Year: 1878

|


When Percy entered the library b,


louhd MS 1ather there. engaged in read


ing the morning paper, but on looking


up and seeing his son. he laid it aside


and with pleased expression motioneG
Percy to seat just as he was Withdraw.


ing himself, for fear OF disturbing him,


whom he loved with true and tender


devotion. Such affection as WAS his is


rarely found in young men. for his every


acton was an open manifestation OF the


regard he entertained for his worthy pa


rent. Never in his life had Percy been


guilty performing single action con-


trary to the wishes and advice OF his


father; and new he was about to consult


his opinion in regard to the most impor-


tant subject of his entire being. He was


teartully apprehensive that the result OF


their interview would prove unpleasant


to both. He knew that his father was


just man in every sense of the word


and he also knew that he was high strung


and ambitious. Percy was also sensible


OF the fact that his father had spared no


pains in educating HIM, that he felt he
| ought to make a competent return for


the benevolent distribution OF his pater


nal love by accepting calling to the


profession most pleasant to him. He


did not wish purposely to violate the


obligations which he felt bound him, til-


tally, to his lndulgent father. Yet if he
went contrary to his conscience in this
matter. he would be guilty of violating,
not only the highest principles Of bis ma
ture. but would bring condemnation up


on himself by disobeying the immediate
law and command of God; therefore,
Notwithstanding the invariable reyer-
ence with which he regarded his fathers
advice. if he opposed him in this be must
run the risk of mourning his dispeasure |
for the first time in his life, for his de-
csion was made; he had chosen, as he
thought, honorably, and his happiness.
in future. depended upon the develop-
ment OF his principles in this action in
such manner that he couid concentrate
ms every thought upon the subject he
had in question, wholly and undivided.
But he wished that his father would an
prove and sanction the decision he had
made; for Percy knew that for him now
to endeavor to embrace a profession SO
arbitrary to his wishes would plunge
him into that miserable, pitiable State of .
existence which renders life at once ,
oathesome and degrading IN the minds $
1t those men who seek to approximate |
md iuculcate those principles and pre- 8
'epts from which emenates the perfect {
md comprehensive source OF exalted and I
nexhaustible good, and which gives pre- c
lominence to the just and percipient j
will of nature. Again, Percy felt that if L
Ie restricted the promptings OF his heart. t
y putting aside the noble impulses that q
rged him on to the consummation of s
is duty, he knew that his hopes. his fu- \
ure prospects would be scattered before t,
i'm as the light chaff that Is borne by o
le wind over the bosom OF the earth. h
'hese thoughts were SO distracting, that 81
e determined to tell his father at once. "
'r anything was better than the sus- HI
ense that lie was suffering. Mr. Nor n,
m received the Intelligence from his cl
IN without betraying one visible sign to
dissatisfaction; though it is true that &C
r long while he remained with his n,
ead resting on the table, where he drop ar
ed 1t, when Percy commenced the con- kr
'rsation. When he raised it, however, tn
shadow clouded the dignity of his vi
ce for an instant, and then it was gone or
his benevolent countenance beamed de
lth unconcsaled pleasure. This sx- Of