Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-02-12

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wife, he kissed her rs she asked how he
had succeeded with the wicked man in
the Jail.
"He told me" repeated Mr. Leyton,
"that he had son, whose fate torment
ed him more than his punishment. In
deed, his mind was so distracted re-
specting the youth that he: was scarcely
able to understand my exhortations.
He entreated Inc, with agonizing ener-
gy, to save his son from such life as
he had led, and gave me the address Of
woman in whose house he lodged. I
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. Breathlessly he heard
the account Of his fathers last request;
of the benevolent clergyman's wish to
fulfill it. He started up, ran toward
Che door and endeayored to open it.
Mr. Legion calmly restrained him.
"You must not escape he said.
II cannot stop here l cannot bear
to look at you. Let me go!' The lad
|
said this wildly and shook himself
away.
"Why, I intend you nothing but
kindness" d"
A new flood of tears gushed forth,
and George West said, between his
sobs:
"Whilst you were searching for me
to help me, l was trying to burn you
in your house. Icannot bear it. He
sunk on his knees, and covered his
hands
There was long silence; for Mr.
and Mrs Leytor were as much moved
as the boy who was bowed down with
shame aud penitence, to which hither-
to he had been stranger.
At last the clergyman asked: "What
could have induced you to commit
such a c.ime?'
Rising suddenly in the excitement OF
remorse, gratitude, and many other
feelings new to him, he hesitated for a
moment, and then told his story. He
related his trials, his sins, his SORROWS,
his supposed wrongs, his burning an-
ger at the terrible iate Of his only pa
rent, and his rage at the exnltation OF
the crowd his desoation OH recover
inc from the swoon; his thirst for ven-
gsance; the attempt to satisfy it. He
spoke with untMght, child-like SIM
plicity, without attempting to impress
the emotions which successfully over
came him.
When he ceased, the lady fastened
to the crouching boy. and soothed him
with gentle words. The very tones of
her voice were new to him They
pierced his nearl more acutePy than the
tiercest of the upbraidings and dcnun'
Citations Of his old companions. ae
looked on his mcrcitul benefactors with
bewildered tenderness. He kissed Mrs.
Leyton's hand, then gently laid on his
shoulder. He gazed about like one In
a dream who dreaded to wake. He be-
came faint and staggered. He was laid
gently on a sofa, and Mr. anil Mrs Ley
ton left him.
Food was shortly administered to
him. and after awhile, when his senses
had become sufficiently collected, Mr..
Ley'o on returned to the study, and cx-
planned holy and beautiful things.
which were new to the neglected boy.
Of the great yet loving Father; Of Him
who loved the poor, forlorn wretch
equally with the richest, and noblest.
and happiest; of the force and efficacy
of the sweet beatitude, BLESSED are the
merciful, for they shall obtain mercy"
l heard this story from Mr.. Leyton
during visit to him in May. George
West was theE head-ploughman to a
neighboring farmcr-onc OF the clean
est, best behaved, and most respected
! laborers in the parish.