The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-03-04

Rufus Gordon locked over at bis son.
81 don't see that the trip has hurt
you any. You look heartier, John, than
7 ever saw you before"
at has been a great trip for me, ia
tner," replied John Gordon, returning
his fathers look earnestly, "and am
very grateful to you for it. The ocean
voyage toned me up wonderfully.
Gust what you needed" The older
man spoke with a heartiness that
seemed to cause the younger to shrink
back a 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
rersity. Six months in Germany and
Switzerland made a new man Of me.
But we've missed you, John-Mary
and T.
John Gordon looked out Of the win
dow before he answered
s:You've been very kind to me. You
have always been kind to me. All that
makes it hard FOR me to say something
I ought to say
The father looked sharply at the son,
and there was moments pause.
s'Weu, go on" Rufus Gordon said as
his son seemed to wait for him to
speak.
I'm the first place." John Gordon be-
gan slowly, II must refuse your offer
Of a position in the bank. I cannot by
anEpossibility 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 I aD-
preciate your plan for my future. But
it is all impossible. I am going to dis
appoint you in every particular, Dut
that is because you cannot under
Stand'-.
Rufus Gordon made no movement Of
any kind, not even when his son stop
ped abruptly and looked over at him
rs if expecting q reply. To one who
knew him as his son did the utter ab-
sence 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, unyielding nature
Of the man.
s'Of course don't expect you to IN
derstand-I anticipate nothing. But
you have brought me up to tell the
truth. and I am simply telling it now
as it must be told, when say that l
cannot and will not accept the Life
you mapped out for me in your letter.
1t would be worse than mockery for
me to attempt such career It would
be death to my whole nature. It 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 ycur trip abroad
would take some Of your foolishness
out Of YOU 1t seems it hasn't. Well,
what do you expect to do:''
The question was blunt. 1t was more
it was brutal.
John Gordon rose and began walk
Ing up and down. His father sat look
Ing at him coldly, but curiously, as If
studying some peculiar characteristic
that for the first time had begun to af-
feet him.
Father" John Gordon finally ex-
claimed ''you will never understand
my choice. I wondered ell the way
home whether it was worth while to
try to explain myself. But you have a
right to know why refuse your offer
and why make choice Of the career
must follow
Rufus Gordon gave no sign Of assent,
hut his son went on speaking with