The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-11-27
VOLUME XII.

i
for letters. Basy excitement had flusl
ed her fair cheeks, and, as her pc
tsaced familiar names, one after anotl
er, smiles chased each other over liz
and eyes. Suddenly call from Nor
made her turn pale; her fingers tren
bled as she drew from her bosom til
letter she had written with prave,
1t was fully directed, yet she hesitated
holding it as if reluctant to let it &c
Come, Amy: Is there nothing 70
Mr. Leonard Watson?" cried Leonora
| The letter was slipped through tn
appointed place in the curtain, an,
Amy drew a quick breath of appre
hension as she heard the manly vote
that said, "Thank you, Miss Darcy;
IF he is angryl' she whispered
IF he should be angry.
But Leonard Watson had slipped tn,
letter carelessly into the breast poke
of his coat, and was sauntering in hi.
usual lazy manner down the hall. Ht
was n tall, handsome man, with broao
forehead and large eyes, which spoke
well for his heart and intellect; but
with the blaze air and debonnaire
manner of one for whom the world had
offered its pleasures to safety, and who
had not learned to look for life's pur.
pose in duty. The little world OF
Claireville spoke well of Leonard Wat
son. The girls admired his courtly
gallantry, his polished manner, and
honeyed, words; the young men APP
plauded his generosity, his horses, and
his good temper; the older heads were
ready to worship his wealth, his birth,
and position; only here and there a word
was whispered of late revels at Fair
bank, of an occasional lapse into inc
briefly, or dropping hint that ''young
Watson was living too fast
There were many bright bellies who
cherished secret belief of Leonards
marked preference, yet the gay heart
was untouched, the Travelled taste I'M
satisfied and he was free man, in
word or thought, as he sauntered up
the fair at Claireville with Amy's
letter upon his breast.
1t was night, and he was alone in
the library of his spacious house before
he recollected the missive; then, with
an indolent curiosity, he drew it forth.
Some fiat schoolgirl verses" he NUT
tered, cor worse, dose of flattery
yelled by an incognita."
At first he read with lazy express
sion of mockery upon his lips, but, as
the lines were traced with earnest
care, so, as he read, the mans soul was
reused to thought and interest. Hot,
angry fushes chased each other over
his brow, yet he did not finch; every
word of the appeal, though it stung
him with its scorching truth and search
ing questions, was perused faithfully,
till, at the end, the dainty signature,
sc Your sincere friend" found him seri-
GUS and sad.
at is all true," he said, in a low
tone, rising and pacing the floor with
quick yet even steps. AZ AM wasting
all Gods blessings squandering my
wealth foolishly; undermining my
health wickedly; finging my best
years away in folly, if not vice. How
she writes! and her dear
brother seems from her very heart.
Who wrote it! Ha! the same hand on
The envelope as inside, and it was directed
by Amy Greyson. Amy Greyson! 1
always thought her a merry, light
hearted CHILD! but this-this is the
etter of noble, earnest, Christian
WOMAN. How beautifully she writes!
Yet-yet how she despises me! How
she lashes my follies and vices! With
what bitter sarcasm she questions my
counsel yet how earnestly she i'm
plores me TO pause while there is yet
lime, and think of where the path 1
read will lead me! Think! All, she
mas raised a train of thought now that
will not die-that / can never quiet
again! Conscience is alive now, and
here is no more careless folly for me"
Up and down, pacing sometimes with
he slow tread of earnest thought, again
.apidly crossing and re-crossing the
,oOm, his foot falling with passionate
emphasis, he spent the hours till long
,fter midnight, and when, at last, he
ought his own room, Leonard Watson,
or the first time in many years, knelt
md implored Gods blessing ON his res
buttons for the future.
Claireville wondered what had "come
,ver" the young millionaire. Old ten
lnts, who had been wont to look upon
heir young landlord as an easy-going
camp, began to open their eyes over
anitary improvements in their lowly
ZONES: charity appeals began to find
ready response at the large house;
nusty. books, that had long given his
'ffice name, now began to fulfill their
mission, as the young lawyer loaded |
lis brains for service old friends won
Tered how Leonard could preserve his
,enial brightness, his generosity, wit,
md grace, yet hold the reins on his |
ollies with such strong, firm hand;
lew acquaintance spoke warmly of |
he conscientious, able young advocate,
Who was steadily working his way to
But i'll one house there were tears of |
thanksgiving, prayers of humble praise,
IS Amy Greyson heard from every
ongue of the reform in that noble |
Toung life; and when, after a years |
words of love and petition |
greeted her as the young lawyer i'm
,lered her TO be his wife-to aid him
~ her love and presence in maintain
ng the new life he owed to her sug-
.estions, she humbly thanked Heaven
or the impulse that had prompted her
o write the letter Leonard Watson
ound in the post-office at the Claire
lille fair.
JUVENILE PENETRATIoN.-T were |
Gated in the parlor conversing in the