This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ... THE GENTLEMAN AND THE DRYAD. Being detached chapters of a narrative by the late Philip Rolfiston, formerly Surgeon U. S. A., and recently Consul at Sienna. Part I.--The Gentleman. I. I HAVE arrived at the line which puts asunder manhood and old age, --the active and the inactive, the firm and the ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ... THE GENTLEMAN AND THE DRYAD. Being detached chapters of a narrative by the late Philip Rolfiston, formerly Surgeon U. S. A., and recently Consul at Sienna. Part I.--The Gentleman. I. I HAVE arrived at the line which puts asunder manhood and old age, --the active and the inactive, the firm and the infirm; stiff joints which have been supple; for with me the tension of youth has become relaxed, like an old string to a violin. Yes, I have knocked about the world much; I have burned the candle so long at both ends that before long it will sputter out; and then I suppose I shall be surprised. What active man may not be surprised at the suit of flesh wearing out, like a tailor's work. I am glad that mine has been an active life, and fruitful of experience. And I believe it has made me wise. Why all of these errors, if they be not teachers? Yet I suppose I am not beyond the adage, that no folly is like that of an old man. But one thing I believe I know, --all people do not know it. But I have had a life fruitful of experience, as I say, and as its result I at least know a man when I see him. So, at least, I flatter myself. Experience may offer no fitter reward for its trials than that a real and manly man may be known when he shall be seen; as the saying goes, a fine pearl is a rare find. Now a manly man must be a gentleman; no one may be really manly without a gentle spirit. John St. Quentin, the Virginian, is such a person; as he figures in the narrative further on as the gentleman, of course I may give some pages to him before introducing the dryad. I met St. Quentin in 1865, and in this wise: One dark morning, riding over a marshy place, thickly scattered with scrub-oaks, we came to an opening where a small body of the enemy had been cut.
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