Year: 1875

CLOS FATHER.


On the 10th day of August / came
down to the Herald office at a rather late
hour. AS general thing am not par
ticular about dates, nor is my memory
regarding them remarkably good, for /
can never remember them unless in con-
nection with some particular fact, and
that generally an entirely different one
from that with which the date has to
deal. For instance always recall the year
1906 as the date of the Norman conquest
Of England, and that do remember it
is due to the circumstance that l was
taught it by red-bearded man who Wis
tied at my fathers house when l was a
boy.


Not only do l remember that I was
late at the Office on the 10th, but also
recollect that the day before it was Sun
day. My mnemosyne for these dates is
the sermon of the Rev. David Kowdahr,
native missionary from BungarOo, who
preached from the text Glove One
Another" This circumstance standing
alone, it is most likely, would not have
made very lasting impression, but the
words Of the text suggested something,
and that something led on to something
else, and the upshot of the whole matter
was that / asked Clio Holmes, as we
walked home after service, if she would
marry me. She said she loved me dearly,
but that / must talk to her father about
any engagement. The first part of her
reply made me happy man, but the last
part changed my Joy to misery.


The matter of asking her father never
appeared serious before. In the delight
full romances and long reveries had
often dreamed, that part of the pro-
gramme had always gone off in the
easiest possible manner. "My dear
Professor" l would imagine myself say
ing, 81 have long and devotedly loved
your daughter; she returns my affection,
and / come to ask your consent to our
marriage, and your blessing"


And then the Professor would say:


"Take her, my boy; take her and my
blessing"


All the way from the church to Clos
house we were quite silent, she most
likely thinking ofhow many bridesmaids
could be got in between the front pew
and the pulpit rail, and l ruminating on
the probable result of the impending in.
terview with her father, the Professor.
l can remember dismissing the subject
from my mind as / bid Clio goodnight,
and stood waiting at the gate to see the
light appear in her window. But an
impertinent policeman and my misery
came upon me, and wandered away to
my room.


When / entered my room l did not
light the gas, for the chambermaid knew
my wishes, and there was no fear of my
sitting down in the slopjar or falling
over the bed. / filled and lighted my
pipe and drew my chair before the win
dow. 1t was wonderful night. The
sky was cloudless, and the moon flooded
the view with its ivory light. The full
foliageC trees stood ont like black
silhouettes against the brightness be-
yond them, and light breeze that came
yelling up from the south, stirred their
leaves into life and motion. But moonlight
and beauty filed no place in my
thoughts. As smoked mentally drew
up trial balance of probabilities and
possibilities. In the first place, l was
young man with future before me, and,
like young bear, with all my troubles
in the same direction. ] was a reporter
on the Herald, doing good deal of work
for very small salary. l had written a
story for the Atlantic, which was event
ually published in the NeD York Weekly,
and had been complimented by the city
editor of the Herald, who said wrote up
a cattle-sale splendidIy. So far for myself.
On the other hand, the Professor was an
elderly man, prone to statistics and dry,
hard facts, and in whose breast the milk
o. human kindness either lay very deep
or was completely dried up. He was
engaged in writing work on the
"Probable Course taken by Fenish in his
Expedition from Phenicia to Ireland"
and I suspected he did not like me, for
he always read the advance sheets to me
when went to call on Clio.


Clos mother had been dead for some
years, and the Professor, freed from her
control, which report said had been of
rather vigorous description, felt his
liberty, and on that account was some
what difficult man to approach. Several
times went over my balance-sheet, each
time making additions; but when /
footed it up, found that was debtor to
a great deal, and was credited with very
little.


II was very disagreeable subject, and
I dismissed it to turn my attention to the
best way of approaching the Professor on
the subject. .ft


His liking for statistics and msthe-
matical facts made 1t probable that
tabular statement of my love and affec-
tion for his daughter would meet his
favor; but / had no data upon which TO
figure the percentage of its increase after
marriage, and ] gave 1t up. My pecu-
mary prospects had the same fault, but i
thought could make fair presentation
of my family after the manner of the
statements required by the life insurance
men before they allow you to contribute
to their income, like: cage Of uncle, If
living how many and Of what sex; give
color and occupation"


had just filled and lighted my pipe
for the fifth time when n happy idea came
10 me. Why not call upon the Profes-
sor that very night? Wasit very late :?
Eleven strokes from the clock on the
mantel answered that question. I had
often observed light in the Professors
study later than that, for I had fre-