GEORGE LEATRIM;

OR, THE MOTHER'S TEST

BY

SUSANNA MOODIE

CHAPTER I. 

'One of the most terrible instances of dishonesty I ever knew, ' said alady friend to me, 'happened in my own family, or, I should say, in oneof its relative branches. You were staying last summer at Westcliff;did you hear Dr. Leatrim preach?'

'Yes; my friends resided about a mile from the parsonage, and wereconstant in their attendance at his church. The Doctor was one of theprincipal attractions of the place--one of the most eloquent men I everheard in the pulpit. '

'Did you ever meet him in company?'

'Never. I was told that he seldom went into society, and lived quite asolitary life; that some great domestic calamity had weaned himentirely from the world; that his visits were confined to the poor ofhis parish, or to those who stood in need of his spiritual advice; thatsince the death of his wife and only son, he had never been seen with asmile upon his face. To tell you the truth, I was surprised to hearsermons so full of heavenly benevolence and love breathed from the lipsof such an austere and melancholy-looking man. '

'Ah, my poor uncle!' sighed my friend; 'he has had sorrows and trialsenough to sour his temper and break his heart. He was not always thegentle, earnest Christian you now see him, but a severe, uncompromisingtheologian of the old school, and looked upon all other sects whoopposed his particular dogmas as enemies to the true faith. A strictdisciplinarian, he suffered nothing to interfere with his religiousduties, and exercised a despotic sway in the church and in his family. He married, early in life, my father's only sister, and made her anexcellent husband; and if a certain degree of fear mingled with herlove, it originated in the deep reverence she felt for his character. 

'He was forty years of age when the Earl of B----, who was a nearrelation, conferred upon him the living of Westcliff. The last incumbenthad been a kind, easy-going old man, who loved his rubber of whist and asocial chat with his neighbours over a glass of punch, and left them totake care of their souls in the best manner they could, considering thathe well earned his 700 pounds per annum by preaching a dull, plethoricsermon once a week, christening all the infants, marrying the adults, and burying the dead. It was no wonder that Dr. Leatrim found theparish, as far as religion was concerned, in a very heathenish state. 

'His zealous endeavours to arouse them from this careless indifferencegave great offence. The people did not believe that they were sinners, and were very indignant with the Doctor for insisting upon the fact. But he spared neither age nor sex in his battle for truth, and foughtit with most uncompromising earnestness. Rich or poor, it was all thesame to him; he spoke as decidedly to the man of rank as to thehumblest peasant in his employ. 

'His eloquence was a vital power; the energy with which he enforced itcompelled people to listen to him; and as he lived up to hisprofessions, and was ever foremost in every good word and work, theywere forced to respect his character, though he did assail all theirpublic and private vices from the pulpit, and enforced their strictattendance at church on the Sabbath day. This state of antagonismbetween the Doctor and his parishioners did not last long. Prejudiceyielded to his eloquent preaching, numbers came from a distance to hearhim, and many careless souls awoke from a state of worldly apathy toseek the bread of life. 

'Just to give you a correct idea of what manner of man George Leatrimwas in these days, contrasted with what he is now, I will relate ananecdote of him that I had from an eye-witness of the scene. 

'A wealthy miller in the parish, a great drunkard and atheist, and avery hard, unfeeling, immoral character, dropped down dead in a stateof intoxication, and, being a nominal member of the Church, was broughtthere for burial. When the Doctor came to that portion of the service, "We therefore commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes toashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection toeternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ, " he paused, and lookinground on the numerous band of relations and friends that surrounded thegrave, said in the most solemn and emphatic manner, "My friends, thePrayer-book says this; but if there is any truth in God's word, itcannot be applied to this man. He denied the existence of a God, ridiculed the idea of a Saviour, was an irreligious and bad member ofthe community, and died in the commission of an habitual and deadlysin; and it is my firm conviction that such as he cannot enter into thekingdom of God!" [Footnote: A fact. ]

'The Doctor was greatly censured by the neighbouring clergy for boldlydeclaring what he felt to be the truth; but it produced an electricaleffect upon those present, and the son of the deceased, who was fastfollowing in his father's steps, became a sincere and practicalChristian. 

