The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-10-14
satisfaction if not to the planters, that he
finally consented to visit the hnnsa

| olu HcSIo anu LIS VIE anu was SHOWN the
room from which the valuables had been
purloined la 3
/ While he was thus engaged, fine-look-
ing young fellow, but with rather care
worn face for one hardly yet out of his
teens, came and stood in the doorway.
"Ah Z! Signor, here is my son. said Mr.
Oatman, slightly embarrassed "You see,
George, I-I-thought best to-you won t
mind, my boy; for asking him in can't do
any hurt, if it don't do any good.
"All rightr' said George, carelessly.
But the signor, who exchanged glances
with him, saw that his lip twitched nerv-
ously, and that there was an anxious look
in his eye.
''Your father has an extravagant notion
of my poor abilities, the signor remarked,
in friendly tone You haven't witness
ed my performances
II haven't had that pleasure, the youth
replied, drily.
mo doubt you have been more pleas
antly employed. The city offers good
many attractions to spirited young man;
and L see by your looks, the signor added,
with meaning smile, ''that you are not
one of those dullards who go to bed at
dusk"
George smiled in CLASSY sort of way,
and seemed trying to bring out some care
less reply, when his mother remarked COM
plainingly:
George keeps very late hours this win
ter. I'm so sorry for any one can see it
isn't good for him."
''He used to make calls with me, eve
nings," said the sister "But he never
does, nowadays [ can't think what he
finds to amuse him so late, every night"
II can think, " said the signor II know
the city, and [ know young men. I'm sor-
ry, Georger' He looked the young man
keenly in the eye, as he continued:
"If you had been in the habit of remain
ing at home at night this theft neUer ,oould
haze taken place ~
By the look, and the words and still
more by the tone in which the words were
spoken, poor George must have perceived
that his secret was in the signor's posses
sion Still the trusted parents and afec-
tionate sister remained free from the slight
est suspicion of his guilt.
II reckon that's true, signor !" said the
father George is known to be a capital
shot, and no burglars would venture in the
house when he was at home Do you dis
cover anything more ?"
"Being stranger here, the signor re-
piled, II can't make up my mind at once.
If your son should set about it, I've no
doubt he could clear up the mystery very
quickly; but shall have to study over it
awhile
Declining to say anything more definite,
but promising that the family should hear
from him if he succeeded in finding the lost
treasures, he presently took leave, giving
George very significant look at parting.
He had not been long at the hall. pom
dering over the painful problem he had
been set to solve-haunted by the pale face
of the guilty sonBwhen the face itself ap-
peared before him.
"Ah, George p' said the signor, kindly ;
II am glad to see you"
The youth came forward slowly, too
much agitated to speak. Then, apparent
ly touched by the signor's sympathetic
manner, he broke forth imploringly:
"For mercys sake, sir, don't expose
mer'
"My dear Georgep' p' replied the signor,
taking his outstretched hands, II shall not
expose you if 1 can help it. But let's un-
derstand each other Tell me all about it. "
"You know it all p exclaimed the
wretched youth, beginning to tremble and
sob violently.
II know something. You have fallen
in with bad companions. But how could
you-how could you deceive and wrong
your own parents ?"
Because am an idiot because am
the most miserable, ungrateful, wicked son
that ever had good parents to wrong !"
said George, in a CONFUSION of remerse and
4 despair. 'But I didn' t mean to rob them. p"
Il know" said the signor. "You meant
to return what you took. That's what
every well-brought-up young man means
when he takes the first step in crimes OF
this sort"
''Truly [ meant it!'' George protested.
II took the money first, hoping to win back
with it what I had lost at play. Then
when [ had lost that, took the ring.
Then, desperate fool as was, 1 took the
watch and pledged it. That led 20 the dis
covery If it hadn't been for that, all
would have been WE'LL
Chow sc? ?" the signor inquired.
"Last night the luck turned said
George, "and | won back good part of
what [ have lost; enough to recover the
watch and ring and all the money l took
from the till -
as it possibler' exclaimed the signor
astonished.
Il have it all here," said George, touch.
ing his coat "It was in my pocket when
YOU came to the house didn't you know
it ?"
The signor was obliged to confess that
he had not seen so far as that.
II was in distress, trying to invent some
way of returning the things without being
found out-trying to keep my father quiet
!, when he brought you in and spoiled all
= Unless" said George, with looks of entrea
ty-''unless you will be merciful and helI
: me !"
, II will help you on one condition" sale
the signor.
"Name it! 1 will do anything!" tht
! youth eagerly promised.
II only ask you not to do a certain thing,
), said the signor. "You know what it is
: the greatest folly and sin young man cal
!, be guilty of"8 SzAI0-T2gI8
II know what you mean," George re
!. piled. Gambling. | have found out b.
& experience what misery it leads to. AN
o. 1 had vowed that if could only win bacl
+ enough to save my honor, I would never
never-never play again And 1 neve
> will r tmaza l4
''Then trust me to make everything righ
d with your father" said the signor, agai
IS clasping the young mans hand. "Wi
Won leave all to me 2"