The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-24


misery he was puzzled by the minister
He searched for reproach, and there was
none. VIA
81 see. A minister is less than man.
He is n prig. And the brotherliness he
breaches is lie."
The words were missiles, hot from a
furnace of despair and indignation. But
they did not scorch. The minister's
outer ear received them, but not the
inner. When he stood up he was curl
ously erect, and the worst spasm of
soul-darllness had passed.
His tones were richer and swceter
than any worshiper had heard them in
Heber Lane.
IF you will go with inc little dis
tance--it is not far" he said-.'I think.
perhaps, l can help you. Yes, in any
case will promise to help you Do not
fear on that score There is IL re-
source"
Through the streets the two picked
their path. The journey was longer
than the minister's words had led hi.
companion to suppose. 1t ended ut a
book shop.
Can l speak with your master one
minute?' said the minister to the brisk
salesman, who hustled down through u
maze of book heaps.
Certainly, SIR
Something in the manner Quicllened
obedience, and soon t1e short, bespec.
tacled figure Of the proprietor stood at
his desk Richard East fought battle
as he faced him.
1t is an unpleasant errand," he said
III want you to take back my purchase
OF this morning"
we never do that. 1t is impossible"
mo, suppose not, as rule. quite
see But ask you especially to favor
me now. had no right to buy them.
1t was not n mistake. 1t was worse
far worse than that. This morning
looked and looked until dared to
covct. Then 1 went away to an impor-
tant meeting and forgot them. l un-
fortunately forgot something else.
Putting my hand in my pocket sud
denly missed my purse. A friend was
with me-this young mans father. He
will substuntiate much of my story.
You know this?"
Yes" The problem rs yet was in
soluble to Sam, though he replied read
lily.
II cried out that my purse was gone,
stolen. At the instant / thought SO.
And my good friend at once came 10 my
rescue and proposed to make good my
loss. He would not have me penny
the poorer. Then it was that fell into
tcmptation.'
The voice tremblcd, the blue eyes
were Swallowed by the cloud. But the
minister's will triumphcd.
Il cannot say that | did not know
what was doing" he said. The light
was with me, but I put it away. Two
things l distinctly remembered. One
was that g3 would buy those books,
precious when L was Il student The
other was that my money was not lost
at all. had changed its place, be fore
left my hotel, for greater security. l
could have produced it. Instead, left
the word 'unrecallcd and took money
under false pretences. And-that is all.
Except that am very sorry to have
to make the request, but if You will
take back the books / will not fail to
remit to you when return home at the
end of the week the margin, whatever
that may be, between your price to IN e
and your price of me. l will give you
my name and address"
The minister had gained in presence
and in dignity as he proceeded, thou 9Th
he knew it not. He waited the decision
But no power on earth could have made
him resume possession of the load he
had laid down.
The odd smile, tride gravcr, glim-
mcred on the booksellers face. He
gathered up books and wrappings and
threw them aside.
Il saw the fascination grip you this
morning" he said, drily. 81 know
what it is. Books are my wine. | knew
you would come back. But l did not
expect you twicc-and thus. 1t is I'M
usual: but here is E3."
Pay t, please, to this young man
my friends SON."
When Sam Panl1hurst was gone it oc-
CURED TO the minister that he had said
nothing to him in Reproduction of his
own conduct
He had done infinitely better. An
object lesson is more than homily.
Shame had called out shame. and cour-
age courage; and Sam told his father
everything in his blunt, boyish way.
II shall overlo ok it this once in Sans
case because of his youth and his con-
fession, and this once only. He knows
my mind on that point" said the elder
of lleber Lane to the minister. with q
cold pity, but l think you see that we
cant do that with minister It's
different"
Yes" said Richard East, with quiet
assent that sucked the wind from the
elders sails.
There's the = scandal" he STAN
mered. TO his establishment he re-
spectcd Mt last the man whom he had
come to coerce and cast out as moral
ruin.
quite so; and to deliver Heber Lane