South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-08-03
Harry Lees Temptation.


trial, Frederic remember it is his
first offence
Il am not sure Of that. A lad who
would stoop to such D dishonest act
would not hesitate TO tell falsehood
to shield himself from punishment. l
think I've treated him better than he
deserves by not punishing his guilt,
thereby shielding others from a like
deception
But he will find it difficult to oh.
tain anothersituation without recon.
incubation from YOU.
That is not my lookout. Idiscov-
cred the lad in dishonest act, cons
mitted with perfect intrepidity and
GOODNESS. | had no other alternative
but to dismiss him from my employ,
and am. aware it was done in no
gentle language. OHcourse. his plea
had all ths seemiaex ianoceuce and
simplicity oil which his class are capa.
bic, though he was too much over
whelmed with surprise aud confusion
at being detected in his guilt-to
have many words
We'll, Frederic, / cannot lie de.
ceivcd IN that face-tliat honest, no.
bic, manly face. Ii you had only
gained his confidence he might have
made it plain. lie is so young TO be
lett to make his way alone, and this
very act may be the turning point in
his life, and you may be the means OF
his ruin or salvation, just whichever
way your decision happens to turn.
Think, what ii it was our boy, Ere.
der!c?'
Mr.. JOY looked down into the
bright, beautiful face of his ouly child,
and, drawing him close to his heart,
held him there.
I es, papa. forgive poor Harry for
my sake.
i will try him again, May. You
must go and SEQ hun in the morning
and gain his confidence. If you can.
Perhaps | have not done my duty.
Nj Joy was awakened to sense
OF his responsibility, and lis next
words sent Il thrill OF happiness to the
heart of las true and faithful wife.
Mary. if is not too much trouble
Tor you, | will invite all my clerks up
to tea to morrow evening. You must
ask y ur sisters to happen in, AID we
VIII try and give them pleasant eve.
ming. Then we can ascertain if they
have any religious interests, and per-
haps gather them into our Bible class
and church. Strange, Mary, that /
never teltthis duty keenly before. So
mary OF the lads are without the re.
stra'ning influence OF home, subject
to multitude Of temptations, an !,
WHO am in measure responsible for
their souls-just rs am for this little
child whom God has given mel
have left them to run into all kinds
OF danger and vice. it may be, with
out q friendly word OF warning or
COUNSEL
And while the earncsr resolves
were filing the little household with
new peace and happiness, Harry
Lee sat by the back window of his at.
TIC chamber-alone and in darkness.
Mrs. joy had said there was nothing
bad in that young face, and she
would have realized it all the more
could she have looked into it then !;
pale, sad and dcspairing. the black
curls pushed away from the full, fair
forehead, the frank, boyish expression
changed to one OF agonizing despair.
There was little sleep in the dingy
back attic that night; but towards
morning Harry threw himself upon
his bed and fell into n light, uneasy
slumber, the weight OF his heavy pain
mingling with rcdoubIed force rs he
awakened to the consciousness OF his
own misery in the light of another
day.
lie had set himself resolutely to de.
wise some way OF obtaining employ
ment, and casting aside one place af-
ter another rs worthless. when Mrs.
JOY tapped lightly upon his door.
Harry Lee, YOU know Mrs. Joy
this is little Willie come to make you
a visit aud bring you good news, o.
peniUg the door in answer to his fee.
bic response.
The lad springs to his feet, and the
hot blood leaped into his pale cheeks,
his lips quivered, but he could not ut
| tor q word.
Papa says Come back to the store,
| pleaded the child's voice. He said
must tell you, because | did it, though
| don't know row.
Yes, Harry, Mr. Joy has forgiven
you,and desires you should come back
to your old place. And, my dear
boy, | cannot think on really meant
to be dishonest; now did your going
Up to him and laying her hand upon
his, with the tenderness Ola mother.
'Oh, no madam Indeed | did not.
| intended to replace every cent.
did wrong, but | was not wilful
thief.
will you tell me just how it hap
pened, Harry, and how You came To
be alone in this great city, with such
forlorn surroundings?
Il came here six months ago from
Woodland, pleasant little country
TOWN yInro I l5vaI ali ,,,, a. ga -.