Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-02-01
CONSCIENTIOUS MIR. WOOD.
ROW.


Judge CLARK, in New York Ledger.
Eliab WoOdrow's conscience troubled
him. 1t was always troubling some
body. He had been two months q step
father without having once applied the
rod of correction to his little step-son,
Georgia Ross. The difficulty lay in
finding excuse for beginning; for with
all Georgie's life and love of fun, the
watchful step-paternal eye had so far
failed to find decent preteXt for whip.
ping him.
One morning he went out, leaving,
as it happened, iive-dollar note on the
library table. Little Georgia was in
the room busy with the lessons set him
to be learned by Mr.. Woodrow's re-
turn. This happened sooner, at least
George thought so-than usual; and
feeling that he could finish his studies
better elsewhere than under Mr.. Wood
rows disconnected eye, he gathered up
his books and started out.
"Come back!" called Mr.. Woodrow,
in u sterner tone than he had ever
used before.
George obeyed
"Who was in this room in my alb
sencep"
81 was, sir" George answered tim
idly.
"Any one else?"
"N-no-let me see-yes-I think
Uncle jeffrey was, but l didn't take
much notice"
George, Mr.. Woodrow spoke
slowly, with his eyes fixed intently on
the boy's-"I left a bank-note on that
table. 1t is missing; do you know
what has become of it?"
There was that in the questioner's
manner which, more than his words,
made the hot blood fly to Georgic's
face. He felt instinctively that he was
the object of foul suspicion. Steady
ing his lips, he said, in u voice as firm
and distinct as Mr.. Woodrow own:
81 do not"
81 will hear your lessons now," said
Mr.. Woodrow, with ominous calmness.
He reached out his hand for Georgie's
books, and from, the very first he opened
| aroppcd Me mtSSsng note!
Georgie's face turned white. His
knees shook, and, for q moment it
seemed as if he would sink through the
floor Then, in a pitiful wall, came
the words:
"Indeed!-indeed!-I do not know
how it got therew
Mr.. Woodrow smiled incredulously,
but his voice sounded almost affection
ate rs he said:
"We'll postpone the lessons for to-
day George. My first duty is 10 punish
you"
"But am no theft did not steal
it'll do not know how it got in my
bookW pleaded Georgia, wildly and
passionately.
"Oh! mamma!-mamma!' he cried,
running to his mother as she entered;
she says | stole his money. He is
going TO beat me!--save me!-tell him
it is not true!"
81 would gladly have spared you this
painful scene, Mary said Mr.. Wood
row, in tone tenderly pathetic; "but
when you have heard me, l am sure
you will approve what propose do
ing"
Mr.. Woodrow proceeded to state the
facts. When he had finished, the case
looked astonishingly clear-almost as
clear as that against Benjamin when
they found the golden cup in his sacks
mouth.
"There would be more excuse for
leniency,h Mr.. Woodrow added, "if he
acknowledged his guilt. But while he
brazens it out, your own Judgment
must tell you there is but one course to
take to save the boy from ruin"
"Oh George! Georgie!'' appealed
his mother, "confess your fault! Your
father will then"
"My fatherr' the boy Indignantly
broke in-"my father would never
have believed Twas q thief! Oh! moth
er, surely you do not!"
For an instant her mothers heart
wavered. George had always been a
truthful boy; and in the face Of all the
facts, there was something in the eyes,
turned beseechingly to hers, that she
could hardly believe was not the look
of innocence. But glance from her
husband changed the current of her
thoughts, and again she urged George
to confess
Not another word of pleading or of
protest passed his lips. He stood in
sullen silence.
Go, Mary, and leave him to me-"
said Mr.. Woodrow, with mild suavity;
''you know / shall perform my duty
conscientiously."
The mother turned away reluctant
ly, and Mr.. Woodrow end his step-son
were alone.
We have no wish to dwell on what
followed Selling George by the arm,
tho strong man dealt brutal blow after
brutal blow with his heavy riding
whip. The boys flesh writhed and
quivered under the strokes, but not
one tear fell, not one cry was uttered. |
81 shall repeat this every day till |
you confess" said MIR. Woodrow, sink
ing into chair exhausted "Go now."
Next morning Georgia failed to ap-
pear at breakfast. On visiting his
room which was on the ground floor,
the window was found open and the
room deserted. The most diligent
search and inquiry failed to discover
any traces of the boy. But the next
post from a neighboring seaport town
brought letter to his mother, evident
ly meant to assure her Of his safety. 1t
had been posted on the ava NJ his soil.