Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-11-25
DR.. LESLIE'S SERMON.
A THANKSGIVING DAY STORY.

THANKSGIVING DAY STORY.
"Twepty years more"
George Lang looked back through the
fifteen years he had passed behind the grim
walls of-prison. He thought of the
twenty years he had still to serve before
society would be satisfied.
sits rather hard on me-" he murmured
as he rolled back into his iron couch.
The church bells were tolling ithout.-
Foot beats were heard in the streets below.
"They're all going to church to give
thanks! Yes. This is Thanksgiving. Oh,
that had something to be thankful for
Here all these years suffering for Burt
Kergan's crime. I know that it was he
who fired Cookies store SO that I would be
put out Of the way. Well, suppose
must suffer. The truth will never come
out now. I will never even tell that l
suspect it."
The convict's brows became knitted. He
would have sunk into deeper sleep but
for voice at the cell door. It was one of
those gentle voices, SO seldom heard in the
corridor Of place of penal servitude.
Maude Leslie, the parsons lovely
daughter, was making the round as was
her custom on tie morning of great feasts.
She generally brought some good things
and was looked upon as a ministering
angel by hardened convicts.
81 had been dreaming and thought had
nothing to be thankful for, but you are
here. Pm SO glad you have come. Your
presence is light into darkened life that
has no future hopes"
The other hung her head. The con-
vict's words had touched her tenderes,
feelings. For a moment she wished she
had not come. Then she lifted her head.
Tears were coursing down Lang'r
cheeks.
"And you have no hopes for the future?''
she asked. There was tremor in bel
voice that told of exceptional interest.
"Hope! No, there is none for me.
have been adjudged guilty of setting fire tc
my employees store. Why should there be
hope for me?'
'But are you guilty?"
The convict lowered his eyes. He would
sooner not have heard her ask.
sAre you guilty?' again she asked
this time with emotion.
There was sudden pause.
"Twelve men have adjudged me guilty,
and so believes the world"
| "Perhaps-," she was interrupted
Cob, no." interposed the other; mo
body believes ne innocent. Yes, there
is one," and he thought OF the author o
all his trouble.
''There are two" Miss Leslie was calm
and collected.
"Impossiblel They would come and tel
me SO if it were true." George Lang
] face showed anguish.
s'It is for that that l am here," th'
other replied. II believe you are innocen
and-" What she would have said h'
did not hear then. The turn events hat
taken was too much for hJm and he sanl
into a swoop, from which he was revived
an hour or two later.
In the meantime Maud Leslie had re
turned to her home and told the story of al
innocent mans sufferings.
Rev. DR.. Leslie was a just and goo'
man. He became deeply interested in hi
daughters story. He, too, believed Georg
Lang innocent, But what could he do? l
would probably take years to prove LAM
guiltless in the eyes of the law.
Before he assembled the pulpit that da,
he had decided what to do.
Never before was such q thrilling ser
mon preached in St. James. After refer
ring to the day, the good man told of tw