In the Spring of 1921, Robert began to make greater progress in his
studies, which greatly encouraged his chum, Walter Kennelworth. Robert
would study and read early and late. Walter would often call on him
in his room and find him there deeply engrossed reading the Bible and
puzzling over the interpretation of the meaning of many parts of the
Scriptures.
One Sunday in the early part of June, Robert and Walter went to church
and the minister took for his text 1 Cor. 13:2, "And though I have the
gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and
though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have
not charity, I am nothing." Then the minister read from the 7th verse,
"Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things," and again from the 11th verse, "When I was a child, I
spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but
when I became a man, I put away childish things." The minister further
read from the 13th verse, "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these
three; but the greatest of these is love." Again he read from 2 Cor.
5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight," and concluded the reading
of the text from Gal. 5:14, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
The minister preached a great sermon. Robert thought it one of the best
he had ever heard and one which impressed him the most. The minister
talked about the great work of faith and said that faith without works
is dead; but that there could be no faith without love because love was
the greatest of all things. That God was love, and that love was the
fulfilling of the law, "For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten son that whomsoever believeth on Him might not perish,
but have everlasting life." He added that God loves children who
honor and obey their parents, wives who love and obey their husbands,
husbands who love and protect their wives, and admonished each man to
love his neighbor as himself. Because love is the law of harmony, and
the power that created the universe, it is the only power that can
prevent destruction, war and human death, but with true love we can
overcome the last great enemy, death.
When men love each other as God loves them, there will be no longer
any strife or contention. Man will no longer covet what belongs to his
neighbor. True love will deal justly and do unto others as we wish to
have them do unto us. He preached about the ambitions, the love of
country and patriotism which inspires men to go to battle and give
their lives for the protection of their home and country. He said,
"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his
friend," and that a great reward was sure to come to those who love and
obey God. He talked of God's great command, "If you love me, keep my
commandments."
This sermon stirred Robert's ambition as nothing else had ever done
before. It made him realize the love that he owed to his mother, whose
great faith and love had helped to lay the foundation for his future
career. He thought about what the preacher said--that a man deserts
father and mother to cleave unto his wife, and that this was as it
should be. He had always felt his greatest love for his mother, but now
for the first time in his life he began to think of love for another
woman.
His mind turned toward the many beautiful girls that he used to meet in
Sunday School and those who were in his class. Robert's chum, Walter,
had already had a puppy love affair in school with a girl by the name
of Caroline Oglethorpe. Robert had laughed at Walter about this and
thought it was all foolishness. But now he began to think that maybe
there was something more to love than what he had heretofore believed
it to be. Walter Kennelworth's family being one of the most wealthy and
prominent in Texarkana, they were at all the social functions, at which
Robert met all the younger set in the city.
A few weeks after the minister had preached this sermon on charity and
love, Robert was in church one morning, and after Sunday School, was
talking with Caroline Oglethorpe, and with her was her chum, Marie
Stanton. Walter introduced Robert to Marie. Marie was the daughter of a
wealthy and prominent family. Her father, Colonel Stanton, had made a
fortune in building railroads. He was now a big lumberman, and one of
the most prominent in Texarkana. Marie was a beautiful young girl of
about thirteen years of age when Robert met her. She was of the true
brunette type, with glossy black hair and dark eyes that sparkled like
diamonds.
About this time, Robert began to read novels and love stories and
became very much interested in them, always taking strong sides with
the hero and becoming very much agitated and aroused against the
villain. He saw Marie frequently after this, as she attended the same
school as Robert and Walter. Every time that Robert saw Marie, she
looked more beautiful to him. Robert soon began to lose sleep thinking
about Marie, and realized that love was the greatest thing in the
world. He confided his secret to his friend, Walter.
Being very bashful, he had never said anything about his love to Marie.
Finally he made up his mind one night that he would write her about it,
so this is what he wrote:
Wednesday Eve.
