ficult to deal with. 1t would have
been in harmony with his whole
character. But he was an affection
ate, generous fellow, showering kind
ness upon his family, his friends and
the poor. He was liberal, public
spirited citizen; he took the delight
of boy in picnics, fishing parties, or
any other gayety among the young
people. 1t is true that at each one
some sting was given to what he
called his affections, but what really
was his self-love, and these stings
festered in his mind for years.
"Ned," one of his cousins said to
Alice, lis the most lovable fellow in
the world; yet he has a grudge
against every family in Plympton."
AS time passed and children began
to grow up around them, the strain
upon their mother became almost in
tolerable. Edward loved his chill
dren passionately; he heaped luxur-
les upon them; secretly, he believed
them superior to all other human
beings; but he nagged them inces-
sanity, and each of their petty faults
he received as personal insult and
injury to himself.
"Tom," he would exclaim, with a
face of despair, sis biting his nails
again! | have spoken to him about
it thousand times, 1t is open de-
fiancel That boy despises me, and
he shows it" Or, "Rosa writes a
wretched hand. She knows how am
bilious l am that she should excel in
penmanship. She has no affection
for me, Alice-none whatever
1t was in vain that his wife repre-
sented that all children were fallible,
or begged him to let time and patti
ence do their work.
No; l make every sacrifice for
them. If they loved me, they would
not pain me in this way" he would
reply, with real agony of soul, when
Rosa failed in her geography, or
Bob came home bedaubed with mud
Alice, beyond other women. pos
sessed sound sense and sweet, jo y
GUS temper; but as she neared middle
age, her friends wondered why,
blessed as she was with wealth, good,
loving children, and husband whom
his church, party and State honored,
she should have the jaded watchful
face of one who has had long strug-
gle with disease or disgrace.
Bob, who was fiery, excitable lad,
understood the meaning of her look.
poor mother" he said, one day
after he came home from college,
taking her head into his arms. 'tIt
would be easier to fight with wild
beasts at Ephesus than to keep
guard over my fathers temper and
mine. But will make an end of it,
! Soon"
"What do you mean, Robert?"
tom, and I are going away, moth
err"
"Your father means you to study
law and medicine at home," she
gasped.
II know; but, mother, if we stay
there will be an open rupture. Father
takes every difference of character or
opinion as personal insult. We are
not as patient as you. Let us go to
California and shift for ourselves.
We are no longer children, we are
men,"
sit will be better in the end"
pleaded Tom. "He will love us bet
ter out of sight"
GLOW will you break it to him."
sobbed Alice. at will kill him to
think that his temper has driven you
from him."
"He need never know it" said Bob.
81 will only show him the business
side of the matter" He went out to
find his father.
But Edward guessed the truth. An
hour later his wife found him sitting
alone. His features were drawn and
sharpened as by sudden age.
"Alice," he said, "the boys want to
leave us. l feel that they are alien
ated from-me. l fear that l have
been too stern with then" She did
not answer. "You think have been
too sterni"
mo, Edward" Alice could hold
her peace for lifetime; but if forced
to speak she would not bridge the
gulf with little lies. "You have not
been stern, but exacting and fretful."
Hewas silent, never having received
auch a blow. "To you2" he said in