Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-06-02
THE FAMILY HONOR.
a Fathers Desperate Deed.

Seven O'Clock on September morn
ing. Dressed in white, with a broad
brimmed Panama hat and wearing Slip
pers, NJ. Roumegas went down into his
garden to watch his iacinths. This was
his daily custom. NJ. Roumegas wa
tered his precious jacinths with infinite
care. He evidently considered it a
grave operation, and gave it the earnest
attention Of a man who has little else
to do, and of an old man who has done
great deal. He had retired from
business with large fortune, made by
hrs activity. his intelligence, and
especially his probIty.
Probltyl Behold the great strength of
Roumegas, the cause of his successl
What a fine reputation was hisl Pure
as crystal and brilliant as the sun. On
the street hats were lifted before him
like the wings of swallows. One felt
near him an atmosphere of calm and
well-earned repose. 1t was an honest,
great man who passed when NJ. Rou-
megas walked by. Such life merits
recompense, but Heaven had been un-
just towards the just, and had not
spared trouble. His wife was dead.
His only child, Antoine, was thirty
years old-dissipated and completely
worthless. In the town he was named
only with smile and shrug. When
the tall, blonde, handsome fellow,
elegantly dressed, but duil-eyed and
stupid, was met in the street, people
hesitated about speaking to him, but
they thought of his father and bowed.
The poor old father suffered deeply. All
his ambitious dreams for his son had
proved vain.
what was the good of working?
Papa was rich and not eternal. Let US
amuse ourselves" said the young man.
Neither reasoning nor threats availed.
Wounded in his hope, his pride, his
love, how quickly poor Roumegas agedl
At seventy any one would have called
him eighty; under his great straw hat
his face looked wrinkled as a baked
apple: his scanty hair resembled threads
of silver; his figure was shrunken, and
out in the garden, now and then setting
down the waterlng-pot too heavy for
his feeble hand, he had the air of an
old white doll amid the sunshine and
flowers.
a hositating step on the gravel path
made NJ. Roumegas turn. Antoine
was before him-very pale, with soiled
linen. disordered hair and red eyes.
The old man shrugged his shoulders:
"Ah, here you are-at this hourl Are
you not ashamed? Come to bed! and
try TO be down by noon"
With shrug, full of lassitude and
resignation, he continued watering his
cherished jacinths. Antoine did not
stir.
Don't you hear megnasked II. Rou-
megas without turning.
Father" said the young man, ad-
vancing step.
This time NJ. Roumegas put down
the ~watering-pot, adjusted his glasses,
and IL a tone half vexed and half indul-
gent, asked: "What is it?"
Antoine appeared to try to gather
courage, and stammered, in a low
voice: "Last night-at play
"lou lost-lost againl All, misery Of
my lifel He will kill me, that boy!
You had sworn to me. By Heayenl
there is only one thing to do: Pay. pay
again, and always, to the last coin!
There is the Roumegas honorl Come,
how much?" Antoine remained silent.
''It is not that?'' "What is it, then?
4 q.arrel? You have been insulted?
You fought9 All, those gambling
roomsl What was done They drank,
they smoked, they disputed, they played,
they''--. A terrible thought crossed
the old mans mind; he anxiously
reached both hands toward his son in
beseeching gesturel 'Oh, not that; it
was not?' Antoine hung his head.
Great Heavens! it was true! His SON
his son a cheat, theft The poor
man tottered as if about to fall.
''Papa!'' said Antoine. advancing to
support him.
Don't touch me-don't touch mel'
cried the old man, recovering himself
with wonderful energy, Pointing TO-
ward the house he said! Go to Your
room."
"Fatherl" cried the young man,
'Iet me explain. L am not as bad as
you think. have been led away"
go to your roon," repeated the in
flexible Roumegas.
Hanging his head, and dropping like
a criminal, the son entered the house
and went upstairs. Behind, head erect,
eyes brilliant, with jerky gait. the
father followed. They reached the
chamber, a large room, with two win
dows on the street, disordered, odd
books thrown here and there, guns,
swords and pistols OH the walls, and
pipes, pot OF tobacco and cigarettes
everywhere. NJ. Roumegas closed the
door behind him. and turning TO An,
toine, said: ''Tell me.n
fne young man sat down heavily on
sss untouched bed, and with down-cast
0yes, erumpled with feverish fingers
hanging corner of the spread, as he an
swered in a broken voice: The last
time, whenI asked you f0r money,
promised you ! would not play any
more. l did not have the strength. l
began. l lost again. l did not dare
to come to you second time. ] kept
losing all the time-lost everything.
Then some one proposed to me that l
should associate with him to play to-
gether. We lost again-always. This
person advised me. was weak. Il
madness, father madness Pardon
meI' He half rose and extended his
arms toward his father.
$50 on" said RoumegaS, erect be-
fore him with folded arms.
Antoine continuedi Last night they
suspected-and We were arrested-ex-
ceptlng mel l have not been taken yet.
They don't know about me, you under
stand? And if Baptistin does not
tell
"Baptistinp-that Jewish boy-your
accomplice-a servant! Great Godl but
you have fallen''
s'They don't know anything yet, I tell
you. Many gamblers OF the party are
suspected With me. Baptistin is the
only ono arrested-if he keeps stillr'
"And you will let them suspect inno-
cent men? To preserve the little honor
that remains to you you would brand
the honor of others? Do you know
that is infanous-simply infamousT"
"Fatheri pardon! pardonl l promise
you'll swear to you that in the fu-
ture"-
ain futurel Is there any future for
you?"
There was a sound OF steps along the