The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-07-17
We obeyed.


few words to him.
Slavin started as II struck n heavy
, blow. looked up NJ the priest with fear
in his face. but still keeping his grip.
"Let him go." said the priest.
Slavln hesltated.
"Let him 90. Quick" said the priest
again. and Slavin, with a snarl, let so
his hold and stood sullenly facing the
priest.
Father Goulet regarded him steadily
for some seconds and then asked:
what would you dot"
His voice was gentle enough, even
sweet. but there was something In 1t
that chilled my marrow.
what would you do?" he repeated.
He murdered my ch.ld.", growled
Slavin.
"Ah! How?"
"IIe was drunk and poisoned him."
"Ah. Who gave him drink? Who
made him drunkard two years ago?
Who has wrecked his life?"
! There was no answer. and the even
toned voice went relentlessly on:
"who is the murderer Of your child
now?"
! Slavln groaned and shuddered.
"GO" And the voice grew stern.
"Repent Of your sin and add not an
other"
Slavin turned his eyes upon the mo-
tionless figure on the ground and then
upon the priest.
Father Gouet took one step toward
him and. stretching out his hand and
pointing with his finger. said:
"Gow
And Slavin slowly backed away and
went into his house. 1t was an cX-
traordinary scene. and it is often with
me now.-the dark figure on the ground.
the slight. erect form of the priest with
outstretched arm and finger, and Sla-
win backing away, fear and fury strug-
Cling in his face.
1t was near thing for the doctor.
however, and two minutes more OF
that grip would have done for him.
As.it was, we had the greatest difficult
ty in reviving him.
What the priest did with Slavin aft
er getting him inside l know not-that
has always been Il mystery to me-but
when we were passing the saloon that
night after taking Mrs. Mavor home
we saw light and heard strange
sounds within. Entering, we found
another whisky raid in progress, Sla-
vim himself being the raider. We stood
some moments watching him knocking
in the heads of casks and emptying
bottles. / thought he had gone mad
and approached him cautiously.
Hello, Slavinw called out. what
does this mean?"
He paused in his strange work, and
saw that his face. though resolute,
was quiet enough.
| "It means I'm done with the busi-
ness, l am" he said in determined
voice. 'I'll help no more to kill any
man, Or" in lower tone, ''any mans
baby"
The priests words had struck home.
'"Thank God, Slavinw said Craig, Of.
fering his hand. You are much too
good man for the business"
"Good or bad, I'm done with It," he
replied, going on with his work.
you are throwing away good mon-
ey, Slavin," | said as the head of a
cask crashed In.
Its myself that knows it, for the
price Of whisky has gone up in town
this week." he answered, giving me a
look out Of the corner of his eye. BE
dad, 1t was rare clever job" refer
ring to our Black Rock hotel affair.
but won't you be sorry for this?"
asked Craig.
"Belike / will, and that's why I'm
doing 1t before I'm sorry for it." he re.
piled, with delightful bull.
Look here, Slavin," said Craig ear
nestly, "if can be Of use to you in any
way, count on me-"
"It's good to me the both of you
have been, and I'll not forget 1t to
YOU" he replied, with like earnestness.
AS we told Mrs. Mavor that night,
for Craig thought it too good to keep,
her eyes seemed to grow deeper and
the light in them to glow more intense
as she listened to Craig pouring out
his tale. Then she gave him her hand
and said:
You have your man at last"
"What man"
"rhe man you have been waiting
for"
"Slavin"
"Why not?"
81 never thought Of It."
"No more did he or any Of u.s." Then,
after a pause, she added gently. "He
has been sent to u.s."
"Do you know, | believe you are
right" Craig said slowly and then add.
ed. "But you always are"
81 fear not" she answered, but
thought she liked to hear his words.
The whole town was astounded next
morning when Slavin went to work In
the mines, and its astonshment only
deepcncd as the days went on and he
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