Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
rHr nRoKEs pIyn.
An Agreeable story Of IA Case OF Very Sem
Hitive Conscience.

Hitive Conscience.
Cleveland Piain-D Dealer.
Forty years ago n certain Cleveland
family lived on Huron street. close to the
corner of Miami. Huron street wasNa
leading thoromghfare then, and II number
Of prominent Cleyeandcrs resided in the
neighborhood. The lady of the house was
n young bride, and SHE and her husband
had arrived in Cleveland quite recently.
ON Miami street lived family in very
moderate circumstances. aud among the
numerous children that filled the tiny
house was a hoy called Johnny. He was
bright, manly little fellow Of perhaps
eight years, and the Huron street bride
took quite fancy TO him. He would
come to her home every day and do her
simple errnnds. and she always had somc-
thing nice to give him. One day he was
playing in front of the brides home with
some other boys, when he CHANGED to
throw stone that missed its mark and
crashed through parlor window. The
bride happened to see the accident, and
as the little fellow looked up and saw her
an agonzcd expression clouded his face,
and he turned and took TO his heels. He
never came again to the Huron street
house. Look MS she might, the bride
caught sight Of him no more. A few
weeks later, Johnny's family left the
city, and Johnny was soon only faint
memory.
The bride is now n grandmother and
lives in handsome house in the suburbs.
One day not long ago the maid brought
her callers card. 1t bore the name Of
".Iohn Robinson" She looked at II with
a puzzled air. She had no acquaintance
Of that name
But she went down stairs and cons,
fronted fnc-looking, portly gentleman,
wcll-drcssed, aud hearing an unmistakas
bic air of prosperity.
lie advanced to meet her.
You wished TO sec meI' inquired the
| lady, az she looked again at the card.
Eyes, madam, he answered, ION q
slight matter Of business"
She looked up at him quickly and drew,
back n little.
NO" he smilingly observed. 81 am not
an agent. The fact is. madam. | have
called to pay debt that has been accumu-
latng interest all these years. and which
have neglected TO pay before. because
] have never since been in the neighbour
hood
] "A debit" echoed the lady. There
| must he some mistake
''No mistake at all. madam" said the
stranger. chccrily. and he reached his
hand in his pocket. There was gold
coin in it as he drew il forth. There.
madam he said. II want to pay yon
for the window broke in your house on
Huron street one July day in 1851"
Then it all came back TO her.
And youyou are Johnny" she cried.
YES, madam. hc answered. I'm
Johnny" And their hands met in tight
clasp.
And you remembered that little acci-
dent all these years:' she said. why
had forgotten 1t long ago"
Perhaps, had better cause to remem-
her IT," he smilingly said. at was a
dreadful affair TO me, saw the jail door
opening, ] heard the clank of chains.
Then somehow felt sure that you would
come and tell my father and he was not
gentle man, as you may remember.
But as hour followed hour. and you did
not come. | began to breathe ~ little
again. and, oh, You cannot tell how
grateful ! was to you. did not dare "a
and see Won FOR fear of possible conse-
qncnces. but when We went away. made
up my mind that some day | would pay
every penny it cost Ia mend that broken
pane. And here am"
The lady looked at him with glistenins
eyes Somehow she seemed to sec again
the tireless, manly little hoy Of that long
ago time.
And Won have nrosnrredq >" sho .sloa
Yes" he answered, smilingy. I'm
reckoned ono of the solid mon nf Califor-
mia. ] live just outside Of San Frsntisco,
have what am told is charming bon,.'