The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-08

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 with what wild and unfor-
giving words be had driven him
away.
Years passed away. No tidings' came
of the fugitive. The mother, yearn-
ing for her frstborn, dfooped and died;
and the only remaining son soon after
ward was drowned. Two daughters mar
ried and went away, and Mr.. Phillips was
left alone. 1t was not possible that con-
science did not sometimes bring back the
image of that poor boy, ss 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-
tion against his son; and instead of pity
ing him for being castaway, he only
pitied himself for not being able to keep
up the family name
At last there came a day when even
Mr.. Phillips proud spirit was crushed.
More than the loss of wife and children,
did this trial bow him to the earth. Loss
after loss had come to him in his busi-
ness, until at length he was obliged to
| give up all into the hands Of his credi-
tors. He surrendered everything -
house and household goods, not even
taking the benefit which the law allowed
him. Yet there were not wanting some
among the injured, who openly asserted
their belief that Mr.. Phillips had actu-
ally saved money by the operation, and
even cited his utter REIMBURSEMENT of
all visible property as proof that he
was remunerat-d by that which was un-
seen.
His friends forsook him; one by one
dropping off, unable to vouch for his
innocence His health failed, and even
if it had not, he could not have witnessed
the public sale which was now an
nounced, of his household treasures.
He had tortured himself by throwing
into his creditors hands even little tri-
fling menlentos of the past - literally
leaving everything in his house, save his
own clothing and his private desk, which,
whatever others thought, contained little
but family letters, and the miniature
of little child, with curl of golden
hair at the back of the locket. That
child Oh, if he could but now recall
the past! If he had but spoken kindly
and forgivingly, that child might now
have been near to save his gray hairs
from shame and disgrace.
, There was, as we have said, public
sale. 1t comprised the store and house,
: hold goods, and included valuable
, horse, which Mrs. Phillips failing health
, had induced him to buy, and which he
would not part with after her death.
{ The man had tender spot in his leart
, after all. His first question, when the
man who had been his clerk came into
D his solitary room at a boarding house,
the night after the sale, was:-
: "Who bought FLEETWOOD"
h 81 did not know the man, sir. He
4 was stranger. There were many
: strangers there, and did not learn the
name of him who purchased the horse
a lie was in the house good part of thu
. time, and noticed that he bid for 1
J. number of things"
81 hope Fleetwood has kind MASTER
n observed Mr.. Phillips, after pause.
a The clerk was going, but returned
g after short palley with some one at tn
,e door.
q Here's man, sir, who wishes you t.
meet him at the house you occupied, q
le half-past nine this evening""
,e "What can any one want of me there?
is said Mr.. Phillips, with an uneasy ges
is ture.
Id 81 cannot tell, sir. did not know tn
t. man, but from the dim glance | had of hir
I'd at the door, should say it was the ma
le who was bidding upon the horse when
d; came away, and the same who bougl
10 FLEETWOOD
lie 81 must go, suppose; yet, if he is
lie gentleman, l should hardly think b
ID would expose me to the pain of goin
oy there"
Mr.. Phillips walked to his own hous
he with trembling steps. lie looked old ar
be feeble, like man who had numbere
to twice his years. He reached the do
to that once opened to his familiar touc
ly and rang the bell. The woman who ha
ed SO long kept his house opened it, al
ad ushered him to the sitting room. fro
which, years ago, he had ordered b
ed boy from his sight forever.
he This thought flashed into his mind, al
he was more vivid, from the circumstan
RS of his own armlScha being removed o