The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-11-22

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met on their way TO the vestry. But
they were disappointed, for both Mr..
and Mrs. Pratt were in their accustom-
ed seats, unconscious of the surprise
their presence occasioned, and equally
ignorant of the object Of the meeting.
The minister was late-an unusual
thing for him; but. when he entered,
who should come with him but Joseph
Pratt. young man well known to them
all--for he was. as Aunt Patty wonld
have said, "Old 'Siah Pratt's SON that
used to live at the Hollow The old
man was dead. and the widow with her
children moved into nelghboring
town. Little had been heard from
them since, and they had been almost
forgotten by many, But Joseph had
been a very Interesting lad. and be-
coming, as he hoped, sincere Chris
tian. had joined the church Just before
leaving his native village. He had
never removed his relation from the
church. there being no church of that
denomination where he resided, and
because he occasionally had the privl-
lege of still worshiping in the house of
his fathers. He was a fine looking
young man. and never appeared more
Interesting than at this time, when, fol-
lowing the minister with downcast
ewes and flushed cheek, he seated him
self on one of the be cheS and leaned
his head upon his hand, as if oppressed
by some trouble, After short prayer,
Mr. Laurens said
'Our young brother, Mr.. Pratt. has a
few words to say 10 the church"
The latter rose in evident agitation
s.Through the kindness of Your ses-
SION" he said, :. / should not have been
required 10 make this public acknow.
ledgement of the sin have committed 4:
but learning that an innocent man is
suffering for my error, | resolved to
come here in person aud make my
confession before the church. When
my family left this place. as you are all
aware. We were poor. | was clerk for
Mr.. Barmun. whom you probably all
remember,
Yes, that we do" Aunt Patty in
wardIy calculated; "one of the greatest
skinfiiats the town ever Produced"
And, as he moved about the same
time we did | still continued wit him.
he gave me fifty dollars year and my
board. Sickness and uonble came upon
our family will not stop To tell you
now Of the death of my young brother
and sister or of The eifolt> Of my mother
f. al. = h
that sire iabored beyond her strength,
and thus Produced disease which
finally ended her life. Oae stormy
night. after closing the store | went
home TO Stay with hes until morning =
| found her destitute Of almost every
comfort had expended all the wages
due 10 me. aud had not a cent where
with TO buy her the medicine prescribed
by the doctor. and some vine. which he
had said might possibly restore her
strength a little. | a-tened back to
ask Mr.. Barmnn for a months pay in
advance He was very surly. and re-
fused me. As left his door. ami was
Fastening back. | met a gentleman on
nv way, who said he wished 10 pay five
dollars to Mr. Barmun. and requested
me to hand ii to him. | took the mo-
ney. The gentleman rode away. aud
| stood for moment irsesolHte what 10
do. Bnt | thonght Of my nother-the
temptation was TOO great. aud | yielti-
ed-resolving however. 10 pay the sun
the moment should receive my wages.
Sitting all thoughts save of my dying
mother. Immediately purchased the
articles she needed and ran home.
dared not tell her how came by them ::
bnt when she blessed me that night and
called me her behaved SON shu ltiered
as thought how she might feel if she
knew the crime | had committed. She
grew worse rapidly and did not leave
her until she died-no. not nntll the
grave hid her from my sight
i" Meanwhile. my employer had found
out nv theft. aud when | returned 10
the store, he threatened me with impris-
onment. | went to the gentleman from
whose hand took the money. and told
nv story He wept as | related it.. and
through his Influence ! was saved from
Jdli, anu dlSo pun III way !" eau q
larger salary than that given by Bar
nun. The latter was still determined
upon revenge. and wrote to the session
of this church that was guilty of theft.
and had proved myself an unworthy
member. He knew my attachment 10
the home of my childhnod. and to the
church of which am member. The
session dealt kindly with me, and con-
cluded to keep the matter secret, il
possible, until | had time, by sincere
repentance for my sin- to regain my
character-for sin it was, though the
temptation was great" ~
We have not time. or rather we will
not, lest we shunld be tedinus, enlarge
upon the story of this young nal.-
Such suffering and such temptation are,
alas! too common in this world of ours,
where everything appears 10 be 50
much out Of loint--haarded gold and
starving poor. splendid palaces and
beggars' rags, the iron heel Of deSpot-
ism and the despaiIing cry of crnsi-ed
humanity. But all these need be. that
we may be the more perfectly fitted for
that other life where we see no more
..as through a glass darkIy."
That pood Elder Woodbury's wife