Chapter 2

           OnemustlookbackatCharlesWard’searlierlifeasatsomethingbelongingasmuchtothepastastheantiquitieshelovedsokeenly.Intheautumnof1918,andwithaconsiderableshowofzestinthemilitarytrainingoftheperiod,hehadbegunhisjunioryearattheMosesBrownSchool,whichliesverynearhishome.Theoldmainbuilding,erectedin1819,hadalwayscharmedhisyouthfulantiquariansense;andthespaciousparkinwhichtheacademyissetappealedtohissharpeyeforlandscape.Hissocialactivitieswerefew;andhishourswerespentmainlyathome,inramblingwalks,inhisclassesanddrills,andinpursuitofantiquarianandgenealogicaldataattheCityHall,theStateHouse,thePublicLibrary,theAthenaeum,theHistoricalSociety,theJohnCarterBrownandJohnHayLibrariesofBrownUniversity,andthenewlyopenedShepleyLibraryinBenefitStreet.Onemaypicturehimyetashewasinthosedays;tall,slim,andblond,withstudiouseyesandaslightdroop,dressedsomewhatcarelessly,andgivingadominantimpressionofharmlessawkwardnessratherthanattractiveness.

           Hiswalkswerealwaysadventuresinantiquity,duringwhichhemanagedtorecapturefromthemyriadrelicsofaglamorousoldcityavividandconnectedpictureofthecenturiesbefore.