Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-11-12

house in the quiet distance shaded by the
old elms; he thought OF the life waiting
for him there OF dignity, love, holy work
and meditation. Must he be dragged
away from such fate to carry this vic
ious wretch Like body of death fast
ened TO his pure lite ? IL was hard. Yet
If IL was known that this man WAS his
brother, he could never ask Sarah 10 mar
~ him.
Captain Harbour. who had been pick
ing the lichen from the fence irresolutely,
spoke at last. No, don't mean 10 ask
tor money this time; that is, tor more
than would keep me from starving, I've
been lesch, know, I'm mean devil ;
you're right, Nick"
What brought you here, then ?"
What brought me here ?" suddenly
standing erect. Great God. look At me,
Pm brute. and Pm only thirty Do you
think never want TO be man again |?
It's not pleasant Tor you to see ne reeling
in the streets, lying in the bsr-rooms till
! pm kicked out-what is il TO mep can't
get on my feet again alone. and know
nobody who can help me-Dot man in
Gods world unless you do It,"
lie was silent. His face burned with
heat; great drops of sweat trickled down
his neck; the sham collar hung by one
corner like r wei rag. Mr.. Harbour eyed
the repulsive wretch with cold suspicion,
but said nothing.
IL was in New York last week.
thought: I'll 20 to Nick. He and nov
er were intimate. But he's clergyman
50 you area man OF God, you know.
thought you'd set me on my legs again
somehow" His voice broke little,
but he coughed, and took chew OF to-
bacco.
Still Mr.. Harbour did not speak.
81 have no claim on you. Nick ] know.
But We had the same mother once"
Nicholas's pale eyes flashed. 1--WE had
= mother, yes. Who was 1t that brought
her grey hairs o the grsveP have no
faith in you. John Harbour. I tno>o yoU.
This whining cant Of repentance is a
clever trick. but 1t does not impose upon
me. You wsnt me 10 bring you here
here at The sacrifice OF every chance OF
happiness have In life, and to carry you
dead weight. while you fool me with
promises Of reform. Reform? bah ~
Captain Harbour waited immovabe
until this TRADE was over. II occurred
to The clergyman that the slouched, bloat-
ed figure had certain dignity OF bearing
at lho moment. and he was startled by q
quick glance which reminded him of Jack. +.
his brother Jack, with whom be had
dept and played when they were very
little boys.
"Tha. will do. Nick" The captain
pu, on his cap. "We'll drop the subject,
now. if you please. | was mistaken.
Good bye"
Mr.. Harbour waited o moment irreso-
lutely. Where are you going now p' he
called roughly.
ITO the shop in the village. They've
some capital Bourbon there. | feel like
going oD big drunk TO- night"
Stop" walking to bis side. IN see
you in the morning, and pay your way
10 New York. Pll send you stated sum
monthly. as long AS you remain there"
"No. I'll take no more money from
you, Nick" and with q quietness which
startled his brother. and curiously added
TO his irritation. 1T won't take much to
buy whiskey enough TO make an end OF
it,"
"What do you mean ?"
But the captain, with bis half soldierly.
ha { drunken strut, was already out OF
hearing, crossing the swsmpy meadow.
The young Clergyman watched him.
There was whisper in his heart-"If thy
brother sin against thee. thou shaltforgive
him. Until seventy times seven"
HeadjuSted bis hat impaliently told him.
self there never was so worthless sot on
Gods earth, so damnable an incubus on
a decen. mans life. Which was. proba-
bly, true enough. Nicholas had been
solely tried and had borne his trial with
patience for years.
The meadow was sstretch of dark. deep
weeds, ,one or two old cedars grew in the
centre, and then gloomy shadow.
Mr.. Harbour suddenly remembered its
name. The cedar pasture. What was 1t
that he had heard OF an old shaft sunk for
iron, and not properly covered3 What II
poor Jack should tall into ilp He started
10 run after him. and then stopped sud-
denly.
bah! He's not born to that sort OF Ill
luck. I'll send him 10 New York to-mor-
row, and remit 10 him regularly. He'll
live TO goodly old age, to blacken m :
life."
He turned and walked towards town,
skirting the tied. His pace was angry
and hurried. Captain Harbour paused and
looked back ut him. In the red evening
glow the figure crossing the dreary field
stood out clear and dark.
"And that's my mothers son!" mutter.
ed John bitterly, "and my last chance. y
| He haard a stified Cry and starad tp;,b