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

the hay rick scarcely daring to breathe;
expecting each instant that the dog
would spring upon him. 1t was some
time before the boy dared to stir; and,
as his courage cooled, his thirst for re
venge somewhat subs:ded also, till he
almost determined to return to Lom-
borough but he was too tired, too cold,
too hungry-besides the woman would
beat him for staying out so late. What
could he do where should he go? and
as the sense Of his lonely and forlorn
condition returned. so did also the af-
fectionate remembrance of his father,
his hatred of his accusers, his oesire to
satisfy his vengeance; and, once more,
courageous through anger, he rose, took
the boz from his pocket, and boldly
drew one of them across the sandpaper.
1t famed he stuck it hastily in the
stack against which he rested-it only
hlckered d little, and went out. In
great trepidation young West once
more grasped the t'hole Of the remain
ing matches in his hand and ignited
them, but at the s;sme itstant the dog
barked. He heard the gate open, a
step ia close to him, the matches are
e1tinguished, and the lad makes des
perate effort to escape-but strong
hand was laid upon his shoulder, and Il
deep, calm voice inquired
"What can have urged you to such a
crime p
Then calling loudly, the gentleman
without relinquishing his hold, soon
obtained the help of some farming men
who commenced search with then
lanterns all about the farm Of course
they found no accompices--nothing al
all but the handful of half-cOmposed
matches that 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 leturn
to the house; and thither,by dideren'
path, George was led, till they entered
small, poorly furnished room. The
walls were covered with books, as thu
bright flame Of the fire revealed to th'
anxious gaze of the little culprit. Th'
clergyman lit lamp. and surveyed hi
prisoner attentively. The lads eye'
were fixed on the ground, while Mr.
Levton's 8 wandered from his pale, pinch
ed features, to his scanty, ragged attire
through the tatters of which Ee could
discern the thin limbs qulverlng from
cold or fear; and when, at last, impell
ed by curiosity at the long silence
George looked up, there was somethln:
so sadly compassionate in the stran
gers gentle look, that the boy cou,e
scarcely believe that he was really thu
man whose evidences had mainly con
tributed to transport the father. A
the trial he had been unable to see hi
face,and nothing so 3ind had ever gaz
ed upon him. His proud, bad feeling
were already melting.
You look half starved said Mr.
Leyton "Draw near the fire. Yo'
Can cit down on that s'o,l while | ques
ton you; and mind you answer me tn
truth. ! am not magistrate. bat o
course can easily hand you over to MS
tice if you will not allow me to bench
you in my own way
George still stood twisting his ragge'
cap in his trembling fingers. and wit
, so much emotion depicted in his fac
that the COOL clergyman resumed, ii
still more soothing accents:
81 have 10 wish to do you anything
but good, my poor boy. Look up a
! me and see if you can trust me. Yo'
need not be thus frightened. 1 onl
desire to hear the tale Of misery you
appearance indicate, to relieve it it
} can."
Here the young culprit's heart smot
him. Was this the man whose hous
! he had tried to burn? On whom h
, had wished to bling ruin, and perhap
r death? Was it snare spread for hir
to lead to confession? But when h
looked on that grave, compassionate
a countenance, he felt that 1t was not.
Come my lad, tell me all.
George had for years heard little bu
! oaths and curses, rih.ld jests, or tn
4 thieves jargon Of his fathers associate
and had been constantly cufed AM
$ punished; but the better part of his n'
4 ture was not extinguished; and at thos
words from the mouth of his enemy b
e dropped on his knees, and clasping b
: hands, tried to speak, but only sad
He had not wept before during tina