Septimius Felton, or, the Elixir of Life by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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experience, the lifelong, intimate acquaintance with many concerns of his
people being more apparent in him than the scholarship for which he had been early distinguished. A tanned man, like one who labored in his own grounds occasionally; a man of homely, plain address, which, when occasion called for it, he could readily exchange for the polished manner of one who had seen a more refined world than this about him. "Well, Septimius," said the minister, kindly, "have you yet come to any conclusion about the subject of which we have been talking?" "Only so far, sir," replied Septimius, "that I find myself every day less inclined to take up the profession which I have had in view so many years. I do not think myself fit for the sacred desk." "Surely not; no one is," replied the clergyman; "but if I may trust my own judgment, you have at least many of the intellectual qualifications that should adapt you to it. There is something of the Puritan character in you, Septimius, derived from holy men among your ancestors; as, for instance, a deep, brooding turn, such as befits that heavy brow; a disposition to meditate on things hidden; a turn for meditative inquiry,--all these things, with grace to boot, mark you as the germ of a man who might do God service. Your reputation as a scholar stands high at college. You have not a turn for worldly business." "Ah, but, sir," said Septimius, casting down his heavy brows, "I lack something within." "Faith, perhaps," replied the minister; "at least, you think so." "Cannot I know it?" asked Septimius. |
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