The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-11-14

) for he had come in resolved on confession and
reformation but finally repentance was drown
ed in anger, and he answered a son, partic-
ularly an erring on, should not. Then few
) more words unreasonable on both sides Mr..
: Lane asserted that debts so contracted were
, disho nest ones and should not be paid and
Robert declared they should be paid if he gam
ed his life away to win the money-till finally
the old mans rage became uncomfortable. 1t
was in obedience to his fathers command that
Robert left his home that night with an order
never to cross its Threshold again.
For two or three weeks now and then, Mrs
Lane met her son of an evening at the houses
of her friends. and then he disappeared entire
ly. Since the first disclosure, she never men
toned Roberts name to her husband ; and Ell
la only knew that some angry words had es-
tranged her father and brother for time-she
was enviably ignorant Of Roberts guilt and
danger.
The evening on which our story commences
Mrs. Lane had intended to spend abroad with
her daughter, but had been prevented by the
receipt of the note above mentioned. Robert
had never been home since he was commanded
to leave it, and though anxious both about the
cause and the result, she could not but be re-
ljoiced at the thought of seeing him again in her
own private sitting room She had many things
too, to learn respecting his manner of living and
his intentions for the future.
/ While Mrs. Lane walked up and down her
! little sitting room, wishing that ten O'Clock
would soon come, her son entered his small
scantily furnished apartment in decent board
ing house and throwing himself upon the only
chair within it, he covered his face with his
hands. For long time he sat in this position;
then he arose and taking down pocket pistol,
carefully primed it and laid it beneath his pill
low. Immediately. however, he took it out,
charged it heavily and, laying ton the table fold
ed his arms and gazed upon it, muttering-
| 1t may be needed when least expect it. l
have at least one friend while this is by
l hen muffllng himself up, he hurried into
the street and soon reached his fathers door
where he stood in hesitation.
| He rang. The girl started when she opened
! the door but gave no other sign of recognition.
Robert inquired after Mrs Lane. In a moment
afterwards he leaned his head upon his mothers
knees.
Is it any new trouble, Robert 2 inquired she
tenderly amy new guilt she whispered bend
ing the other arm over her neck. Tell your
mother-she will help you. Oh, Robert, you
know she will love you and cling TO you through
| it ALL.
| The boy raised his head, and now she saw,
for the first time, the change that had come
over him. His face was haggard, his eyes sunk
en- and bloodshot; that round, rosy cheek, which
her lips had loved to meet had grown pale and
thin and, in place of the gay careless smile, had
arisen looks of woe and bitterness.
Il shall break your heart, mother, he said
sorrowfully and Poor Elias too! o. it is a
dreadful thing to murder those one loves but
I never meant to do it; try 10 remember that,
dear mother, whatever comes
believe it, Robert.
All you know only a small part yet; but
could not go away without seeing and telling
you. 1 knew you would learn it from others
But surely, Robert, you have nothing worse
to tell NE than l know already?
You KIN ow that night my father summoned
me to his library? [ had told my last story among
them, promised myself so, and repeated it to
my father, and would have kept my promise,
would. But you know how it turned OUT
1t did seem to me dishonorabe to refuse to pay
those debts. / left him, and l was desperate
l was determined to have money, and got it.
How Robertl'
Not honestly
The boys voice was low and husky his face |
of death-like paleness.
A fainlness came over her, and she gaspingIy |
articulated-
How Robert p
BY forgery. No matter for the particulars
could not tell them now, and you could not
hear them. Tomorrow all will be discovered,
and must escape. l never meant it should
come to this thought could have paid it.
Mrs. Lane made strong effort, and murmur
ed brokenly-
Tomorrow ! o, tomorrow o, my poor,
rlned boyn
| Il know that after deeds cannot compensate, |
mother, but if life of recttade, but
Robert paused suddenly, and his father ell
tired. A cloud instantly gathered upon his
0untenance.
You here, sirrah? What business brings
you to the home you have desecrated?'
To see my mother, sir
1t is the last time, them said Mr.. Lane, bit
erlY.'
The last time echoed Robert, in tone of
hooking bitterness.
THE last time whispered the white lips of
the mother as her husband left the room, and
she slid TO the floor, lightly and unresisting.-
Robert raised her head to his bosom and COW
aed her pale face with his tears.
Mrs. Lane was awakened by the warm drops
r1nning on her face, and starting up wildly she
entreattd him to be gone.
Il cannot go tonight, mother. 1 waited to
see you, and SO lost the opportunity 1 shall
90 TO one of the landings when leave here, and
il the morning take the first boat that passes
So deeply were they both engaged that nei-
tier the merry voice of Ella in the doorway or
her light step along the hall reached them. She
entered.
Robert gOu here, Robert
| But neither Mrs Lane or Robert spoke. The |
boy only strained his sister conyulsivey to his |
| heart.
Alas my poor Ella sobbed Mrs Lane
our Robert has come home for the last time
we part from him tonight forever
Forever = and Elias cheek turned pale as
the white gloves which she raised to put back
the curls from her forehead.
! And Robert then made the same confession |
to his sister that he had already made TO his |
mother.
! You'll exclaimed Ella almost scornfuIly, |
sPringing to her feet; you, Robert Lane, my
brother. Is it so, mamma? Is my brother
Villain forger is he
Hush, Ella, hush interrupted Mrs Lane
ii is for those who have hard hearts to condemn.
not for you, my daughter. There will be insults |
enough heaped upon his poor head tomorrow |
at cast let him have love and pity here
Pity Whom did he pity or love when he
deliberately
Ella stood for moment, white and trembling, |
and then finging herself into her brother s
arms, exclaimed, do pity you, but the dis
grace may be avoided. Papa will, of course,
SHE'D his own name. / will go and see him di-
rectg
Suddenly breaking from him, she hurried up
stairs. Along the ball she went, she paused in
dread. She could hear the heavy, monotonous
tramp, as he walked up and down the room
and remembering his almost impulsive stern
ness, she dreaded meeting him. At last she
opened the door and burst forth
Come down and see Robert Papa, come and
save him /! They will drag him away to prison
for forgery, and you will be the father of con-
demned criminal and his sister. Oh, do not
let him go away from US So Come, do see him,
and ?ou will pity him-you cannot help it
FORGERY, Ella, Has he not
He has, and you must save him, papa, for
your sake, for all our sakes!'
Do you know this, Ella 1t is not true. It is
a miserable subterfuge to wheedle money from
his mother to squander among the vile wretch
es whose society he has preferred to ours. No
Send him back to his dissolute-
Is that the way to make him better, papa I?
L L.nI E-rirn i