Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-07-19

snoul 1iOu acquiring by falr means, and
when the first downward step was
taken, and the strong arm of the law
was raised against them, thypitying eve
mas Deheld the agony of their wives and
mothers; and whose pillows were wet
with tears shed for the erring ones who
had not been strong enough to stem the
Tide OF temptation which set against
them.
Father, have mercy on them, for
sometimes the prisoner at the bar really
possesses more sterling manhood and
redeeming qualities of heart than the
Judge who passes sentence upon him;
only circumstances made one a Judge,
and the other criminal. 80 =
Teach US all to remember that we are
only human, and that the rObber is one
OF the children gone astray, only to be
brought back in thine own good time: it
may be through the intercessiOn of saint
ed mothers who look down in love and
pity upon them; longing for the time
when they shall abandon their evil ways
and return to the path of virtue. o.
Father, if this night any of those erring
ones are abroad, plotting evil against
the innocent and unprotected, lead them
to reflect upon the wrong which they are
doing themselves, and not add another
crime to those which already stain their
souls; but let them be led back to the
path of virtue, before another crime
shall take them farther away, and make
1T harder to return. Father of mercy.
protect my helpless children; and when
they have arrived at years of maturity,
teach them to be merciful to the erring."
She arose and carried her children in
to an adjoining room, and laid them in
the bed, and, suddenly remembering that
her husband had left his revolver at
home, she took 1t from the bureau draw
or and placed it where she could reach
1t In an instant.
Il think will leave the lamp burn
ing, she said, aloud: "s0me homeless
wanderef may eall for shelter before
morning"
She stepped back into the bed room.
resolved to defend herself and children
desperately II the worst should come,
and. with the 1doUf nearly! closed, stood
watching the table In breathless sus-
Lpense, with one hand grasping, the re-
vOlyer. In few moments q man came
from under the table stood looking to-
ward the room in which she stood. J
1uc cllOuC lull illo ldCC, anu
she anxiOusly scanned his features. He
was apparently not more than thirty
years OF age, and certainly looked more
like a gentleman than a r0bber. His
forehead was broad and white, eyes and
hair dark, features regular and intelli-
gent in their expression. He certainly
lacked the ferocity which she had sup
posed belonged to robbers, and she mem
tally decided that he was not fallen too
low to be reached through his mental
and moral nature.
He stood thoughtful and irresolute,
and sigh escaped his lips as he looked
around the room. Mrs. Adams opened
the door, and facing him, with her hand
still grasping the concealed weapon.
"What is your business here% she ask
ed, TREMENDOUSLY. .....-.. =,
Madam" replied the man, respectful
ly, Il beg that you will not give yourself
any needless alarm, for will not harm
neither you nor your children. I came
for the purpose of rObbing you, but my
right hand shall wither before I will
take one farthing from your posses
siOns. Your singing has completely sub
dued me, and prepared my heart to re-
ceive the good seed which your prayers
have. s0wn, for /, at least, will be led back
to the path of the virtue, ere crime has
made it too late to return. / will not
deny that / am desperately wicked, but
as yet my soul is not stained by crime,
and l firmly believe that have been di-
rected to this spot to begin a wicked and
sinful career, by some PrOvidential DOW
er, that my purpose might be thwarted,
and my mind and conscience aroused to
a sense Of my danger before it was too
late. have not listened to that wise
counsel, My son, If sinners entice thee,
consent thou not, butshaye fallen inwith
evil companions and become q member
of an organized band Of robbers, and to-
night I was to have done my initiatory
service. The loss of my life may be the
penalty of withdrawing from the band,
but it will be better to die an honest
man than to live the life of q rObber,
with my mind continually haunted by
the thoughts of the misery it would cause
my mother, If by any chance / should be
detected. And yet, perhaps the hand of
Providence is visible through it all.
There are others that may persuade to
abandon this wicked way, whom should
not have known but for my connection
with the band. Madam, if my presence
is not too terrifying to you, / will remain
beneath your roof until the storm
She hesitated, scarcely knowing how
to answer him. He took two small re-
volvers from his pocket and placed them
upon q stand within her reach.
II place myself entirely in your pow
er." he said, moving that you viii not
abuse it."
'Sit down." she said, astonished and
perplexed at the novelty of the situa-
| ton. =. f..lfs..l 81 n8ols s-cls.i faysr :
The man ohsgsd, end ere lsng By his
persuasive mpnne9Eand apparent s1ncel.
ity, he succeeded in pefauading her to
take q seat near the Bedroom door and
listen to history. hr3 fslss ffipQ- ~ 4
"Y0ur speaking Of onr childhood and
school days touched the chord on which
my sweetest memories vibfate. was an
fapt scholar, and after listening to a
defamation one day, mother exclaimed,
You'll make statesman, Sammy, and
how proud and happy l will be, to be
called the mother of such manp This
scene rose before me as listened to you;
again conscience obtained the mastery
of evil nature, and determined to 60
back and resume the profession of which
discouragements had wearied me-"
When the storm had abated, he was
about to take his departure, when Mrs.
Adams exclaimed, Il shall be more afraid
than ever to find myself alone after this
excitement"
will you feel any safer in my pres
enceT asked the robber with q smile.
Il believe l will she answered.
| Il am strange protector" he replied
''but, if you wish me, will remain till
morning" 0
He remained until daylight, and, after
partaking of the breakfast which his
hostess generously prepared for him, HI
went his way. 10 ~.s1
Years afterward, while visiting friends
in an eastern State, Mrs. Adams went tt
hear distinguished speaker who wa