'Mrs. Leatrim was quite a contrast to her husband--a gentle, affectionate, simple-hearted woman. She never thwarted his wishes inword or deed, and was ever at his side to assist him in hisministrations among the poor, in teaching the children, and reading tothe sick and inquiring. She had been the mother of several children, but only one, and that the youngest-born, survived the three firstyears of infancy. It is this son, named after his father, GeorgeLeatrim, who forms the subject of my present story, which, though apainful one in its general details, is _strictly true_. 

'If the good Doctor had an idol in the world, it was his son George. The lad possessed the most amiable disposition, uniting to the talentand earnestness of the father, the gentle, endearing qualities of hismother. He was handsome, frank, and graceful; the expression of hisface so truthful and unaffected, that it created an interest in hisfavour at first sight. Religious without cant, and clever withoutpretence, it is no wonder that his father, who was his sole instructor, reposed in the fine lad the utmost confidence, treating him more likean equal than a son, over whom he held the authority of both pastor andparent. 

'There was none of the nervous timidity that marked Mrs. Leatrim'sintercourse with her husband in the conduct of her son. His love forhis stern father was without fear, it almost amounted to worship; andthe hope of deserving his esteem was the motive power that influencedhis studies, and gave a colouring to every act of his life. 

'The father, on his part, regarded his son as superior being--one whomthe Lord had called from his birth to be His servant. 

'There was another person in the house, whom, next to his wife and son, Doctor Leatrim held in the greatest esteem and veneration, not only onaccount of his having saved him, when a boy, from drowning, at theimminent peril of his own life, but from his having persuaded him, whena youth, to abandon a career of reckless folly and become a Christian. Ralph Wilson was an old and faithful servant, who had been born in hisfather's house, and had nursed the Doctor when a little child upon hisknees. When his master died, Ralph was confided to the care of his son;and as he had never married, he had grown grey in the Doctor's service, and his love for him and his family was the sole aim and object of hislife. 

'Everything about the parsonage was entrusted to Ralph's care, and hewas consulted on all business matters of importance. All the moneytransactions of the family went through his hands; and, like most oldservants, his sway over the household was despotic. The Doctor gave himhis own way in everything, for it saved him a great deal of trouble. His mind was too much engrossed with his ministerial duties to attendto these minor concerns. Ralph was a better business man, he said; hecould manage such matters more skilfully and economically than hecould. 

'If Mrs. Leatrim came to consult him about any domestic arrangements, it was always put a stop to. "Don't trouble me, Mary; go to Ralph, hecan advise you what to do. " Poor Mrs. Leatrim did not like Ralph aswell as her husband did, and would much rather have had the sanction ofthe legitimate master of the house. 

'By his fellow-servants the old grey-headed factotum was almostdetested. They could receive orders from the rector, and yield to himcheerful and hearty obedience; but to be under the control of a stingy, canting old hypocrite like Ralph Wilson was hard to be borne. TheBible, that was so often in his mouth, might have taught him 'that noman can serve two masters. ' This fact was fully illustrated in theircase, for they loved the one and hated the other. There was alwaystrouble in the household--a perpetual changing of domestics, greatly tothe annoyance of Mrs. Leatrim; but the matter was one of smallimportance to the rector, provided he was left in peace to pursue hisstudies. 

'Amiable and gentle as George was, he could not force himself to feelany affection for Ralph Wilson. He treated him with respect for hisfather's sake, more than from any personal regard, though the old manwas servile in his protestations of love and devotion. Some minds aresurrounded by a moral and intellectual atmosphere, into which otherminds cannot enter without feeling a certain degree of repulsion. Suchan insensible but powerfully acknowledged antagonism existed betweenthe faithful old servant and his young master. They did not hate oneanother--that would have been too strong a term--but Doctor Leatrimoften remarked with pain that there was no love lost between them, andoften blamed George for the indifference he manifested towards hishumble friend. 

