Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-11-03

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an interruption came in the shape OF an
old man. one of The poor OF the congre'
! CATION, who had dolorous tale to tell OF
hard times at home, and of .his rheuma
tism, and his wlfe's chills and fever.
Relieved of some small change and n
bundle of tracts. this good man was about
to depart, when thought seemed to
strike him, as he turned tow ard the pas
tor, opened his mouth. shut it again. and
WAS about to pass through the door, when
the clergyman said:
well. Watkins ?"
And he came 10 a halt again.
IL suppose ii amt none OF my bust
ness" he said, "but kinder lelt Id o rtcr
tell"
do as your conscience prompts you.
Watkins. " said the clergym an.
Yes. sir" said Watkins. But you
see may be you won thank me-" Other
folks affairs, you see. Your'n you know
sir. So, there. lis out! !"
Mine ?" cried Mr.. Holbrook.
Yes" said Mr. Watkins, "yonr'n. sir.
'Taint so very bad. only don't think
you'd ike your young man for to 60
careering about with the Gregg boys.
Their father drinks, and won't mention
their mother; and then to see him, arm
in arm with 'em, buying gunpowder al
Old Dixie Decker's and playin' whatser
name-dang it! or baggertelle, behind
The shop. for drinks Of ginger 6eer.-
Why. didn't think you'd like it, SIR"
Like IT," cried Mr.. Holbrook. Mr..
Watkins. come into the study. There
wait a minute. Let me collect myself.
When dil you see my son at that horrible
place You saw him there with the Gregg
boys, wheni'
"Only this morning said Watkins.
I'LL was took bad with my knee.
and was obliged TO set down ;here to rost
sir; and there the boys was. sir Yourn.
sir, had his books in q strap, and 1t was
long alter school opened. They bought
lots OF eatables an gunpowder an things
and they hired old Decker's boat aud
went out into il. and broke an oar and
had to pay,for it. They spent five dollars
altogether -loastways l heard old Decker
say SO. Five dollars them three boys
well, felt Ia orter iell!'
Thank you. Watkins" said the cleI.
gyman sadly. at Is bad news, bat you
have done Your duty"
And Watkins departed. leaving bis
pastor alone with his thoughts.
Five minutes alter he had gone the
eleygyman's son. flushed with exerIion
and excitement, opened the front door
and ran up stairs to his own room. Ere
he reached Il, his faith rs voice sounded
through the house
Edward come here?"
Edward obeyeL.
He came into the ,iudy slowly. and
behind him followed his mother. with q
face that denoted the psemoniIion OF
coming scenes.
"Hsster. said Mr.. HolbI ook, "Since you
are hete you may stay, but you must not
interfere. Il is my duty 10 be firm. SII
down Hester. Edward, come here"
The boy advanced and siocd before his
father. swinging his strap OF books TO and
iro uneasily. lie was handsome brown
fellow. with gypsy eyes and curly black
hair. One OF those boys on whom nature
seems 10 have stamped Rover" from the
frst.
You have been playing truan! TO- day.
Edward" said the father.
"Oh. no. c.ied the mother.
Yes said the boy Il won't lie
about it sir. have"
with those young fiends. the Gregg
boys. said the clergyman. you were
a, the drinking shop Oi that Old intidel'
Dixie Decker. You spent a great deal OF
money there. Five dollars, perhaps
Yes" said the boy al believe we
did"
"And you stole that money from me
before you went, as you pretended to
school, :" said the clergyman. You stole
il from the treasury OF the Lord, though
perhaps you did not know that 1t was
given 10 me for the church by one who
could i'll afford to lose il, and you stole
it,"
.Sir :" cried the boy "stole ii! I-steal
from you. or any one? Oh father, how
can you say such things?"
IL have given you no money, nor has
Your mother. know" said the clergy.
man. IL missed the money after YOU left
home. You have spent q similar sum.
will not tempt you to lalsehood by ask
inc YOU to explain. will tell you this.
-conless and prove yourself penilent,
and will knecl down and pray with you
/ Tor forgiveness. Refuse 10 confess your
guilt. and | will fog you as long as
have strength TO hold the whip. | will
not spare the rod aud spoil the child. God
would not hold me guiltless il | did"
The mother, who was weeping bitterly.
hid her face in the sofa cushions.
The boy flushing scarlet, drew closer
10 his father.
"Father," he said humbly, ii know it
seems as il took it, but did not. |
would not do such vile thing. Let me