The Elbert County tribune., 1903-06-25

the simplest way. | am accustomed
to economic and TO go without
things Besides what pleasure there
would be In feeling that was sup
porting myself and that the food 1
ate and the clothes on my back were
mine by right of my own endeavors.
Instead OF contributed by others, how
ever kind"
But You might earn money
enough to clothe yourself. for in
stance-sy embroidery or some other
ladyiike art, without leaving your
uncles house"
The professor. as he spoke. by
series of determined puffs. sent vo;-
ume of new smoke toward the ceiling.
Aunt Emma mentioned that She
suggested that might paint on china
or give whist lessons. and yet retain
my prospects,"
"Ah! did she. really? Just my own
Idea, precisely; only she improves
upon 1t. Paint on china or give whist
lessons! Capital, But the last
strikes me as especially felicitous.
You could give whist lessons, / should
say, certainly, without sacrificing your
prospects. Your aunt is an eminently
sensible woman"
The professor spoke jauntiIy; SO
much so that Eleanor, who had in
tended to be sardonic. paused with
surprise. 1t almost seemed to her
that there was irony. also, in her
mentors words. But the sober pre-
cision of the phrase with which he
renewed. the dialogue, convinced her
of her error.
why should you not adopt your
aunt's suggestion"
Cant you see why, Uncle Phin?
should merely be making believe. 1t
couldn't help being nearly the same as
1t is now. Oh, Uncle Phin, don't
wish to seem to you ungrateful for
what Uncle Harold and Aunt Emma
have done for me. They have been
very, very kind. and-and don't
wish to criticise them; I'm not criti-
cising them. But what is beneficial
for one person and what interests one
person may be harmful and demoral-
izing to another. It's the atmosphere
that | object to-the whole way of
looking at things; and | had reef-
Ing that you would understand me,
Uncle Phin"
There was the sadness of despair
in her tone.
Understand you. my little girl?
should think | did understand you.
Has not my whole life been protest
against the very atmosphere which
you condemn. and which, thank God.
you cannot bear? Come here and
kiss me-"
She approached him in sweet sur
prise. and lowered her lips to his
cheek. lie held her upon his knee
and stroked her hair.
You shall teach: you shall do what
you wish" he said. 81 will see to 1t;
leave it all to me-"
Then you do not think me foolish,
Uncle Phin?"
Foolish? thank God that you are
sc wise: that 1t has been given YOU
TO see the difference between the false
gods and the true. the glory of life
ard Its prostitution-yes. prostitution.
| say. | had not dared hope 1t. for
they had held to your lips the Lethe
OF luxury and languor and form and
superstiticn, but you would not drink:
no. thank God, you would not drink,
You have made your choice: but.
child. the path which you have
chosen Is no easy one to follow" he
cried. with sudden sternness. "You
have said that work and prlyations
have no terrors for you: you may
even be proof against dependency
and weariness of heart and brain;
but are you ready TO put up with
polite scorn. kindly consideration and
plying patronage? Are you prepared
TO be looked askance at as quixotic.
stigmatized as unconventional, ta-
booed as unorthodox? This must
those who pursue knowledge and
truth for their own sakes be prepared
to endure. They must look neither
to the right nor to the left: they
must be ready to strive from the ris-
ing of the sun to the going down Of
the same, content in the single CON
seriousness tnat they are helping to
unravel the mysteries of Gods treas.
ure house and search out the secrets
OF the infinite"
She turneL her eyes to meet his.
Il am not afraid. Uncle Phln." she
said with bright smile. ''If only |
am worthy"
1T is a matter of spirit, not of
deeds" he answered. He took her
hand in his and patted It softly, while
he seemed to be looking into distance.
as he said. Il will tell you a secret.
Peach-blossom. For the soul that loves
truth and seeks it unfinchingly, un-
sparingly. devotedly, unwearyingly.
the stars and the seas and the flowers
and the woods and the tempests and
the sunsets and the beasts of the
field and the glorious works OF man