s me, sir, with this cruel and insulting
message?"

"From me, young man, you will obtain no other."

"Is it possible that a creature, made in God's image, can possess such a
hard heart? Alas! sir, I have considered your avarice in the light of a
dire disease; as such I have pitied and excused it. The delusion is
over. You are but too sane, and I _feel_ ashamed of my father!"

The old man started and clenched his fist, his teeth grated together,
he glared upon his son with his fiery eyes, but remained obstinately
silent.

Regardless of his anger, the young man continued--"It is a hard thing
for a son to be compelled to plead with his father in a cause like this.
Is there no world beyond the grave? Does no fear of the future compel
you to act justly? or are your thoughts so wholly engrossed with the
dust on which you have placed all your earthly affections, that you will
not, for the love of God, bestow a small portion of that wealth which
you want the heart to enjoy, to save a brother from destruction? Oh!
listen to me, father--listen to me, that I may love and bless you." He
flung himself passionately at the old man's feet. "Give now, that you
may possess treasures hereafter, that you may meet a reconciled brother
and wife in the realms of bliss!"

"Fool!" exclaimed the miser, spurning him from his feet. "In heaven they
are neither married nor are given in marriage. Your mother and I will
never meet, and God forbid we should!"

Anthony shuddered. He felt that such a meeting was impossible; and he
started from the degrading posture he had assumed, and stood before the
old man with a brow as stern and a glance as fierce as his own.

"And now, Anthony Hurdlestone, let me speak a few words to you, and mark
them well. Is it for a boy like you to prescribe rules for his father's
conduct? Away from my presence! I will not be insulted in my own house
by a beardless boy, and assailed by such impertinent importunities.
Reflect, young man, on your present undutiful conduct, and, if ever you
provoke me by a repetition of it, I will strike your name out of my
will, and leave my property to strangers more deserving of it. I hear
that you have been studying for the Church, under the idea that I will
provide for you in that profession; I could do it. I would have done it,
and made good a promise I once gave you to that effect. But this meeting
has determined me to pursue another plan, and leave you to provide for
yourself."