Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-07-24
HARRY LEES TEMPTATION.

trial, Frederic; remember it is his first of.
fense." ---'' VI
Il am not sure ofthat. A lad who would
stoop TO such a dishonest act would NOT
hesitate to tell a falsehood to shield him
seH from punishment. | think I've treated
nm oeSter than he deservs by not punish
ing MS guilt, thereby shielding others from
like deception
'Bus ne will find it difficult TO obtain an
other situation without recommendation
| from you." '''n
| "1hat Is not my lookout. | discovered
The laa "a q dishonest act, committed with
Per1ecG iherepldity and GOODNESS. I had no
QUIET alternative but to dismiss him from
my Employ and am aware it was done in
no genCie language. Of course, his plea
lau Sll tle seeming innocence and simplio-
| tty OF winch his class are capable, though
| he was too much overwhelmed with sHr-
prise and confusion-at being detected in
his gulIt-to have many words.''
wen, Frederic, | cannot be deceived in
tnas 1ace-that honest, noble, manly face.
II you had only gained his confidence he
might have made it plain. He is Sc younp
to he left to make his way alone, and this
very act may be the turning point in his
LIE, and you may be the means of his min
or salvation, just whichever way yOnr de-
eislon happens to turn. Think, what IF II
was our boy, Frederic? ?''
Mr.. Joy looked down into the br;pbt
beautiful face Of his only child. and. draw
ing him close to his heart, held him there
sake" A'' inJ
twill try him again, Mary. Youmust 90
and see him in the morning, and gain his
confidence, II you can. Perhaps have not
Mr.. Joy was awakened to sense of his
responsibility, and his next words sent a
thrill of happiness to the heart of his trre
and faithful wife.
''Mary. if it is not too much trouble for
you, will invite all my clerks up To tea to.
morrow evening. You must ask YOUR sis
ters TO happen in, and we will try and give
them pleasant evening. Then we can as
certain if they have any religious interests.
and perhaps gather them into our Bible
class and church. Strange, Mary, that 7
never felt this duty keenly before. So
many of the lads are without the restrain
ing influence of home, subject to a multi
tude of temptations, and |, who am In a
mesure responsible for their souis-iust as
| 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 friendly word of warning or counsel -
And while the earnest resolves were fill
ing the little household with a new peace
and happiness, Harry Lee sat by the back
window of his attic chamber-alons and in
darkness. Mrs. Joy had said there was
nothing bad in that young face, and she
would have realized it all the more oould
she have looked into it then; pale, sad and
despairing, the black ourls pushed awav
from the full, fair forehead, the frank, boy
ish expression changed to one of agonizing
despair.
There was little sleep in the dingy back
attic that night; but towards morning Har-
ry threw himself upon his bed and fell
into light, uneasy siumber, the weight of
MS heavy pain mingling with redoubled
force as he awakened to the consciousness
OF his own misery in the light Of another
day,
He had set himself resolutely to devise
some way of obtaining employment, and
casting aside one place after another as
worthless, when Mrs. Joy tapped lightly
upon his door.
Harry Lee, you know Mrs. Joy-this is
little Willie come to make you visit and
bring you good news" opening the door in
answer to his feeble response.
The Lad springs to his feet, and the hot
blood leaped into his pale cheeks, his lips
quivered, but he could not utter word.
Papa says Come back to the store" ="
pleaded the child's voice. ''He said must
tell you, because did it, though I don't
know now
eyes, Harry, Mr.. Joy has forgiven you,
and desires you should come back to yoir
old place. And, my dear boy, 1 cannot
think you really meant to be dishonest; now
did you?" going up to him and laying her
hand upon his, with the tenderness of
mother.
'Oh, no madam Indeed did not. |
intended to replace every cent. Ibid wrong,
but I was not willful thief.''
"Wiil you tell me just how it happened,
| Harry, and how you came to be alone in
this great city, with such forlorn surround
| ings?"
| 81 came here six months ago from Wood
| land, pleasant little country town where
[ lived all my days; my fathers health had
| failed, and with only the income of the
small farm, it was hard to MAKE both ends
meet. l could not bear my dear sister
should wear herselfout with teaching, while
|, a strong lad, was going to school by her
earnings, so | determined to start out for
myself and see what could do to help
hard as it was to give up my books and
| leave the old home and all behind.
"No one can imagine what I suffered
from homesckness for the first few weeks
after entered Mr.. joys store; and this
cheerless room-the best l could afford,
seemed such dreary place in which to
spend my evenings, that l grew so very
wretched l was glad to fall into the com
panionship of almost any one, and I was
led into places [ ought never to have enter
ed; but my associates were kind and atten-
tive, and better company than my own
gloomy thoughts, and l was only too glad
to have somewhere to go. l always sent
certain amount home every week, but
was tempted to spend a part of my money
in tickets for the theatre, for felt it was
not honorable to accept favors without ev-
er returning them; and so [ had not the
requisite amount. Il tried to get the cour-
age to ask Mr.. Joy for the $2.00 which I
needed to make the usual sum, and then
the thought came to me that 1 could keep
that amount from my daily sales and re-
place it next week, never stopping to think
how easily it could be detected, or that it
was possible | could be considered a thief.
But see now how wrong it was, and l am
afraid can never regain Mr.. joys respect
and confidence, and all my fellow-clerks
will look upon me with pity and contempt
No, Mrs. Joy, and dear little Willie, though
my heart blesses you for lifting part of
the load, do not feel as if could go back.
1 believe will go to sea-
''And leave that dear father and mother
to grieve for you? Why, it would break
their hearts, They need not know about
your temptation until you can go to them
and tell them all your trouble; but if you
1un away like a criminal or coward, they
will have reason to believe their son has
fallen into guilt and crime. No, my dear
boy; stay and prove to your employer, by
your future honesty, that you did not intend
to defraud him, and let this severe lesson
make your home life more cheerful. and in
pleasant, innocent recreation you shall fos-
get your home sickness and desolation, and
have no desire to join in vain, Improbable
| arnuSamentS. Saalr the com NJ ninnSI hin of