Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-01-17
TW1cE-A-WEEK vVILLMAR TRIBUNE
Rufus Gordon had not moved a mus.

Rufus Gordon had not moved mus
Gle during his sons talk, and he spoke
now in an easy, contemptuous manner.
John Gordon came up to the side of
the table opposite his father and looked
keenly across at him. Then he turned
away and went over to one Of the
great windows and looked out on the
fashionable avenue. When he finally
turned around and faced his father
exain, he was astonished to see him
rising from his chair and coming over
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 it's genuineness, but he had never
in fact, considered him quite incapable
of it.
However that may be, Rufus Gordon
now began an appeal to 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 if to meet him affection
ately he dropped his arms quickly to
his sides, ''you are my only son, and L
depend on you. 1t has been the ambi-
ton of my life to see you succeeding to
the place which l 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 l offer you and for which
you have been trained. If you wanted
to experiment in these matters of social
problems, as 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
establishment 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 fumbled at the
watch chain. He had never before en-
tertained 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, so decided
in his movements, that none Of his ac-
quaintanccs 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? l have none
that is, none that you would call by
that name. Perhaps as far as l have
gone my plans are summed up in my
love for the people,"
Love for the people?" Rufus Cor
don repeated the words and took step
toward mis- 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 envious. 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 establishment. In all
fhoip 70 hoH
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 astonishment you can
not do anything. l said l did not un-
derstand you or your motives. know
enough, however, to know that if you
go out into the world to do the things
of which you dream, you will misera
bly, fail, and the result will be pain
and disgrace for me, for us all. l love
you, John. Perhaps you have not
known this. But
Rufus Gordon turned and walked
back to the place where 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 selfshness.
John Gordon was so confused by this
scene and his fathers manner that he
stood irresolutely silent by the win
dow. The whole incident seemed fan
tasticallX unreal, it was so unlike any
thing his father had ever done before
He had just turned from the window
to speak when a voice in the next
room began to sing:
''The sadness that grows with the years
Is sadness that will not depart;
1t is close to the fountain Of tears
For 1t lies at the depth of the heart"
The singer appeared at the doorway
and called out in clear but somewhat
hard tone:
''John, will you go with me this
evening? Mr. Penwell sends word that
he cannot 60 owing to a sudden sum
mons out of town.
"What is it, MaryY John Gordon
smoke affectiOnato1v