Litchfield enquirer., 1876-05-18
Darkqess agd Light.

"Leave the house instantlyr You are no son of mine from this time. I will not harbor one who has thus degraded himself, and disappointed me-"
 Hard words were these from the lips of any one; still harder from those of a father.
 MT. John Phillips was proud man proud of himself, of his family, of the reputation he had acquired for honesty and upright dealing, and of the notice he received from people who were just astep farther up the ladder of fortune than himself. To increase his wealth and consequence, he had ground down his family to the most pitiful and pinch ing straights in private, to atone for ex- penditures to meet the public gaze with ashow of riches, that honestly belonged to his wife and children for their ordi- nary comfort.
 His eldest boy was placed in a store where there were many other clerks. Young Phillips scanty clothing, his evil dent destitution of money, even to with holding penny from poor child when others gave freely, accorded ill with the reports of his fathers wealth; and the lads sometimes touched the sorest place in Samuel Phillips heart. by representing him with sordidness. -...'..
 One day cold, wintry day-a little girl, shivering and pale, came into the store. Her wan, blue look touched his heart with pity. He had money in his hand, but it was not his own. How could he send her away? He thrust two gilt tering half dollars into her hand, and bade her go and buy some wood. The money he thought could be replaced; but he was watched by another lad who was glad of an opportunity to degrade him, and when the cash sales were made up that night, young Carroll reported that the missing dollar was taken. by Samuel Phillips. ... .... .....
 The boys bushes and confusion as he tried to make an honest statement of the case, were taken for guilt; and note to to his father, which he was obliged to take home from his employer, distinctly told that MT. Sampson no longer wished to employ 8 person in his store who had been guilty of stealing.
 In his first passion Mir. Phillips uttered the above words to his son. In vain he pleaded why he did it. Perhaps the excuse embodied more sin in his fathers eyes, than the deed itself. To give dollar to beggar! What an enormityl And then, that John Phillips son should so outrage his fathers good name! The mans pride was stronger than the pa rents affection. Samuel took him at his word; and that very night, in the cold and darkness. the boy set off, mak- ing his first st ep into the unknown fu. ture of hislife.
 Had his father but believed him, point ed out what was wrong in his act, and forgaye him for it's mixtures of good, his son might never have sinned again. His pride and cruelty sent him forth, wan derer. distrusting all, holding in his heart 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 disap- peared for . time, and would soon be with them again, glad enough to return and ask pardon for his conduct. He did not tell her win what. wild and pnfor- giving words he had driven him away.
 Years passed away. No tidings came of the fugitive. The mother, yearn- ing for her frstborn, dropped and died; and the only remaining son soon after ward was drowned. Two daughters mar ried and went away. and Mf. Phillips was left alone. Itwas not possible that con science did not sometimes bring back the image of that poor boy, as he stood trembling that night under the weight of his first crime. A crime, too, com mitted under the influence of the best feelings, and with full intention of re- pairing. But pride kept up his indigna-