Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-09-09

N~" ~ w ia u0A Il w
One evening, shortly after this, Will
Miss Mallory was seated in her room
awaiting the return of her father from
charitable meeting. she was alarmed by
sound which proceeded from the adioin
ing apartment, in which her father KEEP
his valuable papers, jewels and surplu
money. Her 6rst thought was to rinl
for the servant, bat she recollected tina
she had but q few minutes previously sen
her to q sick neighbor on an errand o
mercy. and that she was in the hous,
alone with whoever might have entered
for plunder. AgaiA the noise was made
resembling q file at work. No room wa.
now left for doubt, that some one wal
robbing the strong box. Acting upon
impulse, she ran to the bureau drawer
and took frsm thence a loaded pistol
which Mr.. Mallory always kept there
Pausing o moment to collect all hel
strength, she threw open the door, anc
with the weapon presented, entered the
room.
She saw q man upon his knees before
the box, busily engaged in examining it,
contents, while on the floor around him
lay q number Of open papers, from which
yaluable articles had been extracted
The lady's step aroused the robber, when
turning, they mutually recognized each
other.
Andrew !" she exclaimed, I" what new
horror is this Can it be that you have
become a burglar, q miserable robber !"
The young man did not speak, but
gazed upon the young girl in terror
Again she addressed him:
AHqreM CIV IS COX, anu EhIs
house, Or ! shall, most ~assuredly do you
an injury"
Lower your weapon" he gasped.
mot until you retire from the room.
Oil what misery are you entailing upon
yourself and those who love you'll Where
will this end How will my father act
when he shall know of this?
" He never shall !" cried the unfortun.
ate young man s%pringing to his feet.
He must | have kept the knowledge
Of your faults from him until conceal.
ment has become criminal on my part
Oh! Andrew, how could you SO far for
get your duty-that sense of honor that
should have guided you through life. as
to attemps such a crime against your ben
efactor? Shame upon YOU"
That's right, reProach me and drive
me to desperation. know thatyou hate
me, and this knowledge has driven me-
|" Hold, Andrew, do net add this false.
hood to your many sins. Hate you'll you
know not my heart, or you would moi
thus accuse me. Many and many a sleep.
less night have / passed in prayer fol
fyour salvation. | would have given my
life for you, had you been but worthy O
the sacrifice. Andrew, you wrong me
for ! have loved you as can V love
man again /"
Loved mel Il cried the young man, the
cause for his anxiety. bursting upon him
for the first time. Love a wretch like
mel Would to heaven that | had known
this sooner. 1t might have stayed
no this consuming passion would moi
have been quenched by any earthly pow
er. l have been a fool, a miserable
wretch
He beat his breast wildly, in perfect
agony.
" But it is not too late even now te
reform" said his cousin.
I" 1t isl feel that it il. What have
to look back upou, but wasted opportu
mites, blighted prospects vanished hopes
This is the result of a worthless life ; the
nobler feelings Of my manhood vanished
hours spent in mad indulgence-montns
robbed of my short existence, into which
have been crowded years Of sin. The
future is dark before me-my home dis
honored-my actions those Of q villain
and this my last attempt a thief. Yes
cousin, ! viii go from hence-leave 20,
forever Here will restore the prop
erty which ] hare stolen from my gener
Gus uncle. See, here are diamonds
replace them ALL Now then, let m,
close up the damning evidence Of m,
guilt"
Suiting his actions to his words, b,
tore from his bosom, where he had bidder
them, the jewels he had periled so mucl
to obtain. Then with a fierce motion, b,
closed the lid, and turned towards hi
cousin.
They are all replaced. Now, as yol
hope for mercy, give me your pardon ant
blessing
He fell upon his knees before the nov
weeping girl.
IL do pardon and bless you, Andrew
and may He who has the power, promp
you for the future to deeds of honor an,
worth. Before you rise from that posi-
ton, promise me, with Heaven for you
witness, that you will never again be lei
Ito touch
Before she could finish the sentence, b
had seized her hand, possessed himself 0
the weapon, and placing it to his temple
discharged its contents into his BRAIN
1t that very moment Mr.. Mallory enter
ed, and. caught the fainting form of hi
child in his arms.