Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-01-05

composed; and though it was turned
toward his thrifty acres, it was gaze
that was unseeing, for his thoughts
were absorbed in things BETTING the
near Sabbath. He did not even see
the figure leave the orchard and speed
toward him and it was only when he
was almost brushed from his feet by
the figure crawling past into the house
that his gaze and thoughts dropped
earthward. But then his eyes were
quick enough to detect rent in the
shoulder of the boys Sunday coat, and
to see mud splashed half way up to
bis knees.
"Enos, he called sternly "cOme
here What means such ungodly
haste ?"
But Enos was already halfway up
the ladder which led to his own room
in the loft. Three minutes later he
was down again. his Sunday garments
exchanged for those of everybody
use.
The dsacon's ewes opened wide with
amazed horror and wrath. With a
quick stride, which seemed out Of
keeping with his pious meditatiOnS,
he crossed to corner and selected a
heavy oak stick which was used to
drive cattle. This he grssped deter
"Take off your coat, he ordered,
grimly. But again Enos gave not
the least heed. He was through the
doorway before the deacon could seem
to believe the evidence Of his own
eyes.
Then the amazed horror gave way
to unmixed wrath.
"You-you son of BelialI" the dea-
con stormed; "come back at once l
command you'll"
"Goin'-to-follow the trail-an
find out, came back from the vanish
ing figure. "Git-Your-guns-out
an be ready"
"What is it, Eliphalet?'' asked Mrs.
White, brought from the kitchen by
the unusual commotion.
"Enos, tersely; che is falling back
into the ways of wickedness. Per-
chance he has seen a deer or bear,
and the sight Las set him wild. 1t Is
the outcropping of his early training.
He is from the house of Belial. "
"But Enos is not accountable, like
most boys" said Mrs White, gently.
"You know he is not all there. y
Enough is there to distinguish
right and wrong, sternly. ut Is a
wonder he had grace enough tochange
hi, godly garments for carnal ones,
But I will be ready for him when be
comes back" his fingers closing more
firmly upon the oak gOad; there
will be lesson which even slow wits
will long remember"
Meanwhile Enos had sped through
the orchard, emerging from the side
neareet to the forest. But ere ne
left the shelter of the fruit trees be
dropped upon the ground and worked
his way through the grass like
snake, keeping as much as possible
behind trees and natural elevations.
When he reached the forest he circled
round to the point toward which the
footprint pointed. where he remained
for some minutes, scrutinizing the
ground sharply; then he stole away
into the depths of the forest.
Two hours later he returned, hur-
rying across the open space between
the forest and orchard, but walking
erect; and the uncertainty that had
been mingled with anxiety on his face
was now replaced by grim satisfac-
ton, as though the object of his quest
had been successful.
Deacon White was ready for him,
as he said he would be; and hardly
had Enos stepped through the door
way when the strong, uncompromising
hand fell heavily upon his shoulder.
"Now We will try the effect Of an
oak stick upon wicked tendencies, "
the deacon said, grimly, as he raised
the goad and brought it down vig-
orously across the boy's shoulders.
"You needn't make any excuses or
explanations, it is too late for that.
When words fail, the evil one must
be circumvented by more drastic
metho9s. This shall be lesson you
will never forget"
Enos made no answer; and though
the goad rose and fell until the dea-
cons strong arm sank through cheer
exhaustion, still the boy made no
sound. But when the punishment
was over, and he raised bis head,