ONE of the precursors of the great day of God, as given by the prophet Joel, is “wonders in the heavens.” The passage in which it is found reads as follows:—
“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of Jehovah cometh.” Joel 2:30, 31.
The darkening of the sun occurred, as also definitely predicted by our Lord in His great prophetic discourse (Matthew 24; Mark 13), May 19, 1780. The night following, the moon, whenever it appeared in the overwhelming darkness, had the appearance of blood.
The blood and fire and pillars of smoke are common graphic appearances of various electric and light phenomena, manifest especially in the aurora borealis, the marvelous forms of which have excited alarm, wonder, admiration, and curiosity of earth’s children during the last century or so; for it is only in later times that these wonders have become manifest, evidences of decay, disintegration, and disturbance in the earth and its atmosphere. God inspired their prediction more than twenty-five centuries ago in His Word; He is confirming that Word by hanging these predicted signs in the heavens.
As Seen in Choteau, Mont.
As Seen in York Harbor, Me.
A remarkable wonder worthy of note occurred last August. A correspondent wrote us from Choteau, Mont., under date of August 24. This wonder, our correspondent, Mr. W. H. Holden, tells us, was seen by him August 25, 10:15 P. M. It consisted of a clearly defined band, or belt of light, extending athwart the heavens from the northwestern to the southwestern horizon, “passing directly overhead, and cutting the heavens into two equal parts. At the zenith it seemed a little wider than the disk of a full moon when half an hour high, and tapered toward either end.” The edges were clear cut and regular. There was no moon at the time. As the time passed (Illustration No. 1 is from a rough drawing furnished by Mr. Holden), the north end swung slowly to the west, as if moved by a gentle breeze, but did not break. “After maintaining its appearance for nearly an hour, it suddenly began to fade equally throughout its length, and in about ten minutes it had entirely disappeared.”
The Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune of August 22 declares it to be a path of light left by a large fire ball which passed across the heavens. This streak of light was at first deep red in color, gradually growing fainter. But the Tribune must be mistaken.
Those witnessing the phenomenon in Choteau, fifty miles away, declare that two blades of light shot up from the horizon, as though projected by a searchlight, and met in the zenith.
A similar phenomenon was witnessed at York Harbor, Me., on the same night at 9:30 P. M., preceded by an ordinary display of aurora borealis, which gradually faded. The one who records this, Dr. A. F. A. King, in the Popular Science Monthly, for October, thus describes it:—
At 9:30 P. M. there appeared a magnificent arch spanning the heavens from east to west, the top of the arch being a little north of the zenith, and almost overhead. As shown in the diagram at least three-fourths of the eastern half of the arch consisted of a pale, only half-luminous column of visible streaks, the band being perhaps as wide as the diameter of a full moon appears to be. The western segment of the arch presented a most extraordinary and magnificent spectacle. [See cut No. 2.]
Beginning a little east of the zenith and continuing almost to the western horizon, there appeared what might easily be likened to a string of tremendous comets. These pennants of light, however—unlike comets—were more brilliant at their bases, less so at their apices. Their bases were directed upwards, their points down. They were constantly changing, appearing and disappearing, but not very rapidly.
At the western end of the arch, one long, half-luminous streak shot up obliquely (as shown in the figure) and remained some minutes after the arch had disappeared. The arch lasted from 9:30 to nearly 10 P. M.
No visible connection existed between the arch and the nebulous masses and streaks of light near the northern horizon.
In looking at the diagram the reader may well conceive it to be too toy-like and artificial to come within the range of truth or possibility, but so was the arch itself. No one could have conceived such a display to be either natural or possible. To some it suggested a festive arch adorned with luminous cornucopias, like a Christmas decoration. Those of us who for a few weeks before had obtained telescopic views of Borelli’s comet with some difficulty, seemed now to be rewarded by nature exhibiting a whole string of far more brilliant comets for our special delectation. The kind and degree of luminosity appeared to be almost exactly like that of the comet when seen through a good glass.