DEAR MARIE,
You probably remember several weeks ago, when I was introduced to you
in church, the sermon that the minister preached and his text from St.
Paul where he said, "The greatest thing in the world is love." I agree
with St. Paul; that is why I am writing to you.
I liked you the first time I met you, and every time I have seen you
since, I have liked you more. Now that I know I love you so much, I
feel that I must tell you. I hope that you are going to love me some
day.
Your friend,
Robert.
Marie replied to the letter as follows:
Dear Robert,
I received your nice note. This is the first time that anyone has
ever written to me about love and I am all excited over it. I never
thought that you liked me, Bobbie. I always thought that you were
making eyes at Kitty Anderson in school. I do like you and think that
you are a nice boy.
Yours,
Marie.
When Robert read the last line, he felt his heart jump right up in
his throat. His hopes and ambitions soared higher than they had ever
before. He began to dream of the future with Marie as his wife. He
talked of his plans to Walter, and his hope of being a great inventor
some day and making a lot of money so that he could marry a wealthy
girl like Marie.
The following Sunday, he went home to the country to see his mother,
and told her the story of the new love affair. "Bobbie," said his
mother, "you are little over fifteen years old, and this is only puppy
love, or what they call school-boy and school-girl love. It will soon
pass away, but there is no harm in it. Love is a great thing and some
day you will meet the right girl, but there is no use being in any
hurry about it."
Bobbie told his mother that Marie was the only girl in the world for
him, and that he would live and work for her; that if he couldn't marry
Marie he never wanted any other girl. His mother laughed at this and
told him that they all thought that way over the first love affair, but
that after a while, as the years went by and he met the real one, this
would all pass away. However, she did tell Bobbie that she had never
forgotten her first love, as there is something different about the
first love, even tho it doesn't last.
"Stick to your studies," said she, "and do not let your love for Marie
interfere with your progress."
She saw that this love was a great stimulator for Robert and that his
ambitions were greater than ever. He told his mother that he was going
to Sunday School every Sunday and that he was studying hard, reading
the Bible and learning a lot, and that he was preparing to be a great
man. His mother said, "Bobbie, I have always had great faith in you,
and I know that one day my dream will come true, and you will do
something that will make me very proud of you."
In June, 1921, Robert Gordon and Walter Kennelworth were in the
graduating class. Altho Walter was one year younger than Robert, his
early advantages enabled him to graduate at fourteen, while Robert was
graduating at the age of fifteen, and would not have been able to pass
all of his examinations except for the help and assistance rendered him
by Walter. Marie Stanton, who was then thirteen years of age, graduated
the following year.
After Robert graduated, he at first decided to secure a position and
go to work, but after consulting with Walter, he decided that it would
be best to enter High School and get thru as soon as possible. So in
the Fall of 1921, he and Walter began High School. Here is where his
greatest work began to show forth. He took a great interest in physics
and higher mathematics, studied day and night, making very high marks
in these studies. Also took an interest in chemistry, which Walter was
specializing in, because he knew that it would be useful to him with
his invention, which he was still talking so much about, and his plans.
The time passed by quickly and in 1924 Robert Gordon and Walter
Kennelworth graduated from High School in Texarkana with high honors.
In the meantime, the love affair between Robert and Marie had continued
with the usual interruptions, obstacles and petty quarrels existing
between young people of their age.
In the Fall of 1924, it was finally decided that Walter should go to
Columbia College in New York to begin his course. Robert's parents
were unable to finance him through College, and it was decided that he
should go to work for Mr. Kennelworth in his office. Robert hated to
part with his old friend, Walter, but they thought it was for the best
and talked of the future in New York, hoping that one day Robert could
join Walter there.
