The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-05-22

tne ross OF gOOO repute ana tne ln&ra
itude of the undeserving, for whom
have injured, the worthy; and th
tongue of scandal, for inability, whic
is miscalled dishonesty, oppresses n
moro even than the lack of meanl
with which, if not thrown away i
acts of mistaken benevolence, l woul
gladly repay all. But yet, to sit dow
thus and meanly mourn, like Job, vii
meyer lift me up again. There mus
still be time and opportunities to re
deem myself. 1 am still young an,
strong, and may yet prove wiser, if
faithfully follow the counsel of hln
who understood me so well in my boy
hood. Henceforth l will do 90. / will
do so. will strive hard again, ant
the lesson of the little box shall be my
guide as 1 TOLL
Animated by the resolution he hai
formed, half the load which had op
pressed him vanished. Among stran
gers he entered anew into the mazel
OF business, and though his melancholy
memories sometimes made his strug
giles less energetic than he wished
their discoaraging effect was more
than Offset by the great object he had
in view-the ultimate power to clear
his reputation at home from all stain
Stray CLEANS Of success multiplied
and gathered, as he proceeded slowly
but steadily toward the horizon of hii
hopes, and at last ripened into the in.
spring dawn. Often. while the night
of his distress was Vanishing behind
him, the old prodigal impulse which
had caused 1t would return upon him
but he checked it by the memory OF
the little box; and while not mindless
of the claims of those who were more
needy than he, he learned to feel that
there was yet something nobler than
extravagant beneYolence; to be just
first and then generous, and that, be-
side what was due to his creditors,
there was much due to himself.
By this line Of conduct he rose
again to substantial prosperity. Ex-
perience had not been wasted upon
him, and his second ordeal was trium-
phant. The memory of the little box
was a talismanic guide to him. One
half Of all his profits he uniformly put
by for future days; and freed from all
former Indebtedness, he found him.
self, in the prime of life, not merely
recommended for being generous ~
we'll as honest, but secure against the
wiles and walls Of impostors, and
wealthy without having been miser.
Thus enabled, by courageous ad.
herence to the provident rule which
was at first repugnant to his nature,
TO return in joy and honor to the town
which he had. left in disgrace, he re-
visited the scenes of his youth, and
he wandered among them and revived
heir associations, he thanked God
hat he was now as happy as he had
sver been when he played there. The
Did cottage was torn down, but the
grass grew green over the graves of
mis- parents, and he felt that their souls
we're in a changeless home. The nat
lral landmarks remained unaltered,
md as he strolled along the chief road
IF the village, he paused awhile at the
pot where, returning from the swamp
With the kite, he had first met the
rood man, Louis Dwight.
HE must be quite old now, if alive
nused he. Let me see; 1 was then
en-, and he, perhaps, forty-my own
lge now. Three score and ten-the
Illotted age of man. How like q
lream it all seems Here 1 am stand-
ng alive. Here is where he gave mo
he pence, opposite that very tree;
md here is-why, bless me, who
'omes there? If this lsn't the old
gentlemen himself, my eyes or my
fail me-
It was a bowed old man, in worn
md faded garments, who was ap-
walking slowly, with a
'ane. Archley raised his hat respect
ully as he drew near. He had truly
him. It was Louis Dwight.
But his old friend and adviser did
lot recognize him 80 quickly, though
le paused and returned his salutation.
His sight may be poor,' thought
Archley /; but I will test his memory
" q surer method. Old gentleman,
vas horn in this village, and have been
Ibsent many years. I have been
here for some time, looking
lpon the scenes which are more inter-
sting now than they were when I
played here, thirty years ago.
Thirty years agov exclaimed old
Mr.. Dwight, staring at him. why,
used to live here then.'
Did you, indeed? Then perhaps
'ou might be able to tell me what
'ecame of q gentleman who lived
lere at the time, but went away before
did. He was out riding out one day,
nd I saved a kite for his son aud on
his very spot he gave me some pence
or it, and some very good advice into
he bargain. His name was Louis
Dwight
And yours is
Herbert Archley.'
why cried the astonished old
,entleman, holding up his hands to
heaven merciful Providence is this
,ou my dear young friend? Let me
1--WE you a good hug! And faltering
oward him, he gave him an embrace
which was returned with interest and
hen, in brief they exchanged histo-
.ies-that of Mr.. Dwight being far
more melancholy than Archley's.
His son was dead, his property all
zone, and he was now dependent on
charity where once he had lived in af-