The splendor and magnificence of the display were beyond description; startlingly beautiful. The spectacle seemed almost to overstep the modesty of nature, but its coming unheralded during the majestic silence of night served to banish so unjust a thought. Surprise, delight, admiration, and awe—these were the feelings which thrilled with pleasure those of us who witnessed the sublime and mysterious scene.
Mr. J. N. Loughborough, in his book, “Last Day Tokens,” mentions a similar phenomenon which occurred in 1843, and the writer remembers when a child (1861 probably) of seeing an arch of light spanning the heavens from east to west, and lasting for some time, of the seeming width of the face of the full moon and uniform throughout. These are among the many tokens of the soon-coming day of God, when before His face the very heavens shall seem to be rolled up as a scroll, and all nature marred by sin shall crumble in His presence.
CATHOLICISM AND THE LABOR ELEMENT
By E. T. Russell
THE attitude of the Catholic Church toward the labor movement is most friendly. This is indicated by its utterances. The late Pope Leo XIII., in his encyclical on labor, espouses the cause of the workingmen's organizations in their struggle against the greed of wealth, in the following:—
Most important of all are workmen's associations. We have spoken of them more than once; but it will be well to explain here how much they are needed, to show that they exist by their own right, and to enter into their organization and their work. The experience of his own weakness urges man to call in help from without.
Bishop Huntington, of New York, is also an ardent advocate of the rights of the oppressed wage-earners. By some the pope was styled the “Socialist Bishop” because of his apparent friendliness to workingmen. In being friendly to organized labor, he was manifesting a regard for his people, as a large per cent of the trades unionists are communicants of the Catholic Church. Many of the labor leaders of the United States have been and are Catholics, and both in this country, and in Europe, in connection with strikes, its followers have many times taken a leading part.
In President Roosevelt's course of action in connection with the great anthracite coal strike in Pennsylvania, in 1902, he recognizes the fact that Catholic influence had much to do with the strike. In appointing the commissioners of arbitration there was added to the number the name of Bishop Spaulding of the Catholic Church “as a concession to the strikers,” as many of the strikers were Catholics. A recorder of the commission was also appointed who had been for many years a teacher in the economic department of the Catholic university at Washington. Two assistant recorders were appointed, one of whom was a professor of political economy in the Catholic university.
It is a fact that many of the organizers, leaders, and managers of unions, and of strikes, are Romanists. As the Catholic Church is so well represented in trades unions throughout the world, it is but reasonable to suppose that the eyes of the world would be directed towards the Papacy as a potent power in the solution of the social problems that are confronting all nations. That power that for centuries held sway over nations, directing in all matters, ecclesiastical, political, and social, would be untrue to the claim that Rome never changes if she did not make the most of the present social complications to add to her own glory; for in times past she has, through diplomacy, or otherwise, seized every opportunity to add to her own aggrandizement.
This same power will act an important part in the settlement of strikes, and for its successful intervention, will be highly honored by the nations. Pope Leo, in his encyclical on labor, says:—
No practical solution of this question will ever be found without the assistance of religion and the Church.
As far as regards the Church, its assistance will never be wanting, be the time or the occasion what it may; and it will intervene with the greater effect in proportion as its liberty of action is the more unfettered; let this be carefully noted by those whose office it is to provide for the public welfare.
We are confident, “as regards the Church, its assistance will never be wanting, be the time or the occasion what it may; and it will intervene with the greatest effect” when the opportune time comes for it to do so, as she is always willing to do anything that will prove a stepping-stone to her triumph.
Speaking of the visit of Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop Ireland to the Pope in 1887, in the interest of the Knights of Labor, M. de Vogue wrote:—
The American prelates, Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop Ireland, arrived in Rome to defend the rights of the Knights of Labor. The ideas they brought astonished and scandalized the venerable dignitaries of the Sacred College; it might be said that the all too bracing air of the Atlantic still clinging to the garments of the travelers made those Italians gasp. The pope alone was unamazed,—he understood this adaptation of Catholicism to a society free and democratic.
The Papacy undoubtedly understands how to adapt itself to society for its own advancement as no other organized system on the face of the earth does.