In the following year, 1925, Marie Stanton graduated from High School
with the highest of honors. Robert was at the graduation exercises and
thought that Marie had grown more beautiful every year, and was anxious
for the day to come when he could claim her for his wife. Soon after
her graduation from High School, there was much talk about the College
Marie should enter. Her father and mother finally decided that she
should go to the Kidd-Key College at Sherman, Texas, as this was nearby
and Marie could go home occasionally.
As the time neared for Marie to go away, Robert became more anxious.
He thought Marie would fall in love with someone else. He talked with
her about the future, and for the first time, spoke of marriage. He
talked to her of the difference in their station in life, and said that
his mother thought that a marriage between a wealthy girl and boy of
poor circumstances could never result in harmony and happiness. He told
Marie the story that the old darky had related on the fishing trip,
about the love affair between the poor country boy and the wealthy
planter's daughter, and their tragic death. Marie thought her father
would never consent to their marriage, but she said she really loved
Robert and when the time came, she would elope with him if necessary.
This greatly cheered Robert and made it easier for him after Marie went
away to College.
Love letters passed between them during the first year she was at
college, and all went well. Robert worked hard in his new position
in Mr. Kennelworth's office. He was a willing worker, an expert
stenographer and secretary. Robert continued to show expert mechanical
ability and could fix anything that was wrong with an automobile.
Walter corresponded often with Robert and also wrote to his father
asking how Robert was getting along. Mr. Kennelworth replied that
Robert was making great progress, that he was a very brilliant boy and
he was going to help him all he could for he thought Robert had a great
future.
1926 was to be one of the most eventful years in the life of
Robert Gordon. In the Spring his father died suddenly, and after a
consultation with his mother, it was decided that he should leave his
position, return to the farm and help them to get things straightened
out. He encountered the usual obstacles and opposition from his
brother, because he knew nothing about farming and of course did not
like it. The result was that he put all of his savings into helping to
make the crop. While it turned out to be a good crop, the low prices of
cotton in the Fall of 1926 left them in debt.
While on the farm, he contracted malaria fever and a severe spell
of illness followed, during which time he received many consoling
letters from Marie. Soon after he was able to return to his position
with Mr. Kennelworth, he met with another severe automobile accident,
this time breaking his right arm. This necessitated six weeks in the
hospital before he was able to return to work again. One disappointment
followed another, but Robert had learned to practice patience. He read
the Bible, especially the story of Job, continued to go to church,
and while he was suffering many trials and tribulations, his mind
was expanding. He could not accept the theory preached and taught by
preachers, because he knew that the things they taught were wrong.
Marie returned home for her vacation. She was now eighteen years old,
and had grown more beautiful and began to attract more attention from
young men. As the Kennelworths and Stantons had been friends for years,
Walter suggested to his parents that they give a party in honor of
Marie Stanton. A young man by the name of Edward Mason, the son of a
very wealthy northern family, was there, and showed marked attention
to Marie. Robert became very jealous and after the party had a quarrel
with her. Then followed long weeks of agony. Many letters passed
between Robert and Marie.
When the end of August drew near and Robert knew that Marie was to
return to school soon, he was anxious to make up before she went away
and wrote the following letter:
Dearest Marie,
I am very sad. I feel the reason you refuse to make up with me is
because you are in love with Edward Mason. I have never loved anyone
but you and never will. If we are not reconciled before you go back to
school, I fear we never will be. I am sending you two poems, "Parting"
and "Yesterday," which express how I feel.
Sorrowfully,
Robert.
PARTING
Kiss me! The spell is broken,
The dream we dreamed is gone;
Nothing remains but memory--
Memory, and dawn.
Kiss me!--and then your hand, dear,
Do you not feel the beat,
The rhythm of our pulses?
It does not spell defeat.
It spells the song that life sings,--
The message of the heart--
Pathways meet but to widen
And lips meet but to part.
YESTERDAY
Dreams--just dreams of yesterday,
When love to me was sweet,
Romance has now gone astray,
No other love will I greet.
It was short--my little romance,
Short--but God--how good!
