The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-08-13
CHAPTER I.

NY 1Ather, Hugo Llvlngsuon, OF Mount
Hvinevton. Philadelphia, may be com
pared TO . superb annual which, tower
ing skyward, blooms bravely for . sea-
son, but dies rootless, leaving to those
Who have loved and admired it tender
memories of beauty and fragrance
nothing more.
He inherited early in life . good un-
derstanding, hne estate, a famous cellar
Of Madeira, and the hnndsomest legs in
America. These, in combination, fur
nished himelf and his friends with an
abundance of meat, drink and enter
tainment. He spent his money like
prince, and, wherever he went, scat
tered broadcast both dollars and jests.
Need add that his purse grow lighter
than his laughter?-that he died full
OF years and honon-a pauper?
A brilliant man of the world, he never
attempted to make money, because, a.
he often observed, the catchpenny cares
Of . merchant or banker wore away, by
constant attrition. the bloom of high
breeding-that exquisite veneer which
distinguishes from the common herd
the gentleman Of lineage, leisure and
culture.
Ny mother-Sweet soul! can scarce
recall her face-was . Schermerhoru;
her full-length portrait (by the younger
West) hangs to-day in the gallery OF
Barsbbas Boulde. The curious will
please note that it il hanked on the left
by remarkable picture of sapphire
and diamond necklace, . masterpiece
Of Meissonier (the great Frwnchman
has paid but scant attention to the
coarse. putty-colored features Of Mar
tha Boulde. rightly considering that
the gems, not the woman, deserved inn
mortality. and on the right by Mo-
donna of Andrea del Sarto. Between
these two presentments Of things
material and things spiritual stands my
dear mother, who settled with the mic
est adjustment in her own lovely per-
snn the conflicting claims of body and
soul. Ny father has said a thousand
times that she loved him tenderly to the
day Of her death-I was barely ten
years old when this great misfortune
befell me-and he swore fondly that Of
all the women he had met she alone
hsd enshrined herself in his heart a.
Tie kindest, the truest and the purest
Of her sex. -
So much for my elders and betteU.
Before my father died, he gave me
some sdvice. He had little else to be-
stow.
Hugo" said he II was named after
him), "what are your plans for the fu-
ture7"
THE future?" replied. vaguely;
upon my soul, I've been 30 occupied
L.
graduated from Yale-"that the future
has not had my consideration"
"Hugo," said my father, gravely.
you are young and ardent; and 70
such the choice Of . profession y NO
ha'penny matter"
There 10 the law"
"You would make . sorry lawyer"
81 might go west"
The farmer, Hugo, is the historical
fool. Go east, If you wish to travel;
the Pierian spring il not to be found in
Colorado or California II you were
an Englishman, / should advise the
army or navy; but you are too old, and
our officers play but paltry role. A .
money-grubber you would have to sac
rifice on the altar Of Mammon your
Il quote my father verbatim, neither
indorsing nor condemning his words
"and that precious thing, your leisure"
'What am I to do7"
'.Make haste slowly, my dear lad.
The small sum you inherit under your
mothers will is sufficient to carry you,
afoot, all over Europe. Your face,
name and wits should prove passports
to decent society. Leave this question
Of . profession sub judice; but don't
Idle, and, wherever you may be, set
apart 20 many hours each day to seri-
ous study"
Conceding that my father was . :lsn
Of prejudice, submit that his advice
was sound rs q Newton pippin, and
came not amia. believe in the con-
servation of energy, and his words
chimed harmoniously with my own
Debulous ambitions. Accordingly,
some two months after his funeral
decided to set forth upon my travels,
being reasonably certain that he knew
doubling nothing of his affection and
solicitude for my welfare.
The Lord help you!" said my moth
er's cousin, q famous banker, who had
offered me . stool in his counting
house. You ere . bigger fool than
your father"
ibid you ever tell my father 70 his
face that you considered him . fool7"
looked him hercely in the eys, and
he .stammered out: "N-n-no."
II thought not. have his whip in
my possession. sir, sud know how to
use IT,"
In this Cambysss vein cut sdrift
from an Influential kinsman who had
good-natursdly flung me tow-line. In
hi. wake I might have steered my bark
TO fortune, lolling at ease in the stern
sheets; but was no parasite. and my
dear fathers good naSse was my most
precious poDess;oa.