'You remember the beautiful old church at Westcliff, surrounded by itsvenerable screen of oaks and elms, and the pretty white parsonage onthe other side of the road, facing the principal entrance to thechurch? The house occupies an elevation some feet above the churchyard. The front windows command a fine view of the sacred edifice, particularly of the carved porch within the iron gates at the entrance, and the massive oak door through which you enter into the body of thebuilding. A person standing at one of these windows at sunset, andlooking towards the porch, can see everything there as distinctly as ifhe were in it. Recollect this circumstance, for it is connected with mystory. 

'In the porch Dr. Leatrim had placed a box against the wall, on theright-hand side as you went in, for receiving contributions for thepoor. It was only unlocked twice a year, at Christmas and Easter, andits contents distributed to the most needy among his parishioners. There were many wealthy people in the neighbourhood, and the poor-boxgenerally yielded a plentiful harvest for the destitute. 

'The key of the box was always kept in the rector's study, and occupiedthe same hook with the key of the church. The windows of this room weredirectly opposite to the church. No person had access to this apartmentbut Dr. Leatrim, his wife and son, and old Ralph. The latter kept it inorder, for fear the women folk should disarrange his master's papers. He performed all the dusting and cleaning, and never was there a roomkept more scrupulously neat. He had a private desk for his own useunder one of the windows, in which he kept all the accounts that passedthrough his hands; and it was not an unusual sight to see the Doctorcomposing his startling, soul-awakening sermons at the large table inthe centre of the room, and the little shrewd-looking, grey-hairedhouse-steward dotting down figures quietly at the desk below thewindow. His presence never disturbed his master, who often read to himportions of the discourse he was writing, for his approval. Ralph'sapplause gave him confidence; he considered his judgment in spiritualmatters more correct than his own. 

'On opening the poor-box at Christmas, the rector was surprised to findthat an unusually small sum had been deposited. He could not accountfor the falling off, but made up the deficiency from his own purse, andthought no more about it. 

'At Easter, the Earl and Countess of B---- always gave liberally, andtheir example was followed by all the wealthy landholders in theparish. There was always a good sprinkling of silver and gold to setagainst the weekly donations of coppers and small coin, to make gladthe widows and orphans of Westcliff, to comfort the lame, the halt, andthe blind. 

'The Sunday after Easter was the day Dr. Leatrim had always appointedfor the distribution of these alms to the poor. The box was opened themorning previous, and the different sums allotted according to thenecessities of the recipients; and, to avoid all confusion, the portionof each individual was enclosed in a sealed packet, and addressed tothe respective parties. After the morning service was over, the Rectormet his poor in the vestry, and George delivered to each claimant thepacket inscribed for him. This was always followed by a short address, and an earnest prayer from Dr. Leatrim. It was a happy day for him andGeorge, who seemed to enjoy it as much as his father. 

'You may imagine the consternation of the Rector, when he opened thebox on the Saturday morning, and found the same deficiency which hadstruck him as so remarkable on the previous Christmas. 

'The Earl of B---- generally gave a five-sovereign gold piece atEaster, and his numerous lordly visitors always followed suit. TheDoctor was never behind-hand with his noble neighbours, and many of thewell-to-do yeomen gave their sovereigns and half-sovereigns, and therewas no lack of silver. 

'This day not a single gold piece was to be found in the box. Theconviction was unwillingly forced upon the Rector's mind that thechurch had been robbed both before and now. But by whom? It was aBramah lock, the secret only known to himself, Ralph, and his sonGeorge. 

'The good man felt fear clutch at his heart with an iron grip. But thething had to be investigated, however repugnant to his feelings. 

'Before he mentioned it to his family, and in order to satisfy his ownuneasiness, Dr. Leatrim thought it best to obtain a private interviewwith the Earl, and inquire what he had given, as a foundation uponwhich to ground his own investigations. The information he obtainedfrom this quarter did not lessen the difficulty. 

'The Earl told him at once that he had given five sovereigns in gold, and that he believed the Duke of A----, who was a guest at the castle, had done the same; that a maiden aunt of the Earl's, who was very rich, had put in ten; and all the members of his household, not excluding theservants, who were constant attendants upon Dr. Leatrim's ministry, hadgiven liberally; that the box must have been robbed, and that to aconsiderable amount. My uncle returned home a miserable man. A greatand heinous sin had been committed. To suspect any of the members ofhis household was a sin almost as great. What was to be done?

