The Americanization of Edward Bok

s Books and Emer

Edward was told that Doctor Brooks was out, he knew he was out. The boy waited, and as he waited he had a chance to look around the library and into the books. The rector's faithful housekeeper said he might when he repeated what Wendell Phillip

lad you had such respect for my dumb friends. For they are my friends, each one of them," he continued, as he looked fondly at the filled shelves. "Yes, I know them all, and love each for its own sake. Take this little volume," and he picked up a little volume of Shakespeare. "Why, we are the best of friends: we have travelled miles tog

lege to mark up a book. But to me that's like having a child so prettily dressed that you can't romp and play with it. What is t

but this is my own personal copy, and into it I talk and talk. See how I talk," and he opened the Book and showed interleaved pages full of comments in his handwriting. "There's where S

magazines and papers. I never write for publications. I always think of my church when something comes to

at frame, for he regarded him in an amused way, and putting his hands on his girth, he said laug

reacher laughed one of those deep l

about myself. Tell me s

n coming to Boston, the rector of

ows! Well, and how d

gentleman went on until the boy mentioned

ty response. "Not a thing to do. I cleaned up al

y must have come in a later mail. Well, if it will make you feel any better I'll go through them, and you can go

any time you are in Boston, and spend a morning reading anything I have that you like. Young men do that, you know,

whether he felt it helped him in an educational way. The boy told him he t

believe that, so long a

ote for the Sunday paper, and asked

id, "that is

favored the Sunday paper more

always and per se wrong. But some cause has, in many instances, brought it about that the Sunday paper is below, and not above, the standard of its weekday brethren. I mean it is apt to be more gossipy, more personal, more sensational, more frivolous; less serious and thoughtful and suggestive. Taking for granted the fact of special leisure on the part of its readers, it is apt to app

host, he had had no such thought in coming, he asked whether Doctor Brooks would object

will help you, go ahead and practise on me. You haven't stolen my book

count is here written, which he sent to Doctor Brooks. "Let me keep

he Sunday newspaper, just as it i

st go i

ers at

d alway

avoid-no w

n more k

your ar

y good t

. I a

ly, You

ips B

house, at the end of that f

ether you will see him at his best. Still, you may. And even if you do not, to have see

ips Brooks meant. But he was,

lcome from Louisa Alcott, and his greeti

to see us," quite for all the world as if she were the one fa

about your visit

while she said: "Now I shall put on my coat and hat, and we shall walk over to Emerson's house. I am almost afraid to promise that you

s now the one thought of her life. Presently they reached Emerson's house, and Miss Emerson welcomed

aid, "and I fear it might not b

her what Phillips

he said,

rose and followed her, saying to the boy: "You

t returned, her eyes moiste

and at the threshold of the third Miss

hose words had already won Edward Bok's boyish interest, and who was des

a wonderful quiet dignity, extended his hand, and as th

s with a loving pressure, and for a single moment the eyelids rose, a different look came i

oftly whistling and looking out as if there were no one in the room. Edward's eyes had followed Emerson's every footstep, when the boy was aroused by hearing a suppressed sob, and as he loo

merson left the window and, crossing the room, came to his desk, bowing to the boy as he passed,

Alcott say: "Have you read t

oward the speaker, rose with stately courtesy from his chair, and, bowing

to Miss Alcott's eyes, and she walked to the other side of the room. The boy did not know what to say or do, so he sat silent. With a delibera

e said, "that you might be able to f

his eyes lifted, and he asked: "C

the boy, "Th

Yes, he was here this morning. He will be here again to-

ly: "You we

peated hi

the boy's astonishment. "Let me see. Yes, here

er part of the room, her wet eyes dancing wi

room had changed. How different the expression of his eyes as now Emerson looked at the boy! "And you have come all the way from New York

t ominous low whistle once more, looked inquiringly at each, and dropped his eyes straightway to t

sonal souvenir of the meeting, he said: "Mr. Emerson, will you be so good as to wri

he asked

the boy, "your name:

name brought no res

want," he said finally, "and I

enses. But picking up a pen he wrote: "Ralph

copied letter by letter! At the word "Concord" he seemed to hesitate, as if the task were too great, but finally copied again, letter by letter, until the second "c" was reached. "Another 'o,'"

ldo E

nc

ber 2

's eye caught the slip on his desk, in the boy's handwriting,

name? With pleasure. Ha

more from his pocket. Quickly turning over the leaves, Emerson picked up

Waldo

nc

at the instantaneous tr

this moment to say: "W

g to Miss Alcott he said: "It was very kind of you, Loui

e Alcotts. Good morning! Isn't it a beautiful day out?" he said, and as he shook the boy's hand there was a warm grasp i

boy was grateful that his last impression was of a

home in an almost unbroken silen

a, Miss Alcott, how

something to have seen him even so, than not to have seen him at all.

ed-just five m

ott, and other famous persons; and then, writing a letter of introduction to Charles Francis Adams, whom he enjoined to give the boy autograph letters from his two presidential forbears, John

a day-coach for the double purpose of saving the cost of a sleeping-berth and of havi