The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-28

and also hecausa one that had been
there told me there was much gallant
sword play ana good comradeship
among the young collegers of Gronin-
| gen.
Then that young supper-of- f-sowens.
| Robert Vernon answered that he for
| gave me all my i'll words of him, because
| that | knew no better and spoke but
after my kind. If he was judged worthy
he was willing to go to Holland, for he
| had a call to the work ana no fellow
| ship with those foul takers and evil
| lvcrs that were about him here in
Irongray. He was willing to give up
| all AID adventure forth. if the minister
and his father and mother bade him.
lie had been, he knew, already called
of God. So he spoke meekly and pitt
| fully, till | could have cast him into the
horse pond in fair disgust.
"Oh, the blessed lad" cried my moth
cr. patrick, there is lesson for you
with your louting and je-ring. Did
yr hear how beautifully he forgare
you?"
The minister hung awhile on Rob-
| ert's words.
II suppose the youngest will have to
CO. he said. for by his words (at
| lcasD h. shows much more inclination
to the work. And his parents are de-
| SirouS to send him. Yet | am none 50
sure but that one pointing ut mel
might have turned out the better man
is his carnal nature had been in lit
| tie better Subjcction."
"Ah." said my mother: ''it Is my
| Robert that has the beautiful nature.
Patrick was ever proud and upsetting
from Il boy, and now most cruelty over
rides the lad. 1t will be better to sepa-
| rate them"
well, since it must be So" said the
minister; yet | fear the carnal heart
within me leans to the other
He spake as man that knows his
| mind
I,ut at this the devil in me rose
and | felt that in my heart which
must speak out.
Wait" | said. Il have a word to
say. Hear ye all. Ye have spoken the
worst things of me that am the eldest
son of this house. They that brought
me into being have proclaimed my
faults. They have set aside my urgent
dcsirc--God knows all ever asked of
them. They have made me of no ac-
count-it is well. Now I will take no
more than the clothes ! wear and so
forth. My ten years labor hath at least
earned So m,rh wages as suit of
gray homespuh cleading. ! bid you
farewell. Father and mother. ! leave
you with your dear sOn-yOur perfect
son. The black sheep goes forth lest
his fOulness should corrupt this white.
immaculate lamb"
"Go. then, scoffcr,' cried my faith
er, 'and never cross the threshold of
the door-sO long, at least. as the
house Of Irongray stands by the wat
ers of Cluden and John Vernon lives
to be master of it,
4 NJ nj h.r n r,n N her
eyes and went aloud. whCreat Robert
went and put his arms about her neck.
For of a certainty he had the art Of
comforting women folk, ever phrasing
and dandyinG about them.
DO not Weep. sweet mother he
said: "vUu still have one loving son
left"
| looked over at Robert, my brother
Pale wart,' said L. We're it not for
the presence of those whom am bound
t. respect would even twist thy neck
thou young hypocritc."
| My father oointed To the door.
"Out 1T M house. sirrah,' he cried
working his browS w. and down in Il
way he had when he was sorciy ang-
cred.
So / went out with all my brothers
following after me Duncan and Gil
bert iIrst, and after them John, Martin
and Sandy. The five of these good lads
| said at Il word. but came out at my
heels, hanging their heads and looking
mighty loath and sorrowful. So Robert
was left in the room by himself with
my father and mother and Mr.. Welsh,
the minister. And as we were already
at the outer door, he called to me in his
silky-soft whccdling voice:
Patrick. do not part in anger. my
brother. Freely do | forgive You all
the i'll words ye have spoken of me-
| I;ut I turned the back of my hand to
| him. a. ! stood for the last time on The
threshold of the house of my fathers.
from which | was now to he evermore
| an OutcaSt.
THAT for your forgiveness," said 7.
Keep it to cOZen older fools Withal.
You cannot take in Patrick Vernon with
your sugared lics!'
So from the house of Irongray. where
| was born and which | had counted as
mine own. was thus outlawed and ex-
truded. 'Tis easy to say that had but
mine own self to blame Had bidden
more at home o nights and ever been
in at the taking of the Book" my
father might have looked more kindly
upon me. And | should. maybe. have
pleased m- mother better had ] bean
more complaisant, and made pretensa
Ia llttlc religion OF the easily carried
kind. which comes out in asking long
blessings at meal times and interlading
a sanctified word or two i'm common
speech-such as: It'll he f.,a dav
the morn, if the Lord will, or well
shear the sheep on Monday. gin a kind
Providence spare u.s." For many is
the sound reputation for godliness
which has been built on just as little as
| that.
But I never had the art to guide my
tongue all the days of me. and oft
times. alas! I have permitted II to
: guide me: and a man lands surely in
4 the mire when he let's his unruly evil
take charge.
At ell events. there | was outside the
door of my fathers house. and present.
ly. being conveyed on my way bv my
five kindly brothers. whom | had not
suspccted of so much tend rness for