The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-08-25
MEYER DESPAIR.


To be mine ioreyermore.
NEVER DESPAIR.
In the private Office Of London mer-
chant, o young man, verging upon his twen-
ty- first year, stood before his employer in
the character q d culprit. The face of the
merchant exhibited a sterness which be-
tokened the possession of character in
which what the world calls logged resolu-
ton was the prevailing element.
81 tell youaRain /" said he, II cannot
will not, overlook your offense.
ST had no criminal intention; the fault was
entirely unprem editated 1t was an act of
folly which shall never--oh, sir, never re-
peat.
One Of thosA cold and horrible smiles
which SO forcibly express incredulity swept
across the merchants face, and he waved
his han as sle 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 employer determinatio was not to be
shaken, and TINT 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 z gasped he, hiding his
face In his hands, and sobbing bitterly.
The merchant d hard features slightly re-
but the feeling, whatever it might have been
was only trasient one.
Walter Jackson = said he, in hard tones.
which instantly reused the young man from
his grief; It'll you once again, my mind
is made up, md the: sooner you leave my
Office the better never prosecute in
small cases Ike yours; begone and never
let me see on hear from you again"
The delinq neht awed by that iron will,
mechanical tufned upon his heel and left
the office. tunned and bewildered by the
catastrophe which had, in one moment,
crushed all young hearts hopes, he
moved along the streets like man drunk,
or bending Sneath burden which ex-
posed him he mercy Of the passer-by.
Oppressed end weighed down by a heavy
fear. he stole soln that noisome place to
ramble like allen spirit until the hour at
which he hsnaN returned from his labors
to the homss here he was welcomed BY
ening hinse SIC top play q "a deceptive pairt IS
her presence, heapproached the door with
confidence which his conscience too sure
ly told him was not audaeious 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.
ders more acute.
His unsuspecting parent noticed no
change in him during the whole of that try
ing evening, and when he retired to his
chamber he received her blessing with a
stoicism 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
stricken man of guilt. Despair, with it's
of his faculties, and he groaned in the help
lessness Of his condition. He threw him.
self undressed on his bed, and yielded the
horrors by which he saw himself on all
sides surrounded.
He m0aned 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 darling
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-
At this critical moment his glance fell on
a picture hanging against the wall; it was
the head of our Saviour, and the gift of his
mother. long, long look did he take at
the mild face which smiled SO sweetly
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 extinpuish-
ed those unholy sparks which despair had
kindled 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
rlous 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 co1nageof 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 ac-
cents, Never despair"
In the morning he rose, after dreamless
night, vigorous and determined, and hast
ened to carry out one Of the most difficult
OF the three resolutions he had formed shat
was to part, perhaps forever, with the girl
he loved.
MARY, said he, gazing mournfnlly 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; ato- morrow I shall BIZ far away
from you; and the probability is, that it
would be a very long time at present, I
think. many years-before we shall meet
again; SO that continuing our engagement
is a mere m ckery, because the chances
are that shall be unable to keep it. .
Oh! exclaimed the girl, wounded to the
quick by asentiment she misunderstood.
Do not mistake me, said he, taking her
hand, and struggling totsubdue his strong