The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-06-20

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with many others, had been engaged.
His father was deeply offended; he met him
sternly and coldly, and charged him with hav-
ing pursued a most reckless and abandoned
course Guy received these reproaches in sui
len silence: he denied nothing, but manifested
no repentance, made no promises of future
amendment.
Never was there amore wretched household.
Father and son were estranged, and each felt
that the other had no consideration or love for
him. Mr.. Fairfax mourned over Guys in
gratitude, and Guy felt, with aha boys sensi-
tiveness, that his father despised him, and re-
garded him living disgrace. At times he
was well-nigh broken-hearted, and would have
given worlds to reinstate himselfin his fathers
favor; and then his mood would change, and
he would become defiant and reckless. All! if
they could have known each others hearts,
how much misery might have been spared
them both! But who could have read in Mr..
Fairfax's cold glance the fathers yearning
love, or in Guys careless manner his repent
ance2
1t was a relief to all when the time came for
the boys return to college. He went back
with light heart, though with diminished
allowance; for he was resolved to do better in
future, and to regain his position in his fathers
heart But, alas! his good resolutions were
not proof against fresh temptations In a short
time he was as reckless as ever; he gambled
deeply-sometimes winning and sometimes
losing large sums. At times his demands upon
his mother were frequent; but for months he
had made none upon her, and she had begun
to hope that he was living less extravagantly,
when late one night he appeared, pale and
haggard, at her bedside. -
issWh hat brings you here, my son3" she asked,
terrified at his expression. 80 = ~
81 have come, mother, for money. I must
fly to-nigh ght-somewhere. Tomorrow all will
be discovered. / shall be arrested, for have
committed forgery"
"Oh, my son ! my son !'' was all the poor
mother could say, as she flung her arms around
his neck, and sobbed conyulsiyely.or g. -
He released himself almost roughly from
her embrace. "This is no time for fooling ~
he said. "Some money-quick." --.s.fs.y f,
"Alas my son, have none. have sent
all could save, or obtain without exciting
your fathers suspicious, to YOU"
"Jewels, then-anything that can pawn"
"They are all gone. Ihave already pledged
them to raise money for YOU"
He groaned aloud.
ooh, my Godw cried he, "What am to
$50 to your father, Guy. He will not, for
his own sake, see you disgraced."
The young man rung his hands in anguish.
"Come with me-" said his mother; and
throwing dressing-gown around her, she led
her SON to the apartment of his father.zz
Here Guy, in the willes4 excitement, re
peated his story. He had some time previous
ly forged draft upon his fathers firm. and
had raised money upon it to pay gambling
it fell due. But luck Lad been steadily against
him; he had lost everything in his desperate
attempt to retrive himself, and now all would
be discovered. It could be readily traced to
him, and then-he would say no more.
Mr.. Fairfax had listened to all this silently
and sternIy Amy, who had been watching
him closely, could read nothing favorable to
her hopes in that gloomy, immoveable face.
For some moments after Guy had concluded
his confession, not word was spoken.
/ Mr.. Fairfax broke the silence.
| $50 it has come to this My only son a
gambler and felon Would to God that you
had died in your infancy, or that had not
| lived to see our hitherto unsullied name dis
/ honored by my own child p
| sOh, Schuyler" interrupted Amy, edo not
speak so harshlY to him. Waste no time in
| reproaches, but save him before it is too late
Remember he is our own boy-our only one
j-and he is very, very young It seems only
yesterday since he was baby in my arms
For the sake of the love you bore him then,
be merciful p'
nAnd how has he repaid that love-? He
has disregarded my advice, despisod my au.
thority, broken through all restraints, and
well-nigh brought my gray hairs in sorrow tc
the grave. No regard for us, his unhappy
parents, could hold him back from dishonol
j and ruin; and now that he is about to reap the
reward of his own folly and wickcdness, be
comes to us to shield him from Disgrace
This conduct has at least the merit of consis
4 tencyl He shows himself heartless and sell
4 fish to the lastl Not content with disgracine
us, he would involve US in his guilt make Us
his accomplces and the sharers of his villany
No matter what mean act he proposes to Others
$50 that he escapes punishment Coward al
well as villain, he would make the innocent
sharers of his sin as they must be of his dis
grace But he shall not reduce me to his owr
level. Disgraced may be, but no act of mine
shall make blush for myself. Let him beal
the consequences of his own sin i''
"Oh, husbandp' cried Amy, falling on hel
! knees by his side, and clasping him in hel
arm "take back those harsh words. You de-
not, you cannot mean them. You do not know
what you are saying. You could not be SC
cruell 1t is our little Guy, our little Guy
Sobs checked her utterance.
i "Say no more, dear mother" cred Guy; s'it
is useless. Father is right; must bear the
penalty of my sin alone. Would to God thai
j could bear all the disgrace attached to it az
well. Goodnight, father. Will you not say
so once more to your unworthy son ?"
u Mr.. Fairfax made no reply, and Guy walk
ed quietly out of the room. His mother
sprang to follow him.
"Amy, said her husband, sternly; "leavt
him to himself" 500
!; aI will not" she cried; "I am his mother
], You shall not rob me of my only son." 1
Mr.. Fairfax was silent and she fastened il
pursuit of her child. She overlook him II
| the hall asas..5 IL @a8tp
i "Where are you going, my darling?" sh,
said, finging her arms about him and kissing
, him tendcrly. -. - s,l
"To my own room, mother DEAR" he replied
tenderly caressing her
, ."Oh no, Guy; fly at once. You can hid
!, somewhere for a few days, and in the mean
L time can get money, which I viii send you
so that Won NAV escape all pursuit. On