Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-06-06
SHEPHERDSTOWN VIRGINIA. FRIDAY JUNE


open, step close to him, the matches are
extinguished, and the lad makes desper-
ate effort to escape-but strong hand was
laid upon his shoulder, and deep, calm
! voice inquired
"What can have urged you to such q
crime?"
Then calling loudly, the gentleman,
without relinquishing his hold, soon OBJ
tanned the help of some farming men, who
commenced a search with their lanterns
! all about the farm. or course they found
no accomplices-nothing at all but the
handful OF half-consumed matches the lad
had dropped; and he all the time stood
trembling, and occasionally struggling,
beneath the firm but not rough grasp of
the master who held him.
At last the men were told to return 10
the house and thither, by a different path,
was George led, till they entered small,
poorly furnished room. The walls were
covered with books, as the bright flame
of the fire revealed TO the anxious gaze Of
the little culprit. The clergyman lit 4
lamp, and surveyed his prisoner atten-
lively. The lads eyes were fixed on the
ground, while Mr.. Leyton's wandered
from his pale, pinched features, to his
scanty, ragged attire, through the tattcrs
Of which he could discern the thin limbs
quivering from cold or fear; and when,
at last compelled by curiosity at the long
silence, George looked up, there was
something SO sadly compassionate In the
strangers gentle look, that the boy could
scarcely believe that he was really the
man whose evidence had mainly contrib
uted to transport his father. At the trial
he had been unable to see his face, and
nothing so kind had ever gazed upon him.
His proud, bad feelings were already
melting.
"You look half starved" said Mr.. Ley
ton. "Draw near the fire. You can sit
down on that stool while question you;
and mind you answer me the truth. am
not a magistrate, but Of course can easily
hand you over to justice if you will Lot
allow me to benefit you in my own way"
George still stood twisting his ragged
cap in his trembling fingers, and with so
much emotion depicted in his face, that
the good clergyman resumed, in still more
soothing accents.
81 have no wish to do you anything but
good, my poor boy. Look up at me, and
see if you can't trust me. You need not
be thus frightened. l only desire TO hear
the tale of misery your appearance indi-
Gates, to relieve it, if l can"
Here the young culprit's heart smote
him. Was this the man whose house he
had tried to burn? On whom he had
wished to bring ruin, and perhaps death? !?
Was is il a snare spread for him, to lead
to confession? But when he looked on
that grave, compassionate countcnancc he
felt that it was not.
"Comc my lad, tell me ALL"
George had for years heard little but
oaths, and curses, and ribald jcSts, or the
thieves jargon Of his fathers associates,
and had been constantly cuffed and pun
ished; but the better part Of his nature
was not extingushed; and at those words
from the mouth of the enemy, he dropped
on his knees and clasping his hands, tried
to speak, but could only sob. lie had not
wept before during that day OF anguish;
and now his tears gusheG forth SO freely,
his grief was so passionate, as he half
knelt, half rested on the floor, tina: the
good questioncr saw that sorrow must
have its course ere calm could be restored.
The young penitent still wept, when a
knock was heard ut the door, and lady
entered. 1t was the 'clcrgyman's wife |;
he kissed her rs she asked how he had
succeeded with the wicked man in Jail.
"IIe told me-" replied Mr.. Leyton,
"that he had q son, whose fate tormcntcd
him more than his punishment. Indeed,
his mind was so distracted respecting the
youth that he was scarcely able to under
stand my exhortations. lie entreatcd me
with agonizing energy TO save his son
from such life rs he had led, and gave
me the address of woman in whose
house hc lodged. / was, however, unable
to find the boy, in spite of many earnest
inquiries" ....
"Did you hear his name? ?" asked the
wife.
"George West" was the reply.
At the mention Of his name, the boy
ceased to sob. Br0athlessly he heard the
account of his fathers last request; OF the
benevolent clergyman's wish. to fulfil it.
lie started up, ran toward the door, and
endeavored to open it. Mr.. Leyton calmly
restrained him.
"You must not escape" he said.
az cannot stop here. cannot bear to
look at you. Let me go." The lad said
this wildly, and shook himself away.
"why, intend you nothing but kind
ness"
A new food OF tears gushcd forth, and
George West said, between his sobs:
"whilst you were searching for me to
help me, was trying TO burn you in your
house. cannot bear it," lie sank oil
his knees, and covered his face with both
his hands.
There was long silence; for Mr.. and
Mrs. Leyton were as much moved as the
boy who was bowed down with shame and
penitence, to which he had hitherto been
a stranger.
At last the clergyman asked: "what
could have induced you TO commit suck
crime"