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Left to Themselves

<h2>CHAPTER XX. PRESENT AND FUTURE.</h2></div> Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas? No, I am quite sure you were not. For Philip and Gerald happen not to have graduated yet, though they will soon. Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well. For Mr. Saxton and Mr. Marcy came to a quiet agreement over some discussed questions before that winter found the four of them settled in the same hotel in New York. “Gerald and I owe the lad every thing,” insisted Mr. Saxton. “We can’t take him from[318] you, but you must let him be as much with us as is possible. I want you, for one thing, to let me be responsible, henceforth, for his education and for his professional starting-out, whatever he chooses it to be. No more hotel for him, please! I shall just count him another son of mine, with or without your consent, my friend.” So it was agreed. Philip stayed out of college an extra winter or two, that he need not precede Gerald too much, and after the foreign wanderjahr now before them, when their graduation is over, they are to go into the law-school together. Together (that word which means so much to all friends) they have been again up the coast, and this time the trip extended to Halifax, without let or hinderance, unlike that memorable first attempt. Knoxport and Chantico are places that alter little with years. Time runs slowly there, as of old. They found Mr. Banger at his desk in the Kossuth, a little stouter and more business-like looking than ever. Mr. Banger received them with great unction and much admiration. They walked out into the garden and sat down in the arbor,[319] and smiled, and then grew grave as they recalled the suspense that they had felt, that ended in the dramatic scene under its green roof. Joe has an interest in the hotel now, and he has married a niece of Mr. Banger, into the bargain. Once upon a time there was a great day for the Probascos—when the two arrived at Chantico Island. Expecting them had kept the couple at the farm, almost with the inclusion of the sagacious Towzer (“His real name’s Jock, you know”), in excitement, for a week before. “Well, well, it’s good to see you both, if you have changed everlastingly!” reiterated Mrs. Probasco. “You’re—well, you’re real sights to comfort one’s eyes, both of you!” she added impartially. They spent an evening in the quaint kitchen and a night in the old room, where Gerald had tossed in his sickness, Philip watching him in lonely anxiety. Obed’s rheumatics seem over. He talks more than he did. Philip vows that on this occasion Obed began to tell them again the story of the nautical ancestor and the wary “widow that lived on Cape Ann”—promptly interrupted by[320] Mrs. Probasco, who said that “the boys hadn’t come all the way from New York to listen to that old yarn.” Mrs. Probasco’s grandfather is still “feeble, very feeble.” But he survives and bids fair to do so for an indefinite time; and so the little island will probably not soon lose its satisfied tenants from its wave-bound circuit. The Ossokosee flourishes, enlarged, and well-kept as ever. Philip and Gerald and Mr. Saxton join Mr. Marcy there each summer, and then there are great doings in a highly private and quiet way. I don’t think the two friends ever walk up one particular path in the evening without Gerald’s recalling (though he may not speak of it) the night when, so much younger, he listened with Philip to those words of General Sawtelle within the embowered Summer-house. The hope and resolve of that evening were indeed granted. To-day in the little cemetery near the hotel is a marble monument in place of a simpler stone, formerly there. One reads that it is—“To the Memory of Reginald Touchtone—Cleared of the Stain of a False Charge upon his Honor—After Many Days—Erected[321] by his Son, Philip Touchtone, and by Jay Marcy and Gerald B. Saxton, Jr.” Farmer Wooden and his wife lead the same plodding, healthful, simple lives as ever. They likewise continue to send butter and eggs in unlimited quantity to the Ossokosee, and they delight to talk with Philip of the days when he used to be the purveyor thereof. They laugh merrily over those commissary experiences, and are sincere friends, as says Mrs. Wooden. “You see, you haven’t no right to forget us, Mr. Philip. Not that I expect you ever will. You ain’t that kind. But ’twas down there in the ravine, you know, you first met young Mr. Saxton. You recollect the tramp, that day?” Yes, Philip perfectly recollects both “that day” and Mr. Sip. Mr. Hilliard—jolly, fat, good-tempered Mr. Hilliard—who has always been afraid ever since that year “of some clever vagabond borrowing my name, sir,” but never has been favored with that little accident again—he is another regular guest at the Ossokosee. There are signs (so some knowing observers say) that Mr. Hilliard contemplates matrimony. He encountered dignified Miss Beauchamp, a year[322] or so ago, at the Ossokosee, and it is known that she receives very long letters from him; and that he has lately bought a house not far from his Madison Avenue flat. I think that Philip and Gerald are sure of much pleasure in that house next season. <hr class="tb" /> Well! And is this all? Have we really come to the end of this story?—which is, perhaps, a truer one than the imagination of a writer of such things as stories, or even his heart, would fain make him believe? I fear we have indeed reached the last of it, for even by bright forecast, unnecessary, I think, here, a story had best not be lengthened if truly it is all told. But—if one yields to the temptation to be among the prophets, and closes his eyes, there come, chiefly, pleasant thoughts of how good are friendship and love and loyal service between man and man in this rugged world of ours; and how probable it is that such things here have not their ending, since they have not their perfecting here, perfect as friendship and the service sometimes seem. Therewith the inditer of this chronicle sees Philip and Gerald walking[323] forward, calmly and joyfully, and in an unlessened affection and clearer mutual understanding—into their endless lives. And so, Philip and Gerald, as says Brutus in the play, “give me your hands all over, one by one.” I am loath to let you go, but I must. Good-bye. THE END. <hr class="chap" /> Select List of Books Published by HUNT & EATON, 150 Fifth Ave., New York. CRANSTON & STOWE, 190 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati. Reuben. A Prince in Disguise. By Carlisle B. Holding. 