CHAPTER II. 

'Dr. Leatrim's was not a spirit to brook delay. As stern as Brutus, likeBrutus he could be as unflinching in the performance of his duty. Hecalled Ralph into the study, and after carefully closing the door, addressed him in a voice hoarse with emotion:

'"Ralph, the church has been entered, the poor's box opened, and moneyto the amount of twenty pounds been abstracted. My dear old friend, " hecontinued, grasping his hand, "can you throw any light upon thisdreadful transaction?"

'The old man was as much agitated as his master. A deadly palloroverspread his face, and tears came into his eyes. "The church entered!money stolen to such a large amount! My dear sir, can it be possible?"

'"Only too true. But the thief, Ralph; who can be the thief? It must besome one well acquainted with the premises, who could gain access tothe key, and must have known the secret of the lock. It is this whichdistresses me--that fills my mind with the keenest anguish. " He lookedhard at the old man--not a look of suspicion, but one of intenseinquiry, as if he depended upon his answer to solve his doubts. 

'Ralph trembled visibly. His voice became a broken sob. "Oh, my dear, my honoured master, you cannot surely suspect me, your old and faithfulservant?"

'"I would as soon suspect myself!"

'The old man continued, in a deprecating tone: "You know, yourreverence, that money is no object to me. I have neither wife, norchild, and my wants are liberally supplied by you. I shall have toleave _you_ the money saved in your service, for the want of anheir; and I generally give half my wages to the poor through that verybox, being more anxious to lay up for myself treasures in heaven thanupon earth. "

'"Yes, yes, I know all this, my good Ralph, " cried the Doctorimpatiently; "your character is above suspicion. I want you to give mesome clue by which the real culprit could be brought to justice. "

'The old man cast a hasty glance at his master, as if he could do so ifhe pleased, but remained silent. 

'The look did not escape Doctor Leatrim's keen eye. "Speak, Ralph!Speak out like a man. I feel certain that you know something about it. "

'"And suppose I do, "--he came a step nearer to his master, and spoke inlow, mysterious tones, --"that something had better remain unsaid. Youare a rich man; twenty or thirty pounds are nothing to you. You gavetwice that sum last week to get Hall out of jail; replace the money, and depend upon my word that the felony will never be repeated. "

'"And let the culprit escape without the punishment due to his crime--and such a crime! Would that be just, old man?"

'"It would be merciful, " returned Ralph, drily. "A knowledge of thetruth would do no good; it would only make your reverence unhappy. "

'"I must not consult my own feelings on the subject, " said the Rector, greatly excited. "No; though the felon were my son, who is dearer to methan my own life, and I could effectually conceal his guilt, he shouldpay the penalty due to his crime. "

'The old man shuddered and drew back a few paces. "Your reverence hasmade a pretty shrewd guess. It was Master George!"

'"George? my George?" The Doctor sank into his study chair. He graspedat the arms convulsively. His broad chest heaved and panted, his breathcame in hoarse gasps. He was too much stunned to speak. Ralph pouredout a glass of water, and held it to his white and rigid lips. 

'"'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. ' The Lord helpand comfort you, my dear master, under this heavy affliction. We areall liable to temptation. Try and forgive your son. "

'"My son! Never call him my son again. I disown him--cast him off forever. George, George, this will kill me! I loved and trusted you somuch--would have given my life to save yours any day--and you havedisgraced my name and calling, and broken my heart. --But are you sure, old man?" he cried, clutching Ralph by the shoulder; "sure that myGeorge did this horrible thing?"

'"For God's sake, sir, moderate your anger. Master George is veryyoung; he may never do the like again. "

'"That is no answer to my question, " cried the wretched father, tightening his grasp upon the old man's arm. "I do not ask you topalliate his guilt. It admits of no excuse. Did you see him do it? Tellme that--tell me quickly. I am in no humour for trifling. "

'"Ay, seeing is believing, " said the old man, sullenly. "As yourreverence knows the worst, it is of no use hiding the details. I sawMaster George take the money. "

'The Doctor groaned in anguish of spirit. 

