ARTHUR
73

"Abuku visited us last week, and, among other state news, told us that Sawny Mervyn had sold his house. His wife had persuaded him to try his luck in the West. The price of a hundred acres here would buy a thousand there, and that man, who was very dirty and stupid, and, though, quite foolish, there is no difficulty in understanding that one thousand ten times more than one hundred. He did not realize that the land above Schuylkill was ten times better than an acre in Tennessee.

"The woman turned out to be a cunning spender. After selling his land and getting his money, he keeps it in his storage, and he, to enjoy it more safely, flees to the city; leaving it to demand his journey. Some time later, Mr. Althorpe and I were playing, when he showed me a group of women in the top box, one of whom was none other than Betty Lawrence. Not easy to recognize, in her current style, all showing off ribbons and glittering with knick-knacks, the same Betty who used to hand out potatoes and keep an eye on her melon basket at the Jersey market, with a hood and linsey skirts.Famous class If Arthur is still in town, there is no doubt that the mother and son may be updating the ancient terms of their acquaintances.

“The old man, robbed and betrayed, sought solace in the bottle, which he had always liked. He wandered from one tavern to another until his credit ran out, and was then sent to prison, where, I'm sure, he would probably continue to survive until his death. That is, my friend, the history of Mervyn."

"What is the evidence" I said, "You have any evidence of the boy's immoral behavior? About her mistreatment of her mother, and eloping with her father's horse and money?"

"I have no evidence except a unanimous report from Mervyn's neighbor. Honourable and honest men have affirmed, in my hearing, that they were present when the boy treated his mother in the way I have described. accompanied the old man, he said, and heard him bitterly reproach his son, and accused him of stealing his horse and money. I remember very well that tears flowed from her eyes while talking about the problem.The city on the next day after eloping, dressed in the most expensive and fashionable way, was, I can doubt that as little as others, for he who sees it is my father, and you, who know my father, know what his eyes and his words should cherish. He had seen Arthur often enough to not be mistaken, and described his appearance very precisely. The boy was very handsome, give him his due; had dark brown eyes, blond hair, and very elegant proportions.The air and gait had no clowns in it y his jacket and trousers, he said, and you have people who are just as beautiful as those who have come from dance school or college. He was the exact image of his mother, and the most perfect contrast to his sturdy legs, squatting figure, and the wide, thoughtless, embarrassed face of his father imaginable. You have to admit that his appearance here is a pretty strong proof of the father's statement. The money given for these clothes is impossible to earn honestly. It should be considered that they were bought or stolen, because how else could they get them?"

"What was the personal attitude of this boy during his mother's life, and before his father's second marriage?"

"Very little for the praise of his heart or his intellect. Being the youngest son, the only one who survives, and having a strong resemblance to himself, he becomes a favorite of the mother. His body was weak, and he liked to walk around in the forest more than plowing or sowing. This laziness was very much at odds with his father's tendencies and judgments; and, indeed, it was the basis of all his crimes. When he could be persuaded to do anything, it was in a careless manner, and to prove that his mind was fixed on anything but his business. When her help is desired, she is never found. They were forced to look for him among rocks and bushes, and he was generally found strolling along the banks of rivers, or lounging in the shade of trees. This tendency to be inactive and lazy, in a young man, is very strange. People his age rarely liked work, but then they were addicted to corporations, and sports, and sports. They ride, or shoot, or play; but this is spending its time in solitude, never hanging out with other young people, never riding a horse but when he can't help it, and never fired a gun or cornered a fish in his life. Some people think he's half an idiot, or, at least, not right in his mind; and, indeed, his behavior is so perverted and overwhelming, that I'm not surprised at those who explain it this way."

"But of course," I said, "he has some object of pursuit. Maybe he's addicted to books."

"Away from that. On the contrary, his reluctance to school was as great as his hatred for plows. He could never get his lesson or bear the slightest obstacle. He was so spoiled by his mother at home, that duty and discipline of any kind could not be tolerated. He was always ditching; until, one day his master tried to attack him, he ran out of the room and never entered again. The mother forgave and agreed to her frustration, and the foolish father was forced to give up. I can't believe he has two months of school in his life."

"I know it too, but this is not one of them. I don't know where he can get his love for knowledge or how to acquire it. The family was completely illiterate. His father was a Scotch farmer, whose ignorance was so great. It's great that he can't sign his name. His wife, I believe, could read, and could sometimes decipher the numbers in the almanac; but that was it. I tend to think that the abilities of his son are not much greater. You may like to either look for a silver plate or a marble table in his house, such as for a book or a pen.

"I remember visiting their home one night last winter. The air was very cold; and my father, riding with me, was in business with Sawny Mervyn, we paused briefly at his gate; and, while the two old men were engaged in conversation, the, I asked for permission to warm myself by the kitchen fireplace. Here, in a corner of the chimney, sitting on a block, I found Arthur busy knitting stockings ! I think it's a strange job for an active young man. I told him, because I wanted to make him blush; but he smiled on my face, and replied, without the slightest hint of unease, 'Just as strange a business for an active young woman. Pray, have you never knit stockings? ?'

"'Yes; but it was out of necessity. Whether I am of a different gender, or whether I have the strength of a man, I am better off working in my field or studying my book. '

"'Braise that you are a woman, then, and be free to pursue what requires the least amount of labor and demands the most skill. You know, despite being a man, I use your privilege, and would rather knit a thread than threshing my brain with a book.or a shed floor with a flail.'

"'I want to know, ' I said, in a derogatory tone, 'you don't wear a skirt and also handle the needles.'

"'Don't be surprised, ' she replied; 'that's because I hate heavy skirts just as much as I love warm feet. Look there,' (offer the socks to check:) 'was it not done well?'

"I didn't touch him, but cynically said, 'Good! I'm surprised you didn't intern at a tailor.'

"He looked at me with a silly simplicity, and said, 'How vulnerable is that woman to ask questions ! You call the job amazing, but wonder that I did not make myself a slave to improve my skills! Did you learn to sew? from seven years squatting on a tailor board? Had you come to me, I'd have taught you in a day."