Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-06-06

itrnde, his sister, that a sister
s6aad bs and 9 y lovely y yfes fe
s:s:e fisere 4 81 are moments f life which we
SReYN3 s,aa sg% N
8 th9 woods, the boatin7s, the pleasant things
said and done, with every look that accom-
panied them were all remembered now.
In front of q music store he paused ab-
ruptly. A college class-lnate suddenly
stood before him. Cordially they grasped
each others hands. Who could foresee
the sad results of that meeting?
"Why, Johnston, what has brought you
sorbed in your land projects"
tsEyen so. And that interest brings me
to the East. have come miles out OF my
way to see you in reference to it. Where
are you going?" ,m, ,,t..5
'sHere, to get music for Gertrude"
s'sGertrude! How we'll I remember your
beautiful sister and those happy college
vacations with you at Hartford. Careless,
boyhood days-never to return. Now, let
us take the cars for Central Park, have
much to say to you"
Within the grounds, Johnston took his
arm. 81 must talk briefly for my time is
limited. Just now there's great boom
in real estate in my State; - especially.
Lands almost worthless hitherto have as
sumed fabulous prices. In making for
tune for myself I must bring you in for a
SHARE"
Weston looked laughingly into his face.
+. "Why, Will, haven't you outiiyed your
offended. 'Tis only the fault of too san
puine temperament. Your heart is al
ways right" ~ ,.-....,
"Thank you. Thank you. have out
lived my boyhood. And this is not an
illusion. Here, at the East life is compar-
atiyely slow. At the West all is on
grand scale. One need not toll forever in
bank or counting-room before he can reap
the fruits of his labor. Now, there is 8
golden opportunity. Itmay never return.
There are lands which, will be of immense
value when the contemplated railroad
passes through"
"Are you sure that it will take that
course ?''
'As sure as I am that live! There is
a pause in the construction because OF con-
tending parties, each anxious for certain
route. The side which espouse IS sure to
win. have proved my confidence by
investing every dollar that can spare,
almost everything that own, and have
insured a fortune"
II fear that you are too fast in your
calculations" /
ssYou would not think so if you were
onthe spot. Everybody is7 wild with ex-
citement.'
'sNot healthy excitement. Slower and
surer is better. ..
ssThat is an exploded notion. Get over
it; and invest in these lands"
s'You forget that am not rich. The
property left me by my father is small,
but well invested. My salary is liberal;
That is all that have. cannot risk It,"
Borrow the money. You can return
Never! never! Do not suggest it."
Johnston left on the night train, hurry
ing to the West. Then came a letter
'Do not cast aside my proposal. 1t is
duty to your family. You can place them
in independent circumstances. Bank mon
ey can be easily and shortly restored. All
is excitement here. Noao is your time.
There is tide in the affairs OF men,"
Unconsciously, Johnston was made an in
strument to test the virtue of his friend.
Just before he retired to his room tele-
gram arrived "Be quick that you may
not regret it when too late"
The night that followed was one never
to be forgotten. Midnight was approach
ing. Alone, in the stiffness, thoughts
which he had rejected with indignation
in the day came back with strange persis-
tency. It was an hour of weakness, and
Satan assailed him with all his power.
Suggestions hurled back at one moment
returned the next: snake your family
dependent" "The money can be re-
turned before it is missed" "No harm
will come to anybody"
Then his better nature asserted itself.
Honor, honesty, self-respect, character,
were at stake. Above all, Gods command
forbade the act. The deed itself was to be
denounced, whatever the issue. Again
that voice: "Your young brothers fu-
ture )" "his college course;" "his profess
sion."
He walked the floor in an agony of mind,
asking himself, "Shall Satan have the as
tendency? Has God forsaken me"'
The conflict was sharp one. Every
nerve was strung to its firmest tension.
The occupant of the room below wondered
as he heard the rapid, irregular tread so
late at night. At last it ceased.
Exhausted in mind and body, Weston
had thrown himself, without undressing,
upon his bed and fell into troubled sleep.
The conflict continued in his dreams till
the perspiration stood in great beads upon
his forehead.
In rudderless boat he was tossed upon
the waves. Frightful pillows were surg
ing around and over him. No hand was
near to save him.
"God help me! God help me" he ex-
claimed. %,
A moment more and there was !6ll
in the tempest. All was still, so still that
the silence was oppressive. The darkness
was like a wall before him, and then upon
that darkness, in letters of light, he read
"When thou passest through the wa
tiers will be with thee; and through the
floods, they shall not overflow thee"
Transfxed, he gazed upon them. Slow
ly they faded away. Once again the hand
writing upon the wall
"He is able to succor them that are
tempted"
These words also faded.
Then through the darkness, a soft light
gradually diffused itself, and from the
midst face, form, emerged. 1t softly
approached nearer and nearer, till it hov-
cred over him.
It was his mothers form, his mothers
face, that looked upon him with unspeak-
able compassion and love. She laid her
cool hand upon his forehead, bent down
and kissed him.
"My son! My son! whittier goest thou !:
For the love of God and of your mother
come back to me-"
With a bound he sprang to her out.
stretched arms. "My mother! my angel
mother!" he cried, in voice of agony.
The vision faded. All was still. In a
dream God had sent his angel to minister
unto him, and that angel was his mother
AS consciousness returned he pressed his
hand to his forehead and then sank upon
his knees.
tuThank Cod Thank God I am