The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-01-06
A Neglected Promise.

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"Bennie, come sit down here by me;
want to feel you close beside me-" The
sweet brown ewes were tender rs they
rested on him. 81 won't always have
you near me-"
"Oh, l won't leave YOU. Why are You
so funny, Da? You know I'm always
going to stay with YOU
Everything is so beautiful, feel so
happy, but l am so sorry, too"
Sorry when you're happy? Don't see
howyou could be sorry then. I'm happy
all the time"
Children" called voice from the
farm house door. Come in to your sup
per"
Yes, mamma" And over the ground
four little feet chased.
The wind moved the leaves in a whis-
pering, complaining way. In the west
the cold autumn sunset glowed, and the
leaves on the neighboring naples seemed
reflections Of its light. The rim of the
new moon appeared and the glow III the
west sank slowly-slowly-to a deep
purple, then faded away. Over the neigh
boring hills glimmercd the moonlight
Years had gone by since he and Da
played out under the apple trees. Now
/ they were man and woman. Was it only
yesterday since Da had begged him not
to harm the little red squirrels: No; for
yesterday-He shook himself free from
his lethargy; Ben Davis dreamer? Why
mad this childhood scene required to him
so wildly tonight: Years had gone since
he had even seen Da Their father and
mother had died, and as orphans they
had dritted around the world. First to-
gether, then Ben was offered position
in New York. Da had gone to live with
un aunt in New Orleans. Letters, fire.
qucnt at first, gradually dwindled until
he had almost completely forgotten his
once dear sister
Little they had thought such Il gulf
could be placed between them. The care
less, happy Ben in pursuit of the phan-
tom Pleasure, had almost forgotten his
! little sister in the past months; but to-
night, when he sat so dreamily, he re-
membered the words, "1'll not have you
always, Bennic" His reverics were in
terrupted by a knock at the door Come
| Davis, old man. Don't be so moody.
Come overto our rooms; wen have sup
per and lark with the boys. Williams
and Brown are both in town tonight"
Ben rose and followed his companion.
Soon among the company he was the
gayest Of the gay. Late into the night
the room rang with the clnk of glasses
and the rattle of chips on the table.
Just one more glass with me, Davis"
! 'No, no more
20 yes, this one"
| well then, this one"
When the gray morning light creptinto
Davis room it found q sordid looking,
stupid being, unconscious of all the COM
ing glory. And this was the same boy
who had swung ont in his fathers dewy
orchard as happy as the larks over his
head.
| He awoke about noon, and dressing
himself with half numb fingers went to
| the office.
Look here, Davis" said Mr. Bell, his
employer. This has to stop. l can't
have a man in my employ who cannot
work through the required hours
Ben maintained stolid silence.
Davis, you are young and I'm an old
man that knew your father. Tell me, do
you think you are doing what is right in
keeping your present associates? can
not help but guess your amusements
your eye shows all. l speak to you now
as a friend spoke first as your EN-
ployer.'
Mr. Bell" said Ben, Il know you are
right. but it seems to have been my luck
to be led by Others. The pleasures OF
city life brought RE to New York. The
temptations that met me here led ME to
my associates. Then l thought, IT they
do these things, why may not l ? Icould
stop now though if l really thought
ought to-"
why not stop then? ! will send you
from here. Away from these associates,
would it not be easier to lead a more
useful life ?"
Ben's head went up. II do not need
to be sent away; if you as my employer
object to my conduct, dismiss me"
mo, my boy, believe me; it is not as
your employer but as your friend speak
By the way, do you know where Da is ~
That haunting feeling ofremorse again
What picture was it now? A lonely
porch and weeping, Goodbye, Ben,
ME"
why she is in New Orleans, Mr.. Bell
with my aunt" he said aloud.
Mrs. Arthur :"
"Yes."
"Well, what made me ask, saw in al
old paper the other dav that Mrs Ar.
thur, a widow whose husband had com
rnitted suicide from failure in business
had died. Wasnot your sister dependent
upon them p
Almost" Ben'slips were closed tight
He did not speak of the money left tc
both, which he had squandcred. "Il
pay you back, Da, when I'm settled il
business" he had said.
Ben, if YOU will take my advice YOU
will go to New Orleans and hunt up that
little sister of yours. She was a nightly
sweet child as | remember her"
Can you let RE off for a week ~
Certainly; tv if necessary"
Ben left the office that evening feeling
better than be had for months. IN fine
Da, and III stop this lite I've been lead