The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-08-25


stealthy way. He stood listening to hear
him enter. The door opened silently.
Tip-toe steps sounded family along the
passage. Somers followed them with his
ears, but lost them on the stairs.
"What shall I doP'' That was the diff
ficult question for Mr.. Somers. He
stood for several minutes, trying to get
his thoughts clear and his feelings calm.
Thus far harsh methods had proved wholly
fruitless. Threats and punishment wrought
no salutary reform the boy grew worse in
stead of better. Why this was so, clearer
perception now told him.
"Poor boy ~ he said, with sigh and
this very utterance of sentiment of pity
helped him to more pitying state Of mind
An image of fear and suffering, instead Of
hard defiance and reckless disobebience,
took distinct form in his thoughts.
"Now is the time to reach him with gen.
tleness and love.' AS Mr.. Somers thus
spoke with himself, he opened the door and
went out into the passage.
|
ing to domestic who happened to be there
at that moment.
"No, sir - she replied.
81 thought he came in just now"
"I did not notice him, SIR"
Mr.. Somers went to the foot of the stair
way and called Richard 20 Not harsh
ly, but kindly.
No answer came.
Richard ~ His voice went up louder
through the stairways and passages. But
no sound, save echo, was returned.
GO 1 am sure he came in"
"It might have been some one else, ;"
suggested the domestic. ~ haven't seen
anything of him for two or three hours"
Mr.. Somers went up stairs to the lad
room. The door was shut. He opened it
and went in. Richard was lying on the
bed. He did not stir, but lay crouching
and motionless, like one exhausted by pain.
His face was of ashen hue. Mr.. Somers no
ticed an expressiod of fear to sweep over it
as the boys large strangely bright eyes
turned upon him. AS he advanced across
the room, the fear and shrinking changed
to something like the anguish of terror.
go father p' he said imploringly, "don't
don't do it nowr' and he lifted one arm
as if to protect himself.
Mr.. Somers understood him. The ap-
peal and movement touched his feelings
deeply.
"What ails you my son P'' The fathers
voice was low, pitying and full of tender.
ness.
Instantly the lines of fear died out of the
boys face. His lips quivered--tears came
brimming to his eye.
"My arms broke ~ he sobbed, and then
the tears came raining over his cheeks.
ooh Richard !" calculated Mr.. Somers,
as he placed his hand softly on the boys
forehead. "How did this happen ?"
"I couldn't get back in half an hour,
father, without running all the way and
felt ugly here"-laying his hand on his
! breast-"a didn't try to go quickly.
went over the river because 1 was afraid tC
come home and fell from pile of boards. u
"Have you seen doctorP" Mr.. Someri
inquired anxiously.
eyes, sir. They took me to the doctors
and he set my arm"
Mr.. Somers bent over his child, with hi
hand tenderly on his forehead for some mo
ments in silence; then as his full hear
overran in a current of emotion, he stopped
and kissed him, murmuring, "My poo
boy"
} Richard did not understand all his faith
er meant by the exclamation, but he fel
]. that pity, forgiveness, and love were in hii
heart and these were more to him thar
his sufferings, for in their warmth and con
! ISOLATION he forgot his pain.
, 80 father ~ he said, a light falling OF
, his pale oountenance-"lo love me and will
be good. tl Ael
Oh, the power Of love F! Anger, rebuke
remonstrance, punishment-these are bu,
elements Of weakness in comparison. How
, like sharp thrust from sword Of convic
tion was this cry of love sent up to Mr.
Somers from the heart Of his wayward, self
willed, stubborn, resistant and defiant son
Richard 1t was month from the day
on which the arm had been broken. erich
ard, want you you to go down to Mr.
Baird's for me right quickly" a93
The father spoke kindly, yet in firm
} voice. Richard, who was reading, shu
his book instantly, and coming to his faith
er's side, with cheerful cir w-