The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-01-28

The toy of life and the bitterness.
the kindIinesn of men and the cruelty
these things were burned into the mind
and soul of the sensitive boy. They are
in the books of the man.
THIS story opens In the gloomy
mansion Of Mr.. Dombey, head
- of the house of Dombey & Son,
who is exulting in the birth OF little
Paul" heir to his name and wealth.
This great event is followed by the
death Of Mrs. DOmbey. who breathes
her last, clasplng her little daughter,
Florence, to her heart. This child,
neglected ny her proud, cold father,
tries valnly to win his love, but he,
with all his hopes and his affection
conferred upon his son, finds no place
In his heart for Florence.
All the advantages that wealth can
offer are heaped on little Paul, who Is
delicate child, old far beyond his
years, and totally untitled to fulffil his
fathers expectations. While gentle
ard loving to those about him. Paufs
alteration for his sister, Florence, sur
passes all his other interests, a fact
which rankles In the breast Of his
father who would be first In the af-
lection of his son.
Wishing to hasten Pauls education,
Mr.. Dombey sends him to DR.. Blim-
hers school, famed for its method of
crushing out each boyish trait and
making learned prigs Of all Its pu-
nils. Here the boy finds friend and
champion in Toots. the head boy of
the school, who falls victim to the
charms of Florence. but In the end
consoles himself by marrying her
faithful maid, the sprlghtly Susan
Nlpper.
The story of Paul's life at Dr. Blim-
hers, where his weak frame Is tried
beyond endurance, and finally breaks
down, Is pathetic enc, although 1t
Is enliyened by much that is anus
ing and absurd in the descriptions OF
she school and of the Bllmber fam
fly.
Fatally III, the boy is carried home
to the big house, where all the skill
In London, coupled with his sisters
devotion, cannot save him, and after
lingering awhile, he slips away from
the grand future his father has so
carefully arranged. The deathbed
scene where little Paul leaves the big
house forever, is one offthe most 10.
nous In fiction.
Clasped In his sisters arms, the dy-
Ing boy murmurs: How fast the
river runs It's very near the
sea. / hear the waves" "And
now there was shore before him
Who stood on the bank" He sees his
mother there awaiting him and whis.
pers: "The. light about her head Is
shining on me as CO."
/ The bereaved father, In an agony OF
grief and blasted hopes, turns coldly
from the heart-breaklng appeal Of his
sorrowing daughter. who pleads for
some response In this dark hour. Bid
ding her seek her own apartments. he
shuts himself up In his rooms alone.
Beside the dark threads In this
story. are woven many bright ones
which center In the humble DWELLING
Of old Solomon Gills, maker OF ships
instruments, and his devoted nephew
Walter Coy. who with their goof
friend. Captain Cutie. form delight
ful trio. The captain. who wears 9
hook In place Of bis right hand. ant
suffers patiently under the insults anf
abuses Of his landlady. the terrible
Mrs. MacStlngcr. is one Of Dickens
hest beloved characters.
/ Walter. who has modest positios
IN the great house Of Dombey. watch
es with sympathy and admiration TN
career Of the neglected daughter o.
his employer. and upon one occasion
has the Joy Of rescuing her when sh'
Is lost In London. From the nigh
when the frightened child Is warm1,
and comforted at the sign of tbs
Wooden MIdshinman." Florence hold
rncle Sol and Walter in warmest re
gard. When later. during Paul's III
ness. Walter comes to plead for a LOAF
o save his uncle's property. the svm
nsthetIc hoy at once becomes HIS cham
Mon and secures the money from hi
'ather. From this time on Paul take
4 special interest In Walter and OF
his death-bed begs that he shall he rs
rendered. This message Florenc
rings TO Walter. pledging to hin
heneeforth her sisterly affection.
/ The fortunes Of the house Of Dom
eey are guided principally by the clev
ar and -cat-like- manager. James Car