Smyrna times., 1877-06-06
A Singular Coincidence.
BY ARCHIE A. DC BOIS.

" Gracious how the wind does howl"
said my father, drawing lis chair closer to
the fire, and poking the cmbers with the
tongs TO make them blaze.
And tl.e wind dd howl-sweeping
furiously up and down the street, and
clamorously rafting thc window shutters
along its path, while the rain descended in
torrents. Now and then, shingles loosened
from some neighboring roof, came clatter-
ing down and occasionally the hasty foot
steps Of q beiated pedestrian could be
heard along the street; adding to the con-
fusion of the conflicting elements.
"Ughr' l exclaimed, "it's terrible
night;'' and then following my fathers
example, pulled my chair nearer the
fire.
Its cheerful warmth made our cozy little
sitting room paradise Of comfort, and the
warfare of the clements without only
served to heighten this feeling.
Said my father: at was just such a
night as this, two years ago, that old Mr..
Markle turned his son Jack out of doors !;
you recollect it, don't you, Harry
II do, indeed. We were both at his
house"
eyes, and the witnesses of a most dis
graceful scene. 1t is true, Jack was a
bad boy, but, as told Mr.. MarlIle then, 1
think he was too hasty with the lad"
$50 do /; but what put such a thing in
your head to night-the storm?"
"No; I read in the paper to-day that he
was arrested last night, and is now in Jail
awaiting his trial for attempted burglary" "
Indeedr'
Yes, poor fellow; his downward career
is very rapid"
I should judge so. lie is worse than l
thought
No worse than could be expected u
said my father, its the natural influence
Of bad company, and that he went with
wicked young men and often returned
home far from sober, was the reason his
father disowned him. Profgate com
pany will ruin young man very quickly
He soon gets to drinking and gambling
and then his downfall is almost certain
Rum and cards are the curse OF our land.
"YOu don't believe in moderate drink
ers, then"
No; there is rarely a man who posses
ses firmness enough to drink a glass o
liquor and then stop, no matter what hi
10 manu-, COW bc,u fhoir o,,
treaties. Besides, scientific men state tha
alcoholic spirits open pores in the brail
that never after close, thus arousing al
undying appetite. A man may live
moderate drnIer for years, but ultimately
his grave will be that of drunkard."
Have you that announcement Of JAG
Markle's arrest?1
" Yes want to see it?"
" If you please"
lie handed me paper, and read tn
following:
Last night an attempt was made to ro
the house Of Mr.. Richard Slocum, No. 43
C street; but the thieves wei
frightened off before successful in efIectin
an entrance to the premises. Officer NJ
Ginnis chased man seen fleeing from th
vicinity, and, after hard run, capture
him. He gave the name Of Jack MarlSl
and acknowledged part in the attemptC
robbery"
handed the paper back to father, sa
ing, mo doubt it is he."
No doubt of it," was the reply.
Soon after this retired to my room,
finish reading book had borrowed, al
was to return on the morrow.
Stirring the fire and lighting my lam
opened the volume and commenced up'
its pages.
1t must have been very interesti
book-very interesting, indeed, for we
to sleep over it. Every minute or SO I
head dropped forward and then wou