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

about him like a
mountain with a
multitude of ambig-
uous canyons lead
ing off into unex-
plored distances.
The roar of its traf-
fic was persistent
and spoke in various voices the Ian
GIage of bitter toll, of physical energy
and of careless pleasure seeking. At
no time in all his life had he seemed
so feel the burden of his responsibility
for others as at this moment. He had
come to the place where he could no
longer endure the strife between duty
md inclination, between personal ease
and personal ministry to world that
offered him little expectation Of re-
ward as he ministered to it. The strug-
Gle which had led up 10 his final pre-
ciptation of the crisis had been a
struggle almost empty Of bitterness,
but overlooking with pain. He was
conscious as he stood on the steps of
his fathers house. about to turn his
back on all the traditions Of his fa-
theirs name and business, that there
was no hatred in his soul and no re-
sentiment in his heart. What he was
about to leave did not find as much
place in his mind as what he was
about to seek. He was not troubled
over any loss TO himself but he faced
with Gecp seriousness worthy of the
event certain well defined questions
relative TO his future AS he finally
went down the steps and became a
part of the human current that flowed
down the street the city seemed to
absorb him into its turbulent mystic
robustness and to bear him along, a
its eternal destiny.
Rufus Gordon looked over at his son.
Il don't see that the trip has hurt
you any. You look heartler, John. than
] ever saw you before"
ut has been a great trip for me. IA
ther." replied John Gordon, returning
his fathers look earnestly, land | am
very grateful to you for it, The ocean
voyage toned me up wonderfully"
Just what you needed" The older
man spoke with heartiness that
seemed to cause the younger to shrink
back little in his chair as If in antici-
patton of something different. Il re-
member the first time ] went across. l
was just about as much run down as
you were when you finished at the uni
y 'sity. Six months in Germany and
IS itzerland made new man Of me.
] 1t we've missed you, John-Mary
and l."
John Gordon looked out of the win
dow before he answered.
you've been very Kind to me. You
have always been kind to me. All that
makes it hard for me to say something
! ought TO say
The father looked sharply at the son.
and there was moments pause.
We'll, go on" Rufus Gordon said as
his son seemed TO wait for him to
speak.
''In the first place" John Gordon be-
gan slowly. Il must refuse your offer
of position in the bank. ! cannot y
any possibility accept it,"
There was another expressive silence
between the two men, and Rufus Cor
don shut his eyes firmly together. while
his face hardened gradually.
81 received your letter just before
sailing from Liverpool, father" John
Gordon continued, and believe | up.
preciate your plan for my future. But
it Is all Impossible. | am going to dis
appoint you in every particular. but
that is because you cannot under.
stand
Rufus Gordon made no movement Of
amy kind not even when his son stop
ped abruptly and looked over at him
AS If expecting reply To one who
knew him as his son did the utter alb
y"nce OF any sign of emotion in the
face of what was in reality a tremen-
dous blow at his family pride indicat.
ed simply the hard unyieiding nature
of the man.
"Of course ! don't expect You to un-
derstand-I anticipate nothing. But
yCu have brought me up to tell the
truth and | am simply telling il now
as it mus he told. when | say that |
cannot and will not accept the lifs
you mapped out for me in your letter.
1t wocld be worse than = nockery for
me to attempt such career 1t would
be death to my whole nature. 1t would
cut across every principle Of my life,
every conviction that has ever prompt
ed me to be of use in the world"
Rufus Gordon finally spoke after his
son had been silent long time.
We've been over all this more or
less before hoped your trip abroad
would take some of your foolishness
out OF you. 1t seems it hasn't. We'll,
what do you expect to DOR
The question was blunt. 1t vas more
s-it was brutal.