'"How--when--where did you see him do it? May you not have beenmistaken?"

'"Impossible, sir. I would not advance a thing of this nature without Ihad positive proof. I repeat to you again, on my word of honour, on thefaith of a Christian, that I saw him do it. What more do you require?"

'"It is enough, " sighed the miserable father, covering his face withhis hands. "George, George! my son, my only son; have I deserved thisat your hands? The trial is too great for flesh and blood to bear. O myGod! my just and righteous God! Thou hast shattered my idol of clay topieces, and my heart lies broken and trampled in the dust. Ralph, tellthe wretched boy to come to me directly. "

'The old man hesitated. "Not while you are in this excited state, mydear master. Wait a while, until your passion calms down; it is apt tobetray you into sin. I implore you to deal leniently with the lad. Remember it is his first offence. He may repent, and you may save yourson. "

'"Yes; if I could believe that it was his first offence. The same thinghappened at Christmas. He has become hardened in successful villany. The crime is not against me alone; it is against the Church, and mustbe punished accordingly. Don't raise your hands in that deprecatingmanner, Ralph, or attempt to plead for him, " and he stamped his footimpatiently; "I must and will be obeyed. Why do you loiter, old man? Gofor him directly. "

'Just then a rap came to the door. 

'Ralph opened it, for he knew the step, and the accused stood beforethem, smiling and serene, unconscious of the thunder-clouds thatlowered above his head. He advanced a few paces into the room, thenstood still. His eyes wandered from his father's death-pale face to thedowncast countenance of the old serving-man. Surprised and distressed, he wondered what it could mean. His mother had been confined to herchamber for some days with a serious attack of lung disease. The doctorhad just seen her, and pronounced her out of danger; he came to bringthe glad tidings to his father. The first thought that struck him was, that anxiety about her had produced the dreadful agitation that hisfather, with all his stoical philosophy, found it impossible torestrain, and which was so painful for him to witness. He hurried tohis side. "Don't be alarmed, my dear father, mamma is better. She sentme to tell you so, and that she wishes to see you for a few minutes. "

'He met the stern severity of Dr. Leatrim's glance; it chilled him tothe heart He drew back, regarding him in wondering surprise. 

'"What is the matter, my father? Something dreadful has happened. Areyou ill?"

'"Yes, sir, I am ill--sick at heart--sick of a malady that will bringmy grey hairs in sorrow to the grave. My wound is incurable, and thehand of a wicked son has dealt the blow. "

'"Father! what do you mean? I do not understand these terrible words;"and the boy raised the calm, inquiring glance of his clear, candid eyesto the father's clouded brow and rigid face. "In what manner can I haveoffended you?"

'"Miserable boy, if you had only offended _me_, I could bear itand forgive you; but you have committed a crime against God--a crime sogreat, that the felon who will be hung next week at N---- for murder isinnocent in comparison. "

'George gazed steadily into his father's face as he said slowly, andwith blanched and quivering lips, "What have I done?"

'"Robbed the poor! Stolen thirty pounds in gold from that box"(pointing to the poor's box on the table before him); "and you dare toask me what you have done, and, knowing your guilt, to raise yourhardened eyes to mine!"

'The hot blood rushed in a crimson tide into the face of the accused;he drew up his slight figure to its full height, and looked a man inthe strength of his indignation. "The guilty alone are cowards, " hesaid, softening the vehemence of his manner; "it is only truth thatdare look at justice without quailing. If I am guilty of the crime ofwhich you accuse me, father, I am no longer worthy to be your son. Who, then, is my accuser? Who charges me with the guilt of a crime so base?Who dares to tell me to my face that I did this foul wrong?"

'"One who saw you do it. "

'"The man does not live who saw me do it. The spirit does not live whoread in my heart a thought so vile. The God to whom the secrets of allhearts are open knows my innocence, knows that I am belied. O father!dear, honoured father! do not look so sternly upon me. I have thoughtat times that you could read my heart with that searching gaze. Oh, read it now! It is bared for your inspection. I do not shrink from theinvestigation. Do not pronounce me guilty until you have sifted thematter thoroughly. Innocence is stronger than guilt. I never took themoney. I know nothing about it, so help me God!"

