The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1876-10-06
DARKNESS AND LIGHT.

Leave the house instantly - You
are no son of mine from this time.
Will not harbor one who has thus de
graded himself, and disappointed me. >
Hard words were these from the
lips of any one still harder from those
of father.
Mr.. 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 lie received from people
who were just step farther up the
ladder Of fortune than himself. To in
crease his wealth and consequence, he
had grouad down his family to the
most Epitiful and pinching straits in
private, to atone for expenditures to
meet the public gaze with show of
riches, that honestly belonged to his
wife and children for their ordinary
comfort
His eldest boy was placed in store
where there were many other clerks.
Young Phillips scanty clothing, his
evident restitution of money, even to
Withholding a penny from poor child
when others gave freely, accorded i'll
with the reports of his father S wealth,
and the lads sometimes touched the
sorest place in Samuel Phillips heart,
by reproaching him with sOrdidness.
One day-a cold, wintry day-a lit
tie 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 glittering half dollars into her
hand, and babe her 90 and buy some
wood. The money he thought could
be replaced but he was watched by
another lad who was glad Of an oppOr-
tunity to degrade him, and when the
cash sales We're made up that night,
young Carol reported that the missing
dollar was taken by Samuel Phillips.
The boy bushes and confusion as
he tried to make an honest statement
of the case, were taken for guilt; and
q note 10 his father, which he was
obliged to take home from his employ
er, distinctly told that Mr.. Sampson
no longer wished TO employ q person
in his store who had been guilty of
stealing.
In his first passion, Mr.. Phillips ut
tered the above words to his son. In
vain he pleaded why he did it. Per
haps the excuse embodied more sin in
his fathers eyes, than the deed itself.
To give 4 dollar to a beggar What
an enOrmity And then, that John
Phillips son should so outrage his IA.
theirs good name The mans pride
was stronger than the parents affec.
n or Ii
and that very night, in the cold and
darkness, the boy set off, making the
first step i'll the unknown future of his
ife.
Had his father hut bel.vyc. .i"f
pointed out what was wrong in ms
act, and fOrgaye him for its mixture
Of good, his son might never have sin
ned again. His pride and cruelty sent
him forth, a wanderer, distressing all
holding IN his heart root of bitter
ness which might turn his whole life
to gall.
When the family was aroused 10 the
conviction, the next morning, tina
Samuel Phillips was actually gone, Mr.
Phillips tried TO 60Othe the distressed
mother with the thought that he haC
only disappeared for time, and would
soon be with them again, glad enough
to return and ask pardon for his con
duet. He did not tell her with wha
wild AMI unforgiving words he haC
driven him away.
Years passed away. No tidings came
Of the fugitive. The mother yearnin.
for her tirstbOrn, dropped and died
and the only remaining son soon after
!, 4
were married and went away, and Mr.
Phillips was left alone 1t was no
possible that conscience did not some
times bring back the image of tina
poor boy, as he stood TREMBLING
that night under the weight of hi:
first crime. 4 crime, too. committee
under the influence of the best feel
ings, and with full intention of repair
ing. But pride kept up his indigna
ton against his son; and instead o
plying him for being a caStaway, III
only pitied himself for not being abb,
10 keep up the family name.
At last there came &av when ever
Mr.. Phillips proud spirit was crushed
More than the loss of his wife ant
children, did his trial bow him to TIL
earth. Loss after loss had come t,
him in his business, until at length h
was obliged to give up all into tn
hSnds Of his creditors. He surrender
Ell eYerything-house and househol,
goods not even taking the benefi
"hlch the law allowed him. Yet Their
were not wanting some among the in
lured. who openly asserted their be
lief that Mr.. Phillips had actuall
saved money by the operation. an