Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1901-12-09
MERCY AND JUSTICE.
by GuLrELMA zoLLINGER.


Cunliffe would seat himself near it, and then
his sister, picking up the book, would appar-
emily fall by accident upon that smooth peb-
BILE from the brook before which the, TO
her, giant reasoning powers of her brother
would 90 down.
The old brother and sister, though they
lived amiably and TRANQUILITY together, were
most unlike. She was short and stout, while
he was tall and thin. She leaned ever to
mercy, while he in his dealings preferred
justice.
Justice is much better than mercy,
Seraph," he had said to her many times,
''for it includes mercy. You can't be just
without being mereiful to those that deserve
it, while, on the other hand, if you neglect
justice it is quite possible TO be too merci-
full to scamps that deserve punishment and
so most unmereiful to the scamps' victims"
To this Mrs. Goodspeed had never found
but one answer-a mournful shake of the
head.
The brother and sister were about to take
upon themselves what each felt to be re-
sponsible charge. They were about to re-
ceive into their home an orphan nephew of
Is years. The boy was comparatively poor,
since his father had lost most of his prop
erty before his death, but he had been
brought up in idleness and to have his own
way.
what are your views about him, Dimic?"
the sister had asked a week before.
81 don't know that / have any views in
particular" the brother had answered. 81
shall try to make man of him." For mo-
ment Mrs. Goodspeed had smiled. Then
her brother had added Simple justice re-
quires that much of me-"
At the word Justice Mrs. Goodspeed's
heart sank OF all the people in the world
why should their nephew Lucian be treated
with Justice? Surely here was a case for
pure mercy. The boy had lost his father
and most of his property, and if he had, as
report said, certain idle and extravagant
ways, it was only mercy to indulge him in
them at such time. He would probably
come out all right in the end. With the
purpose of gaining over her brother, Mrs.
Goodspeed had labored so far in vain with
him, and the time was now short. The boy
would be with them the next day.
The next day she arose anxious. II will be
very, very merciful to him" she thought,
and that will offset Dimic's justice. Oh,
why should such good man as Dimic have
such dreadful idea to rule him? But will
be merciful Yes, even if he should be un-
kind to the cat and the dog. will, must
make allowances for him."
But she had no opportunity to display her
mercy that day, for the expected nephew did
not arrive Neither did he come the next
day, nor the next week. A week went by
and then his uncle started in search of
him.
Mr. Cunliffe had very little knowledge to
90 on. He learned that the boy had start
ed, but he did not learn where he had left
the train. There was nothing extraordinary
in his nephew's appearance. He was only
one of many who would not attract second
glance He knew more about the boy than
his sister, and he was very uneasy. For he
knew that Lucian was vain and conceited
and easily guled. He had probably taken
a prejudice against the quiet life of his
uncles home and without thought of con-
sequences, had gone nobody knew where.
Meanwhile in the quiet home Mr.. Cunli4fe
had left the maid busy-busy as she had
never been in her life with Mrs. Goodspeed
before.
eve must be prepared" said Mrs. Good
speed every morning. "They may come to-
day" And then a dinner was cooked that
might have tempted any boy or man.
But young Mr.. Cunliffe seemed in no haste
to get there. Though he had searched two
weeks his uncle had not yet found him.
Il
speed. But we must not judge him. He is
young and had peculiar trials. We must be
merciful."
eyes, ma'am," answered the maid. but
l wish he wasn't young and hadn't no trials
myself. He being young and having trials
sets hard on me. l know that"
"Why, Betty!" demonstrated Mrs Good
speed.
eyes, ma'am," answered Betty, in re-
spectful and at the same time disconsolate
tone.
"Mr. Cunliffe is in Chicago nov" resumed
Mrs. Goodspeed. "He writes he just about
knows he's there, but he can't find him"
whats he hid for?" asked Betty.
"He isn't hid, he's lost. The poor childl'
replied Mrs. Goodspeed.
"Chld!" exclaimed Betty. MY, but
that's awful! l didn't know he was a
child thought he was l6 years old"
so he is" returned Mrs. Goodspeed.
At last came the word that Lucian was
found The cat and dog received extra pet
ting, for who knew if Lucian might not find
himself irritable after all his troubles and
disposed to vent his humor on them?
"Where do you suppose Mr.. Cunliffe found
him." asked Betty, who was an old and
privileged servant.
81 do not know" responded Mrs. Good
speed. ''He didn't say. He's staying at a
hotel on jackson street and Michigan ave
nue. Perhaps it was there. Some boys like
to be around a hotel"
But it was not there that Mr.. Cunliffe dis
covered him. Instead, it was in one of the
worst quarters of the city, with his money
gone, his overcoat pawned, and with bag
gard young face that betokened few meals
and little sleep.
my poor boy" said the uncle. And then
Lucian broke down and wept. Tears of re
pentance they were, as his uncle could see.
"Come with me" said Mr.. Cunliffs. That
was all. Never a word of upraiding. Only
an attitude that showed forgiveness for i'll
behavior. HE is so young" thought Mr.
Cunliffe. cit is but justice to forgive him
since he is repentant." The third day after
the two walked into the presence. of Mrs
Goodspeed and were promptly set down al
the well-filled table. All the rest of the day
the aunt fused around Lueian, but the boy
had little to say.
How did you treat him?" asked Mrs
Goodspeed, anxiously, after the boy had
gone to bed. "He seems so subdued."
81 considered his youth, and was just
to him, l think, returned Mr.. Cunliffe
briefly.
"That is it," thought Mrs. Goodspeed