The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-11-16
and the lawlessness that daily shocks
ones ears, these times.'

| Ouc eSF1, Iuos0 LINES.
The generous hearted man answere,
very gently, as he folded his napkin
after his careful manners: 9S -
Hate the sin but pity the sinner
Human nature is pretty much tn,
same the world over. The best of il
would fail were it not bolstered up BY
propitious circumstances, associations
and religion. You know one of old
has said, 'Of all good gifts the great.
est is charity a a
Mrs. Ford arose from the table with
slightly hurt expression upon her
face. In charity, as she understood it,
she was one Of the most charitable, az
the many institution for home and
foreign misslons, which she so gener.
ously supported, would have loudly
reiterated and one Of the most sym
pathetic, too, in what she called the
visitations of God, unavoidable losses,
sickness, death, but charity for human
weaknesses and errors had no place
nor part in her nature. She was proud
of her own rectitude of purpose and
life. Herself, with all her connections
were honorable, industrious, well-to-
do, law-abiding people. All. did i
say2 There was one, a younger broth
er, that had caused much trouble in
this well regulated family circle. So
the latent fire had broken out near
the sources of his being aud sent his
hopes, desires and passions bubbling
way over the prescribed limits of his
kin. His father wished him to follow
in his footsteps; but he scorned the
slow life of farmer Then he ap-
prenticed him to trade from this he
ran away aud eluded all search. They
never heard from him again, emily
once, casually, that, mere boy as he
was, he had enlisted in the Union ar
my. They followed up the clue. 1t
ended on the bloody field Of Antietam.
He had fought bravely there and was
among the missing. They were never
again troubled with their wild boy
He had nobly shed his blood for his
country. That washed away all his
misdemeanors, and left him enshrined
in their hearts, q hero.
One event that occurred in the sue.
ceeding fortnight, has left deep and
painful impression upon my mind.
There had been some petty larcenies
committed by the tramps heretofore
mentioned. Some attempts had been
made toward arrests; but only one
prisoner was secured, and he, poor
was too ill to fee or resist. Upon ex-
animation no proofs could he found
against him, other than that he was
tramp and had been with the others.
The fellow was discharged, but was
really too ill to be sent off or even re.
moved from the Jail. 1t was very like
ly that when he act forth Oh his Jour-
ney again the old clothes and the
body would be laid aside.
Mrs. Ford, when she became aware
of this, felt it to be her duty as an ac-
tive Christian woman to seek out this
sinner and read the Scrip
lures and pray with him. .s- ~
Accordingly she with her hymn
book and Bible and myself visited the
Jail and were admitted into the sick
room.
Poor fellow = said, going to the
bedside and taking his hot hand in
nine as glanced into his face.
poticed that it was a kindly face
md rather handsome, but lacking
somewhat in the expression of firm
ness and stability. The features were
good, and the fair hair waved in q
ooyish fashion over his forehead, and
with his helplessness gave him the
appearance of being much younger
han he was.
He smiled gratefully in response to
ny words; but as Mrs. Ford stepped
Onward, he grew sullen and turned
way his head.
Go away + he said fretfully. "You
night have helped me once. You
amt nowp '.-'
lie was our tramp, but so improved
)y clean clothes and the absence of
he villainly-looking slouche6 hat,
hat would not have recognized him.
glanced at Mrs. Ford and then ut
cred little cry, Her face was death
y white and . great surprise and hor-
.or looked from her eyes. The next
instant she was bending over the bed.
Tell me- she said, in an eager, start
ed voice. what is your name?'
Never you mind my name. 1t is as
good aud honest one as even you can
boast, and not used to being dragged
N the mud"
rs it Robert --?'
The question was asked in a hoarse
whisper but the man stared as though
/ had been the shock of an earth
quake.
'How? What p he said confpsedly,
ooking sharply into his face; then q
sudden light shOne in his eyes, and his
ips murmured word SO low that 1
lid not hear.
The woman was kneeling by the
bedside now; and, buried her face in
Ter hands and groaned in shame and
sorrow.
A moment after she raised her head
md, looking into his face, said in a
Ditiful voice of pain:
THAT you should ever come to this,
my brother!'
i turned TO leave the room then ;but
ne mOtiOned for me to stay, then he
spoke aloud to Mrs. Ford:
I'm sorry, Sarah. I didn't know
you lived here or I wouldn't have