Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-11

his sides, you are my only son, and l.
depend on you. II has been the smbi.
| ton of my life TO soc you succeeding to
the place which | now occupy. | do not
understand what you have just been
saying. 1t has no meaning to me. In
| that sense, what you say is very true
we can never understand each other.
But you would have independence in
the position I offer you and for which
you have been trained. II you wanted
to experiment In these matters Of social
| problems. rs you call them. you would
! have the money and your place in soci
ETY. to help you. But if you step out
side the circle in which we belong you
will have no standing and no influence.
But it is not clear to me yet what your
plans are, in case you finally decide to
reject my plans for you"
He stopped suddenly. and John Cor
DON looking eagerly and with growing
astonishmcnt into his fathers face.
noted for the first time signs of grow
ing age in the deep wrinkles about the
eyes, the bent shoulders and slight
but noticeable shaking OF one hand as
the long white fingers fumblpd at the
watch chain. He had never before en-
tertaincd the idea that his father was
an old man. Rufus Gordon had al
ways been so upright Of carriage. so
firm and steady on his feet 50 decided
in his movements. that none of his &C.
qusintances had yet thought Of nge in
their thought Of him. What he now
saw had something to do with the
manner in which John Gordon an
swercd his fathers question.
MY plans, father! | have mons
that is, none that you would call by
that name. Perhaps as far as have
gone my plans are summed up in nay
love for the people"
Love for the people?" Rufus Cor.
don repeated the words and took a step
toward his son. You love the people.
then, more than your old father! For
the people you would do what you
would not do for me- And who are the
people? Masses Of the cnvious. the des-
perate, the thriftless, the irresponsible.
Are We to blame for their condition.
You talk of social wrongs. But who
makes them possible but the people
themselves"
John listened in astonishmcnt In all
their conversation his father had never
before spoken so. There was a strain
almost of mildness in his manner.
"John," he continued with a soften
ing of accent and manner that deep
ened the sons enlistment you can.
Il hi, I'll u
derstand you or your motives. | know
enough, however. to know that If you
20 out into the world to do the things
Of which you dream. you will mi.era
bly, fail, and the result will be pain
and disgrace for me. for us all. love
you, John. Perhaps you lave not
known this. But
Rufus Gordon turned and walked
back TO the place whore he had been
sitting by the table. When he lifted
his face again toward John Gordon, it
was the same cold. proud hard face
with which he had Listened TO his sons
indictment Of his own and his fathers
social solfshness.
John Gordon was so confused by this
stood irresolutely silent by the win
dew. The whole incident seemed fan.
tastically unreal, it was so unlike any.
thing his father had ever done before.
He had just turned from the window
10 speak when Il voice in the next
room began to sing:
Tho sadness that grows with the years
y.
1t liz close to the fountain of
For 1t lies al the depth OF the heart"
The singer appeared at the doorway
and called out in clear but somew hat
hard tone:
John, will you 90 with me this
evening? Mr.. Penwell sends word that
he cannot 90 owing to sudden snn-
mons out of town"
What is II, Nary" John Gordon
spoke afectionatcly
"Ravoll In The Edge OF the Sword"
John Gordon looked grave, and his
sister swiftly rotcd his hesitation.
What's the matter with you, John?
Since you returned from abroad you
act so queer. Don't you want to 20
with me: Ravoll is perfectly splendid
in the part
The play is John Gordon hest
tated to characterize it. In reality it
was rotten in its whole ethical purpose
and teaching.
Everybody goes" Mary exclaimed
petulantly. "Of course, if you won't
80 with me, it will spoil my evening. |
had been expecting it So"
Rufus Gordon spoke.
I'm go with you, Mary, if you want
me to-"
"Oh, will you? That's a good father.
She turned toward him, but looked over
her shoulder at her brother with a ges-
ture of rejection.
John Gordon looked at the two in
silence that registered in his mind what
had practically become TIE most pam
full experience OF his whole life, the
growing knowledge of his estrance-
nent from all his home loves. But |
have chosen," he kept saying to him.
self. Il have chosen. | cann0 20
back now The triiiny incident Of
the theater and his sisters mlsundcr-
standing of his attitude toward it was
only a single illustration out OF hun.
dred other things that made the whole
social career unbearabe TO him. The
fact that this particular play was dis
N tel A1 Nv ka satiu %