Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-02
THE AYERTED PUNISHMENT.

ago, man of 90 years was one day to
be publicly whipped with a cat-o'-nine-
tails for the ofense of owing his land
lord, wealthy man, the sum of SIS for
the last quarters rent. Up to this time
he had always managed to pay his debts,
s1us keeping his back free from stripes,
and failing health was his excuse for
not still doing so. He was daily getting
more and more infrm from rheumatism,
which had been troubling him many
months; and, when he arose from his
bed on the morning of the day on which
he expected to receive the threatened
chastisement, it was with difficulty he
could draw on the sleeve of his coat.
"That savage old Sheriff will about
kill me in jerking off my coat and shirt
sleeve from this lame arm before he
goes to whip me. He will care nothing
for my groans nor screams. Oh, that [
ever should have lived to see this day"
said the poor man to his wife, who had
all the morning been in tears.
perhaps our nephew will arrive in
time to pay the debt, and that will settle
the MATTER" she said, consolingly.
POSSIBLY he may get our message in
time, but 1 doubt it. It is now7 o'clock;
if he is not here by 9, shall not think
he will come; one minute after 10, and
it will be too late"
swell, if he does not come, I Will go
with you and take half the stripes, for l
am just as much to blame as you for the
debt"
"No, you shall not do that; nor
would it be allowed, my poor, dear
Jane"
With sob she replied, "Then I will
go with you and remove your coat and
shirt-sleeves in so careful a way that
the old Sheriff will be apt to deal more
gently with you"
at would make no difference with
him, for he is brute, the like of which
tender-hearted woman like you can
form no conception. He has been in
this business long time, and they say
he thrives in it. He looks like some
glaring wild beast just ready to deyour
another"
"Then, if you cannot expect any mercy
from any quarter, why not run away?
There are three hours, nearly, in which
to get over into York State; go where
our nephew is, and I will come as soon
as I can"
"No, my dear wife, that would not do;
I would certainly be caught, and then
there would be two ofenses to punish"
ooh, it is hard for such an honest
man as you always have been to come
to such sorrow" said the woman, utter
ing the most despairing groan.
Well, do not grieve too sadly over
it; perhaps John will come yet, or, if he
don't, I may be able to bear it better
than think" doomed one replied,
suddenly turning comforter.
at really wish we had lived on moth
ing but potatoes and salt, and we might
possibly have paid the rent"
"I thought we were living pretty
poor, Jane, but I suppose, hereafter, we
shall have still less to eat; as for wear
ing apparel, am sure we could not
scrimp much more"
"Well, let us not think about
those things now, James, but kneel
down and pray to God, in the
eleventh hour, to keep us from this
dreadful chastisement. You know when
we were first married we became quite
interested in religion, but somehow with
the cares of this life ever uppermost we
have drifted away from our Maker, little
needing His precious promises to all
who will trust in Him." Thus both knelt,
praying as they had never prayed be-
fore; and, when they arose, the burden
was cast from them and no further dread
or fear possessed their souls. They felt
that their sins were forgiven, that they
were in the immediate care of One who
would see no harm befan them. Oh,
what a sudden translation from dark
ness into light; and they sat and sang
praises unto God until the hour of 10
arrived, when the criminal was con-
Quoted to the place of punishment. He
vent uncomplainingly, while his wife
remained home in silent communion
with her Maker. Her husband was the
first ofsthe prisoners to be led to the
pillory, and his hands were about to be
bound, when orders were received for
his release, a ruddy, wide-awake young
man loudly proclaiming, The debt is
paid, and now hand my uncle over to
my care"
The surly Sheriff, as if defrauded of
part of his pleasurable duty, reluc-
family delivered the prisoner, after
which his nephew fondly embraced
him in presence of all who were present
to witness the brutal performances which
were aboutto be enacted. The young man
then went home with his uncle, telling
him by the way that it was D by acct
dent he was there to saw hinffrom pun
ishment and disgrace. The evening be-
fore he had felt a presentiment that
either his uncle and aunt were sick or
in want of him some way, and no one
could dissuade him from coming to-
them, although one or two individuals
had wanted his help that day. The
message sent by his aunt did not reach
him, but he thought likely it would be
waiting him on his return home. He
had started very early that morning so
he might be able to MIKE them little
visit before his return the following
day, and felt that he could never be
sufficiently grateful that he came in time
to save his uncle from the unmerited
punishment he had just escaped. "Give
God all the praise" said his uncle, and
when they reached the cottage all three
knelt in Chicago Ledger.
The Lost Umbrella.
"Therep she cried, in an excited