The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-03-23

| only son. I'm sorry I've disappointed
your hopes and darkened your home.
Forgive mes
"Then he addressed me again, and al
though there were hundreds of people
present I'm sure you could have heard a
pin drop it was so still. The boys voice
had grown a little husky, and after tax.
ing sip of water he said: i deserve the
punishment. acknowledge the power Of
the civil law. But, judge, my only won
der is that you have not 100 boys here
today instead of one. I've said all
wish to say. I'm ready to CO.
"rhe sheriff advanced with the hand
cuffs, and Albert held out his wrists. He
went to prison very quietly" said Judge
Morse. opening n paper which lie had
taken from his notebook, "and four
months later received this letter from
No. 1871" The gay party around the
table in the big dining room listened
with rapt attention. Each face wore an
earnest expression, and many eyes were
dim. Several who We're fathers Of boys
swallowed down strange Jumps that had
not risen in their thrdits for years. and
Alderman Bluffs glass remained untouch-
Sus uS uStuhtSi huu NCuscu Itb
around the table, and all were anxiously
waiting for the judge to adjust his spec
tacles and read the soiled letter which he
unfolded so carefully.
II always carry it," he said. "This,
friends, is what made a teetotaler Of me.
I've heard the greatest sermons Of the
greatest preachers. but nothing ever
came SO near making Christian out of
me as did this letter from that boy in
prison. hope it may yet. That boy had
a martyrs spirit, and feel sure il am
ever permitted to pass through that
straight and narrow gate Albert Rush
worth will have had more to do with my
entering than any other human being
ever knew" Judge Morse held the soled
paper nearer the light and read the last
words from the boy he had sentenced to
40 years at hard labor:"
Judge Morsc-rve tried to escape and am
writing this from the hospital ward. | was not
quite have enough to bear the thought that
must pass 20 years In this tomb. ! much prefer
the one am about to enter-the grave feel
sure that II you had been sober the last day Of
my trial my sentence would not have been for 20
long years. ! tried to escape, and the guard shot
me. The doctor says cannot recover SO you sec
my term will soon end.
"Be careful Of Clarence. 1t is pretty hard for
young men to resist the temptations that are
sanctioned by law and patronized by those in
civil power BE careful Of Clarence. Boys follow
where men lead. and to be do like some man
10 the highest ambition boys have ! followed the
wrong kind Of examples. but cannot die without
sending you this parting message. Be careful Of
Clarence!
''ALbsRT RusHwoaTH, No. 1877. Cell 10
clarence is my second sons name."
said the judge. folding the letter away in
his notebook. "Hr and Albert had been
the closest friends for lung time. felt
every word of that letter as a message TO
lead me into better life and was mov,i
beyond expression when the boys body
came to his parents few days later. In
looking at the situation from Albert's
standpoint should most certainly want
sober judge and Jury to deal with my
son. Wouldn't you?
"Well. that's my reason. Now think
1t is time to go home. The town clock is
striking T." And Judge Morse buttoned
his overcoat and started off at quick
pace for home. He always felt nearer to
God and to humanity after reading Al
bert's letter. OF course he might lose his
office, but 1t mattered little to him now.
He had stepped from the cold. barren
peaks of seliishness and political ambition
down into valley filed with the glory Of
God and the sweet blossoms Of love to
his fellow men. The letter from the pris-
on had done its work well.-Advent Re-
view.and Sabbath Herald.