Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1911-12-12

Albert did not seem to share his
fathers hopes.
you will perhaps think it unkind in
me, SIR said he, sadly, Ito dispel this
last Illusion of yours: but must. Do
not delude yourself with the idea of
an amicable arrangement: the awak-
ening will only be the more painful
| have seen Nj. Gerdy, my father, and
he is not one, l assure you, to be in
Inundated. If there is an energetic
will in the world. it is his. He is
truly your son; and his expression,
like yours, shows an iron resolution
that may be broken but never bent.
I can still hear his voice trembling
with resentment, while he spoke to me.
I can still see the dark fire of his eyes.
No, he will never accept compromise.
He will have all or nothing; and
cannot say that he is wrong. If you
resist, he will attack you without the
slightest consideration. Strong in his
rights, he will cling to you with stub
born animosity. He will drag you
from court to court; he will rot stop
short of utter defeat or complete
triumph"
Accustomed to absolute obedience
from his son, the old nobleman was
astounded at this unexpected obsti.
macy.
what is your object in saying al
this?'' he asked.
cit is this, sir. should utterly des
pise myself, if l did not spare you
old age this greatest of calamitles
Your name does not belong to me-
will take my own. l ann your nat
ural son; will give up my place t.
your legitimate son. Permit me t.
withdraw with at least the honor. o.
having freely done my duty. Do no
force me to wait until am driven ou
in disgrace"
"What" cried the count, stunned
1.you will abandon me? You refuse t
help me, You turn against me, 20,
recognize the rights OF this man, Il
spite of my wishes?"
Albert bowed his head. He va!
much moved, but still remained firm
"My resolution is irrevocably TAX
en-" he replied. II can never consen
ITO despoil your son."
Cruel, ungrateful boy!' cried NJ. q
Ccmmarin. His wrath was such, whel
he found he could do nothing by abuse
be passed at once to ,jeering. Blu
no." he continued you are great yo
are noble you are generous; you ar
acting after the most approved patter
of chiyalry, viscount, / should say, m
dear M. Gerdy. after the fashion Q
P1utarch's time! SO you give up m
name and my fortune, and you leav
me-. You will shake the dust fror
our shoes upon the Threshold OF m
house, and you will go out into tn
world I see only one difficulty i
your way. How do you expect to live
my stole philosopher? Have you
trade at your fingers ends, like Jea
| Jacques Rousseau's Emile? o.
worthy M. Gerdy, have you learne
economy from the four thousand franc
"a month l allow you for waxing you
moustache? Perhaps you have mad
| money on the Bourse! Then my nam
must have seemed very burdensom
to you TO bear since you SO eagerl
introduced 1t into such a place! Ha
| dirt, then. SO great an attraction TO
you that you must jump from you
carriage 80 quickly? Say. rather, tina
the company of my friends embarrass
led you, and that you are anxious to g
where you will be among your ow
equals
II am very wretched, sir" reptile
Albert to this avalanche of insults
land YOU would crush mel"
You wretched! Well, whose faul
lis it? But let us get back to my ques
ton. How and on what will yo
dive?'
81 am not so romantic as you pleas
TO say. sir. j must confess that a
regards the future ] have counted up
on your kindness. You are so rich
the five hundred thousand francs woul
not materially affect your fortune
and. on the interest of that sum.
could live quietly, if not happily"