The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-12-22
A NOBLE REVENGE.


Old Grimley was sitting by the fire
half asleep. lie was getting too old and
rheumatic now to throw things at his
wife, but he could still abuse her with
his tongue. Near him sat his step
I. daughter, Mahala, pretty girl of Is,
and the poor woman he had made mis-
cradle all her life.
Grimley was in an unusually amiable
mood that day, so he had consented that
they might go to church together.
On the way there the two women be-
gan TO talk about Phil, a brother of
Mahala's who years ago had been driven
from home by Grimley's cruelty. The
boys sin was in going to the circus
against his step-fathers wishes, and hay
ing been beaten in punishment he ran
away to make his fortune.
The mother and daughter felt very
happy to be alone for few moments
to be free to talk of the boy who had
once been the pride of the village.
The girl, who was very young when
he ran away, was very anxious to know
all about her missing brother, and Mrs.
Grimley found pleasure In telling her,
as they trudged along the dusty highway
"You can't remember him, Mahala, "
the mother said, speaking as she might
OF one dead, you were so young. But
he was such a pretty boy! Last night
dreamed he came back; but that will
never be now. guess he's dead. Don't
you think so, Mahala?"
"How can | think, ma? l wish /
knew" said Mahala. ut would be bet
ter for YOU if his grave was here in the
church-yard. 1t was early, and they
went into the church-yard and walked
about among the tombs.
AT last they sat down on bench I'M
der a grear willow, waiting for the bell
to ring, and young man who had been
walking about among the graves paused
near them.
preacher you will have to listen to to-
day May ask your names?"
The elder woman gave hers, and
added:
This is my daughter, Mahala. Will
you sit down, Dominica She made
room for him on the bench beside her.
You're quite a young dominic" she
said gently. 81 hope you've got q
mother. She must be proud of you. l
had q boy wanted to make q minister
of. but-he's gonep
"You are very kind" said the young
man. IL have mother, but she has not
seen me for years. do not know what
you will think when l tell you ran
away from her."
The poor woman put her hand to her
bosom and looked at him anxiously.
ran awayW she repeated.
II ran away because | was whipped"
he said My step-father whipped me-"
"Oh!'' cried Mahala. turning pale.
II went to join the circus, if could"
said the young minister. "That was
what was whipped foregoing to the
circus.
They were good to me and let me
travel with them, but when we were far
West kind, good man talked to me as no
one had ever talked before.
He told me that / had better take his
advice and let him place me where
would be given an education and fitted
for some other calling. / believed him
and had sense enough to know he was
right.
I'm Western home grew to man
hood and chose to be preacher. Mother,
don't you know me now2 Don't you
know Phil? Mahala, are you really my
dear little sister? L shall take care Of
you both in the future"
The bells began to ring. The mother
embraced her son, and he left her for a
while. When she was able to go in they
sat and listened to the sermon with
strange feelings, and joined in the sing.
ing as they had never Joined before.
"Phil. that was PHILIP the mother
kept saying to herself.
The end of the dreadful story had
come, and all was happiness, sweetness,
peace.
Phil had returned to her, and her
dream was realized. He stood there in
the pulpit, preaching, and preaching
well. He was good mana true son.
Tears of Joy coursed down her cheeks.
1t seemed to her that life could have no
more troubles for her.
1t was in the parsonage that old Grim
ley spent his last days.
Perhaps he was grateful; perhaps he
was ashamed of himself.
Perhaps, as he grew nearer death, he
had some sort Of change of heart But
he stopped scolding altogether, and al
ways declared that he "knowed Phil
would turn out well. Spare the rod and
spoil the child,'" he would add. lyon
understand, I fetched him up on that
principle"
So he comforts himself; but he does
not deceive others. Phil is too good a
Christian to contradict him.
Booth and Barrett TO Separate,
From he Mem York SIM