St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-05-23

''Has Lane been down stairs since 7"
asked the father, himself moved to
tears.
"No; and he has had nothing to eat,
and no one has spoken to him since
breakfast" replied the mother.
"What if he should start to go down
town to spend the evenings"
81 have plan which 1 think will
keep him at home tonight"
On his way down stairs Mr.. Houston
went to his sons door and called in
pleasant voice, "Come, my son, dinner
is waiting" Lane quickly opened the
door, with his hair freshly brushed and
neatly attired. He had dressed for din
ner, although expecting, should he try
the door, he would find it still locked
upon the outside, and not doubling that
he was to be again put upon pro-
tracted diet of bread and water.
He came down stairs wondering on
the way was it possible that his father
in this controversy had espoused his
cause as against his mother; or whether,
as it seemed most likely to him, the
possession of the vicious little fire-arm
| had not indeed brought them all to
| ''terms."
Lane was given to stealing out of the
house evenings, and frequenting ques-
tionable resorts in company of boys
who were nearly as wayward as him
self; but tonight Mrs. Houston fore
stalled any snch course by saying as
soon as dinner was over, 81 wish, chill
dren, you would make two or three
pansful of popcorn balls, to carry
to the charity festival tomorrow.
The materials are all ready, and Lane,
you must superintend the popping of
the corn and the preparation OF the
molasses and sugar."
This was one of the lads favOrite
pastimes, and he went about the bust
ness in hand with alacrity, his brothers
and sisters obeying his many orders,
glad to have this new outbreak blow
over without developing into a regular
warfare between him and his father.
When eight and half o'clock came,
Mrs. Houston was called out into the
kitchen to see the result of the eve
ning's labor.
"Thauk you, my good children" she
said. '.They are as nice and white and
shapely as any that could be made by
the confectiOners themselves. Now
wash up so as to be in the parlOr when
Tile ClOCh SITlkcS uluo- tiI0IO 10 ooInC-
thing else pleasant in store for you"
The young people obeyed, wondering
and eager. At nine O'clock precisely,
their mother folded up the days news
papers, put them in the wall-pOcket,
and brought large Bible and placed
it upon the readingtable.
Mr.. Houston's voice trembled little
us he said, alt has been brought very
fOrcibly to my mind to-day, that | have
been shamefully neglecting my duty
and the highest welfare of you, my
children, in not joining with you in the
study of this blessed Word and in fam
lily prayer. To night we will begin a
different course, and see whether we
will not all be made happier and bet
ter by following it.n He now read a
chapter, and then knelt down. His
wife and children followed his example,
all except Lane. He sat bolt upright
with stern, pale face, and perturbed
air, now and then casting quick glances
, towards the door us if meditating an
| ascapa
The poor father at first could find nc
words to express his conflicting thoughts
and deep pray desires, but as he
called to mind his friends, the Super
intendent and his wife, Oh their knees
for him, at that very moment, his stam-
mering tongue was unlossed, and his
unburdened soul found wonderful
freedom at the throne of grace. AS the
now wrestling Jacob was closing most
tender and pathetic appeal in behalf OF
his erring son, and that all might sub
nit their rebellious wills to Christ's
loving sovereignty, Lane arose from
| a.; nho, IL
ing by his fathers side, threw his arm
around his neck, sobbing, "pray on,
, father pray on | have tried to ask
God to cleanse my wicked heart, but |
could not get to Him at all myself;
! know He will hear me now, when you
are all willing to pray with me-"
The whole family rose from their
knees with melted hearts and fearful
/ faces. 1t came out that the two eldest
: daughters had been in the habit of
, praying in secret, and they declared
! this to be the happiest hour of their
: lives.
Lane was completely subdued. The
leaven of repentance and faith toward
God had worked entire reformation and
healing. He stepped up to the table
) and laid the loaded revolver upon it
near his fathers side. ''It is / who
| have brought you to TERMS" he said.
) 81 don't think you will have any more
trouble with Lane. Forgive, oh for
give me, my father and mother, and
brothers and sisters, rs I hope in the
, forgiveness of Jesus Christ !"
This actual occurrence was related at
, County Conference of Congregational
ministers in Connecticut last autumn,
and heard it from the lips of one OF
the pastors then present, on my vaca-
ton in the neighborhood of his parish.
Is there need of any comment, or waste
ful rhetoric in addition ?-EUangeIist.
The Bandits of Mexico.