The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1892-03-04

| iag NO idea of his destination, having nc
care for his coarse. intent on but one
thing, aud that was TO escape the
/ thoughts that haunted him. On and on
he walked until he passed through the
town and out into the country, nor did
he halt until he came TO the river bank.
| Then he sat down, and removing his
hat felt his burning, throbbing brow.
my God, my God" he murmured,
"what have done My poor, lost child,
how could ever forget you SO! How
have | forgotten your mother and my
promise to her. oh, God, spare me and
let me live TO undo what have done.
Let me but see my child once more and
receive her forgiveness for all of my
neglect and cruelty"
A long time he sat there gazing down
into the deep flowing water, and more
than once he was inclined TO throw him
self into the current and find relief at
once for his tortured soul. There, he
thought, he could escape the awful
thoughts that haunted him, and he
fancied that the cold water would be
NtlCOluC W Ills DION. Dub
finally the desire to see his daughter
once more and atone to her for his
cruel neglect got the better of him,
and he arose and went toward his of
fee.
AS he walked unsteadily back he
wondered why people stared at him SO,
little dreaming what n change few
hours of mental anguish had worked in
his outward appearance. He did not
know that his face had become bag
gard and his eyes bloodshot. He did not
realize that the fires of hell that burned
within him had scorched and scanned
him outwardly.
He was nearing his office when he
met Rev. Wheedler, and that gentle
man instantly noted the great change
in his valued parishioncr, and immc-
diatcly sought to assist Brother Batch
ford home. He approached to take the
old mans arm, but Blatchford waved
him off, and almost fed from the spot.
His action surprised Rev. Whccdler
beyond anything, and he left that gen
tlcman perfectly dumfoundcd. Rev.
Whcedler looked after the fleeing
figure for an instant, undecided what to
do, but finally he concluded to follow.
After a chase of couple of blocks he
caught up with Blatchford.
Brother" he said, you are i'll. AL
low me to see you home"
Don't touch me-" Blatchford fairly
shriekcd as he glared viciously upon
the minister Don't come near me.
Nn,, hn1,,n1 o Il, 10
My child is dying of want. feel it.
know it. And you helped to lead me
away from her and blind me to her
rights and claims. Don't speak To me
again. / want my poor, wronged
child, and I'm going to find her"
Then, before the astonished minister
could collect his scattered senses, the
old man was gone. lie passed around
the corner and entered his Office, where,
sinking into a seat, he buried his face
in his hands and wept.
"Oh, my God, my Cod" he groaned
''what have | done? How cruel, how
heartlcss have l acted toward my own
flesh and blood-my only child. How
blind and brutal have been, and how
bitter is the awakening to the enorInity
of my sin. Oh, for one sight of my
child, one word of forgiveness from her
lips. | must find her. I must search
the country from end to end for her"
At that instant the door opened and
clerk came in. He approached the old
man diflidently, for he could not help
seeing the great change that had come
over him. He laid n telegram on the
desk and without word withdrew.
Blatchford opened the telegram at once
and read:
Come Immediately. DO not delay
under any circumstances. The most
quick. SCRAGGs."
The old man sprang to his feet in an
instant, and rushed wildly out.
TO BE CONTINUED