The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1879-03-13

matches IN his hand and lgnlted them,
but at the same instant the dog barked.
He hears the gate open, a step is close
to him, the matches are exinguished,
the lad makes a desperate effort to
escape, but a strong hand was laid on his
shoulder, and a deep, calm voice in
uuired, "What can have urged you to
such a crimeP' Then calling loudly, the
gentleman, without relinquishing his
mold, soon obtained the help Of some
farming men, who commenced a search
with their lanterns all about the farm.
Of. course they found no accOmpices,
nothing at all but the handful of half
consumed matches the lad had dropped,
and he all that time stood trembling,
and occasionally struggling, beneath the
firm but not rough grasp OF the master
Fho held him.
at last the men were told to return to
the house, and thither, by a different
Inath. was George led, till they entered
a small, poorly Furnished room. The
walls were covered with books as the
bright fame of the fire revealed to the
anxious paze of the little Culpfits The
clergyman lit lamp, and surveyed his
nrisOner attentively. The lads eyes
were fixed on the ground, while Mr..
I.e;ghton's wandered from his pale,
pinChed features to his scanty, ragged
attire, through the tatteTs Of which he
could discern the thin limbs quivering
from cold or fear; and when at last i'm
pelled by curiosity at the long silence,
George looked up, there was something
so sadly compassionate in the strangers
gentle look, that the boy could scarcely
believe that he was really the man whose
evidence had mainly contributed TO
transport his father. At the trial he
had been Unable 10 see his face, and
nothing so kind had ever gazed upon
him. His proud bad feelings were
already nothing.
"You look half-starved," ." said Mr.. Ley
/ ton; draw near to the fire you can sit
down on that stool while question you;
and mind you answer me the truth. 1
am not magistrate, but of course can
easily. hand you over to justice if you
will not allow me TO benefit you in my
swn way" 81.
George still stood twisting his ragged
cap in his trembling fingers, and with
so much emotion depicted on his face
that the good clergyman resumed, in
still moEe soothing aecentsl u have no
wish to do you anything but good, my
poor boy; look up at me, and see if you
can not trust me; you need not be thus
frightened. I only desire to hear the
tale Of misery your appearance indicates,
to relieve it, If I Ican."
| Here the young CulpTit's heart smote
/ him. Was this the man whose house
he tried to burn7 On whom he had
wished to bring ruin and perhaps death?
/ Was it a snare spread for him to lead to
confession? But when he looked on
/ that grave compassionate cOuntenance,
he felt that it was not.
"COme, my lad, tell me all.
George had for years heard little but
oaths, and curses, and ribald jests, or the
thief's jargon of his fathers associates,
and had been constantly Cuffed and pdh-
ished; but the better part Of his nature
was not eXtingUished; and at those
words from the mouth of his enemy, he
dropped on his knee, 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 50 freely. his grief was so
passionate as he half knelt, half rested
en- the floor, that the good qUestioner
saw that sorrow must have its course ere
calm could be restored,
u
knock was heard at the door, and a lady
entered. It was the Clergyman's wife,
he kissed her as she asked how he had
succeeded with the wicked man in the
Jail
"He told me-" replied Mr.. Layton,
that he had a son whose fate tormented
Kim more than his punishment. Indeed,
his mind was so distracted respecting
the youth, that he was scarcely able to
understand my eXhOrtatiOns. He en-
treated me with agOnizing energy to
save his son from such life as he had
led, and gave me the address of a woman
in whose house he lodged. was, how
ever, unable to find the boy in spite of
many earnest inquiries"
did you hear his name% asked the
wife
George West, was the reply.
At the mention of his name; the boy
ceased to sob. Breathlessly he heard
the account of his fathers last request, |
Of the benevolent clergyman's wish to
fulfill it! He started up, ran toward the
door, and ende4vered to open it. Mr..
Layton calmly restrained him. you
must not escape" he said.
Il can not stop here. I can not bear
to look at you. Let me go2" The lad
said this wildly and shook himself
away.
"Why, I intend you nothing but kind
ness."
A new food of tears gushed forth, !
and George West said, between his sobs. |
''While you were searching for me to
help me, 1 was trying to burn you IN
your house. I can not bear it" He
sunk on his knees, and covered his face !
with both hands
There was a long silence, for Mr.. and !
Mrs. LeytOn were as much moved as the
boy, who was bowed down with shame
and penitence, to which hitherto he had |
been a stranger.
At last the clergyman asked, "What !
could have induced you to commit such /
a crime?"
Rising suddenly in the excitement of !
remorse, gratitude, and many feelings |
new to him, he hesitated for a moment, !
and then told his story he related his |
trials, his sins, his sorrOWs, his supposed |
wrongs, his burning anger at the terrible |
fate of his only parent, and his rage at |
the exultation Of the crowd; his desola- |
ion on recovering from his swOOn, his |
thirst for vengeance, the attempt to sat |
sly it. He spoke with untaught, child |
ike simplicity, without attempting to |
suppress the emotions which successfully |
JVerCame him
When he ceased, the lady hastened to /
the crouching boy, and sOOthed him with |
gentle words The very tones Of her /
voice were new to him. They pierced |
his heart more acutely than the fereest |
of the upbraidings and denunCiatiOns of |
his old companions. He looked on his |
merCiful bcnefaCtors with beWildered |
tenderness. He kissed Mrs. Leyton's |
hand, then gently laid on his shoulder. |
He gazed about like one in a dream who |
dreaded to wake. He became faint and |
staggered. He was laid gently on a sofa, /
and Mr.. and Mrs. Legion left him.
Food was shortly administered to him, |
and after time, when his senses had |
become sufficiently collected, Mr.. Ley !
ton returned to the study, and explained |
holy and beautiful things, which were |
new to the neglected boy; Of the great |
yet loving Father; OfHim who loved the |
poor, forlOrn wretch equally with the |
richest and noblest and happiest; os the /
force and efficacy of the sweet beatitude, |
Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall |
see Mercy"
1 heard this story from Mr.. Leyton
during a visit to him in May. George |
West was then head ploughman to a |
neighboring farmer, one of the cleanest, |
best behaved, and most respected labor |
ers in the parish.
When big Yankee from Maine paid
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