The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-09-27

the master who held him.
At last the men were told to return
to the house, and thithsr, by diff r.
ent path, was George led till they en-
tered a small, poorly furnished room.
The walls were covered with books, as
the bright flames of the fire revealed to
the anxious gaze of the little culprit
The clergyman lit lamp and surveyed
his prisoner attentively. the lads
eyes were fixed ou the ground while
Mr.. Lsyton's wandered from his pale,
pinched face to his scanty, raggid at
tire, through the tatters of which he
could discern the thin limbs quivering
from cold or fear: and when at last,
impelled by curiosity az the 'olg si
lence. George looked up. there Was
something SO sadly compassionate in
the strangers gaatie 10 ok, that ths boy
could scarcely believe Ch..1 he viSr.4l
J tie man whose evidence bal mliLiy
contributed to traapsort his father. At
the trial he had been unable to Sc his
face, and nothing so kind had ever
gazed upon him. His proud bad feel
ings were already nothing.
"Ynu look half-starved," said Mr..
Legion; "draw near to the fire; you
can sit down on that stool while ques
tion you, and mind you answer me the
truth. am not magistrate, but of
course 1 could easily hand ycu over to
justice if you will not allow me to ben
eft you in my own way"
George stood still twisting his ragged
cap in bis trembling hand, and with
so much emotion depicted on his face
that the good clergyman resumed, in
more soothing accent. 81 have no wish
to do you any but good, my poor boy;
look up at me and see if you can trust
lie; you need not thus be frightened.
| ouly desire to hear the tale of misery
which YOUR appearance indicates and
relieve you if can"
Here the young culprit's heart smote
him Was this the man whose house
he tried to burn? On whom he had
wished to bring ruin and perhaps
death2 Was it snare spread for him
to lead to confession2 But when lie
looked on that grave compassionate
countenance he felt that it was not so.
"Come my lad, tell me all, said the
minister.
George had for years heard but little
but oaths, and curses. aud ribald jests,
or the thief's jargon of his fathers as
sociates, and had been constantly
cuffed and punished; but the better
part of his nature was not extinguished /;
and at those words from the mouth of
his enemy he dropped on his knees,
and clasping his hands. tried to speak,
but could only sob. He had not wept
before during that day of anguish,
and now his tears gushed forth so free
Iy, bis grief was so passionate as he half
rested on the floor, that the good
questioner saw that grief must bave
its course ere calm could be restored.
The young penitent still wept, when
knock was heard at the door. and
lady entered. 1t was the clergyman's
wife. He kissed her, and she asked
him how Ee had succeeded with the
wicked man in Jail.
"He told me-" replied Mr.. Leyton,
"that he had son who.e fate torment
ed him more than his punishment.
Indeed, his mind was SD distracted
respecting the youth, that he was
scarcely able to understand my exhor-
tations. He entreated me with agoni-
zing energy to save his son from such
a life as be had led, and gave me the
address of woman in whose house he
lodged. l was, however, unable to
find the boy in spite of many inquiries"
"Did you hear the namef" asked
the wife.
"George West" replied the minis
ter.
At the mention OF bis name, the boy
ceased to sob. Breathlessly he heard
the account of his fathers last request
of the benevolent clergyman's wish tc
fulfill it. He started up, ran to the
door, and endeavored to open it. Mr..
Mr. Leyton calml, restrained him.
"You must not try to escape" he
said.
Il cannot stop here. l cannot bear
to look at you. Let me goi" The Lac
said this wildly, and shook himself
away.
why, 1 intend you nothing bu
kindness"
, A new flood of tears gushed forth
} and Geogre West said, between hi
sobs:
while you were searching for me
to help me 1 was trying to burn you
in your house. l cannot bear it." He
sunk on his knees and covered his fac
, with both hands,
: There was long silence, for Mr.
} and Mrs. Leyton were as much moved
as the boy, who was bowed down wit,
= shame and penitence, to which hither.
to he had been a stranger.
J, At last the clergyman asked "Wha
3 could have induced you to commi
3 such a crimel"
, Rising suddenly in the excitement O
t his remorse, gratitude, and many feel
!. ings new to him, he hesitated for /,
o moment, and then told his story. 81,
o related his trials, his sins, his supposed
q wrongs, bis burning anger at the ter