The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-04-24
otherwise have escaped through ignorance


at times, perhaps; not from inclination Oh
inbred love Of vice, but because the seeth.
ing, burning soul within him needed some
outlet, and there was no gentle hand to
guide it into its proper channel.
The one loving heart his sister Mag, was
far away; and Rob, despite all his spas.
modic struggles to do right, drifted from
one sin to another, until one bright Spring
"a debt of honor, the silly boy termed it,
hanging over him and no hopes of escape.
He sat in the hot, busting warehouse.
behind his desk, his blood boiling at fever
heat. A stately vessel rode at anchor in
the haIbor, happy men and women on its
deck. An insane, evermastering desire
took possession of him-to 60 out upon the
shining, breezy sea, away from toll and
dishonor. Once freed, he would begin a
new life. and make a man of himself.
The temptation grew stronger each mo-
ment, and he grasped the thick, yellow
envelope lying on his desk, with a frantic,
nervous clutch. 1t contained sum OF
money accruing to his uncle from the firm,
which had just been entrusted in his hands
to deposit in the bank Not a 'a"ge sum,
but more than enough to clear him OF dc b;,
and to send him far away to some happy
country where his new life was to begin.
The devils tempts ton, having once been
admitted, grew stronger and stronger; and
at last, as the big guns signalled the ships
departure, he snatched up the envelope and
dashed out into the open air.
Before noon the gallant steamer was far
out at sea, and Rob stood upon her deck;
not joyous at his new found freedom, but
while painting, fully conscious of the terri
BILE deed he had done; with one thought
piercing his soul like poisoned arrow-a
thought of his noble hearted father, who
slept under the chestnut trees. How, he
asked himself over and over again. would
he look down from heaven on this act of
his? The heaven, where his dead father
abode, was terribly real to this poor, erring
child. "Do what you may, Rob, never
stain your soul with dishonesty" He could
hear the very words as his father used to
speak them. And now, he had stolen, he
was common thief. He gazed down into
the blue, ripping water, with an insane
desire to end all with one mad plunge, but
that would not clear his soul. There was
but one way, and slowly but steadfastly he
came to the decision; he would return to
his uncle, confess his sin, and ask his par
don.
A hard thing for a proud young soul like
his, but better that, than to go all his life
with the black stain upon his soul.
When the vessel reached New York har
Dor, he was the first to leap ashore, and by
the first outgoing train he started for the
village where his uncle lived. Arriving
there, he found the little place in a perfect
whirlwind; but lie went straight to his
uncles house. The minister met him with
unfeigned amazement.
" You, Robert ?'
eyes SIR
"And my money?'
81 have brought it all back, all to a small
sum, and III soon repay that. l was wrong
uncle" His dark eyes filling, and his lips
quivering like girls. Forgive me-
But the minister's face hardened. "No,"
speaking slowly and deliberately, and sig
mailing waiting detective, the law shall
take its course
The detective came up, and touched the
lad on the shoulder; he turned without a
word, and walked beside yard or two;
then, thinking of his father, of Mag and
the proud name he bore, he looked back,
Uncle, the devil tempted me and yielded.
IT'S the first time and it shall be the last.
Forgive me, for my fathers sake and
Mays"
"No, it would not be just"
The boy ground his teeth with fiery
flush on his dark cheek and hard look in
his eyes, and went on to his trial and from
thence to prison.
So the case went on. Mag, working hard
at her arduous duties, heard of it one day
through letter from her uncle, in which
he stated in very plain terms, her brothers
deep disgrace. She came at once, her
uncle meeting her at the doorway of his
clean, orderly home.
81 expected you, niece. Come in; but
scrape your feet first, and shake your cloak,
please" he said, by way of welcome.
Mo- rir1 IF nj
and fortitude in her quiet way; SO she
obeyed, and then, entering the vault-like
sitting room, sat down and listened to a
sickening detail of her brothers sin, and a
long homily on human depravity in general.
When he had finished, she went down on
her knees before him, with clasped hands,
and streaming eyes.
But the good man was just, and inexor-
able; his mind was made up, and he would
not change it.
The girl rose up, with a flashing light in
her meek eyes, and made her way through
the rain, down to the prison.
"Oh, Robr'
"Oh. Mag
And then they sobbed and wept in each
others arms.
mag, you'll forgive me!'
eyes, yes Rob-" showering kisses on
his hair and forehead.
81 know how it all was; don't trouble
to tell me. You didn't mean it, and God
will forgive you"
"And father, Mag?' he questioned.
/" He can see like God now, and will for
give you too, Rob-"
"But the disgrace, Mag; think of that
and I've brought it on you, too. Oh, uncle
was cruel; he might have saved me-"
And thus talking they whiled away an
hour, at the end of which poor Mag was
forced into the rainy street. She paused a
yard or two beyond the prison, irresolute
AS to what she should do Go back to her
uncle's she would not and she was too
proud to force herself upon any of her
friends at such time.
So, she stood there, looking drearily
Jnwp tho rainy