Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-07-25
Harry Lees Temptation


trial, Frederick; remember it is his trst
o1'ense.'
Il am not so sure of that. A lad
who would stoop 10 such dishonest
act would not hesitate 10 tell false
hood to shield himself from punish
ment. l think I've treated him better
than he deserves by not publishing his
guilt, thereby shielding others from a
like deception
But he will find il difficult to obtain
another situation without recommend
alton from YOU
That IS not my lookout. 1 discover
ed the lad 10 a dishonest act, committed
with perfect intrepidity and GOODNESS.
l had no other alternative but to dis
mics Inn from my employ, and am
aware il was done in no gentle Ian
guace. Of course, bis pleahad all The
seeming innocence and simplicity OF
which bis class are capable, though he
was 100 much overwhelmed with sur
Prise and coniusiou-at being detected
in lis guilt-to have many words
well, Frederick, 1 cannot be de-
ceived in that face-that honest, noble
manly face. Ifyou had only gained
his confidence be might have made It,
He is so young to be left 10 make biz
way alone, ard this very act may be
the turning point in his life, and you
may be the means Of bis ruin or saliva
ton, Just whichever way your decision
happens 10 turn. Think, what if il
was our boy, Frederick?
Mr.. JOY looked down into the bright
beautiful face Of his only child, and
drawing him close to bis heart, helt
him there.
Yes, pap, forgive poor Harry iol
my sake
Twill try again, Mary. You mus
90 and see blm in the morning, ant
gain bis confidence, if you can. Per
haps 1 haye not done my duty.
Mr.. Joy was awakening to sense o.
his. responsibility, and his next words
sent thrill Of happiness to the hear
of bis true, faithful wife.
MARY, if It is not too much trouble
for you, will invite all my clerks "
to tea tomorrow evening. You mus
ask your sisters to happen IN, and VIC
will try and give them pleasan
evening. Then we can ascertain Il
they have any religious interests, anC
| perhaps gather them into our Bible clas'
and church. Strange, Mary, that
never felt this duty keenly before. s.
many of the lads are without the re
straining influence of home, subject to
multitude of temptations, |, who am ii
measure responsible for their souls
lust as am for this little child whom
| God has given mel have lett them t.
run into all kinds of danger and vice,
| it may be, without a friendly word Q
warning or counsel.
And while the earnest resolves wer
filling the little household with ueV
pesce and happiness, Harry Lee sa
by the back window of his attic cham
ber-alone and in darkness. Mrs. 10
had said there was nothing bad in tina
young face, and she would have reallz
cd it all the more could she have locke
into it then; pale, sad despairing, th'
black curls pushed away from the fu
ialr forehead, The frank, boyish ex
preston changed 10 one of agonizln
despair.
There was little sleep in the ding
back attic that night; towards mornin
Harry threw himself upon bis bed al
fell into light, uneasy slumber, tn
weight Of his heavy pain mingling wit
his dreams, and coming back with n
doubled force, as he awakened to tt
] consciousness of his own misery ia ii
light OF another day.
He had set himself resolutely to d.
vising some way OF obtaining emplo,
nent, aud casting aside one plan aft'
another as worthless, when Mrs. JOY
this is little Willie come to make "
a visit and bring you good news opel
ing the door in answer to his iceb
. response.
The lad sprapg 10 bis feet, aud I
! bot blood leaped into bis pale cheek
!, his lips quIvered, but he could not u.'
a word:
T Papa says Come back to the stare
n pleaded The child's voice. He SAID
e must tell you, because l did 1t, thoul
/ don't know how
Yes, Harry, Mr.. Joy has fOrgi'