The Northern Pacific farmer., 1881-08-25
NEVER DESPAIR.


In the private Office of London mer-
chant, young man, verg ging upon his twen-
ty- first year stood before his employer in
the character of a culprit. The face Of the
merchant exhibited a sterness which be-
tokened the possession of character in
which what the world calls dogged resolu-
ton was the prevailing element.
II tell you again" said he, II cannot
will not, overlook your offense."
''Believe me, sir, appealed the youth,
II had no criminal intention; the fault was
entirely unpremeditated-it was an act of
oily which I shall never--oh, Sir, never re-
peat"
One of those cold and horrible smiles
which 80 forcibly express incredulity swept
his han q as if he wished the interview to be
terminated.
The young man, whose countenance up
to this moment had been burning with
shame, how became deadly pale; he saw
his employers determination was not to be
shaken, and that disgrace stared him hid
eously in the face. He made vain effort
at another appeal, but the words died on
his lips, and feeling of despair utterly ex-
tinguished the faint hopes he had enter
tanned of being mercifully dealt with.
"My poor mother!" gasped he, hiding his
face in his hands, and sobbing bitterly.
The merchants hard features slightly re-
laxed- perhaps he loved his mother dearly;
but the feeling, whatever it might have been
was only trasient one.
a, "Walter Jackson" said he, in harG tones,
Which instantly reused the young man from
is made up, and The sooner you leave my
Office the better. I never prosecute in
small cases like yours; begone and never
let me see or hear from you again."
The delinquent, awed by that iron will,
mechanically turned upon his heel and left
the Office. Stunned and bewildered by the
catastrophe which had, in one moment.
crushed all his young hearts hopes, he
moved along the streets like man drunk,
or bending beneath burden which ex-
posed him to the mercy of the passer-by.
Oppressed and weighed down by heavy
ear, he stole from that noisome place to
| amble like fallen spirit until the hour at
which he usually returned from his labors
to the home where he was welcomed by a
mothers smile and fond attentions. Hard
| ening himself to play a deceptive part in
her presence, he approached the door with
| a confidence which his conscience too sure
ly told him was not audacious assurance.
the tea table, and responded to her gentle
inquiries, he did SO outwardly unabashed;
but within, far from human eye: he felt the
glow of shame's blush and the torture which
| the contrast between vice and virtue rem
| lers mere acute.
His unsuspecting parent noticed nc
change in him during the whole of that try
ing evening, and when be retired to his
chamber he received her blessing with a
stoicism which almost amounted tc
cold indifference. But when he had only
himself to deal with, the actor forgot his
part, and once more became the conscience.
stricken man of guilt. Despair, with itf
narrowing convictions, prostrated the whole
of his faculties, and he groaned in the help.
lessness of his condition. He threw him.
self undrcssed on his bed, and yielded the
horrors by which he saw himself on al
sides surrounded.
He moaned and he cried, and then ht
clenched his fists and beat the air exc.
Grated himself, then others-and finally
sprang from the bed like savage dartine
upon his prey. His eyes sparkled, hit
that of menace and defiance.
"Slnce I cannot 20 back" thought he
setting his teeth firmly together, II will &C
forward; and wo be it to-"
At this critical moment his glance fell or
picture hanging against the wall: it wat
the head of our Saviour, and the gift of hit
mother. A long, long look did he take a
the mild face which smiled so sweetl1
from its canvas and then he
burst into tears. They were the best he
had ever shed, for they opened up to him
the fountains of new life, and extinguish-
ed those unholy sparks which despair ha6
kindled in his bosom. After his powerful
emotion had in some degree subsided, he
knelt down by the bedside and prayed al
only those can who need divine assistance
He rose calm and refreshed, and seated
himself at little table to deliberate on the
course he should pursue. Many and va
rious we're his thoughts, but they all par.
took of the tone of one grand all. command
ing sentiment: and by that he was resolved
to be guided. The coinage of his brain was
distilled in that best of all alembics, his
within q gently flowing river of thought, be-
side which Hope stood waving her green
branch, and bidding him in honeyed &C.
cents. ''Never despair"
| In the morning he rose, after q .dreamless
night, vigorous and determined, and hast
ened to carry out one of the most difficult
| of the three resolutions he had formed that
was to part, perhaps forever, with the girl
he loved.
Mary, said he, gazing mournfully into
| her fearful face, I love you as we'll, indeed
better, at this moment than ever did-but
we must part. Circumstances have occur
red which renders this painful step neces-
sary."
"Can not you explain, Walter?" demand
ed she, clinglng to him.
Dear Mary, don't ask mel cannot. re-
Piled he, painfully. can not, indeed
only, to my God! Listen, continued he,
solemnly; "to-morrow 1 shall b. far away
from you; and the probability is, that it
would be very long time-at present, I
think, many years-before we shall meet
again; SO that continuing our engagement
is mere m ckery, because the chances
are that I shall be unable to keep it,"
"Oh! exclaimed the girl, wounded to the
quick by = sentiment she misunderstood.
4Do not mistake me, said hs, taking her
hand, aud struggling TO subdue his strong
emotion: u love sou dearly, and that Il The
ssssqg I % not wish y remain bound e