Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-07-15
Selett storp.
THE FIRST WRONG.

Ny story opens in New England
sitting-room.
There were three persons present. Al
low me to introduce them 10 YOU in order /:
FiIst there was Deacon Holbrook, an old
man not far from seventy years now,
with white hair, a tall spare form, and
decided features. Next, his wife, 4
motherly old lady. with an expression of
such calm benevolence on her face rs to
charm all who knew her. Yet. at this
moment, anxiety, grief and entreaty
struggle tor the mastery. The third
figure in the tablearr was young man
with frank handsome face, years not
exceeding twenty. who stood in the mid
die of the floor with downcast look, shrink
ing from the angry words which his father
uttered.
Henry" said the deacon sternly, ''you
have disgraced yourself and me, Il deacon
of the church You have embittered the
declining years of your parents.
Don't be too hard with him, Deacon
Holbrook," interposed his wife. Re-
member it is his first fault
"If it were anything else," said his
father, still unappeased; ''but to think
that my son should become a gambler,
Ny son. who has been so carefully trained
in the way that he should go"
1T is only once" urged his wife, with
all mothers instincts
There are some crimes which cannot
be committed once without sinking the
soul deep in sin," returned the father,
with unabated sternncss.
All this while the young msu had re-
manned silent. though his varying color
showed that he felt deeply the harshness
of his fathers words. At length he spoke
Father. said he, firmly, "you will one
day repent Your severity. No sooner had
inncd than repented, and made con.
fession to you and my mother. Instead
of encouraging me in my repentance. you
loaded me with reproaches which my
conscience had anticipated, and which
heaven knows did not need"
Deacon Holbrook was about to speak
but Henry rapidly continued:
You tell me have disgraced you.
will remove myself and my disgrace from
your presence.
As he was about 10 leave the room, his
mother asked him anxiously:
Where would you go to, Henry"
Stay him not, )" said the deacon sternly
"It is we'll that he should leave place
where he can no longer look an honest
man in the face"
IL would that could forget it," was
the unrelenting reply.
These last words reached the ears oi
the Young man rs he stood upon the
threshold, and an expression halt OF pain,
halt of Indignation swept over his face
He knew that he had done wrong, but he
felt that he had not forfeited forgiveness
With one farewell glance at his mother
full Of unSpoken gratitude and love, he
left the house, which had been so long tc
him home.
This was the fault of which Henry Hol.
brook had been guilty Having beer
sent to New York by his father to collect
a sum of money due him, he had been
allured to a gambling house by com
panion. and then induced to play, though
not until after much persuasion. Having
lost part of the money in his charge. he
kept on playing. in hope of recovering
his losses. But, as might have been ex
pected lie lost all that remain d. Then
thoroughly ashamed, and bitterly up
braiding himself for his breach oftrust, h'
went home and confessed all. This con
feSsion was received, rs we have seen, il
such way as to chill his confidence ant
excite his indignation. And now he hat
gone forth from home, a wanderer he
knew not whittier with not one effort Oh
his fathers part to stay him.