The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-08-10
BACKSLIDING OF
MR.. JACK SAYRE
b.O-.3-.N.0.0.-Oe'0.-0-s9
$50 you've found me"
Showing How a Burglar Escape'
Being "Run In"

$50 you've found mel!
The noon sun poured down flood OF
golden light. 1t touched the emerald Of
the trees in the wide, sweet orchard with
loving fingers. 1t glanced across the row
OF shining pals and pans on the kitchen
stoop, where they glistened like FURNISH
ed silver. 1t shone full on the startled
face of young man who stood under an
apple tree a-foam with pink and white
bloom. He stared straight at the man
who stood like rock before him-a
strong limbcd fellow. with cold eyes and
keen, resolute face. The newcomer re.
gartled him in turn with Il steady, calcu'
lating glance. His right hand touched
his hip pocket.
so you've found mel"
Yes" said the other, very quietly.
ayes. and. Charley, | advise you not to
make any row. You'd better come along
without any fuss. It'll be better for you
in the long rum"
Charley took a step forward, lurched
heavily like drunken man. staggered
back, leaned against the tree and put his
hands TO his face. The other watched
him as tiger might his prey.
and asked. almost in whisper. did
you see any one at the house"
Said the other: Yes. there's fine old
man on the side porch reading paper
and dear old lady Smelling peas. sup
pose, now, Charley. they're your father
and mother"
Yes" said Charley, with a groan
"You didn't-you couldn't have told
them he questioned tiercely.
NO" replied the stranger. II simply
asked for you. and they told me | would
find you in the orchard. I'd hate like 6
dog to tell EN-" he added after a pause.
In the name of God" cried the youn,
man desperately, don't tell them-don't!"
Breaking off. he choked back sob ant
struck the trunk of the apple tree witt
his clinched fist.
But they've got to know it some
time" returned the other. You'd better
tell them yourself"
81 tell them?" cried Charley. Il tell
why, man, might as well kill them a
once"
Il know--I Know" replied the other
Its a bad deal all round. Let's see. III
tell you what to do. We cant leave
here before q o'clock. Now introduce mt
as your friend, come out to call on you il
your old home and to tell you of gooC
thing for you. and say you've got to 81
back with me on account Of this opening
Oh, any rot like that. and I'll stand fol
it. SeeT"
Charley held out his hand. "Sayre," b.
said huskily, you're a good fel"- III
could not finish the sentence.
brace up, brace up" replied Sayre
slapping him on the shoulder. You'll
need all your nerve now to get through
the afternoon"
Mother and father" said Charley ter
minutes later, Il want to introduce {
friend of mine, Mr.. Jack Sayre. He has
heard Of good job for ME and has take.
a lot of trouble to come out here to lei
me know"
Want to know"' CALCULATED Deacon
Hobart as he extended his hand in greet
ing. .Waal, sir. now l am pleased tc
see We. Ma. here, shake hands will
Charley's friend"
MA" came through the kitchen door. s
sweet little old lady. with snowy hair
pink cheeks and mild blue eyes. She was
quite clustered at the sudden advent OF
so smartly dressed visitor. but, giving
him timid bow, asked, as any good
countw housewife would. if Mr.. Sayri
had been to dinner.
No, Mr. Sayre had not dined.
"Waal. now" said the good deacon
show fortunate that is. We was jest o..
the pint of settin down. Come right i'll
Mr.. Sayre, and make yourself to hum
ANY friend of our Charley's is welcome
to our home"
The deacon bowed his head, and hi:
gentle voice rose in the blessing. Hi
blessed the food and the drink and praye1
earnestly for the stranger who sat witt
them to meat. And grant. o most mei'
ciful Father, that we show to each Other
the mercy and long suffering that tho.
dost show to us. Amen.
Then came the smoke on the piaZzl
and the deacon's kindly and interesteI
questions. many of which were very hal'I
to parry. But the climax of the wretch
ed afternoon was reached when Mrs. HI
bart. having finished tidying up. brought
out her knitting and sat down to visit
with Mr.. Jack Sayre.
81 reckon you and Charley have known
each other quite some time" she said
gently. rs she clicked her shining needles
and beamed over her spectacles ut the
guest.
well--yes, ma am" returned the
unhappy man. trying to avoid those mild
unworldly eyes.
We'll. then. you've known one real
good boy. Mr.. Sayrr," pursued the little
old lady. Our Charley hain't never Civ
IN us one mite of trouble. When he went
sway to that air wicked Babylon. New
York, feared for him. | WAS afraid he
might git tempted aud led off into sin
But a mothers prayers 90 long ways
Mr.. Sayrc."
YES. ma am, that's SO. that's so" said
Sayre, stealing Il look ut Charley out OF
the tail of his eye. The young man sal
on the steps. rigid ii statue. his pale
face resolutpIy turned toward the or
chard.
rs your mother living. Mr.. Sayre?
pursued the gentle old lady as she deftly
caught up IL dropped stitch.
mo. MA am" said Sayrc. stopping &c
pick up Il match that had fallen from his
shaking fingers. "Nn. ma'am: she died
when | was quite Il little fellow"
Poor boy" said the dear. mothcrly old
soul. and she gently pattcd his arm with
one thin hand. "Waal, now, as you're sucf
friend of nv boys. and an orphan,
want you to always make this your HON!
when you feel so disposed"
."rhank you. ma am" said Mr.. Jacl
Sayre. almost humbly.
And you can't possibly stay with n
now for day or sop
"Oh. no. ma'am. It's absolutely neces
sary we should 20 tonight"
WAL, hate to hcv ye take on
boy away. It's awful lonesome her
without him. Ia and | are kind of oil
and poky, and Charley does liven up s
when he comes home. | dunno how
could live il 'twan't fer Charley" Sh
glanced at the boyish figure affectionate
ly. lies the last one. Mr.. Sayre, of
bi. family, and the baby too. WAL. Go
has been kind to spare me one fer my oil
age"