'Dr. Leatrim's heart was touched. His eyes were full of tears. He madea motion to Ralph Wilson to speak. 

'"Master George, " said the old man, coming close up to the agitatedyouth, and laying his hand upon his shoulder. The lad shuddered, andshrank from his touch as if he had suddenly come in contact with aviper. "How can you speak in that hardened manner to your father? Arenot you ashamed of what you have done? Will you add falsehood totheft?"

'"Peace, old man! This is no business of yours. I appeal to my father, not to you. " Then, looking sternly in the old man's face, he added in abitter tone: "Perhaps you are the traitor who has poisoned his mindagainst me. If so, speak out. I do not fear you. I defy your malice. "

'"Bold words, Master George, and boldly spoken. But facts are hardthings to disprove. " Then, going close up to the lad, he said in acool, deliberate tone, "I saw you take the money out of that box. "

'"Old villain, you lie!"

'"George!" cried the Doctor in an angry tone, lifting his pale facefrom between his supporting hands, "how dare you use such language tomy friend--my father's friend?"

'"No friend to you, sir, when he charges your son with a crime he nevercommitted. I spoke rashly; anger is always intemperate. You must makesome allowance for my just indignation. " Again he turned and confrontedhis grey-haired accuser: "You saw me take the money out of that box?When did I take it?"

'"Last Friday afternoon. You came into the study while I was writingout a receipt at my desk. You were in a great hurry; I don't think yousaw me. "

'"I did see you. "

'"Ha!" cried the Rector, who was now sitting upright in his chair, intently listening to the conversation. "You own, then, that you werein the study at that hour?"

'"I have no wish to conceal the fact, " returned George. 

'"It would be of little use his attempting to deny it, " said Ralph, pointedly. "He came in and took the key of the box from the hook onwhich it always hangs. "

'"I did not take the key of the box; in that, at least, you are under astrange delusion. "

'"O Master George!" Ralph shook his head, and raised his hands in pioushorror. 

'"Where did he go, Ralph, when he left the study?" asked Dr. Leatrim. 

'"I am not quite certain, sir. I think he went first into the garden, and then across the road into the churchyard. When he took down thekey, he seemed very much confused. There was a look in his eyes whichmade me mistrust him, and I went to the window, which commands a viewof the inside of the porch. If you come here, sir, " continued Ralph, advancing to the window, "you will see everything as plainly as if youwere there. "

'"I know it. "

'"Well, sir, I saw Master George take down the box, place it on thebench by the door, unlock it, and take out something. You may guesswhat that was, for he was some minutes examining the contents. "

'George Leatrim turned very pale, and visibly trembled; but he nevertook his eyes from the old man's face. 

'"George Leatrim, " said the Doctor, "you are now at liberty to giveyour explanation of this extraordinary conduct. I charge you to answertruly the questions I put to you. I do not mean to condemn you unheard. What did you want in the study last Friday afternoon?"

'"I went there to seek you, and not finding you, I took down the key ofthe iron gates that open into the porch of the church, and went to lookfor you in the garden. "

'"What did you want with me?"

'"You gave me on my birthday a silver crown piece. "

'"I did so. My father gave it to me when a boy of your age. It was oneof the coins struck in commemoration of George III's coronation. Whatof that?"

'"I wished to give it to God. I went into the study to ask yourpermission to do so, as it was a present from you. I found Ralph Wilsonwriting, as he says, and you absent. I took the key of the church--notof the poor's box, as he affirms, for I could make my deposit withoutthat--and went into the garden, hoping to find you there. I then madeup my mind to put the piece into the box, as it was getting late. ThisI did without taking down the box, a fact which that man knows as wellas I do. I returned to the study and replaced the large iron key. Ralphwas no longer there. This is the truth--the whole truth; so help meGod!"

'The lad, before so calm, now flung himself in an agony of tears at hisfather's feet, and clasping his knees, cried out in piteous tones, "Father, do you believe me?"

'The Doctor pushed him aside. "The evidence is too strong against you. I wish I could. "

'"Father, did I ever deceive you?"

