after a pause, "because I wished to see how far sophistry
would carry you, and to what absurd conclusions you
would come at last. You are welcome to your creed
-it is that of a cynic, who would sneer at all the
holiest affections of the heart. I will not stop to argue
the question with you, for, as sure as we now breathe
the air of heaven, the day is coming when, in sorrow
and bitterness of heart, you will curse the hour you
learned thus to slander a woman, and outrage human
feeling. No such thing as love ! Look from the window where you sit, and see that woman leading yonder
blind man through the streets. They are both cleanly
clad, though their garments are so patched that you
cannot recognize the color or character of the original
material. Mark how tenderly she supports him as he
descends the curb-stone- see with what care she guides
his footsteps through the throng . What has induced
her to forego the comforts she might earn for herself in
order to be the willing slave of that old blind beggar ?
Love-ay ! that love which you despise. And that
same feeling, still burning as brightly in her bosom as
when forty years ago she promised to be a true and faithful wife to the then stalwart man at her side, will continue to irradiate his path until one or both have reached
that bourne where, in the comforting language of the
Scripture, 6the weary are at rest.' Look at the smile
on the sightless countenance of the man, as he turns to
his companion, and then deny, if you can, the power of
love. I tell you, Thurston, that this blind beggar, poor
and despised as he may seem, would not surrender the
priceless jewel of his companion's love, for all your
wealth and talents and many advantages." And with
these words, spoken in a somewhat indignant tone, he
left the room.
Time passed on. Thurston, carrying out his idea of love, became known in the world as a skeptic in the heart's purest affection , and though his wit always secured him a certain eclat, he now came to be regarded with that suspicion and distrust which inevitably attends the one who sneers at human feeling. He had few friends, though many acquaintances . He became that absurd thing a diner out, and was to be found at every convivial party, the utterer of stale jests and worn out anecdotes. Left an orphan at an early age, he had no family to whom to look for sympathy ; and so his feelings grew daily more and more blunted, and the links of brotherhood which bound his heart to the human race, snapped one by one. Selfishness at length grew to be his prevailing characteristic .
When twenty years had passed from the date of his conversation with Burton , Thurston was grown querulous and cynical. He still kept up his bachelor establishment, but his youth was fading, and with age came sickness and neglect . His wealth still retained for him a certain degree of respect, but his wit had now degenerated into a habit of constant sneering, which drove every body but his own servants from his presence. Now mark the difference. Burton, at the period of the above conversation, was already engaged to a very estimable lady, and this indeed may have induced him to repel, with such peculiar warmth of manner, the sophistry of his former classmate. The two young men often met afterward, and indeed still continued to be friends, but their wide difference of opinion on so important a subject, forbade any thing like confidence. Gradually circumstances widened the almost imperceptible breach, and when Burton married, the acquaintance of the two classmates had little more in it than the name. Neither of the young couple were wealthy, but Burton was a rising member in his profession , and his bride was sufficiently dowered to furnish her house handsomely, though not luxuriously. Their residence was in a quiet street where they could command a certain portion of elegance without extravagance. They were supremely happy. All this, however, did not prevent Thurston from exercising his wit on what he called " the death and burial" of his old friend. That Burton should have married an almost portionless girl whom he loved, when he might have obtained more than one heiress whom he did not love, was quoted by Thurston as an evidence of the highest folly, of a supreme ignorance of his own interests. 66 He could have liked the heiress, if he had made up his mind to it, just as well as he likes this Miss Bowlbey, whose whole fortune, all told, deesn't exceed three thousand dollars. Pshaw ! the fellow's a fool-and then besides," he exclaimed, with a shrug of the shoulders, "we've lost a boon companion. I'll get Tom the poet here to write an epitaph. Push the wine, lads." Mingling in such different spheres, the two classmates eventually almost lost sight of each other, and only met occasionally in the streets, when a bow formed the extent of the recognition. Meantime Burton prospered in his profession, and rose slowly, though steadily to the front rank. This, it is true, was the work of years ; but the toil of those years was sweetened by the sympathy of an affectionate wife, and the playful caresses of his children. Each year his heart grew more expanded, and his brotherhood to all men increased ; for wedded love not only deepens an affection for one particular object, but widens the sympathy of the heart for others. With the increase of his income, Burton was enabled to command more of the luxuries of life ; and finally he purchased and occupied one of the finest houses, in the most fashionable quarter of the city . His name became one of repute, and his influence in the city was felt by all. He was at the head of many of the philanthropic institutions of
