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

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and he wanted to give me the money, and
| would not take it, and he gave in to the
Gregg boys. 1t was five dollars, And,
after that, ] did wrong; for we went off
together on a jollifcation, sir, and that's
the truth. You believe me, mamma. You
do too, father, oh, say you do! Let me
bring Gregg, He'll tell you it is So"
No doubt, said the clergyman. "Nev-
ertheless, | do not believe you. l will
leave you here until this evening. When
| return you musteonfess or suffer punish
ment Hester, come with me.
Oh, Alfred y sobbed the mother, don't
be so unjust don't doubt our poor boy /!
Cant you see it's true? Ned, darling, /
know it is
But the strong hand of the clergyman
drew his wife from the room, and turned
the key upon the boy, who stood staring
after them with despair in his great black
eyes.
In his heart Mr.. Holbrook felt assured
that bis boy was both thief and liar.
But the mother knew better The poor,
loving, broken-hearted mother, who wcpt
and prayed together, and felt that at last
indeed God had deserted her.
The day passed on. The untasted din
ner was served and sent away again. The
evening lamps were lighted The clergy
man arose from his chair and went toward
an old-fashioned chimney closet, and took
from thence riding-whip. The mother
gave scream, and flew towards him, and
clung to his arm. He put her aside and
passed out Of the room, and stood for few
moments alone in the study.
The boy had been weeping. He lifted
his swollen eyes to his fathers face, and
spoke
Father, | don't mind Aogging That's
not it. deserve one for playing truant,
perhaps; but tell me you know am not
thief and then | won't care how hard
the blows are. Tell me that, father"
You will not confess, then p replied
the clergyman.
al did not steal the money" said the
boy.
q" God hears you, said Mr.. Holbrook.
II know it, said Edward.
Edward" said Mr.. Holbrook, " am
strong man. You are not able to bear
the whipping | will give you. twill come
to confession at last. Spare us both"
For answer the boy cast of bis jacket.
Go on" he said, "Tm ready. You
may whip me to death, If you like. IN
never call myself thief"
II sounded like defiance, and the first
blow fell. With the first blow all tho evil
passions that lay dormant in either breast
awoke. The violent obstinacy of the boy,
his unfinching reception of the blows made
the father furious, every stroke drove the
good angels farther from the boy.
Suddenly food of rage, that passes all
description, filed his young heart, and an
oath burst from his lips. Following that
oath came such blow as no Christian ev-
er gave an unmanageable horse, a blow
with the clubbed handle of the whip, and
he fell to the ground like one dead.
The father bent over him for moment
and then opened the door. The mother
trembling and sobbing, rushed in. The
old servant woman followed.
The clergyman sick at heart, staggered
into the parlor he sat down in the great
Turkish chair, and looked vacantly at the
figure of his little girl busy at the table.
She had brought into the parlor little
box which she had called her playhouse /;
and unconcious OF what had been taking
place in the study, was furnishing Il to her
hearts content.
Now it was ready for the reception Of
the doll, and she put out her little hand
and plucked her fathers sleeve.
Papa" she said. thee my houthe. y
The father absently nodded, but the
child was not satisfied.
Look" she said" its got bed and
pillows, and table and throve, and pick
shure, Look at my pickshure, papa"
Absently still, the clergyman gazed In.
to the baby house. In moment more an
awful look swept over his face.
Your picturel" he cried. "Is that
what you call your picture? Where did
you get it?'
"0ff the table" said the child. "My
pretty green pickshurc? +? hung it up with
pin"
1t was five dollar bill that was pinned
against the wall of the dolls parlor. 1t
was the bill that had been lost that morn
ing. Lilly, in her ignorance, thought of
pennies only as money. She had never
had anything else given to her, and her
passion for pictures was great Innocent
ly she had taken this pretty green one for
her own
People sometimes ask why the Rev, Mr..
Holbrook, who was so useful in his congre-
CATION, breaches no longer, aud lives in a
lonely little country place apart from all
who ever knew or admired him.
One woman knew-his sad yet forgive
ing wife. As for the poor idiot who crawls
about the house, a pitiful object to look
upon, a more pitiful one to listen to, he
knows nothing, He has never known any
thing since that fatal blow, of which the
father dreams perpetually ended all for him.
A train running at modernte rate,