Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brotherly Love.
BROTHERLY LOVE .
BY ALEX . HENRY GIRVEN , AUTHOR OF " REGINALD SELWYN , " & c . ( Continuedfrom p . 107 . ) CHAPTER VII . —A DISCOYEKY . There were others besides Ida St . Claire whose thoughts were directed
towards Simon Le Trouve , but with very different feelings . The ingrate and half-witted being who had been so providentiall y rescued from the frenzy of Simon , was one of those creature ; , a specimen of which is to be found , in almost every community of any extent . Without being entirely idiotic , his mental imbecility approached very near it , but , like some persons of this description , he had a large amount of vanity ancl
conceit , which rendered his mental weakness more conspicuous , ancl subjected him to ridicule and insult . The statement of Simon , when he encountered him on the mountain , was perfectly correct . Seeing the weakness of his character , some better impulse of his own nature made him chivalrously espouse his cause , and saved him from the result of his folly on many an occasion .
But gratitude was not an attribute of the semi-idiot ' s character , and though he availed himself of the patronage and protection of Simon , he secretly ridiculed his deformity , though he had sufficient prudence to conceal his sentiments towards his benefactor . The rough treatment he had received exasperated him , and it being so much at variance with Simon ' s usual conduct towards himhe was totall
, y at a loss to account for it . His mind , as may be perceived , was not of a very logical character , and was well adapted to receive any suggestion of his ' fancy , which on this occasion suggested as a solution of Simon ' s conduct , that the latter must be mad .
Having settled this matter to his own satisfaction , he resolved to communicate his conviction immediately to his fellow-townsmen . He would have carried out this intention , but the partial strangulation he had undergone made him more inclined to seek his way home , and endeavour to recover from its effect . He was received by his mother , an aged and respectable widow , who
was tenderly attached to him notwithstanding his imbecility , for he was her only child . To her he communicated a rather fanciful account of what had occurred . According to his statement , he had encountered Simon in the mountains , who , without the slightest provocation , sprang upon him like a wild beast , and , his intention being to murder him , would have strangled him on the spot , but for the courage and strength with which he
resisted his attack . He stated , that iu self-defence he was compelled to turn aggressor , and would have inflicted such chastisement on Simon as would have effectually prevented his renewing his murderous design , if ho had not been prevented by the sudden appearance of Ida St . Claire , which made him release him from his grasp . He added , that Simon addressed him in a strain , subsequently , that dearly proved lie was insane .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brotherly Love.
BROTHERLY LOVE .
BY ALEX . HENRY GIRVEN , AUTHOR OF " REGINALD SELWYN , " & c . ( Continuedfrom p . 107 . ) CHAPTER VII . —A DISCOYEKY . There were others besides Ida St . Claire whose thoughts were directed
towards Simon Le Trouve , but with very different feelings . The ingrate and half-witted being who had been so providentiall y rescued from the frenzy of Simon , was one of those creature ; , a specimen of which is to be found , in almost every community of any extent . Without being entirely idiotic , his mental imbecility approached very near it , but , like some persons of this description , he had a large amount of vanity ancl
conceit , which rendered his mental weakness more conspicuous , ancl subjected him to ridicule and insult . The statement of Simon , when he encountered him on the mountain , was perfectly correct . Seeing the weakness of his character , some better impulse of his own nature made him chivalrously espouse his cause , and saved him from the result of his folly on many an occasion .
But gratitude was not an attribute of the semi-idiot ' s character , and though he availed himself of the patronage and protection of Simon , he secretly ridiculed his deformity , though he had sufficient prudence to conceal his sentiments towards his benefactor . The rough treatment he had received exasperated him , and it being so much at variance with Simon ' s usual conduct towards himhe was totall
, y at a loss to account for it . His mind , as may be perceived , was not of a very logical character , and was well adapted to receive any suggestion of his ' fancy , which on this occasion suggested as a solution of Simon ' s conduct , that the latter must be mad .
Having settled this matter to his own satisfaction , he resolved to communicate his conviction immediately to his fellow-townsmen . He would have carried out this intention , but the partial strangulation he had undergone made him more inclined to seek his way home , and endeavour to recover from its effect . He was received by his mother , an aged and respectable widow , who
was tenderly attached to him notwithstanding his imbecility , for he was her only child . To her he communicated a rather fanciful account of what had occurred . According to his statement , he had encountered Simon in the mountains , who , without the slightest provocation , sprang upon him like a wild beast , and , his intention being to murder him , would have strangled him on the spot , but for the courage and strength with which he
resisted his attack . He stated , that iu self-defence he was compelled to turn aggressor , and would have inflicted such chastisement on Simon as would have effectually prevented his renewing his murderous design , if ho had not been prevented by the sudden appearance of Ida St . Claire , which made him release him from his grasp . He added , that Simon addressed him in a strain , subsequently , that dearly proved lie was insane .