The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-09
MY Conscience.
BY LILY S. ROGERS.


A long, long time ago, when L was
q child I went with my sister, to a
school about one mile from home.
MY mother was very strict with
US, and we ere never allowed to loiter
on the way. But one day, after school
hours, was persuaded by some of the
girls to go behind the School.house to
little creek, and play. 1t wss in the
fall of the year, and we gathered beau.
tiful red and yellow maple leaves to
take home and varnish for winter flow.
er-pots and we made doll furniture
out of strong twigs--lttle beds, tables,
chairs, and picture frames.
I suppose must have stayed al
least two hours playing in the creek
for it was very late, almost dark, when
reached home. My mother was
standing by the gate, and quietly
opened it for me as approached.
I felt guilty, and wondered what
would happen, as had never been 80
late from school. Mother knew ou1
teacher never kept us in after school
hours, as most of the children lived 8
great distance from school, and all OF
| y
Mother walked by my side up the
long winding path to the house, and
asked me in gentle tones what made
me 80 late. She said my sister could
not find me after school was dismissed
so had come home without me.
I shall never forget mothers sweet
face when she spoke to me. I was
afraid of punishment, and told lie.
II could not come home any sooner,
mother, because the teacher sent me on
an errand," I said.
"Where did she send you, Nelly?"
my mother asked.
ITO the minister's house," I an
suered promptly.
"The minister lived about half a
mile beyond the school-house, and
thought could deceive mother for it
would have taken about as much time
to 20 on the errand as we took to play
by the creek.
Mother believed me and was happy
no not really happy. I was glad I
had not been punished, but my con-
science made me miserable, and as soon
as + had told the lie I was sorry.
However, I was ashamed to let her
know I had told lie, so I tried to
forget my sin, and when the supper
bell rang I ran to the dining-room
laughing and talking to my sister, and
trying to appear natural.
I remember we had hot rolls and
chocolate for supper, besides one or two
tempting dishes mother had herself
prepared. My mind was not on my
supper. The rolls chooked me, the
chocolate burnt my tongue, and when
mother asked me If 1 would have
some apple custard I said, "If you
please and handed her my tumbler.
At this every one smiled and my
father said, "What are you dreaming
about, my little girl ?"
Som chow I did everything wrong
that night, and was more and more
confused. 1 kept on my face q smile
to deceive my family, but thought I
noticed on my sisters face I look of
thorough disappoval. I wonded If
she knew had not gone to the minis
ter's.
At family prayers that might was
ashamed to look at father when be
read of Gods holy book. My father
read in course sInd that night the chap.
ter was the twenty-first of Revelation.
When he came to the eighth verse
sail liars shall have their part in the
lake that burneth with fire and brim
stonen-I looked up quickly and my
sisters eyes were upon me. She was
thirteen years OF age and had joined
the church few Sundays before.
0 how I longed to get away from
those eyes-so pure, 80 sad Father
read on, describing the new Jerusalem
with pearty gates and streets of gold
It was all I could do to keep the tears
back, I felt as if could never entel
that holy land. And then the last verse
of the chaptar, "And there shall In nc
wise enter into itanything that deficit
neither whatsoever worketh abomina
ton, or maketh a lie but they which
are written in the Lambs book o.
life."
We were in the habit Of singing two
hymns at prayers, my sister being al
lowed to select one, and 1 the other
When my time came, was 80 confus
ed knew not what OF select. AS ]
opened my book, and turned the leaves
my eye fell on q hymn my grand
mother had laughed me-my good old
grandmother who had passed, the veal
before, through the pearly gates to the
new Jerusalem. My eyes filled with
tears, and could not read the words.
My sister tipped to my chair. I point.
ed to the p1ace'in my book, and she
read the words Of the sweet hymn: