Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-07-01

in peace; will not expose you. But let
me express tho hope that you will strive
to gain now living in some reputable
way, and not expose yourself to arrest as
a criminal
He had scarcely finished speaking,
when the young man walked swiftly away
and left him to pursue his way back un-
molested to the hotel where he was stop.
ping.
All had passed so quickly that when he
reached his chamber, and once more
found himself in safety, he could hardly
realize that he had actually been assault
ed y; highwayman. lie would almost
have thought that he had dreamed it, but
for the pistol that he had in his breast
pocket, and now drew out for closer in
spection.
There was nothing peculiar about it; il
was small and not very valuable.
'It is not such a weapon as profes-
sional highwayman would employ" said
the merchant, thoughtfully. "rhis young
man must have been driven by some
pressure of circumstances to the course
which he adopted. wish ! had detained
him little longer and questioned him on
this point"
Mr.. Peterson was not one OF the self
righteous, but 4 generous, warm-hcarted,
Christian man, who, conscious Of his own
imperfectionS, always felt like extending
Il helping hand to those who had been
betrayed into error. So he thought more
than once of the young man whom he
had encountered in so strange manner,
and resolved to make an effort to fall in
with him again.
He ascertained that the morning train
started at o'clock, and another did not
90 till eleven He altered his arrange.
ments and determined to wait until the
second train, though he had originally in
tended to so by the first.
After breakfast he sauntered out once
more. hoping, but hardly expecting to
meet this young man, in whom he began
10 feel friendly interest. 1t was very
likely, he thought, that having been de-
feated in his first attempt of tho evening
previous. he had left the town. not wish
ing to run the risk of recognition by one,
of whose good intentions toward him he
could not feel assured.
Still the merchant pursued his lonesome
walk, till he came 10 handsome church.
Beside it and extending to the rear, was
a churchyard with grey headstones. on
each side of which was inscribed the name
of one whose pilgrimage was ended.
Casting his eyes casually over the grave
yard, Mr.. Peterson's eye detected mans
PROSTATE fgu,e stretched face down over
one of the mounds in an attitude indica-
ting grief. His staff and broad -brimmed
hat lay upon the ground beside him.
A sudden thought led the merchant TO
enter the Enclosure. He advanced till he
stood beside the PROSTATE form.
"My friend, what are you doing here?"
he asked il gentle accents.
The man raised his head. and Mr. Pc
terson. without surprise. recognized him
as the young man who attempted TO rob
him the evening before.
The recognition was mutual, as Mr.
Peterson knew, by the flush which rose to
the youths pale lips.
II come rs q friend" he fastened to
say, with a view of reassuring the young
man.
II have no friends" said the other. in
tone of sorrowful bitterness.
Few are so badly off as that" said
Mr.. Peterson. Even if all human friends
foisake US, we have one Friend who
never forsakcs us
Yes, know who you mean"
"And as TO human friends, am dis
posed to befriend you if you will confde
YOUR troubles to me-"
You. Yet tried TO rob you only last
night"
Il saw that you were uot profession
al robber, but were probably driven by
some necessity"
You are right, sir, was"
Tell me all about it,"
81 was driven by my poverty-l may
say by destitution. l have not eaten any
thing for twenty.four hours. and have
no money"
but how came you in this plight?
You arc young man; you should be
able to make your own way. Why should
you be reduced to such distress?"
Because there is something against
me-"
Tell me, without reserve, and | will
do all can to help YOU"
"Then, sir, l will tell you. A year ago
was clerk in dry goods store in this
town. My pay was not large, but enough
to support me. AS long as my mother
lived, she lies here, sir" and he indicated
the mound upon which he had thrown
himselt,) II did well enough; but after
she died got into bad company, and
formed extiavagant habits. | exceeded
my salary, and formed debts, and then,
in order to pay them, took some of my
employers money in an evil hour. l was
found out my employer was unrclenting.
and though offered 70 wolk it out, he