Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-05-26
The youth seemed again about to speak

as it had been. He took the notes which
his parent held out TO him, orumpled them
hastily together, and Ainging them scorn-
fully back, turned and left the room. The
next instant the street door closed with
heavy clang.
ale has not gone, surely" said the faith
er, startled for moment. But his brow
darkened as his eye fell on the notes.
"Yet let him go-the graceless villian--he
is hereafter 10 son of mine. Better die
childless than have an heir who is curse
and disgrace TO your name, Did l not
do my duty TO him %
Ay! old man, that is the question. Did
you do your duty him? Were you not
harsh when you should have been lenient
did you not neglect your son for years
after his mothers death, careless of what
kind Of associates he consorted with-and
when he had been led astray, did you not,
in total disregard Of his wilful character,
the result of your own indulgence, did you
not, we say, attempt to coerce him by
threats when you should have drawn him
by the gentle chords of love? Look into
your own heart and see it you are not just
as unreasonable as your son. Can charac-
ter be reformed in day Your proles-
sion should have taught you better, old
man. But the boy has gone from your
roof forever, for well he knows how inileX-
ible is your stern, seli-righteous heart: and,
indeed with portion of your own pride,
he would sooner cut off his right arm than
solicit or accept your aid. Yes. take up
that mass Of complicated papers and endea-
vor to forget the past scene in their absorb
ing details but yours must be heart OF ad
amant if, in despise of your olt-reprated
reasonngs, you can justify your harshness
to it. Remember the words you have Ut
tered. They may apply to more than one.
"As yov hore sown so staH you rcap"
James Harcourt went forth from his
fathers house in utter despair. Pride had
supported him during the last few moments
of the interview, and he had met his stern
parents malediction with bitter defiance;
but when the door had closed upon him,
and he turned to take last look up at the
window which was once his mothers, the
tears gushed gain into his eyes, and cover
ing his face in his hands he sat down on
neighboring step and sob5ed convulsively.
ooh if she had been liying,' he said, .'it
would never have come to this. She would
not have left me to form associations with
those who wished 10 make prey OF me
she would not have CALLED me by stern, and
often undesprved Sproaches-she would
not have turned me from my home, with
no place whittier to 90, and temptations
around me on every side. CHI my moth
er," he said, casting his eyes 10 heaven,
"look down on and pity your poor boy"
AT that instant the door of his fathers
house opened, as if some one was about to
come forth. A momentary hope shot
through him that bis parent had relented.
But no! it was only a servant who had
been called to close the shutters. Ashamed
to be recognized, the youth hastily arose,
turned corner and disappeared.
Years rolled on. The lawyer rose in
wealth and consideration; honors were
heaped protusely on him; he became a
member Of Congress, a Senator, Judge
His sumptuous carriage rolled through the
streets daily to bear him to and fro from
court. An invitation to his dinners was re-
ceived in triumph, they were so select
In every respect Judge Harcourt was a
man to be envied.
But was he happy9 He might have
been, reader, but for one thing. He had no
one to lore. He felt that people courted
him only from interested motives. Oh !!
how he sometimes longed to know what
had become OF his discarded boy, confessing
to himself, now that years had removed
the veil from his eyes, how harshly he had
used the culprit. ...........
"Perhaps, if had borne with him lit
tie longer he might have reformed," he
said, with sigh. "He always had good
heart, and his poor mother used TO saw he
was so obedient But he got led awayn'
At this instant servant cautiously open
ed his library door.
''It is almost ten O'Clock, your honor,'
he said, sand the carriage is at the door,
"Ay, ay," said the judge rising, as the
servant disappeared, 81 had forgot myself
And that desperate fellow, Roberts is to be
tried, to-day, for the mail robbery"
Many an obsequious bow greeted the
! Judge as the officers of his court made way
for him through the crowd, for the trial
was one Of unusual interest, and had collect
ed together large numbers. lie smiled afia-
bly, to all, and taking his seat, ordered the
business to proceed. The prisoner wa:
brought in, large, bold, fine-looking man
but the judge, occupied with case he hac
heard :he day before, and in which he wa
writing out an opinion, gave little notice tc
the criminal or indeed to any of the plo.
ceedings, until the usual formaliiies had
been gone through, and the serious part O
the evidence began to be heard. Then the
Judge, for the first time, directed keer
glance TO the prisoner. "Surely have
; seen that face before," he said. But he
could not remember where and he turned
to scrutinize the jury-box.
The case was clear one. The testimo.
ny, when completed, formed mass Of evi'
dence that was irresistible. Two mer
swore positively to the person Of the aocu'
sed as that of one of the robbers; and the
iury Immediately gave verdict of guilty