The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-12-04


ran his eye rapidly down the page.
found the place where he had left OF.
settled himself comfortably in his
chair, and was lost in the book. The
fire blazed and cracked and shone
through the chinks of the warped
stove.
Richard watched the blaze and
waited. The silence was broken by
an inarticulate sound from the win
dow. 1t might be assent or it might
be the end of train of thought.
What Is it?" asked Richard.
The old man looked up absently.
"Oh-still there, Dick1 Just listen to
this" He began to read from the
brown book in his hand.
"Oh, bother!" said Richard impa-
tiently. Translate it, won't you,
Seth? What is it, anyway. can't
understand Greek"
The old man waited a moment a. II
searching for fit words, and then read
In clear, full voice that contrasted
oddly with his uncouth appearance:
"'If thou art panied by any external
thing, 1t 10 not this thing that disturbs
thee. but thy own judgment about It;
and 1t Is In thy power to wipe out this
Judgment now. But II anything In thy
own disposition gives thee pain. who
binders thee from correcting thy opinion?
| And even II thou art panied because thou
art not doing come particular thing which
seems to thee to be right. why dost thou
| not rather act than complain? But some
insuperable obstacle Is in the way7 Do
not be grieved then, for the cause OF It
not being done depends not on thee.
/ Therefore the mind which is free from
| passions is citadel. for man has moth
ing more secure to which he can ny for
| refuge. and for the future inexpugnable.
He then who has not seen this IL an ig-
norant man; but he who has seen it and
does not fly to this refuge is unhappy F"
That's all bosh!" said Richard ir.
ritably. 1.-The fellow that wrote II
never had anything worse to bear
than the toothache."
He stopped a minute and then be.
gan again abruptly, the words tum.
bling out. What can l do?-I can't
stand tt thought I'd stay home and
fight it out. But can't. It's killing
me-but don't want to go away" he
added.
He had sunk again into the listless
attitude. 1T isn't worth while
nothing is worth while"
| His companion said nothing. He
was watching the listless figure keen
ly, as physician might watch rest
less patient. Have you thought Of
killing yourself?" he said at last.
The young man started and flushed
"Yes"-under his breath and half
shamed-"but somehow I don't dare.
But can't bear to live either" he
went on. Perhaps II could get
away from folks the way you have, l
could stand it,
The other looked up quickly He
waited minute. Then he spoke with
slow emphasis. you're not going to
spoil your life. I've spoiled mine
That's enough"
1T Isn't spoiled. You are con-
tented. You believe all that stuff
about philosophy and your mind being
an impregnable citadel. Perhaps ]
should, too. after awhile"
Resignation isn't living" said the
old man bitterly. IT had power tell
you" He was sitting erect and his
eyes flashed. Il had mind, and be.
cause woman Tilted me I threw 1t
away. I buried myself. Don't do 1t,
Dick" his voice had dropped, mo
woman is worth 1t. Be q man. Show
that you are made of better stun. "
Again his voice rang out as II he were
addressing Jury. He was transfg.
ured.
Richard, watching, understood for
the first time what his grandfather,
Godfrey Crane, had meant when he
used to speak Of Seth Kinney's power
and Of his spoiled life.
In a flash the young man. looking
into the future. saw himself in the
older mans place. His figure
Strengthened and his hand clenched
The teeth behind the square Jaw
came together with even hrmness.
What shall I do?"
The older man paused q moment
YOU'D better 60 to college," he said
at last. you have Latin enough. I'll
teach you Greek and you can work up
the mathematics by yourself. Go ia
work. Work hard. Don't give your.
self time to think. That's the way
out"
The young man rose, shutting his
knife with a snap. "All right, Seth
wait a minute" The old man
mounted chair and searched among
the worn volumes on high shelf. He
selected one and, shaping the COW
ers together, handed 1t to Dick.
Learn the first 20 pages" he com.
manded. When you are ready, come
and recite."
When Richard was outside the door
he looked at the title-page in the fad.
ing light. It was 1.-THE Elements OF
Greek Grammar-Taken Chiefly from
the Grammar of Casper Frederick
Haschenberg, 1920"
CHAPTER w.
"YOu must get man to work the