Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-03-14
TOO LATE.

lHdl UOy Has lcNtT CduScu Itic Il llO-
ment's sorrow or an anxious thought
since his baby days." said friend to
me, year ago, pointing to a lad of
about eighteen years, who, with several
others were engaged in playing ball.
His laugh was the loudest, merriest OF
all. The fathers remark made me par
ticularly attentive to the boy. Watched
him with great interest. His blue eyes
were like a child's-full of fun, clear
and honest. The brown hair was thrown
back from forehead, high, broad and
smooth. These were the best features,
for he was not handsome-not near so
handsome as others around him.
The game was over, and in few mo-
ments the youth Joined us, was presen-
ted to me, and then turned to his father
and said:
81 am going home with one of the
boys if you do not wish me to remain
here"
Certainly; go, my boy. Will Juii-
an 60 too?"
az do not know sir. Can / do any
thing for you first?''
"Thank you; no, my son." Placing
his hand caressingly on him the father
smiled his boy away.
"We call him Benny. When gave
him the name of Benjamin, the folks
did not like the old fashioned name.
But l did not mind. 1 insisted on it.
And when he was baptized prayed
that he might be good mana COM
fort to our old age. Aye, and God fully
has answered my prayer! My good boy
Benjamin! Son of my right hand.
"Your only one?" asked.
"No, oh, no; there is one other, Ju-
lian."
"And he e?o -----,,--,,~-.--- ...-
"Not like Benny. Oh, no! But the
apple of his mothers eye, her darling,"
answered the father, with grave face.
"Then to his mother he is surely a
comfort or she would not love him So"
ale loves her in his way. But oh, do
you not know that mothers often love
those most unworthy-that cause them
the greatest sorrow?"
81 did know it, but cared not to ad-
nit it."
"There he is"
l followed the direction of the fa-
ther's gaze and saw, seated under tree
not far distant, youth that looked
older than Benny.
allow handsome!' exclaimed. He
was the handsomest youth 1 had ever
seen.
A forehead high and smooth-not
broad and full like his brother's-from
which the hair was thrown back in
black silken waves. Beautiful, classical
features, and eyes that should have
been girl's--large, dark and soft,
beautiful, deceiving eyes!
allow very, VERY handsome" re-
peated, and thought. "Wilful, way
ward and wicked, fear"
"He is handsome, and fear that will
be curse. For that fatal gift he has
been petted, ,caressed and humored in
every whim; while Benny, though old
er by two years, comes off always Sec
ond best, except in his fathers heart" :"
the father said; and looking again on
his handsome boy, he added, "Yet he is
affectionate. And then look came in
his eyes, first Of regret, followed by an
other, anxious and fearful.
Friend joining us then, the conversa-
ton caused, and 1 saw no more of the
boys for many months. They returned
to college. Occasionally 1 met my
friend, their father; but the subject
was never resumed. 1t was painful to
speak of one, 1 knew, and therefore l
avoided it.
1 was on the eve of going to visit
some relations in B, in which
city these youths were pursuing their
studies. 1 told my friend of my pro-
posed visit, and he begged me to go and
see his boys.
promised, and did so. This was the
second time had seen them. This oc-
casion was impressed more forcibly up
OIL my mind than the other, and my
heart was filled with great anxiety, and
dark forebodings.
carried with me an invitation from
my sister, for the boys to attend an en-
tertainment that evening. Benny SEEM
ed much pleased and accepted the invi-
tation.
Julian declined, urging in excuse a
previous engagement.
He had changed much in the past
months, and his looks told plainly OF
late hours and sleepless nights not spent
in study. His beautiful eyes were nc
longer clear and in them ! saw traces
of the wine cup.
'Do come, julie! As We have holi-
day this afternoon you can go and get
excused, and be with us in the evening
Do" pleaded Benny.
"No; impossible" answered Julian,
positively.