The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-01


way into 9 circus,
Could those deeds be now called vii
lainyg Pshawl They were the raw acts
Of an Uniformed animal, a mollusS' q
tinid, wistful child. He had put temp
tation under his feet long ago and re-
solved never 20 lie nor ovade nor 90 take
mean advantage, and had lived mp 10 his
second life till frankness and courage
were as natural 90 the great surgeon as
10 his faithful mastih dog.
Yet he was not giving anybody else the
chance 70 reform. His son was tho OH
spring Of taat earlier life-not tins Sec
ond and better birth of the upright man
in the slippery lad.
Could he say that his were not the
traits which had descended 90 his child.
Could he again lay upon a womAn's'
an erring woman's, head all the weak
traits of his boy and reserve 60 himself o
rectitude he had this instant found three
exceptions 70?
All az once a feeling Of pity for the
erring boys or women came into Dr.
Pierce Shelson's perception, peeped into
his heart and fingered there.
He began 10 feel glad that he had
committed two thefts and one dastardly
mean act, else he would be above mag
nanimity. As a blameless father he
could not forgive his child.
As a thief, a thief upon the cross Of
pain and woe, he could look over into
the kingdom of thieves and almost think,
aye poor Robin Hoods of the world, en-
ter into my paradise"
As a recreant cousin 20 his older play
mate, he now could forgive Peter, who
denied his master like perjurer till re-
proved by the Growing Of the wanton
bird.
Dishonesty might be congenial, he
reditary, but it was the most general Of
offenses. How had he dared 10 liken it
10 Cain splitting his brothers blood, or
the fell incendiary's destruction Of house.
city or ones country?
He, the anatomist. the materialist
who had traced the folds Of the brain,
the exact workshops Of motion, memory,
speech. love. ecstasy, felony-was he TO
drive his son away for an act he would
forgive his dog?
The weaker the son, the greater should
be the fathers love.
The gnawing torture of the doctors
heart seemed to feel tho sedative COM
fort Of this counsel, and far beyond his
sons offense he almost felt forgiveness
for that one which had dealt him the
fouler blow.
"Oh, man! Oh, embryol Oh, fellow
laborers and coveters upon the planetl"
the doctor thought, like prayer. For
give each otherl Let me by charity be-
come a god and cast out every hate"
His sister entered-a grim woman, dis
appointed in love. She took his head in
her lap and sat upon the floor.
pierce, l am ashamed Of myself to
have called you a thief. You are all
have left; Arthur has gone"
They sobbed without hope. II was long
before the doctor could even repeat,
"Gone?'
Eyes. he admitted it all. A woman
had fascinated him. To make her pres
ent for Christmas he took off that old case
of tools. He says he cannot look you in
the face"
when / was no better than Arthur"
Il remember, my brother, spoke Sister
Sue, "when you were no example TO his
mother, nor an example for my lover,
whose follies you would not forgive. If
l had my lover back, God knows l would
forgive hint We drove him away. Ar
thur has been as weak. If live life over
again, shall not strain to find everybody
perfect and be the only perfect one, left
desolate and alone"
"A woman infatuated Arthur? Why,
that is the commonest case in the world.
Young fellows are hardly responsible at
such times. don't think it is so very
bad. I'll give Arthur an allowance and
call him home"
THAT was your mistake before, Pierce
He had no money. You questioned him
too closely"
He shall have an Allowance large
one. What else do live for!"
Brother, hsten That is his keyy'
my sonl Come, come TO me!' loudly
cried Dr. Stielson.
The son appeared. His handsome face
expressed woe. He stood awhile silent,
looking to the floor.
Il have one regret, father finally
said Arthur "You will be unhappy.
Like all who are dishonest, suppose, l
thought to return my stolen goods be-
fore they could be missed"
Its all right, my boy. / so far for
give you that | will invite the young
woman you like to our New Years din
ner."
"Sir, love you dearly, and my aunt
also | love- And yet there is dearer
one. must eat my New Years dinner
there"
ooh. infatuated sonl / thought you
pure as crystal
The lady love, my father, loved me
first. She cannot live without me. Sir,
am without offense, except that l took
your tools and sold them. No one can
know this lady ! speak Of and not be
pure"
He now raised his eyes and looked at
his father. He dropped tears Of real
emotion.
pierce, you have suspected him where
he is blameless," Miss Sue said, trem-
bling.
"Oh. they all think that. Our med
ical students think all these harry wild
ows Of their predecessors TO be pure
mere victims Of circumstance"
is not that as well as 20 believe no
body pureT" cried Aunt Sue, kissing her