The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-02-20

II YOU, bSl' Vii III 81 SIiu lOul-u
! We. prayed that the Lord'd show
+ me the way. But how did | come
to fall so, Benz 1t looked like solid
ground before me.
1T was devilish trapl said Ben
from between his clenched teeth.
. at makes my heart ache to think
that my hands helped build it. But
tell me, mother, where be We hurt?'
ooh, dunno-all over, | reckon
with a moan of pain. "NIy back is
the worst But don't feel so bad,'
patting his great strong hand
"I'm glad | got here. You see |
was so afraid you'd have a fuss with
the revenue men and p'raps you
might kill some on 'em-you know
you be hasty, my son-and |
couldn't bear ter think of We heving
sech an awful sin on yer poor soul.
But bark What's that:o' as there
was the sound of voices and foot
steps overheard.
ITS some of the officers, reckon
said Harvey calmly.
"Be theyo Then hushl hush!n
and her eyes grew wide with anxiety.
"Now see here said Bon kindly
but firmly, "don't We be one bit
scart' ha'n't agoing ter git into
no row nor nothing, but | am a-goin
ter git We out er this plaguey hole,
and them revenue fellers has got ter
help me! They kin take me ter jail
arter that if they hey a mind ter,
with grim smile. "Hallo up thar
he called out, ere his mother could
prevent.
as that you Harvey" voice
called down. Come, now, give
yourself up like a sensible fellow,
and it'll be all the better for YOU.
"None Of yer blarneyr Ben grow
ed back in answer. Il ha'nt propos-
ing on flight jest yet. I'll go with
we peaceable like if some on veil
help git my poor mother out Of this
internal pit"
In short time Ma'am Harvey
was lying on bed of coats and skins
in the little hut above. One of tie
revenue officers, whose heart WIS
moved at her sad condition, had o.
fered to hasten with all speed down
the mountain and procure doctor,
but the old woman rejected the o.
| fer.
It'd be of no USE she said with a
wan smile. 'I'd be dead atore he got
here. My hours come-I know it,
bnt ha'n't bit afraid. But I've got
two things to ask of We. One is that
Kin talk a leetle with Ben, and the
other is that you'll all speak up fur
him when his trial comcs-tell the
jedge as how he give himself up
quiet like, when, as you Know, he
might "a run away or fit ye-and
which he didn't do neither, through
love fur me-
| The officers agreed to this and
then went out and waited a cour-
teous guard at the door.
Ben watched with his dying mother.
The moonlight streamed in at the
one little window and flooded the
room with its silvery glow. But its
radiance was quite cclipsed by the
glory on the old woman's face, as in
faint but cheerful tones she spoke to
her son.
"Ben, Pm going fast, and | don't
want We to feel hard at me what Pm
going ter say ter ye. | want we ter
promise to try and live a better life
to do things that's honest and
open before all men. God'll help,
. we. If yer punished fur this moon
shining, bear it patiently, and when
we've a chance to begin agin, deal
fair and square. Phebe'll go hand
in hand with We on that, Know.
She wants ye to be a Christian.
|
She's a good girl. I-oh, dearn--
suppressing moan-'I did hope to
see we married and settled and me
a-holding yer children on my knee.
But it ha'n't ter be and | mustn't
grumble. Howsomeyer, what | want
now is to have We promise-yes,
promise me solemnly, to walk in the
right way. God'll forgive We what
wrong we've already done. God
sent His only begotten Son to save
; sinners. .SiRHfyS--that's YOU and
me, Ben! Oh! don't forgit my
words, my boy! Promise-promisen
Il PROMISE murmured the young
. man amid sobs he could not suppress.
She patted his hand approvingly;
a smile quivered about her trembling
lips, her eyes closed; he thought she
was gone and bent his head to catch
, the last tluttcring breath. Once
more she opened her eyes and look
: ed at him-longingly and lovingly
then she said in little gasps:
: "It's hard world-but God will
help-will help. I've been on pro-
baton Now, Lord-now the-full
communion
Then smile ofrapture ovcrspread
the aged tace-a smile that lid not
vanish even when the chill of death
settled down upon it. Poor Ma'am
Harvey had passed into the full COM
munion.
Ta,r,rn ,., S,;.nss. 49,.