The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-06-16
THE COLUMBIAN, VOL. X, NO. "a
COLUMBIA DEMO ORAT, vol. XII, NO. Is

THE tNllylIM BlRNs WIN. ~
r COLUMBIA DEMO ORAT, vol. XII, NO. is
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"Hany," said Joe, while the tears gathered
in his eyes, and his voice quiyered at the
sight of the poor boys suffering here isa
package Of letters, the evidence have to
offer you of the truth of the sad story l, have
told you tonight. Among the first you will
find Alice's confession Of love for Charley
her sweet expression of devotion and al
fection for the man she afterward ruined
teen the cruel letter that blighted his hope
and destroyed his ambition. Next few
cold businoss-like lines from Mr.. Huntley,
informing him that his services are no longer
of value to his employers, and regretting the
necessity of dscharging him. Last of all,
few disjointed words in Chareys own hand
writingi in which he announces his intention
of self-destruction, and begs me to break the
story of his death gently to his mother, and
shield his memory, if possible, from the
obloquy that attaches itself to the name of a
suicide, Tehn, Harry, here is a newspaper.
In one column you will find a paragraph
headed Fatal Accdent--Found Drowned
and description Of how poor Charley's body
was discovered when the waters gave up
their dead, and all that remained of the
beautiful form and gentle soul that so many
had known and loved was mass of
blackened and swollen corruption, cast by
waves on the harsh stones Of Staten Island
beach. In another column you will see
description of Miss Remson's elegant toilet
as she appeared that evening at the grand
charity ball at the Academy of Music"
Joe might have spared him this last pang.
He had done his work thoroughly He had
torn the veil of romance and purity from
Alice Refison's life and character, and ex-
posed her to Harry gaze as woman guilty
of the crime of driving a weak and gentle
soul to destruction by her heartlessness and
perfdy. 'N $40 ..'..'''
1'I will take these, Joe, and read them"
Then he turned, and with feeble un-
certain step, made his way toward the door.
But before he reached it his eyes caught the
uneasy anxious look with which Joe re-
garded him, and turning back, he laid one
hand on his friendss shoulder, and leaning
his head upon it, said in broken, faltering
voice ''hi'"
"Don't worry, joe You couldn't help ii.
/ will be all right in the morning" ''
Joe's grasp frightened on Harry's arm as
if to detain him, but the boy pushed his
hand gently aside. .-
"No; 1 am better alone. Let me go
now." . u. .. r." '' '
Then he went slowly down stairs, and the
door of his room closed tightly, shutting
him mall alone with his sorrow. But Joe's
door remained open all night, while the
wakeful ears of the faithful friend listened
anxiously. during the long hours for any
sound that might reach him from the ro ON
below. .
When morning came Harry was the first
to appear. However severe the struggle, it
was ended; however fierce the battle, it was
won. There was sterner look about his
brow, the frolicsome laugh was silenced for
ever; but there was 4 calm, steady light in
his blue eyes and q quiet manliness in his
bearing that had never been there before.
The eager words Of sympathy with which
Joe was prepared to greet him died before
they were spoken, and Harry was the first
to break the silence.
II could not write to her, Joe" he said,
passing his hand quickly across his forehead.
81 have enclosed the letters l have received
from her, together with the last one she
wrote Charles Howard. She will receive
them this morning. think she will under
stand what they mean. One question, Joe,
and We will never recur to the subject again.
Who paid Charles Howard's debts Of which
he speaks in his letter to you" .
Joe made no reply.
''Who takes care of the widowed mother
he left? Where is she ?" ....... ...
an Connecticut" ..
"Who takes care of her ?"
"She is under the impression that Charlie,
left some money behind him, of which sh,
receives the interest"
Through you?" ....
Again Joe made no reply.
If Joe had looked at Harry that mOmen
he would have seen in the glance of the
younger man, as it rested on his clumsy
frame and uncouth features, an expression
of admiration that amounted almost to rev
erence. ...
| "And out OF your meagre salary as u tutol
at the college you have for years supported
that poor old woman. Joe," said Harry, re-
lapsing for moment into his old boyisl
simplicity of manner, "what makes you SC
| good?'
With far-Oh, earnest look in his homely
eyes, the elder man replied;
81 am, as you know, Harry, no religion
ist; | have no creed, never attend church
But, hundreds Of years ago, there wandered
about on the shores of the Mediterranean
sea, Jewish carpenters son, and the word,
that fell from His lips possessed such 4 won.
deriul power and sweetness that the people
who listened to Him said he was divine
Once, in addressing His disciples as they as.
sisted Him in His efforts to succor the sick
and helpless, He said, 'nasmuch as ye have
done it unto one Of the least of these, We
have done it unto me- If there be another
world beyond this, where we shall find each
other again, l would like to meet and know
Him there"
For a few minutes there was no other
word spoken. Then Joe looked at Harry's
sad features and weary frame as he rested
agains the mantle-piece, and, looking up at
the little face above them, said, ...'
christmas is coming. Let us go and
spend it with the mother and Mabel And
they did so. And Mabel cried bitterly when
she heard Harrys story from Joes lips, and
the tears were half fer Harry and half for