The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-07

Inlnh ue 10 DeyOhu IcCONeIy lue Olu
mans voice quivered, and he raised his
eyes appearingly to Toms face.
go no, no, no - responded Tom, evi-
IDENTIFY moved by the sight of the old mans
distress "I don't mean to say that he is
anything SO bad as that The fact is,
Walters been in hard streak of luck for
some time and has got discouraged but he
has good stuff in him, and brains enough to
carry him through when he once gets start
ed on the right track again. Walters n
gentleman, sir. spoke too hastily at first
I would not have hurt your feelings for
the world, sir but did not know you were
his father" Toms voice and manner
showed that his sympathies were touched.
go, thank you for so much encourage
ment," said the old man, taking Toms
hand and pressing it warmly. 81 will
save my boy yet. l am not, however, his
father although for years he has been to me
as son, and I fondly hoped that he
poor boy, whom / drove from home iby my
cruelty twenty three years ago."
Tom started.
"Twenty-three years ago"' he repeated
in tone of surprise and bending his eyes
eagerly upon the old man, he seemed to
await further revelations.
eyes, twenty-three years." continued
the old man, drearily. /" 1t is long time
4. L. a
son, not knowing whether he is alive or
dead-not daring to conjecture what may
have been his fate if dead, or what may be
his condition if alive. He was fine, hand
some manly boy. was proud of him, and
his mother idolized him. In an evil hour
was led to believe him guilty ofa grave Of
fence. Without taking sufficient pains to
ascertain the facts, / charged HIM with the
crime, and, regarding his solemn protesta-
tions of innocence as signs of impenitence
and depravity, treated him with the ut
most severity-even his mothers earnest
entreaties failed to soften me towards him.
was then a hard, proud man he had
wounded my pride, and l was resolved to
punish HIM. Yet God knows his punish
ment was light compared to what was
made to suffer-"
The old gentleman paused to wipe the
tears from his furrowed cheeks, and to re-
strain the emotions which threatened to
overcome him. AT length he said:
"Pardon me for wearying You with the
nc n fc I 1lo1
it could have no interest foryou."
"Go on, beg of you, sir,' said Tom,
who seemed to be strangely affected.
"Your story interests me very much
more than you can imagine"
The old gentleman proceeded.
"My poor boy bore manfully for time
the harsh discipline to which / subjected
him, but always protesting against my
cruelty. At length he suddenly disappear
ed. l was troubled at this, which / had
not expected, but kept my fears to myself
and tried to comfort myself with the
thought that he would soon tire of the
wretched life / was sure he must lead, and
return to claim his fathers forgiveness and
protection. My wife, however gave way
to the most violent grief, and, although
she refrained from reproaching me in words
her sorrow continually accused me of having
robbed her of her darling.
Not long after his flight l learned that
my boy was innocent of the offence for
which had punished him. My pride and
self-complacency were at one vanquished.
My remorse was extreme. l would have
given worlds to clasp my noble boy-for
whom my former admiration was now re-
doubled-in my arms and ask forgiveness.
But the moment was assured of his inno-
cence knew he would never return to me
of his own accord.
81 Immediately, however, took energetic
measures to bring him home. Iadvertised
for him in the leading papers of every
State in the Union. wrote TO relatives
and acquaintances far and near, and to the
police authorities of the principal cities,
offering large reward for his return.
made several journeys in the hope of meet
ing with or hearing of him but all in vain.
During all these years / have not heard any
tidings of him, nor obtained the slightest
clue TO his fate.
A" His mothers grief and mine was partly
assuaged, about three years after his de-
parture, by the birth of daughter, who has
been to us all VIC could have hoped or
wished and when, some years later, the
widow Of dear friend in dying committed
her son, Walter leighton, to my care, l
took him into nv household ma a auhatituta