Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-01-24
Conquered himself.

His hands were clasped over his burn
ing brow.
90 God of heaven and earthr' he
prayed. 80 Father of Love, give me
strength to conquer my wild, ungov-
ernable temper! O God of Mercy, help
me to drive out this demon of anger,
Or, in Thy mercy, Lord, let me perishr'
There was not a more unselfsh man,
nor one who StrOve harder to act
justly. Not a soul who knew him but
had a good word for his upright bust
ness dealings or his readiness to lend
a helping hand to a brother in dis
tress.
But he had no 'friends," no assOci-
ates. What intercourse men had with
him was businesslike and short, and
those who Oftener patronized his shop
seldom, if ever, passed beyond the cold
good day" on good evening" in their
greeting.
a son of passionate parents, he had
inherited their baneful failing-the
curse of an impetuous temper, which,
by lack of careful training, had be-
come intensified.
In a fit of passion he had struck
his father blow which rendered the
old man insensible, and later, when
angered by the only being who had
even been n companion to him, he
had raised his hand and felled him
dead!
BY the aid of clever lawyer he
had escaped with but slight punish
ment and ashamed of returning to
his native place, he turned aside and
settled in a small manufacturing town
in Yorkshire
There was ever in his heart a deep
longing for society, for companion.
ship. This desire became all absorb
ing.
Wealth brought him no happiness
He would seek a wife. Here, with
out doubt, was the way Of salvation
The task that had for years foiled
him now lay clearly solvable.
And so this summer Amos Root
took his first holiday and went to
Scarboro. Accompanied one evening
by his worthy landlord, he was intro
duceu 10 IL lONelN girl.
To Amos the change from his isola-
ton was so sweet that he dreamed
his proneness to anger already mas
tered-he felt that his temper was
now we'll within his control.
Day after day passed by in a kind
of dreamy sweetness, Amos loving
more and more until at last, With an
impetuosity that rather startled
Martha Bailey, he declared his love
for her
Martha answered nothing, but coy
ly laid her hand in his, and SO Amos
knew that the sweetest bliss on earth
was his.
But Amos Root was not the man
to bind himself to a young girl under
false impressions. He laid bare the
story of his life and Martha loved
him all the more for his Sufferings
and kissed him.
A few days before the wedding
Amos received a telegram from the
chief constable asking him to return
at once.
Next morning Amos reached home
to find that his assistant had disap,
peared, together With a large sum OF
money.
For brief space of time Amos was
aghast-not at the perfdy of his trust
ed assistant, but at the calm manner
in which he received the news.
Oyerioyed at the change wrought
within himself, he burst out laugh
ing, to- the no small amaZement of the
policeman.
'if he'd only asked for it I'd hav,
given him all he embezzled. Blu
never mind, officer, let him take it.
''What!" said the astonished police
man; aren't you going to prosecute?
Prosecute? Why, no; and there
an end ont, as the play says repliet
the CHEEKY Amos.
When the news was spread abroa,
by the industrious man in blue, tn
toWnsfolk whispered one to another
and shook their heads, and told tale
of hot tempered people becoming in
sane.
But, nevertheless, Amos returned t
Scarboro next morning and immed
ately called at Marthas. Brimful Q
happiness, he wanted her to lear
how easy she had made it for him t
overcome his natural inclination.
Good morning, Amos" said Mr.
Bailey. II hope there was not niue
the matter at home? Martha? Oh
| forgot; she's out"
Amos was disappointed, and sal
he'd call again.
Her cousin, Jack Spencer: you
like Jack, I'm sure-such a fine youn
fellow added Mrs. Bailey. as sh
approached the door "He came owe
from Leeds for the day, and Martha
taken him to see the town. The
won't be long now, l should think.
you like to stay