Sevenoaks: A Story of TodayHolland, J. G. (Josiah Gilbert)
General
Sevenoaks: A Story of Today
Holland, J. G. (Josiah Gilbert)
Didactic fiction; Political fiction; Social problems -- Fiction
"Yes, but they are not quite large enough. I tell you what it is, Toll,
I believe I'm pining for a theological seminary. Ah, my heart! my heart!
If I could only tell you, Toll, how it yearns over the American people!
Can't you see, my boy, that the hope of the nation is in educated and
devoted young men? Don't you see that we are going to the devil with our
thirst for filthy lucre? Don't you understand how noble a thing it would
be for one of fortune's favorites to found an institution with his
wealth, that would bear down its blessings to unborn millions? What if
that institution should also bear his name? What if that name should be
forever associated with that which is most hallowed in our national
history? Wouldn't it pay? Eh, Toll?"
Mr. Talbot laughed.
"General, your imagination will be the death of you, but there is really
nothing impracticable in your plan. All these fellows want is your
money. They will give you everything you want for it in the way of
glory."
"I believe you; and wouldn't it be fun for the General? I vow I must
indulge. I'm getting tired of horses; and these confounded suppers don't
agree with me. It's a theological seminary or nothing. The tides of my
destiny, Toll--you understand--the tides of my destiny tend in that
direction, and I resign my bark to their sway. I'm going to be a
founder, and I feel better already."
It was well that he did, for at this moment a dispatch was handed in
which gave him a shock, and compelled him to ask Talbot to retire while
he dressed.
"Don't go away, Toll," he said; "I want to see you again."
The dispatch that roused the General from his dream of beneficence was
from his agent at Sevenoaks, and read thus: "Jim Fenton's wedding
occurred this morning. He was accompanied by a man whom several old
citizens firmly believe to be Paul Benedict, though he passed under
another name. Balfour and Benedict's boy were here, and all are gone up
to Number Nine. Will write particulars."
The theological seminary passed at once into the realm of dimly
remembered dreams, to be recalled or forgotten as circumstances should
determine. At present, there was some thing else to occupy the General's
mind.
Before he had completed his toilet, he called for Talbot.
"Toll," said he, "if you were in need of legal advice of the best kind,
and wanted to be put through a thing straight, whether it were right or
not, to whom would you apply? Now mind, I don't want any milksops."
"I know two or three lawyers here who have been through a theological
seminary," Talbot responded, with a knowing smile.
"Oh, get out! There's no joke about this. I mean business now."
"Well, I took pains to show you your man, at my house, once. Don't you
remember him?"
"Cavendish?"
"Yes."
"I don't like him."
"Nor do I. He'll bleed you; but he's your man."
"All right; I want to see him."
"Get into my coupe, and I'll take you to his office."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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