The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1905-04-07
geltct Miseellany.
At the Stroke Of Nine.

"A plCtVy AlVC S0oV05S va
green lawn, with stone walk leading
to the gate. By the door a rose
cl imbed over the wall, and the gentle
north wind scattered the white petals
like snow on the ground, and the per
fume from these flowers foated up.
rich aud sweet, like the odor of incense
burning in the temple of old. A WON
an, whose hair was just touched with
g ray, stood in the doorway, and a tall,
handsome looking young man linger-
ed at the gate. "Good-bye," the wo-
man was saying, be sure to stop at
the hotel with Fred Gilvan. l am
sure he will keep you cut of mischief.
Be good boy, and remember that
every night and morning at nine
o'clock I will pray for you. Goodbye,
she said, as she closed the gate, "good-
bye" u...,--....
The young man passed down the
street in the beauty of his manhood
with his square shoulders straight,
and bis proud head erect.
Night in the great city, with its
revet of sin and crime. 1t was the
sane old story; it need not be repeat,
ed, how Paul Durgin was tempted,
and amid the jeers of his companions
he fell; home, mother and every thing
were forgotten. As he staggered
E.lown the street he met Fred Gilvan.
"Paul," said Fred, laying his hands
on his friends shoulders, "what does
this meant"
"Oh, have been on little jaunt,"
replied Paul uneasily.
"Paul do you realize how far you
have fallen tonight, have you forgot
ten the teachings of your mother!'
There was no reply, and Fred contin-
ued, "do you realize how far you have
fallen tonight, you have taken the
first step to the downward road; that
you have forged the first link in your
chain of destruction; that you are lost
unless" '.r-
The sentence was never finished, for
Paul turned fiercely upon him. "See
here, he said, hotly, "you hush, l am
not going to listen to your eternal
preaching, l will do as l please, and |
will not take anything off of you, do
you understand?' His voice rose and
his eyes -glewed with a strange light.
He was usually slow, to anger, but
whiskey had fred his brain and he was
mad.
"Yes," replied the low voice of his
friend, Il understand, but, oh Paul, |
can't see you 60 to destruction with
sout trying to save you; we have al
Ways been such, good friends and it
break my heart to see 'yo1" Here,
,eEh slit 8 20 word s19f HaSqiiag Paul rails
ed his armand struck him blow on his
head. There was no mean of outcry
as his gentle. noble, trusting friend
fell to the ground. Paul stood still
looking at the PROSTATE form at his
feet, then looking fearfnllY around he
knelt down and laid shd over his
friends heart it sill. His dear
old friend, chaus snd. playmate, was
beyond recall lT6e moons beams fell
directly on the white, still face, with
its high forehead and clustering hair.
He knelt there, gazing into that quiet
face. eagerly watching for some signs
oflife, but be watched in vain. As
the truth slowly dawned upon him he
covered his face with his hands and
moaned aloud: "He is dead" be slow
ly said, "dead, and l killed him, but
G4d knows l didn't mean i'll love
him, oh, Fred" He took his hands
from his face and looked at them eag-
er1 :, they were smooth and white, but
he shook his head; "they are covered
wilh blood" he said with shudder,
"bht was mad with drink, l never