Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-05-07

too late the full cost OF "seeing the folly
of it."
His father had walked him in the paths
of virtue by keeping hold OF his coat-col-
lar; and when the holding hand was
gore, he was like structure without
props. He tippled q little-genteelly, OF
course. and as a sort OF declaration OF in
dependence. He gambled little, in an
amateurish way,-more for the lascinat-
ing flavor of unlawlulness than with any
settled purpose. And in general way
he "ssw life,n to the death OF his own
best purposes and high resolves.
His very generosity became his enemy,
for he was generous before he was just.
Tne open hand and the fee heart lost the
gtsce that characterizes them, through
tue debts unpaid and the just claims dis
topored that were back of them. At the
end vi five swiftly -psssipg years Morti-
mer Sewall found his business, bis credit,
and his st'nding, all gone.
His letters home had grown less and
less frequent and definite IN ther inlor'
msion, aud vague reports that the absent
soo was "a little wild" had disturbed
and distressed the homo circle. His
mo,her wrste TO him kindly admonitions,
copcnet in The gentle and guarded words
win which the mo, he heart seeks 10
smother its own fears, and win back,
without apparently mistrusting. the way
we'd 500.
Spe c. ,riCd her sorrow and her fear 10
tbs c'o,et-that unlaiiiug refuge Of
heas y-lsden mothers. Sho plead with
bec God, by the love OF his own Son. to
soee tsrs. Before tho sacred, secret ALTA
o, tue bome-with mothers bowing there,
win ,,sle faces and streaming eyes
p'.bt arei night, year alter year: grow
ids old, aud weak, and sad, and still
pcavng Oh with constant hope and ser.
eIesI iai,h-before such spectacle, re-
pe,led thrOUga almcst two thorsand
yeas. e,ea The bo'dest skepticism should
be limi6, and the loudest scoffer dumb.
Does rot toe survigal OF the spirit of
payer. .brocgh so many centuries OF
as, 'O4-otIen 'guorant, misdirected and
ir0ilsss-to,n,sn high proof OF the Div
iuly OF the iOp1lse and tho deathessness
OF ia'th7 There is nothing so sad In the
universe as the ratbo. Of unanswered
prayer. AID yet it does not quench the
faitp lnat cries: Though lie slay me,
ye, will trust in Him ~
Bat what preoept ard example had
f.i'ed 10 do for Mortimer, prayer did not
accomplish. He drifted from one occt-
p,.:"r 10 another, sometimes foc the boz
I, , uJt generaiy Tor The worse, until be
VS. in DANCE Ut that rOst disastrous o.
all bsnk, Oploies: The loss OF bis seli-re-
specl. Thai degradation he was saved
from by judicious friend, at the outbreak
OF tne war.
1t was impossible to know bis generous
nature, and the fine qualities ol his mind,
without liking him in spite of his faiings.
A man who will share his lsst dollar with
you- who will strip off bis overcoat and
give it TO poor sbiveliog wretch that
peeds it more-whose eyes grow moist
with qDick-spriugiug tears at the sight OF
s0feriug, or blaze with indignation at
the recital of wrocg-who Is free from
shirkiug. meauuess or cant-such a mao
is pIe-e emineutly worth sayiog.
So thought Mortimer S FREUD Rogers,
rs be net him on the morning Of the Sec
ond call lor troops.
Mort" be said bIuntly, you've had
good advice enough wasted on you to
save 3 regiment Of worse fellows. LIS
TO use. Wafer of from duck, you
kcuw. But you have got to switch of,
o. you're a gouer, and you know it,
Yol 10 on heavy down grade, and the
brakes don't take hold. You'd better en-
list. It's your last chance. Ifyou won't
do it, il mp into The river while you're en-
i:led 10 a decent obituary. That's my
advice. Good bye"
Ard without waiting for q word. his
iIie1d passed on, leaving Mortimer TO re.
cover from the shock and apply the hard
wo: DIS alone.
Rogers is brute" he said to himself;
"Oct be tells the truth"
He went directly to headquarters and
enrolled bis name iu an outgoing regi-
meat.
There's little conspiracy among my
fiends 10 get me shot," he thought. las
the s5or' est cut out oil this wretched
IA lie cal:ed life. But there's no such
good luck foe them. The worthless fell
10 US bear charmed lives-aud Pn heavily
ipslred 10 that line"
To The war he went, and made faith
iul soldier. But though he never shirked
duty, nor sbrauk from danger, he felt
no deep interest in the cause.
I'm q baInl-out man." he said to q
co 10 rade, one day "there's no sap nor
heat ia me. Morally, I'm punk. aud not
so0ud wood"
That Sewall has the stuff for soldier
in him." said his colonel, "but he bears
paramount allegiance to-tbe bottle; a
ood fellow to every body but himself"