In a work by Wm. F. Markoe, published by the Catholic Truth Society, in St. Paul, Minn., entitled “The Catholic Church and the American Republic,” we quote the following:—
Again we see the country shaken to its center by9the relentless conflict between capital and labor. Who is to be the peacemaker between these bitter enemies? Is it not a sufficient answer to point to the significant fact that the two most prominent figures in the settlement of labor difficulties in Europe and America have been Cardinal Manning, the head of the Catholic Church in England, and Cardinal Gibbons, the head of the Catholic Church in America?
Some Protestant ministers have advocated that no one is so well fitted to settle our labor troubles as the pope. Why are their eyes directed to the Papacy, expecting it to step forward and offer a panacea for our social ills? Why do they not expect some of the great Protestant denominations to bring about peace between the contending parties? Is it not a tacit admission on their part that the membership of the Catholic Church has the most to do in inciting strikes, and, therefore, the Papacy can best settle them?
It is only a question of time when labor troubles will be submitted to the pope or dignitaries of the Catholic Church for settlement. As its followers are so many, and they connect with unions, and many union labor leaders are Catholics, when those in authority in the church speak, and say to its members, when engaged in a labor strike, “Boys, stop,” they will stop, and then the church will be lauded and honored because through her voice there has come peace. But why should not peace come at her command, allowing that her followers are under good control, as is a generally recognized fact?
We will relate the following to illustrate the part her followers must have acted at the time of the great Pittsburgh riot, which occurred many years ago:—
A friend of ours was in the city at the time and stated that the work of destruction went forward for hours almost without any intervention, so that millions of dollars worth of property was looted, and destroyed by the fire. The fire companies were not allowed to work until the flames were driven by the wind toward the Diamond on which was located the Catholic cathedral and book store, and then, in less than fifteen minutes, every fire-engine in the city was at work. Evidently when the property of that church was at stake, those connected with the strike were anxious that the flames should not reach the Diamond.
In many ways that power is at work, and out of the strife and anarchy in the world she will, through craft and diplomacy, gain honor and power. Kings and nations will try to out-do each other by catering to her authority. To-day the tendency of the world is Romeward. Kings and statesmen are paying homage to that power, and many of the nations of the earth are giving her servile flattery. To-day she has a controlling influence in this the greatest of nations. By her power and influence she controls our elections. Public sentiment is being rapidly moulded in her favor, and, as a result of our present social conditions, she is almost certain to obtain still greater prestige.
E. T. RUSSELL.
Small Causes, Great Consequences
“It may be only the breaking of a hairspring in a conductor’s or an engineer’s watch; but, after a few minutes’ silence, two crowded express trains, under fearful headway, may come together. The effect of the breaking of so small a thing may be felt around the world, spreading the pall of sorrow over many happy homes, and causing tender feet to travel life’s rough journey alone in sorrow’s darkening path.”
RIGHTS OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
[Full reports of this case may be obtained of the West Publishing Co., St. Paul, Minn., for 25 cents.]
Right to Keep Blacklist of Ex-employees.
THE action of the Western Union Telegraph Company, in discharging all employees who were members of the Commercial Telegraphers' Union, resulted in the filing of a bill in equity by members of the union, alleging that the company, its officers and agents, unlawfully combined and confederated together to destroy the union, and by threats, etc., are interfering with their employees because they have joined the union, and that they are seeking to prevent the discharged employees from obtaining other employment as telegraph operators. Judge Rogers, after consideration of this case, reported as Boyer v. W. U. Tel. Co., 124 Federal Reporter, 246, dismissed the bill for want of equity. He holds that there can be no such thing as an unlawful conspiracy to destroy a labor union by refusing to employ its members, or in discharging them “for any reason or for no reason,” in the absence of a contract for employment for a definite time. The case would be the same if the men were discharged because they were Odd Fellows or belonged to the Presbyterian Church or the Grand Army of the Republic. It would be intolerable for a court of equity to compel a man to serve another against his will, or to compel one to employ persons he did not want.
The court holds further that an employer may keep in a book the names of employees discharged because they were members of a labor union, and may invite inspection of this book by other employers, even tho the latter therefore refuse to hire the discharged employees. The court refers to a number of interesting cases on the subject.
