The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-03-18

|
weak mind. She was decided negative
and was easily controlled. She would
lament over her sins with Christians, and
laugh in sin with the worldly being influenced
by her association, and having no will Of her
own. In good hands she would have made a
bright, loving woman, in bad hands she must
fall. A lady seeing this took her to her house
and had charge of her. Her brother, seeing
her falling. resolved upon her ruin, and soon
accomplished it. The lady discovered the in
tmacy and drove her forth, shielding him who
had made the wreck. She made an attempt
to live it down, but failed. Women call her
wicked, men thought her soft, and after year
OF sin she died by her own hand. Then came
one who smoothed the still lovely features,
and laid them for burial. Here she was
driven to the pauper's grave. There was no
marble monument there, not even the shade
Of trees, but the bright sun shone upon that
box envelopng it in halo of glory. Would
that we could be as mercifu as the sun is to
US all. Oh, God, who is to blame for such
| crimes as these?
Combe declares that under exceptionally
severe punishment crime cannot be cured.
Crime is in many case a disease, and he or
she who goes astray can be recovered if placed
in asylums. The trouble about society is
that the work is done, in too pompous
way; under existing law convicts
are lost to themselves and to the world, the
Jail mark is upon them, they fail to find work,
and society will not have them for compan-
ions. Err'ng women, outcast before the law,
are lost TO themselves and society for want of
help. The law should redress not destroy--men
lead them astray, the punishment falls wholly
upon her and she sinks lower in degradation
,Rigor does not deter crime in England
when they hung for horse stealing, there was
more OF that class Of crime than is heard of
now, under the new penalty. Every public
execution demora!izes our people and induces
morecrime of like character.
Children who torture dumb animals or in
sects, are in fair way for the penitentary,
but they should not be there punished Gov
ers some time since, but she questioned the
mercy. 1t would have been far better to have
put them in school where they would have
| been trained to be useful members of society,
instead of letting them 60 to the further infu-
ence of the world
Every now and then we hear of man hav-
| ing IL year sentence for stealing cow
| Would it not have been better to have made
that man work out the value of the COW and
have it restored to the owner.
have not sought to instruct or amuse you,
have simply placed these thoughts before
you, but if have taught one heart to be more
charitable to bis erring brothers, shall have
been amply repaid.
Oh, men, you who walk in your strength,
don't lead astray or crush the weak; if you
war with the weak you are cowardly, but l
| believe you are more merciful than women
Never be ashamed of good impulses. Remem-
Der that while society Furnishes the tools and
not the workers, more tools will be found.
| Sisters in your happy homes, before you
| close the door against the err;ng sisters, deal
with them in love and kindness. Aid them to
rise, and not use your influence to sink them
lower in their degradation.
Brothers and sisters, most of us believe that
We shall one day stand before the Almighty,
when He shall ask by whom was this one led
| astray; or, who neglected opportunities to save
that. The question will then be asked ::
| "Who is to blame for this wrecked lifey'
The meeting closed with hymn, accompa-
MED by Professor Chase, and with prayer and
benediction by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Kerr.
st. Pstrick's Day.
The Ancient Order of the Hbernians, di-
vision No. 1, gave their ball last evening, in
Meyers hall, and was in every way a great
success.
The hall was tastefully decorated for the
occasion. AT the end Of the hall were the
Irish and American flags, and the Transparent
cy representing 'the harp OF Ireland,
adorned by the rays of the SUM-"
There was a very large and respectable
gathering many of whom were wearing Of
the green and a more socable meeting was
never held in our city.
The music was furnished by McAlister's
band and the dances were we'll arranged, and
heartily entered il, by all present, who danced
with vigor that would have done Justice to
Donnybrook fair.
And the supper, boys! Why, it was the
boss one Of the season. There was plenty of
it for all, and everything was good. No won
der, the presiding deites being Mrs. Peter
Gallagher, Mrs. E. ]. Gallagher, Mrs. Kelly.
Mrs. Phil Del and Mrs. urgens. These
ladies know how " spread supper that looks
well and eats better, and we Congratulate the
tliberpians in having such good caterers.
| The management of the affair were as fol-
lows:
| Reception Committee - Messrs. Patrick
King, +. !. Gallagher, John Reynolds, DIR.
Edward Bennett and John Brady.
Floor Managers-Patrick Henry, Edward
Dillon, John McSorley, Thomas w. Elan
merry, Tim Murphy and Thomas III. McGrath;
and in that respect they did excellently and
we'll and deserve thanks for their valuable SER
vice.
For the benefit of our readers we may say
TINT the Ancient Order Of Hibernians was in