The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-05-31

haps the excuse embodied more SIN III
his fathers eyes, than the deed itself.
To give a dollar to beggar! What
an enormity! And then, that John
Phillips son should so outrage his faith,
er's good name! The mans pride was
stronger than the parents affection.
Samuel took him at his word and
that very night, in the cold and dark
ness, the boy set off, making his first
steps into the unknown future of his
life.
Had his father but believed him,
pointed out what was wrong in his act,
and forgave him for its mixtures OF
good, his son might have never sinned
again. His pride and cruelty sent
him forth, wanderer, distrusting all,
holding in his heart a root of bitterness
which might turn his whole life to
gall.
When the family was aroused to the
conviction, the next morning, that
Samuel Phillips was actually gone, Mr..
Phillips tried TO soOth the distressed
mother with the thought that he had
only disappeared for time, and would
soon be with them again, glad enough
to return and ask pardon for his con-
duct. He did not tell her with what
wild and unforgiving words he had
driven him away.
Years passed away. No tidings
came of the fugitive. The mother,
yearning for her first-born, dropped
and died; and the only remaining son
soon afterward was drowned. Two
daughters married and went away, and
Mr.. Phillips was left alone. 1t was
not possible that conscience did not
sometimes bring back the image Of
that poor boy, as he stood trembling.
But pride kept up his indignation
against his son and instead of plying
him for being a castaway, he only
pitied himself for not being able to
keep up the family name.
At last there came a day that even
Mr.. Phillips proud spirit was crushed.
More than the loss of wife and chill
dren, did this trial bow him to the
earth. Loss after loss had come to
him in this business, until at length he
was obliged to give up all into the
hands of his creditors. He surrender
ed everything-housc and household
goods, not even taking the benefit
which the law allowed him. Yet there
were not wanting some among the in
jured, who openly asserted their belief
that Mr.. Phillips had actually saved
money by the operation, and even
cited his utter REIMBURSEMENT of all
visible property as proof that he was
remunerated by that which was unseen.
His friends foorsook him; one by one
dropping off, unable to vouch for his
innocence. His health failed, and even
if it had not, he could not have wit
messed the public sale which was now
announced, of his household treasures.
He had tortured himself by throwing
into his creditors hands even little tri-
fling mementos of the past-literally
leaving everything in his house, save
his own clothing and his private desk,
which, whatever others thought, con-
tanned little but family letters, and the
miniature of little child, with curl of
golden hair at the back of the locket.
That child Oh, if he could but now
recall the past If he had but spoken
kindly and forgivingly, that child
might now have been near to save his
gray hairs from shame and disgrace.
There was, as we have said, public
sale. 1t comprised the store and house
hold goods, and include a valuable
horse, which Mrs. Phillips failing
health had induced him to buy, and
which he would not part with after
her death. The man had a tender
spot in his heart after all. His first
question, when the man who had been
his clerk came into his solitary room
at a boarding house, the night after
the sale, was:
"Who bought FleetwoodF"
81 did not know the man, sir. He
was a stranger. There were many
strangers there, and l did not learn
the name of him who purhased the
house. He was in the house a good
part of the time, and 1 noticed that he
bid for a number of things"
81 hope Fleetwood has kind mas
ter" observed Mr.. Phillips, after a
pause.
The clerk was going, but returned,