Went along as smooth as a dance,
Part us? It seemed no one could.
But someone did--tho' I forgive,
He loved her as did I,
For her only--did I live,
And now--for her I'd die!
When Marie received the letter, she replied:
Dear Robert,
Your letter and poems received. You are again accusing me wrongfully.
You are all in the wrong and until you can see your mistake, I will
never think of making up.
Sincerely,
Marie.
In September, 1926, Marie returned to school at Sherman, Texas, leaving
Robert very much broken-hearted because she refused to make up. She
told Robert his jealousy was wholly unfounded, but he persisted in
accusing her of being in love with Edward Mason. Feeling this way,
she was unable to reconcile herself and make up, so she went away,
disappointed herself and leaving Robert in the same fix.
Following her return to school, Robert spent many long weeks of
anxiety, becoming very blue and dejected. Many letters passed between
them. He wrote much poetry to Marie, all without avail. Finally, he
wrote a letter and told her that it would be the last; that he knew she
was in love with Edward Mason, and that there was no use going on.
Dear Marie,
This is to be my farewell letter to you, for I have given up hope.
Ever since I first met you, you have been my ideal and my one
inspiration. I have lived for you, worked for you, thought of nothing
else but you. Your love has given me great encouragement to go on, and
now I realize that I have lost you and that your love has been given
to another. I shall always love you and hope that you will some day
change your mind, and your heart turn to me.
Sorrowfully, your own
Robert.
With this letter he sent the poems "Loved and Lost" and "Good-bye."
DEDICATED TO MARIE:
LOVED AND LOST
It isn't failure to have lost
A girl of whom you have nobly thought,
If buffeted and tempest tossed,
You fail to win the girl you sought.
It isn't failure, though the prize
In another's hand is placed;
A hero very often dies
If dying keeps him undisgraced.
To bow unto a better man
Is not the worst thing I could do,
Success is not in the things we scan,
But in the heart forever true,
It takes more courage for to fail
Than win a girl undeserved.
To bear the taunts of those who rail
Than from your purpose to be swerved.
When a girl frowns darkly
And hope is on the wane
Be constant, true and patient
Defeat will blossom into gain.
If your aim is high and honest
In victory it will tell,
For before the pearl is gotten
There must be a broken shell.
Robert.
* * * * *
To Marie,
GOOD BYE
And now I fly to bear my wound away,
Haply the future heals me of this hurt,
Since, sorely wounded, I still keep today
Mine honor as an armor around me girt.
But these last words, fair lady, bear in mind:
Ere for your sport another heart you break,
Forbear the triumph dear to womankind
And spare your victim, even for my sake.
When Robert had finished this letter, he wrote to his old chum, Walter
Kennelworth, in New York, that he had written a farewell letter to
Marie and that it was all over. Walter replied:
Dear Robert,
I have received your letter filled with gloom. Now, cheer up, old pal,
the sun will shine again and Marie or some other girl just as good
will smile on you. You are too young to let a girl wreck you. Stick to
business and keep up your studies.
I enclose a poem which I think about fits your case, and it will
probably work out about that way.
With all good wishes,
Your friend,
Walter.
A BROKEN VOW
It was a broken hearted boy who vowed a solemn vow,
I will not write a letter to that pretty little Editoress anyhow;
I will not do that fearsome thing, I will not pen a jest,
About the beautiful Hostess who mocks the staying guest.
He made a postscript to his vow, he made a codicil,
He was serious as tho he formed his will,
And then he sat down and smiled with all his might
About all the love letters he did not have to write.
But in a day or two he felt exceedingly queer and strange,
A restless something filled his mind, he longed for a change;
He asked the doctor what was wrong, the doctor gave a pill,
And made a memorandum to add twenty to his bill.
Then the pictures of all the girls he knew,
Came flocking to his brain;
Marie's lovely angel face marched sternly in the train,
And each of them and all of them compelled him to think
Just as a man thinks when he quits smoke or drink.
