Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-09-18

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matter closely-had even weighed the stron!
appeals made by certain collateral considera
tions; but his rigid motto-"Let justice b.
done, though the heavens should falP'-hae
decided his course of action, and even now {
police officer awaited the summons below.
James," said Mr.. ELLINGTON, sternly, "yol
have crossed the Rubicon of crime, and you
enemy, retribution, must be met. The Law
wisely ordains punishment for theft Yol
have stolen my property, and as good citi
zen, it becomes my duty to give you up t.
the minister of the law which shall do A
police officer is in the house; you will pas
from here into his hands. Unhappy young
man! how have you marred your whole fu
ture life What insanity was upon your"
20, Mr.. Elkington!" exclaimed Craig
sinking upon one knee, and lifting his face te
that of the merchant, "do not sacrifice me fol
one false step, the first I have taken"
81 do not sacrifice you, James," said Mr.
ELLINGTON. "The act is your own. You
have committed crime, and it is my duty
as have said, to hand you over to those who
punish crime. I feel for you, deeply but
cannot give place to weakness. Justice must
be done, though the heavens should fall. i
each one against whom crime is committed
suffer the offender, when in his power, to es
cape, every social safeguard is removed: No
no, James, painful as the act will be, | must
give you up to justice" ~ '. ~
And Mr.. Ellington turned to leave the
room. But, as he, did so, the wretched young
man started forward, and seizing his hand
said imploringly: .-.
81 have poor, widowed mother, sir; if hel
son is disgraced her heart will be broken"
"You should have thought of that before
James. 1t is too late now"
"Do not say this! O, sir, do not not say
this !! am not so bad as you think. AL
/ wickedly took I return to you. But ah
sir, if you ruin me here is your money! die
not spend it-every cent before the world
If you have me removed from all contact with
The virtuous, and associate me with old ano
hardened criminals, what hope is left for me?'
If I could be overcome in temptation while
surrounded with safeguards, how will I be
able to stand when all these are removed
O, sir, I claim justice for myself; just for my
unhappy mother. Do not utterly ruin the
widows only son p
"Justice! justicer' said Mr.. Ellington, in
a half bewildered manner, as he turned to-
ward the young man. "You talk of justice !!
"Will it be justice to destroy young man
when you mil ght save him? The voice Of
Craig was now firm, and his eyes steady. His
imminent peril had made him calmer.
"The law was made for the protection o1
society you have" ...,.
Listen, Mr.. Ellington Hear to reason
Will society be safer, SO far as am concern
ed, ten years hence, if, by your act, am
hardened into deliberate, criminal?"
The stern purpose of the merchant began
to waver. Craig saw it, and grasping his
hand, said:
"Think of my poor mother, and let me &c
free. Believe me, sir, your head will rest
upon quieter pillow than if you set the heel
Of imaginary justice on my head, and crush
out all Innocence beneath its iron tread" -.
A moment or two Mr.. Ellington paused
Then in softened voice, he said: :
"What then p --........ ....-
81 will pass on farther South and under
a new name, seek to win back for myself, by
honest industry, the position have lost"
Mr.. Elkington stood silent for the space ot
nearly minute.
"Have you any money!" he then asked.
Enough to take me as far as New Or
leans" .... IL ....-
"James," said Mr.. ELLINGTON, his manner
still more sottened toward the young man
lit shall he as you wish. And to show you
that feel an awakening confidence in your
good purposes, will lend you fifty dollars
You may not readily find employment, and
destitution might lead to temptation"
mot fifty dollars, Mr.. Ellington" was the
quick answer; "but if you will make the sum
twenty dollars, it shall be returned if live
All, sir this generous kindness will never
be forgotten. feel it, already, as new i'm
pulse to virtuous actions ...
"May your good resolutions fail not" said
Mr.. ELLINGTON, with visible emotion. "Take
this" and he handed Craig small roll o1
bank bills.
"Be true to yourself and your mother, and
all may yet be WE'LL" .
Ten years passed. Occasionally, in his
native city, some one inquired for james
Craig but from the time he left in disgrace
no one seemed to know anything about him
A few months after his disappearance, bis
mother went somewhere to the South-it was
said. to join her son. As time wore on, they
were forgotten, or only thought of casually by
q few who had known them more intimately
than the rest.
One day a Southern merchant, named
Floyd, to whom Mr.. Ellington had sold large
bills of goods during the previous four or five
years, but who had not visited the North du
ring that time, called in at the store of Mr.
ELLINGTON and mentioned his name. His
hand was at once grasped, cordially, and much
pleasure expressed at making the personal &C
quaintance of valued business correspon
dent. As the two men stood looking into
each others faces, Mr.. Ellington was struck
with something strangely familiar in the coun
tenance of his visitor.
"Do you not remember me?' said Floyd.
"James-James Craig! Is it possible p
exclaimed Mr.. ELLINGTON, in low voice.
"Not James Craig. That name was dishon
ored. But Andrew Floyd, a name yet untar
nished, and which, trust, may keep bright
to the end. You were just to the good that
remained in my heart, Mr.. ELLINGTON, and
am, thank God, a man again. What the con
sequences would have been had your sternel
ideas of justice had their way, l shudder tt
imagine"
For several moments Mr.. ELLINGTON stood
silent, and in some bewldernent. Then be
said in subdued manner:
"And l shudder, also. All how much
harm we may do by too stringent application
of general laws in particular cases. Fiat Jus
titia is a golden rule, but when we resolve tha
justice shall be done, let us be very certain
that we are not guilty of the rankest injustice.
And SO we say to all. Let Justice be done