The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-30


"Before going to prison l wish to see
the marquis myself. . III, Adyain.
"AH in good time" replied Adra'n'
II VAS indeed the marquis himself VINO
was advancing to meet them. re 80 a
man about sixty years OF "se ,sotinp gem
tleman His white hair fell on ti,"ett
side his face: and his blue eyes luI - "a
sweetness and kindly expression; ltI9p'VVn
confidence in those who looked M" -
Wen. Adrain." said the marquis.
what are you going to DO Win '"o''
children ... 40
"ly Lord" answered Adrain, they are
little robbers whom | caught in the i99r,,
est this morning stealing your Wo4u.
The two brothers stood by, crying DlI-
You know that this wood does not
belong to you, DO you not? asked INC
marquis.
yes, sir" answered Frank; -,
Then you are much u blame, sa.d
the marquis. FOR you trangreSsel III,
law and broke the commandment OF COO
which says: Thou shalt not steal 10
you not know that taking the properly
yes sir" replied Edward. looking the
marquis fearlessly in the face We
learned that years ago from our cai'-
chism which We recite at sunday sch1' ,
to good Father chris. But II We hdt
not taken your wood We should nave ld'i
down ana dIet OF COld.
How is that child? What Is II You
say?' asked the marquis, his interest
i'm the children awakening. ,
Eyes, sir, | shall tell you the truth
and you can judge whether we lsserNI
to be punished or not" replied Edward
"Our father was woOd-chopper, kept
down by hard work and poverty; ne
could scarcely provide food for MS lam
lis. one day they brought him home on
a stretcher. He had been crushed by
the fall OF a tree which he had ielled.
After many months Of cruel suleIihI,
the angels carried him home q God'
and my brother and / were lett alone
with our dear mother whose health -
wretched. \ poor hut covered win Dark
and a littts potato field Is all that we
possess. la the summer Frank ana
split wool In the forest. or We help the
peasants work in their fields. by dolnS
chs We can earn little money, WhtTH
enables our dear mother to I'VE We
need no wood then, save % COOK our lo1.L
There are berries and fruits that grow
i'm the woods which We can nave ioI
the picking and we raise vegetables III
"But when the winter comes. ah. sir,
then we are very miserable indeed. Inc
snow covers the ground; the wind shakes
our mean little dwelling; the ram leaks
through everywhere and freezes on our
clothes We who are young can bear al
this; perhaps it viii make strong men
Of us but our poor mother SIR thlhk OF
her When we see her pale. pinChei face
which IS fast losing it's beauty, and h"r
eyes dinimed with tears; when We look
at her trying I'm vain 10 warm her poor
frozen limbs, our hearts are torn WIN
grief and we cannot keep from weeping.
Then we leave the house 10 hide our
sorrow. The great forest lies before MS.
The earth Is covered with branches winch
The wind has blown down. a few OF those
useless fragments would warm our m'th-
er. For her sake We would risk inprlSon-
meut. even death. Are We 10 leave her 70
die when We can so easily save her? Now
maums | have told you tho whole truth.
and you shall say whether OF not we are
The marquis reflected a few moments.
with his head bent down. tie tried 20
imagine his wife and boys placed IN the
same dreadful PT"dlcameht W hrh ne
raised his eyes and looked AT them lhe
brothers could see 10y his kindly express
sion that mercy had triumphei over
Justice. He gave his answer calmly ana
YES my little fellows. inasmuch AS
YOU haven taken what did not belong O.
you, you are guilty. But you are sogi
and dutiful children, ana II would
be cruel act indeed To pun
ish YOU Go: | forgive you and pray
mat God may pardon your sin. Here
after when you are cold, go INTO the
forest ana gather what sticks you want.
YOU have my permission. DO you hear,
Adrian" addressing the game-keeper.
Yes. sir he replied, making a low
bow.
now. as these children must be tired
with the long walk you have given them;
you must take "A cart and carry the wood
TO the cabin OF their mother
"On. thanks, thanks. good. KIND sir!
May Heaven bless and keep you Tor your
Kindness 10 the unfortunate cried the
two boys, taking leave OF their beue-
factor with tears Of gratitude.
tHO ge concluded next sunday