Morris tribune., 1881-08-25
MEYER DESPAIR.

the character of culprit The face of the
merchant exhibited a sterness which be-
tokened the possession of "a character IN
which what the world calls logged resolu-
ton was the prevailing element
II tell you again, safd he, I cannot
will not, overlook your offense."
Believe me, sir" appealed the youth,
Il had no criminal intention; the fault was
entirely unpremeditated-it was an act of
oily which shall neyerN-oh, sir, never re-
peat" ~ - / -.
One of those cold and horrible smiles
which SO forcibly express incredu1ity swept
across the merchants face, and he waved
his hand as if he wished the interview to be
terminated ,rrr ..a ~rt Ecr
The young man, whose countenance Sup
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. lie made vain effort
at another appeal, but the words died on
his lips, and feeling of despair utterly ex-
tnguished the faint hopes he had enter
tained of being mercifully dealt with
My poor mother" gasped he, hiding his
face in his hands, and sobbingbitterly.
The merchants hard features slightly re-
laxed-perhaps he loved his mother dearly;
HAdtSfSr II might nave DSen
was only traSient one H &
Walter jackson" said he, in hard tones,
which instantly reused the young man from
his grief; Il tell you once again, my mind
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."
Ihe 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,
8 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-b 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 deceptive part in
her presence, he approached the door with
a confidence which his conscience too sure
Iy told him was not audacious assurance.
And when he took his accustomed seat at
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
iers more acute. too ~
His unsuspecting parent noticed no
change in him during the whole of that try
ing evening, and dwher he retired to his
chamber he received her blessing with a
steic1sm which almost amounted to
cold Indifference. But when he had only
himself to deal with, the actor forgot his
part, and once more became the conscience
-fT %
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 Welded the
horrors by whicn he saw himself on al
sides surrounded. IT.
He moaned and he cried, and then he
clenched his fists and beat the air exe-
Grated himself, then others-and finally
sprang from the bed like savage dartine
upon his prey. His eyes sparkled, his
chest heaved and his whole attitude was
that of menace and defiance.
Since cannot go back, thought he,
setting his teeth firmly together, II will go
forward; and wo be it to-" he.
At this critical moment his glance fell on
picture hanging against the wall: it was
p. the head of our Saviour, and the gift of his
mother. A long, long look did he take al
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 a new life, and extinguish-
ed those unholy sparks which despair had
klndled in his bosom. After his powerful
emotion had in some degree subsidized, he
knelt down by the bedside and prayed as
only those can who need divine assistance
He rose calm and refreshed, and seated
= himself at a little table to deliberate on the
course he should pursue Many and va
rious were 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
heart; and gradually there was accumulated
within gently flowing river of thought, be.
side which Hope stood waving her green
branch, and bidding him in honeyed &C.
~ cents, 'fNever despair
In the morning he rose, after dreamless
night, vigorous and determined, and hast
ened to carry out one of the most dificalt
Of the three resolutions he had formed; THAI
was to part, perhaps forever, with the gir
he loved. : ~ - =
Mary, said he, gazing mournfnlly into
her fearful face, love you as WELL indeed
better, at this moment than ever did-bu
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. I can not, indeed
only to my God! Listen" continued he
solennly; tomorrow | shall bL far away
from you; and the probability is, that II
ho a Ton 81
think, many years-before We shall mee
again; SO that continuing our engagement
is a mere m ckery, because the chances
are that l shall be unable to keep it."
ooh! exclaimed the girl, wounded to the
z quick by . sentiment she misunderstood
DO not mistake me, said he, taking hel
hand, and struggling to subdue his strong
emotion: Il lOye3you dearly, and that is the
reason l do not wish to remain bound to
what may never be fulfilled on my part
You, 1 knew, would be faithful and true
but why should you waste the bloom of
your youth, and neglect the many opportu-
, mites you will have of nakiug yourself
happy, for the sake of a man you may never
see again? No, Mary, you shall not do SO;
from this moment you are free, and may
heaven bless you'll"
The girl hung down her head and cried
bitterly, for she felt that her young hopes
were about to be withered.
Walter, animated by the feelings he had
acquired, was invincibIe; his duty required
the sacrifice, and it should be made.a I'm
doubtedly it was one of the greatest he
could have made, for he might have played
upon the girls credulity, and maintained
his position as lover without the remotest
{ prospect or intention of becoming hel
husband But with the resolution to dc
right comes o consideration for others,
which weakens the natural selfshness of
the. heart, and gives it the power to make
Those stern sacrifices which honor SO fire.
quently demand.
"Now, for my mother, thought he, and
trembled at the interview before him; for
had the alternative been presented to him,
he would have preferred that the maiden
he had parted with should have been ac-
quainted with his error, than that his
mother, his irreproaohable mother, should
z have known that he had brought shame on
: the name of the parent who had been SO
hO,,oro6 and fol