The Shasta courier., 1866-02-17

thousand times more dlfhcultl depend upon
it, these wandering ones can be reclaimed
much easier by the stern visitation of pen
aties, which they may feel as dispropor-
tionate to the evil thing done.'
g He can never visit my house as of old,
said another of the ladies in the ear, speak
ing in an indignant manner. The last
time had company, he was there, and be-
came so much intoxicated, during the even'
ing. as to annoy every one. l was really
mortified at his company"
1t was on the lip of Mrs. Elder to say
that she trusted the lady would keep her
resolutions but she forbore.
As Charles Tilden, the young man to
whom we have referred, was going home in
the evening, he met a young friend who
greeted him warmly.
" / was just thinking of you, Charley"
he said, as they stood with clasped hands
There's to be some sport tonight and you
must enjoy it with the rest''
What kind of sport ?' asked Tilden.
Billiards first, and oysters and cham
pagne afterward-all just in your line"
"Who make up the party p
Harrison, Reed and Cotton for three
Fine fellows, as you can testify"
Tilden was about yielding his assent to
join the party when he remembered his pro-
mise to call and see Mrs. Elder Then there
arose debate in his mind as to which he
should forego. The visit could be paid to
Mrs. Elder on almost any evening; but this
convlvlal party must be Joined tonight, or
not at all. The temptation to break his
promise was strong. He liked billiards !:
and oysters and wine were strongly allur-
ing to his sensual appetite. Still he could
efx- i 10 4 4.
break his promise to Mrs. Elder, particular.
ly as she appeared to be the only one of
many friends and acquaintances, who had
not grown suddenly cold to him. As to the
reason of this change he was not in ignorance
He knew that he was getting little
astray," as he mildly termed it, but fatter-
himself that any serious danger was remote );
and was rather more indignant than re
had received from certain people, who had
once given him freely the entire of their
houses.
~ believe" said he, after standing silent
for few moments, that | am engaged for
this evening""
I'm sorry for that, Charles" replied
the other, in tone of regret. g What is the
engagement"
Il promised to call on Mrs. Elder to-
night
Oh is that all :? Hang Mrs Elder
The idea of gay young chap like you Civ
ing up billiards, oysters and champagne for
an old woman's company That is what
call rich.''
Mrs. Elder and the mother of Tiden had
been friends in girlhood, and their friendship
had continued a closely clinging bond up to
the hour of Mrs. Tilden's death, which took
place nearly ten years before the period of
which we are now writing. Charles, who
still retained vivid recollection of his moth
er, knew of this warm attachment, and the
knowledge of it had always served to draw
him with something like affection towards
Mrs. Elder. He loved her with kind of
tilial love; for he always seemed nearer to
the sainted one when by her side Now
this light speech of his young friend, instead
of producing the effect designed wrought
only in the opposite direction. Charles felt
shocked at hearing the name of Mrs. Elder
spoken so irrevently-and more particularly
so at this time, when she of all the whole
circle, was nearly the only one who still Of
ferred him her hand or spoke tu him in the
tones of kindness and welcome.
Il shall keep my promise to Mrs. Elder.
he answered. firmly.
'Nol You're not such fool as that y
said the other, coarsely.
Yes, just such fool, if you WILL" re.
piled Charles. My word is passed to Mrs.
Elder and it shall not be broken''
Thank God!, said Charles as he walked
away, and the recollection of two or three
evenings, like the one in view. came vividlv
to his mind thank God that had suf
ficient resolution to say no l do not think
the way just safe for my feet. More than
once, already, have slipped in this way
slipped and fallen into the mire'
And he drew deep breath with sense
of relief
"Ah, Charles, it is pleasant to see YOU
here again." said Mrs. Elder, with the
blandest of welcoming smiles, as she took
the young mans hand that evening. Your
mothers son must not desert an old friend.
How have you been during these many
weeks?'
About as well as usual" said Charles.
But Mrs. Elder, whose eyes were reading
every line of his face, missed something from
his countenance and she also missed some.
thing from his voice.
As happy as usual ?' she asked.
The question, altogether unexpected, made
Charles drop his eyes to the floor. Looking
up III uioneHC, he answered:
No; not so happy as l have been. Is it
different with any, Mrs. Elder? Do we
grow sadder as we grow older?"
Not if we grow wiser and better she
replied
He looked down to the floor again. but
made no reply.
At your age. Charles" said Mrs. Elder.
when the feelings are warm, the appetite
keen to relish every indulgence, and reason
not firmly seated on his throne. there are
few who do not fall into some excess. But
1t is law of our being, that excesscs of any
KIND bring punishment with them. They
always leave the mind oppressed with a
sehse of wrong doing, and a consciousness
that something of true manhood has depart.
eo. How is it in your experience? Are nv
words true?''
An involuntarily sigh parted Charles lips
| as he answered.
they are true, Mrs Eldcr-true in nv
case; l speak it with shame" The young
man lost his calm self possession, and show
ed considerable agitation.
1t Is not surprising then, Charlie, that
you grow sadder as you grow older" said
Mrs. Elder. speaking even with tenderer
interest than before. "Your experience is that
OF every young man who has gone one step
away from the right path. The evil that
entlces, with its offer of wild pleasure in the
present, has no oplate to dull the pain of