Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-11-30

prlueu nerScI greatly on ner SELF
control.
will chose his own way and walked
in it. I am entirely guiltless in the
matter"
"Yes, that is your way. I never
knew you. in your whole life, to own
up you was in the wrong. Every
body around has got to knuckle TO
you. I never did, thank fortin'l I
was the only one in fathers family
that wasn't afraid to cross you. And
1 am the best friend you had amongst
'em, and you know it; for can't see
you plungin' tight into ruination,
without warnin' you. You know /
warned you about Willie before your
quarrel. told you he was high
spirited, and he wouldn't stand it, to
be treated rs you was a treatin' him.
You tried to get him completely un-
der your thumb. jest as you do every
body else. Wouldn't even let him
have friend here to see him. Made
home perfect place OF torment to
him. Wouldn't even let Kim read his
books in peace" He paused out of
| breath.
WAS it my duty quietly remark
ed Mrs. Wilmer, ~to allow him to fill
my house with his worldly. ungodly
companions, wicked books, and
novels?"
@To begin with, 1t wasn't your
house. 1t was Willis, your husbands.
And it was the uncle that brought
him up and started him in life, that
you objected to, that last goin' on;
and it was jest about that time, that
you burnt up whole set OF Dickens
stories. I've always been glad that
Will run away from you, always"
"Hushl The children will hear
you"
Uncle Ephraim lowered his voice a
trifie; but went on with as much
earnestness as ever.
II stood by you, in that tro ublc. as
well rs I knowed how to. Not that
you needed any help, in the line OF
worldly affairs; for he left you and
the children a handsome property;
every cent he had. anyway. There
wasn't mean hair in Wills head.
Gut stood by you, though 1 knew
you had brought your troubls on
your own head. Nobody ever heard
a lisp from me, that Will wasn't
drowndcd,, as folks s'posc. And /
never have mentioned n wcrd OF
what he iold me that night. He was
going away, just as 1 happened to
come to your house on a visit, as yon
know. l met him Mt the gate, lookin'
like a ghost, and you in the house.
lookin like another one. / stood by
you. and helped you bear your trou-
ble, the best could. But il you get
yourself into another scrapc, and are
loft alone in your old age. you won't
have me TO boar your company"
"You need not be afraid of my
troubling you in any way!" haught-
lily answered his listener.
But he went on, without mindinS
the withering tone in which she pro-
nounced these last words.
There's Charley. l hain't hardly
seen him sense come here. And
folks tell me that you are so hard on
him, make home ouch place OF tor
ment to him. that he won't stay here
any more than he can help: and tnat
lie is out in the street nights, with
bad company, n gamblin and drink
in"
"He can't blame me for his wicked
ness. II he dies a gambler. / never
allowed him TO play game OF any
kind at home. burned up his chess
men. and his dominoes, and checker
board, rs fast as he would bling them
home, and would do 1t again"
Yes" said Uncle Ephairm. shat is
jest your way. And there's your girl.
Why, if / should treat my Nett us
you treat her, / should expec, she
would run away and disgrace me.
shouldn't expect nothin' else. I've
watched you pretty close these two
days, aid tell you plain. tho dispo-
sition you show to that girl is jest the
same that drove Will away 1t Is a
devilish disposition; it is sardonix
Yes" he repeated, with greater
earnestness. "it is sardonix. You
make your home a perfect prison
house. And il you'll take my advice.
you'll turn around and let little
sunshine into It. n you don't, you'll
be sorry. / hain't seen you give eth
er OF your children look that
wasn't reproacbful and complaining.
1 hain't seen you give them o bright,
cheerful, pleasant word, sense I've
been here. You won't allow your
girl to dress any different from an old
woman; won't let her have any amuse-
ment whatever; won't let her have
any young com oanions. Why, it is
jest as natural for yonng hearts to
want to flock together, as it is. in the
spring OF tho year, for robins. and
blue jays, and bobolinks, to sing at
one time"
"Ycs, You would advise me to let
her 60 to perdition: lose her soul,
with the rest OF the lost souls around
here"
"Sister Ann 1t hain't for you, nor
me, to say whose souls are lost, and
whose amt
Il never thought should hear you
uphold ungodly pleasures, Ephraim."
Il don't uphold 'em, and you know
don't. But tell my little girl, that
IL am elder in the church, that's no
reason she shouldn't havs innocent
mirth and gayety, when it comes
In her way. She loves her old father,
bless her; and she loves the feller
she is engaged to, rs likely a young
minis ter as there is In the State. And