Rights of Unions and Employers.
In disposing of a motion to dissolve an injunction restraining members of a union from interfering with an employer in the conduct of his business, by persuading or inducing others not to deal with him, Vice Chancellor Pitney summarizes, in the following brief form, certain of the contentions between capital and labor which he states are now quite well settled: First. That all sorts of laborers may lawfully combine and form unions for their mutual benefit, and that they may use all lawful means to promote their own interests, being careful in so doing not to infringe upon the rights of others. Second. One lawful means to that end is the refusal to work on terms offered by the employer. Third. An unlawful means is to hinder or prevent others from working for an employer under such terms as they shall see fit. Fourth. One means of such hindering and preventing is in various ways to render it either difficult or uncomfortable for such willing workmen so to work. This is an unlawful means. Fifth. Another unlawful means in common use to hinder or prevent willing employees from working and to compel employers to accede to terms which they would not otherwise adopt is the boycott in its various forms. The defendants in this case, being that of Martin v. McFall, 55 Atlantic Reporter, 465, denied that they were doing any of these unlawful acts, and asked for the dissolution of the injunction, to which the Vice Chancellor philosophically replies that, if they do not intend to do the things forbidden by the restraining order, the order will do them no harm.
Striking Against the Dead.
The people of Chicago should have the sympathy of the world. Many manufacturers have left Chicago because of the increased rule of the strike. That unfeeling and arbitrary rule was never more strikingly illustrated than in the recent strike of the livery-men, especially against conveying the dead to the cemetery. It would seem that if there was any act that should be free from violent molestation it is the act of performing the last services for the dead; but it has not been so in Chicago during the present strike. Pickets have even been posted in front of residences where the dead were lying, waiting for burial, and those who would have conveyed them to the cemetery were either driven away by threats of violence or mobbed and beaten. Thus the people are compelled to keep their dead in their houses, or to bury them secretly at night. Persons whose relatives have died have found it necessary to refrain from publishing the usual death announcement in order to escape the ghoulish picketing of these strikers. In one case an ambulance driver who was hurrying a dying man to the hospital was mobbed and himself and his team pelted with frozen snowballs. It was with difficulty that the team was prevented from running away. The strike still continues, and the health officers are compelled to tolerate a condition which they can not remedy, and which is a dangerous menace to the health of the inhabitants of the city.
The Cuban Reciprocity Bill.
The bill for whose passage Congress was recently called in special session, but upon which the Senate refused to act during the special session, was passed by the Senate on December 16, and was signed by the President on the following day, to become operative ten days later. There are indications that under the “most favored nation” clause in treaties with other countries those countries will seek to have the duty on sugar from their respective countries lowered to the same extent as that on Cuban sugar. England has already notified the State Department that it will expect this reduction, and other nations are expected to do likewise. Under President Cleveland a similar situation occurred, but the State Department ruled adversely on these demands. The question promises to be reopened with vigor.
Trouble on the Isthmus.
Matters seem to be assuming a serious aspect in the vicinity of the Isthmus of Panama. The representative of Colombia at Washington has been able to accomplish nothing for his country. Armed Colombians have been located near the coast in the Gulf of Darien, preparing to open a road into Panama, and Colombia seems determined upon an invasion of that territory in spite of the preparations which the United States is making to prevent their doing so. Companies of United States marines have been landed in Panama territory and have established camps, and others are being prepared to send to the Isthmus. A large naval force is now in those waters, and other vessels are being sent, and still others are being prepared for the trip. The Asiatic fleet has returned to Honolulu from Chinese waters, and is being held at Honolulu in readiness to sail to the Isthmus on short notice. Peru has recognized the independence of Panama, but Colombia is seeking to enlist the help of the other South American republics against the United States. General Bell has been called to Washington, and if matters assume a more threatening aspect, he will be sent to Panama to take charge of the work of the army there.
