Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-01-17

fic was persistent
and spoke in various voices the Ian
guage of bitter toll. of physical energy
and of careless pleasure seeking. At
no time in all his life had he seemed
to 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
and inclination, between personal ease
and personal ministry to a world that
Offered him little expectation of re-
ward as he ministered to it. The strug-
gle which had led up to his final pre-
cipitation 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
back on all the traditions Of his ia
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 deep seriousness worthy of the
event certain we'll defined questions
relative to his future. AS he finally
went down the steps and became
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
part Of its restlessness, a portion Of
its eternal destiny.
II don't see that the trip has hurt
You any. You look heartier, John. than
/ ever saw you before"
ut has been great trip for me, ia
ther,' replied John Gordon, returning
his fathers look earnestly, "and l am
very grateful to you for it. The ocean
voyage toned me up wonderfully"
'Just what you needed" The older
man spoke with a 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 l went across. I
was just about as much run down as
you were when you finished at the uni
versity. Six months in Germany and
Switzerland made a new man Of me.
But we've missed you, John-Mary
and IT,
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 a moments pause.
well. 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, Il must refuse your offer
lof position in the bank. l cannot by
any possibility accept it,
! There was another expressive silence
between the two men, and Rufus Cor
don shut his eyes firmly together, while
Ihis face hardened gradually.
II received your letter just before
sailing from Liverpool. father" John
fGordon continued, land l believe ap-
preciate your plan for my future. But
at 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
any kind, not even when his son stop
ped abruptly and looked over at him
hs If expecting reply. To one who
knew him as his son did the utter alb
sence Of any sign Of emotion in the
face of what was in reality tremen-
dous blow at his family pride indicat-
led simply the hard, unyielding nature
LOT the man.
.Of course don't expect you to I'M
derstand-I anticipate nothing. But
you have brought me up to tell the
truth, and am simply telling it now
as it must be told, when say that l
cannot and win not accept the life
you mapped ont for me Ia your letter.