Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-02-04

y
SIT he should be angryD
But Leonard Watson had slipped
the letter carclesSly into the breast
pocket ofhiS coat, and was salln-
tering in his usual lazy manner
down the hall. He was a tall, hand.
some man, with Il broad forehead
and large eyes, which spoke well
for his heart and intellect; hut
with the blaze air and dehonnalre
manner of one for whom the world
had offered itspleasures 70 safety,
and who had not learned to look
Tor lfe's purpose In duty. Tho lit
tie world of Claireville spoke we'll
Of Leonard Watson. The girls adj.
mred his courtly gallantry, his
polished manner, and honeyed
words; the Young men applanded
his generosity, his wines, his horses,
aud his good temper; the older
heads were ready to Worship his
birth and position; only here and
there word was whispered oflate
revelS at Fairbank, Of an occasional
lapse into inebriety, or dropped Il
hint that "ycung Watson WAS Iiv-
ing too fast"
There were many bright bellies
who cherished IL secret belief OF
Leonard'S marked preference. yet
the gay heart wdS untouched, the
Travelled taste unsatistied and he
was a free man, in word or thought.
as he Sauntercd up the fair at
Claireville with Amy's letter lying
upon his breast.
1t was night, and he was alone
in the library Of his spacious houSe
before he recollected the miSsive;
then, with an INDECENT curiosity, he
drew 1t forth. "Some flat school
girl verses, ''he inuttered. "or, worse,
a dose of tlaltery yelled by an in
cognita."
at first lie read with a lazy ex-
preston of mocking upon his lips;
bur, as the lines were traced with
earnest care, SO, as he read, the
mans soul waS3rouScd to thought
and interest. Hot, angry Pushes
chased each other over his brow,
Yet he did not finch; every word
Of the appeal, though it stang him
with ACKNOWLEDGMENT aud search.
ing questions, was peruscd faith
fully, till, at the end, the dainty
signature, "your sincere friend,"
found HIM serious and sad.
sit Is all trne," he said, in a low
tone, rising aud pacing the floor
with quick yet even steps. 81 am
wasting all Gods bleSSings-squan
de1ing my wealth foollshly; under
mining my health wickedly; fling
ing my hest years away in folly, if
not in vice. How earnestly she
writes! and her dear brother
seems from her very heart. Who
wrote III Ha! the hand on the en-
velcpe as inside. and it was direct.
ed by Amy Greysou. Amy Grey
son! l always thought her a mer.
~, light. hearted child; but this
this is the letter of a noble, earn
est Christian woman.
How beautifully she writes! Yet
yet how she despiseS mel How
she lasheS my follieS and vices!
With what bitter sarcasm she queS-
tons my course! yet how earnestly
she implores me to pause while
there is yet time, and think Of
where the path l tread will lead
me! Think! All, she has raised
train Of thought nov that will not
die-that can never quiet again!
Conscience is alive now, and there
is no more careless folly for me-"
Up and down, pacing sometimes
with the slow tread of earnest
thought. again rapidly crossing
and recrossing the room, his feet
falling with passionate emphasis.
he spent the hours till long after
midnight; and when, at last, be
sought his own room, Leonard
Watson, for the first time in long
years, knelS and imnlored Gods
blessing GU his resolutions for the
future.
ClaireviIle wondered what had
''come over" the young millionaire.
Old tenants, who had been wont to
look upon their young landlord as
an easy. gong scamp, began to open
their eyes over sanitary improve
!nents in tlei rlowly homes; chair
ity appeals began to find q ready
response ut the large house; musty
books, that had long given his OF
flee n name, now began to fulfill
their mission, as the young lawyer
loaded his brains for service; old
friends wondered how Leonard
could preserve his genial bright
ness, his generosity, witand grace.
yet hold The reins on his foilies
with such a strong, firm hand; new
spoke warmly OF
the conscientious, able young al
who was steadily working
his way to future eInincnce.
But in one house there were
Iears Of Thanksgiving, PRAYERS OF
praise, as ANY Grcyson
heard from every tongue Of the
reform IN that noble Young life;
and when, after years probation,
words of love and petition greeted
ler as the young lawyer implore'l
49, 30 l>o- bi. Wi ia RI ,i,l hi p, nv