THE PAGAN’S PROGRESS
THE
PAGAN’S PROGRESS
By
GOUVERNEUR MORRIS
Author of
“Tom Beauling” and “Aladdin O’Brien”
Illustrated by JOHN RAE
New York
A. S. BARNES & COMPANY
1904[iii]
COPYRIGHT, 1904, BY
A. S. BARNES & COMPANY
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
SEPTEMBER
Under a wide roof, in the midst of flowers, trees,sunshine, horses, dogs, meat, wine, wit, friendlyfaces and all good things, whither my affectionhad brought me at the invitation of yours, thisviolent story of the Pagan born to darkness,and progressing to the first glimmer of light, waswritten. But you must do me the further kindnessto believe that it is with no thought of squaringaccounts that I dedicate it to you. Except inthe valvy heart, there is no squaring of accountsamong friends; except in that lively organ,there is no bringing of the credits and debitsof intercourse to an honest balance and a delicate.
It is my pleasure to owe you far more than Ican pay ever. In dedicating this story, it maybe that I am adding grossly to that debt. Ifso, I ask your most lenient consideration. Ifnot, I still ask your consideration—not for thededication of my Pagan, but for the affectionwith which he is dedicated. For I believe this:that without affection, the world, Pagan andChristian, would become like unto the totteringmoon, “staple in desolation.”
G. M.
Those to whom he hadbeen charitable broughtthe body of the great hunterto his cave, and laid it within.But first they carried out theclubs and the nets and thefish spears and the war spears,and all that was of use, to bedivided among them, for thegreat hunter would not needsuch things any more.
Dissolution—decay—dust—not