The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-01-17

4 now in an easy, contemptuous hlanIel :.
! John Gordon came up TO the SIDE OF
the table opposite his father and looked
| keeplv across at him. Then he turned
| away and went over 20 one OF the
| Great windows and looked out on the
| fashionable avenue. When he finally
| tprned around and faced his father
| again. he was astonished TO see him
rising from bis chair and coming over
| toward him. In all his knowledge OF
| his father. John Gordon had never
| known him before to exhibit 50 mucn
feeling. Probably neither man fully
understood the event. Afterward' In
rnipg over the scene. John Gordon
could not avoid a feeling Of suspicion
| rs 10 its genuineness, but be bad never
known his father 10 play part and,
in fact. considered him quite incapable
/ OF IT,
However that may be. Rufus Gordon
now began an appeal 10 his son that
FOR the time being had considerable In.
fuence over him.
John" he began, holding out his
hands although when the son stepped
forward as II TO meet him affection
( atclv he dropped his arms quickly 70
his sides. "you are my only SOD. and L
/ DEPEND on you. II has been the ambi.
/ tion OF nv lie TO see you succeeding TO
/ the place which l now occupy. do not
understand what you have just been
I saying. Il has no meaning 10 me. In
! that sensc. what you aay is very true
\ we can never understand each other.
/ But vou would have independence in
\ tho position ] offer you and FOR which
vou have been trained. II you wanted
| 10 experiment in these matters of social
I problems rs you call them. you would
have the money and your place in soci-
cty 90 help you. But u you step out
side the circle in which we belong you
will have no standing and no influence
But 30 is not clear to me yet what your
plans are. in ease you finally decide 70
reject my plans Tor you"
lie stopped suddenly. and John Cor
don. looking eagerly and with growing
a-;1nishmout into his fathers face.
noted Tor the first time signs of grow
Ing ngc In the deep wrinkles about the
eyes the bent shoulders and slight
but noticeable shaking Of one hand as
the long white fingers fumbled at the
watch chain. lie had never before en-
tertainod the idea that his father was
an old man. Rufus Gordon hau az
WAYS been so upright OF carriage 50
firm and steady on his feet. so decided
in his movements, that none OF his ac-
quaintanccs had yet thought Of age in
/ their thought OF him. What be now
saw had something 10 do with the
! manner IN which John Gordon an
/ swercd bis fathers question
My plans flthcrs J have none
that Is. uore that YOU would call by
/ thar name Perhaps as far as have
I gone my plans ere summed up in my
love Cor the people"
Love for the people, Rufus Cor.
don repeated the words and took step
I toward his son. You love the people,
7 then. more than your old father! For
/ tho people won would do what you
I would not do Tor me, And who are tie
people: Masses ~ the euyious the des-
. pcrlto. the thritloSs. the irresponsible
/ Are we to blame fGr their conditions
. You taIk of social rwroncs. But who
/ makes them possible but the people
/ tACmsplycst'
John listened iu ast0u.>ameHt ln all
their conversation bis father had never
before spoken so. There was q strain
almost uf W'duess Boo bis mauncr.
"JohG Do, continued with % soften.
. iD- of accent and manner that deep
uci tly SON, establishments you can
Dot Gu anything said did not uu-
LGS,aud you or your motives. ! know .
enough however jo know iuat II You .
30 our into the world 20 do the things .
of which You dram. you viii miscra.
b,y faiL and the result viii Doe pain .
aud disgrace Tor mc Tor Us an love .
you John Perhaps you have not .
known this. But
Rufus Gordon turned and walked
back io tho place where De had been
sitting hy the table. When De- lifted
bis face again toward John Gordon, 70
was The same cold, proud hard face
with which DEE had listened to his sons
Indictment of his own and his fathers
social Sellshucss.
John Gordon was 80 confused hy this
scene and bis fathers manner that be
stood irr,soluJgly silent by the win.
dow. Tie whole Incident seemed FAM
UsliCally unreal 10 was s0 unlike any
tl.us his father bad ever done before.