Missouri Ruling May Free Convicts
A decision has been handed down in the State Supreme Court of Missouri, which is expected to open the prison doors for scores if not hundreds of convicts. This ruling is to the effect that an information issued by the circuit attorney must be sworn to by prosecuting witnesses in the case, and that circuit attorneys or prosecuting attorneys could only swear to information from personal knowledge of the facts. The decision brings into question the legality of hundreds of arrests and convictions recently made on information in St. Louis. The fight of the franchise boodlers to escape punishment has brought about this ruling of the court, which is greatly in their favor. If the present charges against these men will not hold, it is felt that the statute of limitations would make it impossible to bring new indictments against them.
A Mission to Abyssinia
The forerunner of the American mission to Abyssinia, in charge of American Consul Skinner, of Marseilles, has been cordially received by emperor Menelek. It is expected that a treaty of commerce will be signed between the United States and Abyssinia as a result of this mission. Emperor Menelek seemed deeply interested in the story of the freeing of the slaves. He said: “I can not do as Lincoln did. It would upset things too much, but I have decreed that while those at present slaves shall remain such, their children shall be free. Thus slavery will disappear.” In bidding farewell to the American representative, the emperor said: “God surely sent you here. Come again.” It would seem that there might be a good opening there for American missionaries, other than of the commercial kind.
The Antarctic Expedition
The Antarctic expedition, under Dr. Nordenskjold, has returned from its exploration of the Antarctic continent. The whole region, so far as explored, was found to be of granite formation surmounted by a strata in which fossils abound. In these fossils are found many sea mollusks, the bones of vertebrates, and the leaves of trees, showing that at one time the climate there was very different from what it is now. Similar discoveries have been made in arctic regions, all pointing to the disfigurement in the earth's surface and the change in its axis at the time of the Flood.
France Moves to Close Catholic Schools
The Premier of France is aiming another blow at the Catholic orders. The new bill which he has recently presented to the Chamber of Deputies means the closing of all the establishments of these orders where the work of the orders has been that of teaching. The premier’s reason for this, is that the teaching in their schools is insufficient, and that tendencies dangerous to the republic are inculcated. If the bill becomes a law, it will close over three thousand schools. The bill also makes provision for establishing secular schools.
Monte Carlo’s Gambling Profits
The great gambling institution of Monte Carlo has cleared up $7,000,000 from the patrons of the place during the year, said to be the largest amount ever accumulated from gambling in that institution during one year. Of course, this is only a small per cent of the amount that has been wagered there by the gambling patrons of that institution. It shows an increase in the gambling spirit among both men and women, and this is in harmony with similar conditions in all parts of the world.
New East River Suspension Bridge Completed
The great suspension bridge, across the East River, N. Y., above Brooklyn Bridge, was completed on December 19. This new bridge connecting New York and Brooklyn is 7,200 feet long, and 118 feet in width. Its towers are 332 feet in height, 60 feet higher than the Brooklyn Bridge towers. The cost of the bridge and the property which had to be condemned was $32,000,000.
Human Hair Imports Rise With Changing Styles
One hundred tons of human hair have been imported through the port of New York during the present year, valued at $3,000,000. A change in the style of wearing women's hair is responsible for the larger part of these importations.
MOTHER AND SON.
By B. C. Conner
It was the fall of the year. The nights were moonlight. We lived in the country, a mile from the church. The special revival services were in progress. I was a boy of fifteen, and had Christian parents. Young people of the neighborhood had been converted. I was under conviction. Earnest prayer was going up for me. I felt it; I knew it. My heart was troubled, and yet I did not want anybody to speak to me about my soul. One night mother and I, just we two, rode to church together. I think she had arranged it so. On the way she gently but earnestly pleaded with me to give my heart to God. She showed me the danger of delay and the awful consequences of rejecting Christ. She told me of her deep solicitude for my welfare, how her heart was burdened for me, and how glad she would be if I would come out on God's side. I was deeply convicted, but did not want to confess it, and her talking with me made me feel all the worse. At last, in my anguish, and seeking to defend myself, I said:—
“Mother, why don't you let me alone? Other11mothers do not talk to their boys as you talk to me.”
Then, with a look that I shall never forget, and with tears in her eyes, she said to me:—
“My boy, I dare not let you alone till you give your heart to Christ.”
