The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-19


your sneers, mans You would teach all those
with whom you have to do to look down
upon me, and such as me, as despicable men,
holding humble faith that makes your
Haunting religion keck; and that your son
had ruined and disgraced any one Of US,
should give you no moro concern than the
scourging Of negro gives the white ruffian
who looks on at the whipping! Is that it!
Why, sir, be satisfied with your sons work;
but you shall not stop me from calling him
villain, You would know why2 Look at my
wife yonder. Is there no answer in her face!
Look at this hand Never did 1t tremble as now
it does I am aged score since yesterday,
and that is thy sons doing. Nor' he shouted,
in strange shaking voice, 'rll not put my
dishonor again into words. Sir, wish you
good morning."
He rose from his chair and stood upright,
with his hand extended toward tho door.
His wife sat in crouching attitude, hugglng
herself. DR.. Shaw did not offer to move His
face was pale, but otherwise his manner was
collected He put his snuf-box in his pocket,
and, drawing forth q pocket book, he e1-
tracted q paper, which he held in his hand
while he addressed MIR. Strangfeld.
"Sir," he said, in a slow, deliberate tone,
"throug ghout my life have ever striven to
act the part Of an upright man. resolute in
the vindication of things hold to be just
and true, but always ready to acknowledge
my error. Through haste and surprise and
disappointment which, in imitation of your
own admirable candor, shall be at no pains
to dissemble, I have fallen into q grievouS
error-that Of misjuding youthful folly and
calling it sin; that Of repelling with rude
doubts the pleadings Of helpless innocence;
that of denouncing my own flesh and blood
as q monster Of vice when he waS not at
hand to justify himself. But, sir, the God
who rules over us is the Vindicator of the
just, and last night humbled myself before
Him with gratitude and remorse. beg you
to be seated came to you with two items
of news One have related, and the other
will now relate, in mercy to you who, by
desiring me to leave the house, would be en-
failing upon yourself tho endurance OF
grief greater, IN spite Of my theological
opinions, than could wish you to know"
Mr.. Strangfeld continued standing, leau-
ing heavily upon the back Of chair and
looking down with scowl upon the doctor.
Mrs. Strangfield, in G. half-rlsen posture,
supporting herself with her hand upon the
table, stretched eagerly forward, her eyes
fixed on the paper in the doctors grasp.
"Lust night" continued the doctor, "after
the coastguard left me- I reflected upon his
story, and felt persuaded that the riddle OF
my sons disappearance was solved. But,
though there was melancholy satisfaction
in detecting tho means by which one portion
of tho mystery had been brought about, the
boys honor still remained befouled by the
charges that had been made against him by
you. 1t was clearly my duty to leave no
stone unturned, either to prove that he was
actually your daughters husband, or that
their connection was sinless, and the aflirma-
tions of your daughter the delusions OF an lg-
norant loving woman. This morning should
have taken he coach to London, and remained
il that city until every vestry had been
searched by persons I should have hired for
that purpose, and every clergyman and dis
senting minister officiating called upon. But
have been raercifully spared duty which,
at nv time of life, would have made heavy
demands on my strength Before retiring to
rest entered my sons bed room. Up to
that moment, beyond cursory inspection OF
the room, had made no close examination
of it. But felt that it would greatly facili-
tate my project if I could obtain some clew
to the name or ncighborhood of the church
where they were married; and l further re-
membercd that he had written to mo one let
ter from his lodgings, though could not
find that letter and had no recollection OF tho
address upon it. found his desk in a drawer,
and had no difficulty in opening it by q bunch
of KEYS of my own. Sir, among letters of
his mother, most tenderly preserved, and
letters signed in your daughters name, l
found this document" (holding it up) scare
fully sealed in n sheet of paper, on which
was written Jenny Shaw; and I also found, "
continued the doctor, drawing from his side
pocket small sheepslin volume, "this little
diary, some passages of which, Sir, Will take
the liberty TO read"
There was brcathless silence between hus-
band and wife while the doctor turned the
leaves in search Of the entry he proposed
first to read Mr.. Strangfleld never shifted
his posture nor moderated his frown; but
oyor his wife's face was creeping tho illumi-
nation Of an expression Of joy pathetic to be-
hold, in the growing gladness Of her eyes
and the faint parting Of her lips.
The doctor read:
"'APR1L 5, 1907 am bcwitchcd by
Jenny Strangfeld's beauty. 1t is q fort
night ago since first addressed her, and to-
day we couversed like old friends. Strange
that anything so sweet and gloriously
feminine should be found among the hard
conditions and rigors OF the sect OF whose
preiudices her father Is the most acid OK
ponent hereabouts. ~
The doctor turned the leaves slowly, skip
ping evidently much that was too personal
for himself to rend aloud in the presence of
the deacon with relish.
"'MAY 20.-To-day I told Jenny loved
her. She believes me, and well she may, for
truly is she dearest of all earthly things to
me now. "You should not love ME" she
said, "for what would thy father say to hear
that thou art in love with Michael Strang-
fields girlm What wonderful tenderness
her voice gains from uso Of that quaint old
fashioned thee-ing and thon-ing":"
"Why do you read such stuff, SIR" cried
Mr.. Stransheld, with an air of sullcn impa-
tiencc. You have something to prove by
producing that book Come to it--or leave
il if it be as I think--for you shall not