Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-06
GaIes and Skettkts.
HAsfY JUDGMENT.


happy a. any bird caroling her song all the
day long. We all loved her very much.
and I, for one, shed tears of joy when she
left the fowery paths of sin. and came out
on the Lords side. remember well the
day upon which she was baptized. Good
old Edwards was our pastor then; and
believe that never heard him preach SO
we'll as he did on that morning. Bertha
Maynard was just II years Of age then
q pretty, girlish creature, slim and grace
fui. blue-eyed and sunny haired. Yet
Young as she was, she seemed very much
in earnest and she was willing to give all
to the Lord; and none, unless Brother
Gregg, even doubted her sincerity.
She is too giddy a gid to make good
Christian he said, shaking his head
doubtfully. "She has commenced in the
right way. but fear she will, ere long.
turn back"
The Lord has power to bring all into
his fold" | said, in reproving tone.
II know that ;but do say it takes great
stability of character TO make good
Christian. Now, we all like BERTHE, who
is petted and spoiled child, used, young
~ she is, to all kinds of dissipation. and
with a score of fashionable friends whom
she likes quite as well as she does any of
the brethren or sisters of this church.
Think YOU she will bear their temptings
and remain pure? that she will pass
through Satan's fire and come out I'M
scathed o'
IL think So" returned-still his words
set Inc to thinking, and | resolved to
watch the poor girl. and to see how far
Brother Gregg's words would prove true.
Che ROD haap a ypapbar IF our fhurch
for nearly year before | noticed anything
unchristian like in her behavior. 1t was
one night early in spring that happened
to be Kept at nv office BY business until
after Ii O'Clock. At last, having finished,
| closed my books and putting out my
lamp. stepped into the street.
Just opppOsite my Office was Burkes
hall, now all lighted up for grand ball.
| could hear the rich music and see the
magnificently dressed ladies as they glided
through the dance and | sighed as |
thought OF the many ways Satan had OF
enticing poor mortals from their Maker,
only TO add them to his own list. l re-
sided about half a mile out of town, and
my way lay by the Maynard place.
Sweet little BERTHE is sound asleep and
not wasting the hours which God has
given us IcSt- Ssiiu w SCii, 90 |
glanced at the dark windows of the build
ing. lone and all of the family are en-
joying the blessed boon-sleep!'
But no-just then faint light glim
mered from a window. out in the DARK
ness. Involuntarily | ceased my rapid
walk, and paused before the dwelling.
wondering whether or not any of the
family were sick; for | knew that they
were in the habit of retiring early.
was not left long in doubt; the win
dow was raised noiselessly, and 1.-THE
little figure sprang out. 1t was dressed
in a rich evening robe, and wore mask !;
but for all that knew it was Bertha May
nard
How swiftly flew her little feet. as she
took her way toward town, while |, like
wolf seeking for prey. followed on behind
her! On, on she went in kind OF fever
ish heat, pausing not until she had reached
the bottom of the broad steps which led
to Burke hall i; where she stopped long
enough to give hasty glance around her,
ere she sprang up them and vanished from
my view.
$50. So" unused bitterly. Brother
Gregg was right after all. Bertha May
nard weas cloak of religion and attends
masquerade. Poor. foolish child
must see her tomorrow. For the love
bear her. will be kind and patient. and
then if she does not mend her ways it will
he my painful duty to report her conduct
to the church."
Accordingly called the next dav at the
Maynard place. Mr.. Maynard and his
wife were out riding, and Bertha was
alone, as had hoped that she would be.
She met me cordially, and her eyelids
dropped under my piercing gaze and |
thought her fcae wore guilty flush.
Bertha. where were You last night ?"
l shall never forget the deathlike pallor
that overspread her face then. or how she
grasped chair to keep herself from fall
ing pitied her. andf felt glad that it was
only I. Of all the shurch. that knew of her
sin; another might not spare her feelings
As would do.
'.Bertie," said more kindly. why did
you 60 there last night? Trust me. ! am
your only true friend"
deacon Mar she exclaimed. with
sudden energy. ''if YOU are really my
friend, trust me. Do not seek to tear my
secret from me for as the Lord lives
meant no wrong"
Her pallid face was raised beseechingly
TO mine now, ana cOuld not ma II IN my
heart to condemn her. l only said
'Bertie. believe you and will trust on,
if you will promise never to GO to such a
place again"
Il will promise that readily" she re-
turned. grasping my hand. ''Iwant to do
right, but sometimes find it hard to tell
what is right am not as guilty as you
think l am. Deacon Mar"
And so the matter was dropped tor the
time, and I, silenced, but not convinced,
left her. As l at first decided. made
no mention of the matter to any one but
not feeling quite satisfied with either my
self or her, kept close watch upon her
movements. staying purposely out late a,
night, whenever any kind of sinful amuse-
ment was going on in town. to see wheth-
er or not could discover another error
in her conduct; resolving if should to
report it at once to the church.
And so month passed, and then there
came an evening when Burke's hall was
again lighted up for another grand mas
querade; and on that evening I took
my stand near the Maynard place.
in spot that would command a
good view of Bertie's window, and where
could remain unseen by any passer-by
And there. hour after hour, | crouched