'"Never, that I am conscious of, until now. "

'"Did you ever detect me in an act of dishonesty?"

'"Never. "

'"Then how can you condemn me? You will say, upon the evidence of this_honest_ man. Am I not as worthy of belief as Ralph Wilson?"

'"His character is above suspicion. "

'"So ought mine to be, " said the lad proudly. 

'"Ralph is incapable of falsehood. How dare you to insinuate that hecould be capable of such a crime? What inducement could that pious, grey-headed old man have for slandering the son of his friend andbenefactor? I am so certain of his fidelity, that I know he wouldrather bear the brand of shame than bring dishonour upon me and mine. "

'"It is strange, " mused George, unconsciously uttering his thoughtsaloud, and half repenting the harsh language he had used to the oldservant. "If he has not plotted this accusation against me to hide hisown guilt, he has made a grievous mistake. "

'"It is no mistake!" cried Ralph indignantly. "I saw you take themoney. You can't persuade me out of my senses. I have borne an honestcharacter all my life. It is not a beardless boy that can rob me of itin my old age. "

'"It may be possible, Ralph, that you were mistaken, " said Dr. Leatrim, after a long and painful silence, in which he had been summing up theevidence on both sides. "The boy's account of himself is very clear. George, I will give you one trial more. If I find that crown piece inthe box, I will believe that Ralph is in error, that some villainunknown to us has been the robber. "

'"Most joyfully, dear father!" exclaimed George, springing from hisknees beside the Rector, and bringing him the box. "God will attest myinnocence, and prove to you that I have spoken the truth. "

'A gleam of hope shot through the thick gloom that had gathered roundDr. Leatrim. With a steady hand he unlocked the box. The crown piecewas not there!

'"Liar!" he cried, in a tone of mingled contempt and horror. "What haveyou to say for yourself now?"

'George uttered a sharp and bitter cry of disappointment. He pressedhis hands tightly over his breast, as he murmured in a hollow, brokenvoice, "Nothing. "

'"You plead guilty?"

'"I should prove myself a liar, sir, if I did. "

'"Liar and thief! Base hypocrite! Kneel down and ask pardon of thatworthy man for the injurious language you have used towards him. "

'"Never!" George Leatrim fixed his brow like iron. "I will die first. "

'"You deserve death, sir, " cried his father, rising in great anger;"and I would inflict upon you the utmost penalty of the law were it notfor your poor mother. "

'"Oh, my mother!" said George, in a low, heart-broken voice; "thisdisgrace will kill her. "

'Dr. Leatrim was too much overcome by passion to hear that despairingmoan, his pride too deeply wounded to pity and forgive; and hecontinued, with the utmost severity of look and manner: "Ay, wretchedboy, you should have thought of that before; but not even to spare herfeelings can I neglect my duty. I cannot demean myself by touching athing so vile. Ralph, whom you have calumniated, shall inflict upon youa punishment suited to the baseness of your crime. Wilson, you willfind a light cane in that corner; bring it here. "

'"You do not mean to chastise me like a dog, father?"

'"Never address me by that title again, sir, until deep repentance anda long-continued course of well-doing restore you once more to my loveand favour--though never, never can you again occupy the place you onceheld in my heart. You have acted like a felon, and shall receive afelon's reward. "

'"Beware what you do, sir, " cried George, frowning in his turn. "Getyour menial to punish me in this degrading manner, and you will repentit to the last day of your life. "

'"Oh, monstrous depravity! Do you dare to threaten me? Take off yourjacket, sir. --Ralph, give him twenty lashes, and don't spare the whip. "

'The man drew back. "I cannot strike my master's son. "

'"Do as I bid you. "

'The boy stood firm as a rock, his lips compressed, his brow rigid, andhis face livid in its ghastly pallor. Turning from his stern parent tothe old man, he said, with an air of calm indifference:

'"I am ready; perform your task. I am not the first victim who hassuffered wrongfully. My Saviour endured a harder scourge; I will learnpatience from His cross. "

'"What barefaced wickedness!" groaned the Doctor. "God grant himrepentance, and save his miserable soul. "

'"Amen, " said Ralph, as he turned to his abhorrent task with an energyequal to the guilt of the criminal. 