Those words pierced my heart. They told me, as I did not know before, how much my mother had loved me, and how much she desired my salvation. I then and there determined that during that meeting I would give my heart to God. A few nights after, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and by His help, I found my way to the altar, already crowded with other seekers of salvation. I had not been there long when I felt around my neck the gentle pressure of a loving arm. I could not see her, but I knew mother was there and that it was her arm that was about me. Soon the deep, pent-up emotion of her soul burst forth, first in praise that her boy was at the altar, and then in prayer that he might be thoroughly converted.
Tho a boy of fifteen, my heart was deeply convicted with a sense of guilt, and of a need of the Saviour. Thank God, through the prayers and counsel of loved ones, I was enabled to accept Jesus as my personal, precious Saviour, and His follower I have been ever since. That was the turning point of my life. Thank God it came so early!
Mothers, do not rest till your boys are saved. Do not allow them to pass through their teens till they have been converted. By your godly life and your deep solicitude for their spiritual welfare, wisely manifested, show them that their salvation is the thing you most desire. Boys, heed mother's counsel, comply with her request, yield to her entreaty. Rejoice her heart by accepting her Saviour. O, the burdened hearts of the Christian mothers for their unsaved boys! Listen! young man. You love your mother. You are proud of her. You are doing many things to make her happy; but if you would give her the greatest and deepest possible joy, you will give your heart to Christ. Do it now. Do not wait till she is dead. Do not send her to her grave with a heavy, broken heart. For Jesus' sake and for mother's sake, and for your own soul's sake, be a Christian to-day.—Rev. B. C. Conner.
THE BOY WHO WAS FIFTEEN.
“I do not know what I shall do with the boy! It will take a stronger hand than mine to guide him.” This was the mental confession of Miss Elizabeth Winters, as she sighed and dropped her head into her hand.
Her nephew, Silas Winters, the object of her solicitude, sat before the glowing grate with his eyes bent upon the burning embers. He heard his aunt sigh, and almost guessed what was passing through her mind. His look was more than half defiant, and his thoughts were shaping themselves for an outburst. In a few moments he asked, “Aunt Elizabeth, don’t you expect a boy of fifteen to have a mind of his own?”
Aunt Elizabeth moved toward him, and her thin hand trembled as she laid it upon his shoulder. He made a gesture of impatience, and the hand was withdrawn and placed over her eyes, as if she would shut out some unhappy thought or lift her heart in prayer. There was a deep silence, save for the loud ticking of the clock, which seemed to Silas to say, “Don’t go, don’t go!”
Meanwhile the evening was wearing on, and he was anxious to join some ill-chosen companions. Miss Winters knew this, and she had already counseled her nephew to shun those boys. Earlier in the evening she had used all her powers of persuasion to induce Silas to remain at his own fireside. She had brought out several choice books, which she had never before put into his hands, and asked him to spend the evening with her, reading them. Now she was thinking what more she could do or say to influence him, when she heard a long, low whistle under the window, and recognized the familiar signal of his companions.
Silas jumped up and started to get his overcoat. His aunt laid a detaining hand upon his arm and said earnestly, “Silas, remain at home to-night.”
“No, I am fifteen, and am big enough to think for myself,” he said, breaking away from her.
“Yes, you are fifteen; and that is the age when a boy is likely to make or mar his character. You will receive no benefit from going out with such company, especially in opposition to my advice and entreaty.”
“O, Aunt Elizabeth, don’t croak. I dislike a croaker above everything.”
He hurried out into the darkness with the words upon his lips. Miss Winters settled herself in the nearest chair and said half aloud, with no one but God to hear, “It has come. The breaking away has come, that I have feared so much.”
Outside there was loud, coarse laughter as Harry Searle slapped Silas on the back and said: “So you got away from the old maid. Good for you!”
Silas did not join Harry and Tom Huntley, his other companions, in the laugh. The coarse words jarred on his ears, and for a moment his feelings recoiled from these rough boys. There was a short, fierce struggle between good and evil influences; he had almost turned back, when the evil spirit predominated, and he followed on after Harry and Tom. They were the leaders always, and this time he walked dumbly after them.
