St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-07
A Reach of Love.

was again admitted to the prisoners
room. "Father Gilbert" everybody
called him, not the arbitrary title OF
the ROmish church, but name which
grew out of long years of spiritual ser
vice and fatherly care for souls. His
was one of those few long pastorates.
when the tie had been snndered with
only sorrow on both sides that relent-
less age and infirmity had come at last
But the old man had work yet to do,
and with the sweetness of ripened eX-
perience, he fell quietly into the place
of sub-pastor, content to see new meas
ures introduced without criticism,
proving himself the best friend of the
young pastor and seeking out work
that no one else could find time to do.
al have come again, John. How do
you find yourself tonight? What
your supper untasted ? You must not
do that, you will fall sick.'
at could not be worse if did sir. ]
am not hungry and could not eat this
vile stuff if | were. But how good of
so long before me ~ and the poor man
grasped the warm hand that was held
out to him.
81 wanted to have one more talk
with you, John. The case will close
to morrow, you know" 'Ges," an
swered John, land do you think there
is any hope for me-"
"My dear fellow, Pm afraid not, not
the least. The case is such clear one
against you, there seems little room
for doubt. You were the only person
known to be i'll the building when the
burglary was committed. GOu admit
having slept there all night as usual
and no mortal man could have slept
through the noise that must have been
made in forcing those bolts and locks.
The jury will all say that you did the
robbing and left these disturbances to
ward off suspicion"
81 know there is nothing but my
word to save me-" the man answered,
gloomily, "but, Father Gilbert, it does
seem as if the word of Il Christian man
who has always lived a good life, ought
to 90 for something"
The old Pastor shook his head.
''That will not weigh, fear. Other
good men have fallen under stress of
temptation; the world is full of them,
sad as it is
John IIaight started up, his face and
tone an agony. "Why do you say other
good men? Is it possible yOu have lost
faith in me, Father Gilbert-yOu who
have known me always? O my God,
this is too much to bear! !"
The old man hesitated, and his voice
shook as he replied, "Yes, | have
known you always, John, | baptised
you in your babyhoOd, married you III
4
Nancy into the church, and have
watched your children growing up
around you. In all these years | have
never known you to be false. But you
have had IL hard life, John; your fam
lily is large and your income small.
You were about to lose your little
home, under mortgage you were
placed under a terrible temptation, aud
the money missed from the store. lust
beGeRt beeGeRR rdi{MHR "sect4r9tf In your yy'tTnr yard. o
John, it breaks my heart to say it, but
it looks dark against you. | fear you
have sinned, and are SHINING now III
denying it, 1t is better everyway for
YOU to confess. Hear the word of God.
He that cOvereth his sins shall not
prosper; but whose confesseth and for
saketh them shall have mercy" If we
confess our sins He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins.
1t will be better for you too before
the law. You will receive II lighter
sentence"
Il cannot confess to a lie. | am en-
tirelv innocent.s | did not commit the
robbery" John Haight thought mo-
ment. and then said impulsively, 81
| Ill a H.
cr Gilbert, that | had not thought to
reveal to any mortal. Even my poor
wife does not know it, but she believes
in me, thank God. Father Gilbert, 1
knOw WhO did the crime. | must have
been stupefied in some way, for woke
lust as he was leaving. | saw what
had been done, knew the person.
called him by name, but he hurried
away, noiselessly leaving the appear
ance of guilt with me-"
"My dear fellow" exclaimed the ole
Pastor, "why in the world haven't you
told of this before | will make i
t known at once. Who was the william
: tell me quick" He seemed impatient
at the hesitation of the prisoner as h'
sat back and resolutely folded his arms
..Not to escape all the horrors OF TIN
inGuisition would | tell you that per
sons name Not to save my soul, mucI
less my body"
"What madness is this, John Haight
are You gone wild? What do yo
mean Y
I 81 am not wild, know perfect
well what am saying, and my plan
n are all made. One thing more | wan
to say. | have told this to you, to TT
to convince you of my innocence, bu
il must never be made known. BY a
the love you have borne me, l entrea
command you, never to reveal 1t
any mortal. Promise me, promise N
now ~ In his eagerness he had rlsel
y and grasped both the hands of his Ol
friend. Long did the minister plea
Remonstrance was useless and IL
promise was at last given.
The next day, by unanimous verdic
John Haight was sentenced to Il ter
of years in state prison. The chur'
y lamented that so good man had ia
> len, and with sorrow crossed his nan
from their records. The world sente
. tionsly conluded that it had alwa
had its suspicious of that man, tia
probably he had used religion as
cloak and that bad blood would at Ia
. show itself. Thus he dropped out
the community life like stone into
sea.
!, OF course his home was given L
and Mary Haight with her childr
OF was turned ont into the world. II
only dependence was woman's c
-,o weapon against want-a slent
Ies res shining needle. Most of the eli
ngs dren were young. Willie, the eide
a rse lost his place as clerk in the st,