The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-05-09
So PER ANNUM

thought he was going straight down to
Perdition, perhaps. Who knew, for now
1t seemed very likely to the father that
Ned had stolen that FIVE dollar note.
For the present, however, he kept his
thoughts to himself, merely commanding
his obedient wife, who came into the
room in few moments, to search it thor
oughly, and to make sure the money was
not to be found. Then he locked himself
into his study, and suffered horribly in ST.
lcnce for four long hours, when an inter
ruption came in the shape of an old man,
one Of the poor Of the congregation, who
had dolorous tale to tell of hard times at
home, and of his rheumatism, and his
wife's chills and fever
Relieved, with some small change and
large bundle of tracts, this good man was
about to depart, when thought seemed
to strike him, and he turned toward the
pastor opened his mouth, shut it again,
and was about to pass through the door,
when the clergyman said
Well, Watkins?"
And he came to halt again.
"I suppose in ant none O. my busi-
ness, he said. "But | kinder felt I'd
order tell
DO as your conscience prompts you,
Watkins, said the clergyman.
Yes, sir" said Watkins. but, you
see may be you won't thank me. Other
folks affairs, you sec Your'n you know,
sir. So, there, it's out !"
Miner" cried Mr.. Holbrook.
Yes" said Mr.. Watkins, "yourn sir 4"
'Tan't 50 very bad, only don't think
you'd like your young gentleman for to go
'careering about with the Gregg boys.
Their father drinks, and | won't mention
their mother; and then to see him arm in
arm with EN- buying gunpowder at old
Dixie Decker's and playing what's'er name
dang it 4! oh, bagertellc, behind the shop
for drinks of ginger beer! Why, |
didn't think you'd like it, sir"
Like it y cried Holbrook Watkins
come back into the study. There--wait
minute; let me collect myself. When
did you see my son at that--that horrible
place? The man who keeps it is the
worst man in town You saw him there
with the Gregg boys When p
"0nly this morning, said Watkins.
IL was took bad with my knee and
was obliged to sit down there to rest, sir !;
and there the boys was sir Your'n sir,
had his books in a strap, and it was long
after school opened. They bought lots Of
eatablcs and gunpowder and things, aud
they hired old Decker's boat and went out
into it, broke an oar aud had to pay for it.
They spent Eve dollars altogcther-least-
ways heard old Decker say so. Five
dollars-them three boys Well, | felt
I'd orter tel"
THANK you, Watkins said the clergy
man, sadly. 1t is bitter news; but you
have done your duty"
And Watkins departed, leaving his pas
tor alone with his thoughts.
Five minutes after he had gone the
clergymans son, flushed with exertion and
excitement, opened the front door and ran
up stairs to his own room. Ere he reach
ed it, his fathers voice sounded through
the house
Edward Come here"
Edward obcyed
He came into the study slowly, and be-
hind him followed his mother, with face
that denoted her premonition Of n coming
scene.
I" Hester, said Mr.. Holbrook, "since
you are here you may stay, but you must
not interfere. II is my duty to be firm.
Sit down, Hester. Edward, come here.
The boy advanced and stood before his
father, swinging his strap of books to and
fro uneasily. He was handsome brown
fellow, with gypsy eyes and curly black
hair. One of those boys on whom nature
seems to have stamped Rover from the
first
"You have been playing truant to-day,
Edward" said the father.
"0h, mol" cried the mother
eyes" said the boy " won't lie about
it, sir, | have"
With those young fcnds, the Gregg
boys" said the clergyman. You were
at the drinking shop Of that old in6del,
Dixie Decker. You spent great deal of
money there. Five dollars perhaps
eyes" said the boy; "I believe we
did"
"And you stole that money from me
before you went, as you pretended, to the
school, said the clergyman. You stole
it from the treasury Of the Lord, though,
perhaps, you did not know that, It was
given to me for the church by one who
could i'll afford to lose it, and you stole
that"
Sir !" cried the boy; stole it II
steal from you, or any oneg Oh, father,
how can you say such things?'
al have given you no money, nor has
your mother, know, said the clergyman.
Il missed the money after you left home.
You have spent similar one. ! will not
tempt you to falschood by asking you to
explain. l only tell you this. Confess
and prove your self peuitent, and | will
kneel down and pray with you for forgive
ness. Refuse to admit your guilt, and |
will fog you as long as have strength to