He had not been quite able to shut out from his mental vision the sad face of his aunt, and he was wondering how he could meet her on his return, when Tom said: “Well, here we are.” They had stopped before an old tumble-down house, known as Jack Donley’s Den.
Silas roused himself and asked, “What can be going on here, that we have anything to do with?”
“Wait and see,” replied Tom.
“I object to going into such a place,” protested Silas.
The other boys laughed and said, “You shall go in, even if we have to carry you in by force.”
Silas still hesitated, and Harry said, “It is only to eat some ice-cream, which we have hired Jack to steal out of old Sabbin’s woodshed. They are having a party there this evening, and they put the ice-cream outside to keep it frozen. Tom saw the can when he took home a borrowed ax, and we thought it would be a great lark to steal the cream.”
“I don’t like this kind of business at all. I thought you were to see the play,” said Silas.
“We were, but we changed our minds. Come on in. Don’t be silly.” Then Silas was almost dragged inside the place of bad repute he had always shunned.
Jack Donley was such a suspicious character that, when the cream was missed, Mr. Sabins concluded Jack must have stolen it. Being very angry, he lost no time in starting an officer in search of the stolen goods. Jack heard footsteps and locked the door, but officer Story quickly effected an entrance, and found the stolen cream and the party around it.
Officer Story, who was a distant relative of Silas, looked at him in perfect amazement. “What are you doing here with these young scamps?” he asked.
“I was out with Harry and Tom, and they made me come in here.”
“You had no business to be out with them. They have got you into a pretty scrape. This affair will be in the paper, and the disgrace of it will almost kill your aunt Elizabeth. Shame on you! You are old enough to know better.”
“I am only fifteen!” replied Silas. Then he remembered how boastfully he had said that very evening, “I am fifteen;” and he heartily wished himself only ten, back in knickerbockers, and going to bed at dark.
Officer Story escorted Silas home, and, in compliance with his earnest pleading, promised to hush up the matter as much as he could, altho he felt doubtful about it.
But the whole story came out in this wise in the weekly paper: “The party at the home of J. E. Sabins was a social success. The guests spent a very enjoyable evening. The only drawback was the loss of the ice-cream, made for the occasion. This was stolen and eaten in Jack Donley’s quarters, by three young rowdies—Harry Searle, Tom Huntley, and Silas Winters. The young rascals received a severe reprimand, and were fined five dollars each. Served them right.”
Miss Elizabeth Winters’ local paper did not reach her that week. Mr. Story took it out of the post-office and neglected to let her have it, thinking that he would save his cousin, if possible, from the terrible mortification. As she seldom went out, being an invalid, he hoped the story might not come to her ears.
His plan would have worked well if a well-meaning but indiscreet neighbor, given to gossip, had not called at the house and said to her, “Wasn’t it awful to have all that come out in the paper?”
Miss Winters opened her big blue eyes wider in her wonder. Then Mrs. Brown asked, “Haven’t you seen the paper this week? It is all in there about stealing the ice-cream. Perhaps I ought not to have said anything to you about it, but I was very angry to have Silas called a rowdy and a rascal.”
Mr. Story had told his cousin the bare truth—that Silas had been urged, almost forced by the other boys, to go where the ice-cream was eaten. She had felt sorry and much ashamed, but imagined that the affair had been kept private; she had no idea that her nephew would be brought to public notice in the newspaper, and this was her first knowledge of it.
Mrs. Brown heartily regretted having come on such an errand, when she saw Miss Winters’ pale lips whiten, and her head droop. She knew that the weakened woman had nearly fainted and she thought, “How Elizabeth Winters loves that boy!”
“I shall have to be excused, Mrs. Brown,” said Miss Winters, rising and walking unsteadily to her room.
Silas had heard all about the story, as printed in the paper, and when he came home and found his aunt ill, he rightly guessed the cause. He was a very penitent boy, and going to her he said, “Aunt Elizabeth, if you will forgive me this time, I will never again go against your wishes, whether I am fifteen or fifty.”—Sunday-school Herald.
