Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-08-18

slow, muslng manner, dwelling long on eacl
word.
Where's Billy!' he asked, after pause
in quick, hurried tone, looking up suddenl,
at the cook, with an expression in his eye.
which, as she afterward said, took away he
breath.
Oh, never heed, Billy. suppose he's
busy with the MASTER
Where's the use, Nelly said the coach
man, 'in hiding it from himt Sure, sooner
or later, he must know it. Tim,' he contin
ued, God knows It's sorrow to my heart this
blessed night to make yours sore-but the
truth is, that William has done what he
oughtn't to do to the man that was all one as
father to him.
What has he done! what will you dare
say again my boy!'
Taken money, then,' replied the coach
man, that the master had marked and put by
In his desk; for he suspected this some time
past that gold was missing This morning
twas gone; a search was made, and the
William
The old man covered his face with his
hands, and rocked himself to and fro.
where is he now'' at length he asked, in
hoarse voice.
Locked up safe in the inner store-room;
the master intends sending him to Jail early
to-mOrrow norniDr,
He will not, said Gahan, slowly. Kill
the boy that saved his life no, no.
Poor fellow the grief is setting his mind
astray-and sure no wonder!' said the cook,
compassionately.
I'm not astray = cried the old man, fierce
ly. Where's the master take me to him.
Come with me, said the butler, 'and I'll
ask him will he see you
With faltering steps the father complied;
and when they reached the parlor, he trem-
bled exceedingly, and leant against the. wall
for support, while the butler opened the door,
and said,
'Gahan is here, sir, and wants to know
will you let him speak to you for a minute ,
Tell him to come in, said Mr.. Hewson, in
a solemn tone of sorrow, very different from
his ordinary cheerful voice.
Sir said the steward, advancing, 'they
tell me you are going to send my boy TO pris-
on-is it truet'
Too true, indeed, Gahan. The lad who
was reared in my house, whom my wife
watched over in health, and nursed in sickness
whom we loved almost as if he were our
own, has robbed Us, and that not once or twice,
but many times. He is silent and sulIen,
too, and refuses TO tell why he stole the money,
which was never withheld from him when he
wanted it. can make nothing Of him, and
must only give him up TO justice in the morn-
ing
No, sir, no. The boy saved your life you
can't take his
You're raving, Gahan.'
Listen to me, sir, and you won't say so-
You remember this night twenty years!
came here with my motherIess child, and your
self and the mistress pited Us, and spoke low
ing words to him. Well for US all you did
SOL That night-litle you thought it II
was banded with them that were sworn to take
your life. They were watching you outside
the window, and was sent to inveigIe you
out, that they might shoot you. A faint heart
| had for the bloody business, for You were ev-
er and always good master TO me but was
l. Al IL 7
posing they ordered me to shoot my own moth
er Well the hand of God was over you,
and yoIr wouldn't come with me. ran out to
them, and l said, "Boys, if you want to shoot
him, you must do it through the window, :"
thinking they d be afeard Of that; but they werht
they were daring fellows. and one of them
sheltered by the angle of the window, took
deadly aim at you. That very moment you
took Billy on your knee, and | saw his fair
head in line with the musket. don't know
exactly then what said or did, but remem
ber caught the mans hand, threw it up, and
pointed to the child. Knowing was deter
mined man, believe they didn't wish 10 pro-
woke me /; so they watched you for awhile and
when you didn't put him down, they got
daunted hearing the sound of soldiers riding
by the road, and they stole away through the
grove. Most of that gang swang on the gal
lows, but the last of them died this morning
quietly in his bed. Up to yesterday he used
TO make me give him money-sums of money
to buy his siIence-and it was for this that
made my boy thief Itwas wearing out his
very life Often he went down on his knees
to me, and said, "Father, I'd die myself sooner
than rob my master, but can't see yOu dis
graced Oh, let US fly the countryp Now,
sir, have told you aldo what you like with
me-send me to Jail, | deserve it, but spare my
poor, deluded, innocent boy!'
1t would be difficult to describe Mr.. Hew-
sons feelings, but his wife's first impulse was
to hasten to liberate the prisoner. With few
incoherent words Of explanation, she led him
into the presence of his master, who, looking
at him sorrowfully but kindly, said,
William, you have erred deeply, but not SO
deeply as supposed. Your father has told
me everything. / forgive him freely, and you
also.'
The young man covered his face with his
hands, and wept tears more bitter and abundant
than he had ever shed since the day when ne
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