The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-01

YET MS sister 1a0 out now thrown II up
to him that he might once have been
thief
He 4 thief Now he did weep in in-
dignationi
Never, never
Oh, memory!
He faltered to say ssnevern again, for
there crept into his mind the memory of
two distinct acts of dishonesty committed
In childhood, which he had forgotten for
30 years
He had played truant from school in
his parents absence and meanIy put the
excuse for it upon his orphan cousin a
helpless ward in his fathers house
There also arose before him moment
when he had taken a quarter of a dollar
twice from his employers till to buy his
way into circus.
Could those deeds be now called VII
lainy? Pshawl They were the raw acts
of am uniformed animal, q mollusk,
timid, vVistful child He had put temp
tation under his feet long ago and re-
solved never to lie nor evade nor to take
mean advantage, and had lived up to his
second life TIL frankness and courage
were as natural to the great surgeon as
to his faithful mastiff dog.
Yet be was not giving anybody else the
chance to reform. His son was the off
spring Of that earlier Hfe-not this 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 to his child2
Could he again lay upon woman's,
an erring woman's, head all the weak
traits Of his boy and reserve to himself
rectitude he had this instant found three
exceptions tor
All at once a feeling of pity for the
Pierce Stielson's perception, peeped into
his heart and fingered there.
He began to feel glad that he had
committed two thefts and one dastardly
mean act, else he would be above mag
nanimity. As q blameless father he
could not forgive his child.
As thief, a thief upon the cross of
pain and woe, he could look over into
the kingdom Of thieves and almost think,
'sYe poor Robin Hoods Of the world, en-
ter into my paradise"
AS a recreant cousin to his older play
mate, he now could forgive Peter. who
denied his master like a perjurer till re-
proved by the Growing Of the wantOn
bird.
Dishonesty might be congenial, he
reditary, but 1t was the most general Of
offenses How had he dared to lilzen it
to Cain spilling his brothers blood, or
the fell incendiary's destruction Of house,
city or ones country?
He, the anatonist, 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 dog2
The weaker the son, the greater should
be the fathers love.
heart seemed to feel the 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.
ooh, mani Oh, embryol Oh, fellow
1aborers and coveters upon the planet."
the doctor thought, like prayer. For
give each otherI Let me by charity be-
come a god and cast out every hatef
His sister entered-a grim woman. dis
appointed in love. She took his head in
her lap and sat upon the floor.
Pierce, / am ashamed Of myself to
have called you a thief. You are all /
have left; Arthur has gone"
They sobbed without hope. It was long
before the doctor could even repeat,
'sGoness
Eyes, he admitted it all. A woman
had fascinated him To make her pres
emit for Christmas he took off that old case
Of tools He says he cannot look you in
the face"
ssWhy not? have remem bered, sister.
when I was no better than Arthur y
II remember, my brother, spoke Sister
Sue, ssvhen you were no example to his
mother, nor an example for my lover,
whose follies you would not forgive. If
had my lover back, God knows I would
forrive hint We drove him away Ar
thar GAS been as weak If I live life over
agair- L Shall not strain to find every body
perfect and be the only perfect one, left
desoIate and alone"
"a woman Infatuated Arthur Why,
that is the commonest case IN the world.
Young fellows are hardly responsible at
such times. I 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 closelyP'
He shall have an allowance large
one. What else do I live forS''
Brother. hsteni That is his key9n
MY song Come, come to mel'' 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. 'sYou viii be unhappy.
Like al who are dishonest, i suppose, 4
thought to return my stolen goods be-
fore they could be missed"
Its all right, my boy. so far for
give you that / VIII invite the young
woman You like to our New Years din
ner"
seSir love Won dearly and INV amt