South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-09-03

! white, unwrinkled brow.
Robert stood before him, his hair toss
ed aside from his face, which now wore
reassured, grateful look. The STEP
aunts seated themselves, upright and
gloomy, one on either side.
MIR. Vivian" said Miss Lucretia, by
way ofpreface, "a circumstance like this
has never happened i'm MY family.
consider my sisters memory disgraced
by this objectionable action which her
step-son has committed
"Mr. Vivian" continued Miss Pcne-
lope, "a Marchmount never would have
perpetrated an act 50 unworthy of his
ancestors
go on. Robert" said the mellow
voice mildly, "tell me all-tell every
thing"
Yes, yes, go on" repeated Miss Luz
cretia. with acrimony. 'Bc explicit, and
don't lie."
Roberts face flushed, his dark eyes
glanced passionately, and he bit his lip
as If to suppress his just anger. Then
he became subdued again, and sorrowful
Godfather Vivian" he began. but
broke down at these words. Then he
rallied and went on, remorsefully, but
bravely.
"For some time past, in going to my
place of employ, have been in the hab-
1t OF dropping in to visit a poor family
who live in that vicinity. The family
consists Of a drunken father, a mother;
and n crippled child. While had lit
tie money to spare, besides what l in
vested and what | spent in pastime,
gave it to the poor woman for tue sake
of her child.
For week past the child has lain
very ill-almost at the point of DEATH
During her suffcrings. her constant de-
sire has been for fruit-for oranges
which her mother was unable to supply
with her scanty means. Yesterday,
while L stood by the be lside, her plead
ings were heartrending. and / almost
cried because l could not give them to
her. hac spent foolishly the little
pocket-money 1 had, and there was no
more to be procured until the next
month.
"All the way to my employers
thought about it, and half the day it
haunted me. In the afternoon | enter
ed the counting-room for some article
The apartment was empty, no one was
near, and upon the desk lay few bright
silver pieces. Temptation was before
me. thought of the sick bed of the lit
tie child, with its parched lips and pitc-
GUS CO.. forgot what had come for,
and yet fingered in the room. If took
the money coIli easily replaces it n
gain. Only one month, and then would
l replace it all, perhaps more than
took. Then something whispered to
me, oh, Robert don't steal - and / start
ed at my own thoughts. / tried to say
my prayers, but had forgotten them
| glanced involuntarily at the money.
and said, Our Father but it wouldn't
do
Here Robert broke down again, and
covered his face with his hands. Some
body sobbed. 1t wasn't Robert, nor
Miss Lucretia, nor her sister 1t wasn't
Jenny, either, although she was weeping
silently. 1t was Godfather Vivian. His
face was covered with his white hand
kerchief and his breast heaved with C.
motion.
Robert continued, shading his eyes
with his hand:
IL left the counting-room, not as
had entered few moments before
There was great weight on my heart,
and felt no longer fearless and honest,
but trembled ut q sound. | hurried a.
way from the place OF my temptation
bought the oranges, and carried them
to the sick bedside. The mother gave
me blessing, but it sounded more like
n curse. Inever, never could be upright
and honest again. I was sunk in ms
M, Of n 4
just here" placing his hand upon his
breast, 'more than words can tell. II
seems rs If had passed through years
ofpunishment and horror. The money
has been replaced by my aunts, and
Heaven knows my torture has been Sc
we're"
Robert ceased speaking. and stood
with bowed head, the perfect picture of
youthful despair. He asked for no Gle.
mency. and he need not have asked for It,.
Godfather Vivian removed the hand.
kerchief from his face.
"Mr. Vivian" said Miss Lncretia.
leaning forward. che deserves all and
everything. Let him not escape
MIR. Vivian. he severe" said Miss
Penelope. cycling him closely.
Godfather Vivian arose from his seat.
calmly and with mild dignity lie spoke
clearly and distinctly:
Judge not lest that We be judged
also"
The step-aunts exchanged glances.-
lie continued. lie spoke eloquently and
long. lie made an appeal to the stony
hearts before him. and they melted at
his touch. lie asked them il for one Of
Tense nc should crush forever the hopes
and springtime Of youth-if he should
tramplc upon repentance and toss light.
~ away soul, noble and brave, but er.
ring2
There was pathos in his tones-n
great depth and tenderness. Oh, how
great and good he looked, standing there
with love, and pity. and tears in his