New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-26

| ceedlng, IN the matter of his correspondence,
was, 10 say the least Of it, strange.
he received no letters at my house. They
waited for him at the village postoffice
lie invariably called for them himself, and
invariably torbOre to trust any of nv ser.
| wants with his own letters to the post
Again, when we we're out walking together
more than once caught him looking fur
lively over his shoulder, as if he suspected
some person of following him for some
evil purl ose. Being constitutionally a
hater OF mysteries, l determined, at an
early stage of our intercourse. on making
an effort to clear matters up. There might
De lust chance OF my winning the senior
pupils confidence if spoke to him while
the last days of the summer vacation still
left ne alone together in the house.
Excuse me for noticing it," said to
him one morning. while we were engaged
over our books, II can not help observing
That you appear to have some trouble on
your mind. Is it indiscreet on nv part to
ask If can be of any use to youl"
He changed color, looked up at me
quickly, looked down again at his boots
| struggled hard with some secret fear or sc :
| cret reluctance that was in him, and sud
denly burst out with this extraordinary
question:
II suppose you were in earnest when you
preached that sermon in London!'
II am astonished that you should doubt
| it" l replied.
He paused again, struggled with himself
again, and startled me by secoud out
break, even stranger than the first.
Il am one OF the people you preached at
in your sermou,' he said That's the true
reason why ( asked you to take me tor
your pupil. Don't turn me out! When you
talked to your congregation of tortured and
tempted people, you talked of me-"
was so astonished by the confession
that lost my presence of mind. For the
moment was unable to answer him.
| Don't turn me out!' he repeated. "Help
me against myself. l am telling you the
trnth; AS God is my witness l am telling
| you the TRUTH
| Tell me the whole truth" said: land
rely on my consoling and helping you-rely
on my being your friend"
In the tervor of the moment took his
hand. 1t lay cold and still in mine: it
mutely warned me that had sullen and
| secret nature to deal with.
"There must be no conceal mept between
u.s." resumed. "You have entered nv
| house by your own confession, under false
! nretenses. Ii is vOur duty tn me. and vnnr
duty to yourself, to speak out"
The mans inveterate reserye-cast of for
the moment oply-renewed its held on him.
He considered, carefully considered his next
words before he permitted them to pass his
lips f'N'
"A person is in the way of nv prospects
in life" he began slowly, with his ewes cast
down on his book. "a person proyokes me
horribly. / feel dreadful temptations dixie
the man you spoke of in your sermon) when
am IN the persons company. Teach me
to resist temptation! | am afraid of nv
self II see the person again. You are the
only man who can help me. Do it while
you can
He stopped, and passed his handkerchief
over his forehead.
"Will that do 7" he asked--still with his
eyes on his book.
1T will not do answered. "You are
80 far from really opening your heart to me
that You won't even let me know whether
1t IS man or woman who stands in the
way OF your prospects in life. You use the
word person over and over again-ratber
than he or she when you speak of the
provocation which is trying you. How can
help man who has SO little confidence in
me as that ~
He twisted and UNFINISHED his haudker.
chief in his hands. He tried tried desper.
ately, to say more than he had said vet. No
The words seemed t, stick in his throat.
Not one of them would pass his lips,
Give me time" he pleaded piteously. IL
we'll Upon my soul l mean well. But /
am slow at this sort of thing. Wait till to-
morrow.
Tomorrow came-,and again he nut it off.
Zone more day." he said. You don't
know how hard it is to speak plainly. am
half afraid. / am half ashamed. Give me |
one more day.
had hitherto only disliked him. Try as
might land did, to make merclful allow |
ance for his reserve, l began to despIse him
now.
The day of the deferred confession came,
unit Cos ,,,I, III.
both he and ! were alike uuprepared.
Would he really have contided in me but
for that EVENT. He must either have done
1t, or have abandoned the purpose which
led him into ny house.
We met as usual at the breakfast table.
My h0usekeeper brought in my letters of
the morning To my surprise, instead of
leaving the room again as usual, she walked
round to the other side of the table, and
lad letter before my senior pupjl-the
first letter, since his residence with me,
which had been delivered to him under my
roof.
He started, and took up the letter. He
looked at the address. spasm of sup
pressed fury passed across his face; his
breath came quickly; his hand trembled as
1t held the letter. So far, said nothing. l
waited to see whether he would open the
in my presence or not.
lie was afraid to open it in my presence.
ne gov on MS 1eet; ne SAID, IN tones so slow
that could barely hear him, "Please ex-
euse me for minute" and left the room.
waited for half an hour-ior quarter
of an hour after that-and then sent to
ask if he had forgotten his breakfast.
In minate more heard his footstep in
the hall. He opened the breakfast room
and stood on the threshold with small
travelling bag in his hand.
Il beg your pardon" he said, still stand
ing at the door, II must ask you leave of
absence for day or two. Business in
London"
"Can be of any use7" asked. ~ am
afraid your letter has brought you bad
news"
"Yes," he said shortly. "Bad news.
have no time for breakfast"
wait few minutes" l urged. "Wait
long enough to treat me like your frien d.
to tell me what your trouble is before you
co."
He made no reply. He stepped into the
nall and closed the door-then opened it a
little way, without shO wing himself.
Business in London" he repeated, as if
be thought it highly important to inform me
Of the nature of his errand. The door closed
Tor second time. He was gone.
went into my study and carefully con-
,idered what had happened.
The result OF my reflections is easily de-
scribed. was determined on discon tinuing
ny relations with my senior pupil. In writ
ng to his father (which did, with all due
courtesy and respect, by that days post), l |
Mentioned rs my reason for arriving at |
his decision, first that had found it i'm
possible to win the confidence of his son;
secondly, that his son had that morning .