The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-01-27

NILS story opens In the gloomy
mansion of Mr.. Dombey, head
of the house of DOmbey & Sen,
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, clasping her little daughter,
Florence, TO her heart. This child,
neglected by her proud, cold father,
tries vainly to win his love, but he,
with all his hopes and his affection
centered 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
a delicate child, old far beyond his
years. and totally united to fulfil his
fathers expectations. While gentle
and loving to those about him, Paufs
alteration for his sister, Florence, sur
passes all his other interests, 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 DIR. Blim-
ber's school, famed for its method of
crushing ont each boyish trait and
making learned prigs Of all its pu-
pills. Here the boy finds a friend and
champion in Toots, the head boy of
the school, who falls a victim to the
charms of Florence, but =. the end
consoles himself by marrying her
faithful maid, the sprightly Susan
Nipper.
The story Of Paul's life at DR.. Blim-
hers, where his weak frame is tried
beyond endurance, and finally breaks
down, is a pathetic one, although 1t
is enlivened by much that is anus
ing and absurd In the descriptions of
the school and of the Blimber fam
lily.
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 of the most ia
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 a 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-breaking 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 ellis, maker of ships
instruments, and his devoted nephew,
Walter Coy. who with their good
friend. Captain Cutie. form a delight
full trio. The captain, who wears a
hook in place Of his right hand, and
suffers patiently under the insults and
abuses Of his landlady, the terrible
Mrs. MacStingcr, is one Of Dickens
best beloved characters.
Walter, who has a modest position
in the great house Of Dombey. watch
es with sympathy AND admiration the
career Of the neglected daughter of
his employer, and upon one occasion
has the JOY Of rescuing her when she
is lost in London. From the night
when the frightened child is warmed
and comforted nj the sign Of the
"Wooden Midshipman," Florence holds
Uncle Sol and Walter in warmest re-
gard. When later, during Paul's ILL
ness, Walter comes TO plead for loan
20 save his uncle's property, the sym
pathetic hoy at once becomes his cham
pion and secures the money from his
father. From this time on Paul takes
a special interest In Walter and on
his death-bed begs that he shall be re-
membered. This message Florence
brings to Walter. pledging TO him
thenceforth her sisterly affection.
The fortunes of the house OF Dom |
hey are guided principally by the clev-
er and 'cat-like" manager, James Car