Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-08-21
pare for the worst and most speedy of

Robert 1t was all over Win MIN.
Minutes passed away-they seemed
hours to us-and then there was a noise
at our door. 1t opened, and admitted
the two step-aunt-Miss Lucretia and
Miss Penelope They looked rigid, aus.
tere, and boding i'll. They beckoned
solemnly to Robert. He arose, and
walked between them. There was no
fear expressed in his face, but he looked
worn and wretched. Jenny and | fol-
lowed; and thus, in awful state, we pro-
ceeded to the tribunal.
The door of the old library stood open,
as if awaiting our entrance. As we passed
in, Roberts head sank lower upon his
breast, while Jenny and | walked with
downcast eyes. We felt that we were III
the dreaded presence, and we did not
wish to behold it.
There was a breathless pause, then a
round, mellow, beautiful voice, full of
sweetness, broke the silence.
"How is this? Robert, my boy,
what's the matterW
| thought that, all at once, tide of
blossoms, and fragrance, and sunshine
had burst into the grim old library.
Robert lifted up his face and downcast
eyes. So did Jenny, and so did |. In
the &C ter of the apartment, on the old
fashioned hair lounge, sat Godfather
Vivian. No tall, grim, unfeeling guar
dian. No stern, implacable, unforgiving
ogre. But hale, healthy parsonage, in
the prime of life, with a beautiful be-
nign countenance, and tender, peaceful
blue eyes.
A single streak of sunlight which was
playing on the wall glanced now and
then across his grayish-brown hair and
white, unwrinkled brow.
Robert stood before him, his hair
tossed aside from his face, which now
wore reassured, grateful look. The
step-aunts seated themselves, upright
and gloomy, one on either side.
Mr.. VIVIAN" said Miss Lucretia, by
way of preface, "a circumstance like this
has never happened in my family |
consider my sisters memory disgraced
| by this objectionable action which. her
step-son has committed"
"Mr. Vivian" continued Miss Pencil
ope, ga Marchmount never would have
perpetrated an act so unworthy of his
ancestors"
"Go on, Robert" said the mellow
voice mildly, tell me all-tell every
thing"
Yes, yes, 90 on" repeated Miss Lucre
tia, with acrimony. "Be 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, rcmorsefully, but
| bravely.
"For some time past, in going TO my
place of employ, | have been in the habit
of dropping in to visit poor family
who live in that vicinity. The family
consists of drunken father, a mother,
and a crippled child. While had lit
tlemoney to spare, besides what | invested
and what spent in pastime, gave it to
the poor woman for the sake of her child.
For a week past the child has lain
very ill-almost at the point of death.
During her sufferings, her constant desire
has been for fruit-for oranges-which
her mother was unable to supply with
her scanty means. Yesterday, while |
stood by the bedside, her pleadings
were heartrending, and ] almost cried
because / could not give them to her. |
had spent foolishly the little pocket
money | 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 entered
the counting-room for some article. The
apartment was empty, no one was near,
and upon the desk lay a few bright silver
pieces. Temptation was before me. |
thought of the sick bed of the little
child, with its parched lips and piteous
cry. | forgot what | had come for, and
yet fingered in the room. If | took the
money, could easily replace it again.
Only one month, and then would | re-
place it all, perhaps more than took.
Then something whispered to me, 'Oh,
Robert, don't stealn and | started at my
own thoughts. tried to say my pray
ers, but l had forgotten them. 1glanced
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. Itwasn't Jenny,
either, although she was weeping silent
lv. 1t was Godfather Vivian. His face
was covered with his white handker-
chief, and his breast heaved with emotion.
Robert continued, shading his eyes
with his hand:
81 left the counting-room, not as |
had entered few moments before There
was a great weight on my heart, and /
felt no longer fearless and honest, but
trembled at sound. | hurried away
from the place of my temptation. |
bought the oranges, and carried them to
the sick bedside. The mother gave me
a blessing, but it sounded more like a
curse. | never, never could be upright
and honest again. Twas sunk in my own
esteem. Oh, sir, l have suffered, just
here" placing his hand upon his breast,
"more than words can tell. 1t seems as
if had passed through years of punish
ment and horror. The money has been
replaced by my aunts, and Heaven
knows my torture has been severe"
Robert ceased speaking, and stood with
bowed head, the perfect picture of youth
ful despair. He asked for no clemency,
and he need not have asked for it.
Godfather Vivian removed the hand
kerchief from his face.
"Mr. VIVIAN" said Nc Js"-~.;->
leaning forward, che dee
everything. Let him nd
"Mr. Vivian, be seYgs
Penelope, eying him clois
Godfather Vivian aro5T
calmly and with mild
spoke clearly and distin9S 9Sss
"Judge not, lest thais..
also"
The stepaunts excl
He continued. He spoke