The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-11-06

his feelings. "Tell me what you would
have me do, my boyl You shouldn't
come here at such time as this to heap
curses on my head--'
ooh, don't, don'tl
"You must remember that Pm the
one that IS to suffer; and I've just Il day
left me to live! That's ALL Now, what
do you want me to dop"
''Justice to me," sobbed the son.
''How, then?n
''Only say that 1 am not guilty of
this crimel'
"My sonl my dear boyl" exclaimed
the hardened father, hugging his off
spring passionately to his breast, "you
don't know how deep is my love TO
you'll Oh, no-no, my dear boyl do
not believe you did this dreadful mur-
derl can't believe it-one word of it
all" Another pressure in his arms.
''Iell the world, my son, that your
father never believed it! They will he
atified thenl'
but still the shame and the shadow
of this great guilt will hang over me-"
returned the stricken boy. "People
will say that either you or l did the
deed. You deny that you did it, and
only say that you do not believe that
L did it. That is not enough. "No-
no, they will still fasten it upon mel
cannot live under it'll shall not want
tol Only tell me, father, that l did not
do this great criDel That is ALL
'"Then l should confess that knew who
DO It'll Can l say as much as that, for
any one?"
but do you not know, father2n
No answer.
The old expression of brutality set-
tied suddenly over his face.
innocent2"
~ believe you are, my son."
''Oh, fatherl fatherl''
"But is not that enough, in Gods
name2 My boy, you ask very hard
things of me. You are unreasonable. !"
'"Then this load will never 'Je lifted
from mel Oh, that l could find some
one, who would be willing to share it
with mel 1t is too much-too mucnl''
and he wept bitterly OH The neck OF his
cruel and unfeeling father.
MY dear boyl'' said the father. his
feelings seeming to assert their control
momentarily again, 'oh, do not take
on this wayl don't believe you are
guilty. Nobody believes it'll Isn't
that quite enoughp Isn't it all | can
sayP Oh, stop these tearsl My boy
my dear boy, l am going to die only
for you. Never forget the father that
loved you! Never be ashamed to
speak Of him; and tell every one that
he died innocent! Ny dearest boyp'-
and he pressed him 90 his bosom SO
passionately and long, that 1t seemed
as if he would never consent to loose
his embrace again.
This me elting scene lasted for some
time. 1t drew to Il close at length,
however.
The boy retired through the door,
weeping and sobbing cony ulsivcly, his
face covered with his hands.
II shall never see him again! never
agalnl' were the words on his lips, as
ne went out" And he will not say that
L am clear of guiltl'
The criminal finally looked up from
the floor.
Come backl my son-my boyl Bring
him back to me once mOrel" cried he,
beckoning fiercely for his child.
The father embraced him again, and
yet again.
The son waited for the syllables-the
few syllaDles that should establish his
mnocence in the Judgment of the
world. His soul was rent with agony.
But they came not.
The father raved like mad man.
swearing that his boy was his idol--his
darling-his all. But nothing of his
Innocence. Only he believed him inno-
cent.
And the second, and even the third
time he was taken away. His father
continued to beg that he be brought
back again. And finally he was gone
forever!
The one went out into the world,
with the fearful task before him Of liv-
ing down nonstrous lie. And that
lie begOtten of the seltishness and cow
aruice Of his father. The other went
to his doom like a brute cold, callous,
and unfOrgving.
One still lives.
"A poor, pale boy, bowed with the
weight OF his great griefs.
The other has left behind him u
memory that can conjure horrors at any
moment far dlrer than any that ever
Drooded i'll the breasts Of demons and
tiends incarnate.
Curses rest on the grave of the
father; but have pity, only tenderest
pity, on the young heart that Will never
KNOW rest again save in Heaven!