Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-04-28
SOWING AND REAPING.

Howard Simpson and Lorraine Bliss,
two young men of great intimacy and
dissipated habits, were on their way to
a gambling saloon, where the night
previous they had won considerable,
and on passing church, the doors of
which were opened, paused n moment
by the steps, peering in out of idle
curiosity, just as the minister was Civ.
ing out the text; "As ye SOW, so shall
ye reap"
1--WE are not farmers, so We do not
sow anything to reap" said Howard,
the elder aud most prohigate of the
two but Lorraine looked thoughtful,
and kept silent as they walked along
toward the place of their nights de-
bauch. And often during the jubilant
gayety of the revelers that passage.
"As ye sow, so shall yc reap" flashed
into his mind.
1T is as my good mother tell, me. y
thought he; "we must suffer for evil
deeds done in the body, and my deeds
are constantly evil. But from this
night will do differently. | will not
be caught in this place again"
What ails you, Bliss? You are n
dull as a November hoe" said Gay.
bright, one of the ringleaders OF the
company"
Guess he's thinking about reaping
what he SONS" answered Simpson, and
then about n dozen rude men burst
into n loud fit of laughter.
what do you mean by that re-
mark p one of them presently asked
He then told them of the text given
out by the minister as they were pass
ing the church.
The minister go to-and he surely
will" said Roardon. one of the most
blasphemous of the whole gang.
This protane remark, with Others no
better, grated harshly on the mind of
Lorraine, for he was really feeling
more serious than he ever had felt he.
fore but he made no reply. knowing
if he did it would only serve to call
forth still harsher language. lie left
as early as he could, which was not
till | o'clock, and after he got home
crept to his chamber and noiselessly
as possible, lest he might awaken his
father. who at times was very harsh to
him. Then, for the first time in his life.
he offered a sincere prayer to God. be.
seeching him to give him strength to
turn from the evil way into which he
had been led.
Meantime, his father having heard
him enter the house, was denouncing
him in the severest terms.
"Do not be harsh with him." plead
ed the mother. '"I hope he will soon
learn to do better he is young and
wild, though not vicious, | trust
But the old gentleman could see
naught but wrong in his boy.
"He shall leave the house |! | will
disinherit him if he does not stay Mt
home nights; he is disgrace to the
family. Think Of the money | have
paid out for him--sent him to college,
given him the privilege Of studying
law with me in my Office. But no, he
chooses to spend his time carousing with
a set of loafers"
perhaps if we are gentle with
him" tremblingly whispered bis
mother.
But the old gentleman did not heed
this advice, for the next morning his
first salutation to Lorraine was
"Where did you stay so late last
night, you young scapegrace? Unless
you mend your ways you'll leave these
premises for good and all"
Lorraine, who had been penitent
through the night, resolving to do
better in future. now felt his temper
rising and his resolution melting away,
and he sat down to the table in a sui
len mood. But he shortly after made
up his mind to go to meeting that
evening and return home at . or 10
o'clock. Therefore at hnlfpast he
started for church, and on meeting
three or four of his old associates, told
them Of his plan.
"Well, come with us first, just for a
few minutes to the club rooms" said
they.
mo, no, not tonight" he replied
II have to go home early and | cannot
possibly go with you"
But they dragged him along and il
was impossible to get away from them
and once there, there was no such
thing a. leaving, for in the excitement
Of the place he was induced TO drink
and as the liquor was drugged he fell
no inclination to move from the charm.
ed spot.
So the hours moved on until late
into the night before he went home