The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1903-06-18

Rufus Gordon had not moved mus
Gle during his sons talk. and he spoke
now In an easy. contemptuous mann,r, ,
John Gordon came up to the side cf
the table opposite his father and looked
keenly acroes at him. Then he turned
away and went over to one of the
I great windows and looked out on the
fashionable avenue. When he hnally
turned around and faced his father
sagain. he was astonished to see him
rising from his chair and coming Jver
toward him. In all his knowledge OF
his father, John Gordon had never
known him before TO exhibit SO much
feeling. Probably neither man fully
understood the event. Afterward, in
going over the scene, John Gordon
could not avoid feeling OF suspicion
as to its genulneness, but he had never
known his father to play part, and.
in fact considered him quite incapable
OF II.
However that may be, Rufus Gordon
now began an appeal to his son that
for the time being had considerable in
fluence over him.
John" he began. holding out his
hands, although when the son stepped
forward as il to meet him affection
ately he dropped his arms quickly TO
his sides, 'you are my only son. and l
depend on you. II has been the amOi-
tion Of my life to see you succeeding to
the place which I now occupy. I 10 not
understand what You have just been
saying II has no meaning to Mo, In
that sense. what you say is very true
we can never understand each Ctlcr.
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, as you call them, You wou,i
have the money and your place I'm Soyi-
city to help you. But if you step out.
side the circle I'm which we belong You
will have no standing and no influence.
But II is not clear to me vet 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
astoniShment 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
hut noticeable shaking OF one hand rs
the long white fingers fumhlcd at the
watch chain. He had never before en-.
tertained the idea that his father was
an old man. Rufus Gordon had nj.
ways been so upright Of carriage, so
firm and steady on his feet, so decided
In his movements that none OF his ac-
/ ousintances had yet thought Of age in
their thought of him. What he now
saw had something TO do with the
manner in which John Gordon an
swered his fathers question
my plans father? have none
that is, none that you would call by
that name Perhaps ms far rs have
gone my plans nre summed up In my
love for the people"
Love for the people," Rufus Cor
I don repeated the words and took step
toward his son. You love the people,
then, more than your old father! For
| the people you would do what you
weuld not do for me- And who are the
people; Masses OF the envious, the des-
perate, the tnrift,ess. 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 astonishment In ali
their conversation his father had never
before spoken So There was q strain
almost OF mildncss In his manner.
John" he continued with q soften,
ting Of accent and manner that deep
ened the sons astonishment You can
not do anything said ! die not un-
derstand YOU or your motives ! know
enough, however to know that If you
20 out into the world 10 dc the things
o. which YOU dream. you will misera-
bly, fail, and the result will be pain
and disgrace for me, for us al. ! love
you, John Perhaps you hive no;
inowr this But
Rufus Gordon turned Gnd walked
bact 10 tine place where he had been
F.rrtng py the table When he lifted
mis- face IEatn toward John Gordon, /,
waE tbe same cold proud hard face
witt which he had listened 10 ms sons
indictment Of ms OWL and hiE tathe-'.
Bociul seltsnDess
john GORDON war 50 confused by thii
scene uud his fathe-'s manner that bs
stood t-resoiuteiy silent by The wtD
dow Tbe whole incident seemed fup
tasticauy unreal II was 30 unlike any
thing ms father had ever done before
lie had just turned from tne window
10 speaE when voice IL the pey'
RON began 10 sting:
The Badness that grove with the year.
IL Badness that Will not aepsrt.
j. is Close 70 the fountain Of tears,
For u lies a. tbe depth of the bsart
The singer appeared a. the doorway
and called our IL clear but sV,newha'