The Opelousas courier., 1894-07-07

80 a Lord, some great
opportunity for doing good"
Strange as it may seem, his prayers
had never been answered. The sea-
sons rolled around with their aecus-
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 Chambers
opportunity" had come to be almost a
byword with not 8 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 MINI
licking his father, to the intense amuse-
ment of a 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 a 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 I'M
der the home restraint, and his natu-
raj wildness found vent in various
petty misdemeanors, which soon won
for him a 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. It was no avail
One night Deacon Chandler entered
his home with q stern look on his face
that BODIED no good for whoever the
culprit might be. His wife looked up
from her sewing as he entered.
where's Tom?' he said shortly.
II. don't know" was the reply.
"Why-is anything the matter?"
Before be could reply the door
opened again and the subject of their
conversation came in. He was a tall,
well built boy Of eighteen, but his
youthful face was already marked with
the lines of dissipation and in his
handsome brown eyesthere was a dare
devil expression that spoke volumes to
one who understood it.
well, sir?" was Deacon Chambers
greeting.
"Well?a came in insolent tones from
the boy, who remained standing.
"You are found out"
The stern notes of the fathnr rang
in the mothers ear like a deathknell.
"You may as well confess"
"There is no need if you have found
me out, replied the boy deiantly.
Perhaps you would like me to tell
Are you proud that you and your gang
have been detected stealing fruit from
MI. Deans orchard, and that unless ]
settle you will be arrested? Can you
offer any excus for removing the gates
from half O dozen houses in town and
making a bonfire of them in my
orchard loteo
Mrs. Chandler looked hurriedly up
at her son.
ooh, Tom, it isn't so? Say it isn't
go" she implored.
But he was silent. Then the deacon
continued:
II shall settle to save your brothers
and sisters from disgrace, but from
this night you are no son Of mine. ]
disown YOU
A slight palIor spread over the boys
face as he opened his lips to RELY.
"All right, father. If You had dealt
more gently with me I might have
been q different boy now. / own that
! took the apples and helped TO burn
the gates. But there" he burst out
suddenly, what does it matter? /
wont stay to disgrace the family any
longer, I've been ready to go for
some time. And he glanced around
the comfortable oomcontemptuously.
When he finished speaking a
mothers hand was laid on his arm and
q mothers voice. pitiful in its sorroY,
said:
Don't 90, Tom, Your father don't
mean it. He is very angry because
you make him SO much trouble. Ask
him to forgive you- I am sire he will
i you viii only try to bo a better
boy.
everin sternly interrupted the
deacon. He is no son Of mine, and
my house is 40 longer his home. Col
You hear
.You need not feI 6se twice, &.
tusned the boy Goodbye, mother.
I'm going, Z and before they realized
= the eldest son he'd passed ont 81
home Life forever