The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-09-05

staring him in the face. Before the hour
was gone the doctor was summoned.
Betty was actively ministering to her mis-
tress' calls, while the rawlings of the sick
man and the wild chorus of the winds made
the March night hideous and bodeful.
It was case of brain fever, the doctor
said. The strong constitution of the
sufferer was greatly in his favor, but evi.
IDENTIFY he would have seige of it. So
the mother nursed him through the night
and through the following day. The storm
did not abate. Nevertheless, when even
ing came Mrs. Ferris left the bedside for
the first time, and under the escort of her
farm-boy she plunged into the blackness
of the tempestuous evening. What could
call her from home and the side of her
sick boy at such time ? She must have
become infected with her sons delirium
No, she is even now doing that which
looks to the healing of the dear one of
her heart. All day long she has planned
how she may save him from the woeful
consequences of his sin. Nothing less
than the hope that she might succor him
could have driven her from his presence
tonight.
And now she hastens to the great stone
mansion on the hill. An old New York
banker has set up his household gods in
the place. He is known to Mrs. Ferris as
a large-hearted Christian philanthropist.
She calls for him. In the library she
meets him. They are known to one anoth-
err. She needs no introduction. With no
word of explanation, fred with brave
purpose, she states her earnest need.
any friend said she, 81 am in great
trouble. l must raise ten thousand dol
lars. NV home and its contents cost
eleven. Can you give me the money and
take mortgage ?"
Her fearless eyes were irresistibly be.
seeching.
"Mrs. Ferris" replied the banker, after
moments consideration, "I-I will, on
behalf of the bank, give you seven thou
sand dollars on mortgage"
Oh, my God, to whom shall go for
the rest ?" interrupted the sorrow strick-
en- woman in despairing tones"
"And / will lend you the additional
three thousand" continued he, brushing
away tear that stole down his cheek.
How could man help it, when such an
agopiziDg appeal was made to him
"You may give me your note, and per-
udtS yOuI sui udu UtJJtT sigh WIFI you.
Prudence still asserts itself even in mo-
ments of genuine sympathy and grief.
The clock strikes the hour. She is home
again, sitting patiently by the bedside.
The next morning a telegram is brought
to the Judges "friend" in the western
city. 1t reads:
my son is very H. Brain fever. Where shall deposit
YOUR ten thousand dollars? MRS. ROYAL FERRIS"
Before the day is sped the reply is put
in the mothers hands:
"Sorry the judge IL sick. Deposit the
cash to my credit in First Broadway Ma
tional Bank. Telegraph at my expense
any change in your sons condition"
And now came the long weary days and
the long restless nights, and then returns
the sway Of reason in the life of Bennett
Ferris. When the first CLEANS appear
the mother tells her story, that her son
may know his relief. His words are very
few and his tears are very many. Hope
has not been kindled in his heart. The
world NAV never hear of his shameless
breach of faith and his overwhelming dis
grace, but the solemn, treacherous fact
remains. And the mother feels that thus
her son is reasoning, as day after day his
health returns, but not his cheerfulness
and buoyancy.
Perhaps il is three weeks since the
memorable March night. Mother and
son are sitting where the morning sun
shine battles them in its welcome light.
1t is the decisive hour of lifetime.
Mother, there's no one in the world
cares anything about me but voH."
The mother clasps his hand, and draws
him close by her side.
eff it were known that l misappro-
priated that money, doubt if single
man would defend men. | tell you,
mother, this is rough and heartless
world when man goes wrong in certain
directions. He may swear, and drink
and gamble, and play fast and loose with
women, and yet be called very nice and
respectable, but the instant he is " swamp
ed "by reason of these things, then men
cuff him and kick him and stamp on him,
and he is an outcast."
swell, nv boy, thank God that is not
so with you"
"But, mother, if am not disgraced in
the sight of my old associates aud clients,
the fact is matter of record that deserve
disgrace, and that am not trustworthy"
"Ben do not say it. The world might
easilv lose faith in you, but l, never"
eyes, mother, you're good and I'm
your boy"
snow, Ben," and the mother rose from
her chair and faced her boy. "The day
has come. You are disheartened and hope
less. see that you do not care to return
to your western life. You feel that, how
ever men may trust you, you can never
trust yourself, and a man that cannot
trust himself is sorry dependence. My
boy, you cannot change the past, but you
can redeem the past. You cannot wipe
out fact, but God in his infinite love has
so ordered life that we can evoke good
from evil and transform bitter memory
into a piteous and merciful warning.
That which you have done is done. God
pardon you for your sin and crime. But
it stands to-day, not as relentless, vim.
dictive tyrant, but as a heavy chastise-
ment-a fiery discipline, persuading the
heart to manlier effort o Ben, my dear
son, have charge for you. l know not
whether the prayer of faith to-day will
heal the sick of body. But this | know,
there is faith-cure that is real-the faith
cure of the soul. There is work for you
to do and you will do it WELL There is