At last a little disappointing note came--then he said:
Just one more farewell love note I'll write;
It shall not be serious, something fancy and light.
He wrote a love letter,
Just as a man who says he has sworn off;
Takes Rock and Rye or some such thing to stop a cough.
But why pursue this sorry tale,
Why tell of what he did;
'Twas like the one more smoke or drink
That throws away the lid.
He wrote of the things she'd wrote and said,
Of memories of sweet caresses that haunted the heart and head;
He wrote of how much better she was than the other girl of the South,
Of her beautiful eyes and ruby mouth.
He wrote of love for her,
And how well she had served cocoa and consommé;
He wrote of love lost and debauched,
Until the break of day.
And when they came and found him ill
And sought to nurse him thru,
They said, "Here taste this chicken soup
She made, it will be good for you."
Robert became very despondent. He no longer took an interest in his
work. Mr. Kennelworth finally wrote to Walter in New York, telling him
of Robert's lack of interest in business, and that he wondered what had
brought such a change in him. Walter, of course, had received letters
from Robert about his break with Marie, so he wrote his father frankly
and told him to have patience with Robert, that when this love affair
passed away, he was sure he would be all right again.
Upon receiving Robert's letter, Marie wrote:
My dear Robert,
This is to be my farewell letter to you. I quote from Solomon, 2:5,
"Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples; for I am sick of
love." Robert, I would rather have green apples and a stomach-ache,
like Solomon says, for I am sick of what you call love. I want you
to read St. Paul again, and see if the way you are acting is the way
love acts. Paul says that "Love suffereth long, and is kind; love
envieth not, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is
not easily provoked, thinketh no evil." Robert, if love is founded
on faith and trust, it cannot be jealous. Love is the foundation of
understanding, and if you understood me and if I thoroughly understood
you, we would be in love yet, and be happy.
"Love seeketh not its own to please
Nor for itself hath any care,
But for another gives its ease
And builds a heaven in hell's despair."
So long as you persist in jealousy and accuse me falsely, how can I go
on loving, because you are not the old Robert who first loved me and
taught me to love all of these years, and was never jealous before.
Love that has been founded on years of confidence cannot change in
a moment for another, and my love has not changed to Edward Mason,
as you think. I still love you, but you have been wrong in your
accusations.
I am sending you a little article, "Love," and hope that you may some
day see how wrong you have been, and when you do, if you feel that
way, write and tell me so.
Regretfully,
Marie.
LOVE
The spark of love gives more light than the universe of truth; yet
truth is in love, and in order to act the truth, you must make love the
truth, for remember that the handshake of friendship, or the kiss and
love of an innocent child, will do more to lift a soul to the light
than the strongest and wisest argument even when rightly understood.
Beyond the boundaries of love no thought ever passed for love is
everywhere. Love is a prophecy of freedom, and its song of melody is
heard in the rhythmic motion of the ocean.
Each "fowl of the air, each fish of the sea, and every living thing
that moveth upon the earth" is the manifestation of love, for in their
subsistence love has said, "As I create so I provide." Thus
in every conceivable thing with form or without, with harmony or with
discord--there love is manifested.
Love is the life of every plant, of every sunset, of every soul. It is
the inspiration in the happy mind, and the voice that speaks to us in
the time of temptation.
Love is the foundation of all understanding, it transcends all
reasoning, for it is the fulfillment of the greatest.
Love gives faith to all things, for love believeth in its own.
Love symbolizes the everlasting, for it is the spirit of the beginning,
and its wonderful radiance of color decks each sunrise and sunset.
Love is the breeze that blows away the clouds of doubt making the
landscape of the soul radiant with joy and gladness. Each heart
keeps time in unison to the rhythmic harmonies of love, for each is
Love in All.
Love has thrown into the shapeless void the breath that has given life
to worlds and this vital spark or the life of man, illuminates the
picture that love has painted.