The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-07-29
HIS OPPORTUNITY.

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There was one sentence that
Deacon Chandler had never omitted
from his prayers since he was con-
verted and began to pray in the
little wooden church on the hill. 1t
was this, Send to thy servant, 0
Lord, some great opportunity for
doing good.
Strange as it may seem, his
prayer had never been answered.
The seasons rolled around with their
accustomed regularity and brought
increase to his flock and plenty to
his storehouses, and as yet nothing
unusual bad happened. Still the
worthy man prayed on until 'Dea-
con Chambers opportunity had
come to be almost a byword with
not few of the younger members
of the congregation. Ard when he
arose each meeting. and with
bowed head uttered the familiar
petition, his eldest son, Tom, away
in the back part of the room, was
mimicking his father, to the
| intense amusement of few unruly
boys who were his companions.
Tom Chandler was a bad boy.
There was 10 denying that. Toms
H. other was the last one to admit 1t,
but even she was forced to own sor-
rowfully that Thomas was i'ttle
wild. Deacon Chandler in his own
family laid down the strictest rules,
and they were tearfully followed by
all except the eldest. Tom was
incorrigible. He chafed under the
home restraint, and his natural wild
ness found vent in various petty mis-
demeanors, which soon won tor him
a bad name in his native village. In
vain his mother besought him to mend
his ways; IN vain his father placed
him under closer restraint and visited
upon him more dire penalties. 1t
was no avail.
One night Deacon Chandler en-
i L: 1 ,,.l
his face that BODIED no good for who
ever the culprit might be. His wife
looked up from her sewing as he
entered.
Where's Tom7 he said shortly.
don't know, was the reply. Why |
is anything the matter?
Before he could reply the door
opened again, and the subject of
their conversation came in. He was
tall, we'll built boy of is, but his
youthful face was alread Y marked |
with the lines of dissipation, and in
his handsome brown eyes there was
a daredevil expression tha- spoke
volumes to one who understood it. |
Well, sir? was Deacon Chambers |
greeting.
Wellt came in insolent tones from
tha boy who remained standing.
You are found out.
The stern notes of the father rang
in the mothers ears like death
knell.
You may as well confess.
There is no need if you have found
me out, replied the boy dehantly.
Perhaps you would like me to tell,
Are you proud that you and your
gang have been detected stealing
fruit from Mr.. Deans orchard, and |
that unless | settle you will be
arrested? Can you offer any excuse
for removing the gates from half
dozen houses in town and making a
bonfire of them in my orchard lot?
Mrs. Chandler looked hurriedly
up at her son.
Oh, Tom, it isn't so? Say it isn't,
she implored.
But he was silent. Then the dea-
con continued:
shall to save your brothers and |
sisters from disgrace, but from this
night you are no son of mine. |
disown you.
A Slight pallor spread over the
boys face as he opened his lips in
reply.
All right, father. If you had dealt
more gently with me, | nigh. have
been a different boy now. own
that l took the apples and helped to
burn the gates. But there, he burst
out suddenly, what does it natter
l won't stay to disgrace the family
any longer. I've been ready to go
for some time. And he glanced |
round the comfortable room con-
temptuously.
When he finished speaking,
mothers voice, pititul in its sorrow,
said:
Don't go, Tom. Your father
don't mean it. He is very angry
because you make him so much
trouble. Ask him to forgive you.
l am sure he will, if you will only |
try to be better boy.
Never! sternly interrupted the
deacon. He is no son OF mine, and
my house is no longer his home
Go, sir! Do you hear?
You need net tell me twice, re
turned the boy. Goodby, mother.
Pm going, and before they realized
it the eldest son had passed out OF
home life forever,
After that life went on about as /
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