12mo. 1 00 <div class="blockquot"> Author of Cash, Peter the Preacher, etc. </div> Gold, Tinsel, and Trash. Stories of Country and City. By Erasmus W. Jones. 12mo. 1 00 Gems Without Polish. A Story of the Country Week. By Alice May Douglass. 12mo. 1 25 <div class="blockquot"> A story showing the benefit, morally and physically, of the “Fresh Air” movement. </div> Shoulder Arms; or, The Boys of Wild Lake School. By John Preston True. 12mo. Illustrated. 1 25 <div class="blockquot"> We heartily commend Shoulder Arms to young readers—boys and girls alike—confident that its reading will leave a permanent impression for good. The volume is handsomely printed and illustrated. The tasteful cover design is from the pencil of the wife of the author.—<cite>Boston Transcript.</cite> It stimulates the reader to the very last, and yet is free from the taint of cheap sensationalism.—<cite>Christian Advocate.</cite> </div> Peter the Preacher; or, Reaping a Hundred-Fold. By Carlisle B. Holding. 12mo. 1 25 <div class="blockquot"> The author of this striking story tells us that it is improbable only in appearance; that of every incident in the book a counterpart may be cited in real life. It is a tale of the call to the ministry of a young man, and of his strange adventures in beginning his life-work among the rough men of a Western town. It is a sound, wholesome story, and may be an inspiration to some who are trying to make the best of both worlds.—<cite>Sunday-School Banner.</cite> </div> Drummer Boy of the Rappahannock. By Edward A. Rand. 12mo. Illustrated. 1 25 <div class="blockquot"> The readers of the <cite>Intelligencer</cite> have already enjoyed a part of this book in reading the story of Nurse Frye, published some years ago in this paper. The present tale includes that of the nurse as an incidental part. But it is different in its main details and general purpose. It gives among its incidents some stirring scenes of the Civil War, and brings out the grand lesson that it is manly and brave to “take sides” in matters of great importance to character. The honest, temperate, and God-fearing are shown to be on the right side always. The story is full of interest, and will strengthen any young reader in a determination to stand up for the truth.—<cite>Intelligencer.</cite> </div> Young Knights of the Cross. By Daniel Wise, D.D. 12mo. 80 <div class="blockquot"> A vade mecum for boys and girls. A hand-book of principles, facts and illustrations for young people who are seeking to win the golden crown of pure and noble character. This is a book that parents may safely put into the hands of their boys and girls as a judicious guide to duty. It is not a volume to be read and thrown aside and forgotten, but to be kept as a companion fitted to teach them what is the right thing to do at home, at school, on the play-ground, or in the place of business. </div> Gurnet’s Garden, and The New Boy at Southcott. By Mrs. Mary B. Baldwin. 12mo. 1 00 <div class="blockquot"> A valuable book for Sunday-school or home—will be read through by all who begin it—grand moral lessons in every chapter—full of every-day character—breathes inspiration to high, holy and noble life. G. W. Cable, the author, writes to Mrs. Baldwin: “Your book has been giving us much pleasure in the family circle.” </div> Two Thousand Miles Through the Heart of Mexico. By Rev. J. H. McCarty, D.D. Illustrated. 12mo. 1 00 <div class="blockquot"> Those who cannot see this old country and strange people, with their quaint habits and customs, would do well to look at them through the eyes of Dr. McCarty, whose vision is clear and descriptive powers very superior. This is truly one of the readable books on travel, suitable for the home or Sunday-school. </div> Left in the Wilderness. By Mary A. Roe. 12mo. 80 <div class="blockquot"> A book for American boys, descriptive of pioneer days in Ohio. The boys who will follow Joe and Harold Perry and Johnny Appleseed will become acquainted with experiences that actually occurred in this early period, and be delighted with the account of the haunts and habits of the birds and wild animals and the rude and daring life of the people. </div> John Conscience. By John M. Bamford. 12mo. 80 <div class="blockquot"> Those who have read Elias Power, of Ease-in Zion, will know that John Conscience will be worth buying, and worth reading, and worth lending to a friend who may not be able to buy one. Read it, and you will pray for a revival of old-time honesty, purity and faithfulness. </div> What Nobody Ever Told Me. By Mrs. Chauncey I. Filley. 12mo. 1 00 <div class="blockquot"> Short papers prepared for, and read to, an infant class. They are beautiful expositions of Scripture Texts, illustrated by very interesting stories, and will be found a great help to interest and instruct the little ones. </div> Men of Renown: Character Sketches of Men Distinguished as Patriots, Statesmen, Writers, Reformers, Merchants, etc. By Daniel Wise, D.D. 12mo. 1 00 <div class="blockquot"> The pen of the veteran writer of these “sketches” has been busy for many years, and always used for a good purpose. We commend this book especially to the youths whose characters are still in a formative state. It will be found wholesome and interesting reading; entertaining as a novel, and yet describing glorious realities. Some of our growing boys may be encouraged to try for themselves, to follow where then “men of renown” have led the way. </div> <hr class="chap" /> <div class="tnote"> Transcriber’s Notes: Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected. Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved, including aint/ain't and wont/won't. Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. CONTENTS changed to reflect the full chapter title descriptions in the contents for Chapters I, II and VI. </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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