Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1893-10-20

opportunity Tor doing good
Strange as it may seem, his prayers
had never been answered. The sea
sons rolled around with their accus-
toned regularity and brought increase
to his flock and plenty to his store
houses, and as yet nothing unusual had
happened. Still the worthy man
prayed on until deacon Chandler's s
opportunity" had come to be almost II
byword with not few of the younger
members of the congregation. And
when he arose at each meeting, and
with bowed head uttered the familiar
petition, his eldest son, Tom, away in
the back part of the room, was MIN
licking his father, to the intense amuse-
ment of few unruly boys who were
his companions.
Tom Chandler was a bad boy. There
was no denying that. Toms mother
was the last one to admit it, but even
she was forced to own sorrowfully that
"Thomas was little Wild" Deacon
Chandler in his own family laid down
the strictest rules, and they were fear
fully followed by all except the eldest.
Tom was incorrigible He chafed un-
der the home restraint, and his natu-
raj wildness found vent in various
petty mlsdemeanors, which soon won
for him bad name in his native vii
lage. In vain his mother besought
him to mend his ways; in vain his
father placed him under closer re-
straint and visited upon him more dire
penalties. IL was no avail
One night Deacon Chandler entered
his home with stern look ON his face
that boded no good for whoever the
culprit might be. His wife looked up
from her sewing as he entered
Where's Tom?" he said shortly.
81 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 lie was tall,
well-huilt boy of eighteen, but his
youthful face was already marked with
the lines of dissipation and in has
handsome brown eyes there was II dare
devil expression that spoke volumes to
one who understood il.
well, sir?" was Deacon Chandler
greeting.
"WellY' came ia insolent tones from
the boy, who remained standing.
'Nou are found out
The stern notes OF the father rang
in the mothers ear like deathknell.
'Nou may as we'll confess.
"fhere Is no need IL you have found
me out, replied the boy dehantly.
Perhaps You would like me 10 tell.
Are you proud that yuu aud your gang
have been detected stealing fruit from
Mr.. Deans orchard, aud that unless l
settle you will be arrostedY Cau sou
oifer any excuse Tor removing the pates
from hall dozen houses ia town anl
making "A honhre of them ia my
orchard lotY'
Mrs, Chandler looked hurriedly up
~ her son.
oh Tom, il isnt sog Say il ISN'T
so, she implorcd
bnt he sas silent Then the deacon
continued
~ shall settle "a save your brotheft
ahi slsiers from Disgrace. bat from
lhle night tuu are Ho son - mine. I
dlauNn You
\ slight pall"r spread over thp hey's
fao' as De- openei hia hpa g. rrlbs
"Ali right mther II Yoa hai leait
more gently with nae | might haFe
been dlflerrui he3 nov osH that
! tupk the apples aui helped io burn
the Ratea hul there he burst ant
saddeulYs "Nhat inss u mattrrf
Non. staY a. iisEfaes thn family an4
leusur tAe hesH feadf Ga ~ fat
eame tlas AHd ~ ahaeei afaHHA
thp enmiattahie rmm raatsmpiaHasl4
Mheu he uHishei apeallU
mHlhffs hani aHs iaid nH hlf am sai
9 m0thsfa falee Fuini ia a. aolfsHt
uil