'George bore the severe castigation without a murmur. When it was over, Doctor Leatrim told him to go to his own room, and pray to God tosoften his hard and impenitent heart. 

'As the boy passed his father on his way out, he gave him a look fullof love and compassion, and said, in a firm voice:

'"Sir, I pity and forgive you. If you have erred, it was under the fullconviction that you were doing your duty. "

'He closed the door softly, and staggered up to his own chamber. 

'What was there in that look that went so home to the heart of thestern father--in those loving, broken words of the poor abused boy? Ifthey did not stagger the conviction of his guilt, they made him feelmost unhappy. Had he acted well, or wisely, or like a Christian? Wasthe punishment that he had inflicted--so harsh and degrading to asensitive mind--likely to produce the desired effect? He could notanswer the question in a manner at all satisfactory to his mind, orstill the sharp upbraidings of conscience; and flinging himself uponhis knees, he buried his face in his hands, and offered up to God anagony of repentant tears. 

CHAPTER III. 

'George Leatrim's first thought was to go to his mother; but then shewas ill, and happily unconscious of what had taken place. Besides, likehis father, she might believe the evidence that Ralph had witnessedagainst him, and he had not the fortitude to bear that. As his passionsubsided, he had courage to recall the painful events of the past hour, and to acknowledge that the circumstances by which he was surroundedwere suspicious enough to condemn him in any court of law, and must bemaddening to a proud, sensitive man like his father. Struggling withthe shame and agony of his position, he could not recognise thisbefore, or admit that both his father and Ralph might be deceived. 

'He had never felt the severe corporeal punishment during itsinfliction. His mind was in too violent a state of agitation to carefor bodily suffering; but now that he was alone, the fiery indignationthat had upheld his spirit in the hour of his humiliation flickered andwent out, and the sense of degradation and intolerable wrong aloneremained. 

'He remembered how his father had spurned him from his feet, had calledhim a thief and a liar, and witnessed unmoved the infliction of a cruelpunishment, administered by the hand of the menial who had accused himof the crime; and had ordered him from his presence without one word ofpity or affection. 

'These after-thoughts were terrible. George felt that he had notdeserved this severity, and the tears which pride had restrained whileunder the weight of Ralph Wilson's unsparing hand now burst forth in atorrent, and he wept until the lamp of life flickered to extinction inhis panting breast. 

'The mother whom he wished to save from the knowledge of hisdegradation awoke suddenly from a short and disturbed sleep. She heardthe sobs and moans in the adjoining room, and recognised the voice ofher son. The next moment saw her seated upon his bed, her arms aroundthe weeping boy. All sense of her own sickness, of her weak state, wasgone. She was only conscious of his intense mental agony. 

'He placed his aching head upon her faithful breast, he wound histrembling arms around her slender neck, and poured into hersympathizing ear the terrible tale of his wrongs, --how he had beenfalsely accused of the commission of a heinous crime, his protestationsof innocence disregarded, and had been sentenced by his father toreceive a punishment more galling to him than death; that he had beentempted to rebel against his father's authority, and curse the handthat smote him--to hate where he had loved with such fond idolatry. 

'The good mother listened attentively, and weighed every circumstance. The frankness of his unreserved confession convinced her of its truth. When all the sad tale was told, she took him in her pitying arms, andtold him that, though all the world should believe him guilty, she feltthat he was innocent from her very soul. 

'"God bless you, dearest, best mother, " sobbed the poor boy, coveringher hand with kisses. "I knew you would not condemn me. I never have, nor ever will give you cause to be ashamed of me. But my father--itseems unnatural, monstrous that he should believe me guilty at once. Ishall never get over it. It crushes my heart; it presses out my life. If I could only convince him of my innocence I could die in peace. "

'"Don't talk of dying, George. Leave your cause to God. He can bring tolight the hidden things of darkness, and make the black cloud that nowenvelopes you as clear as the noonday. Let me go to your father, George; I think I can convince him of your innocence, and that he hasacted too hastily. "

'Exhausted as he was, George grasped his mother's hand, and held herfast. "I could not see him again while this conflict is going on in mymind--not while he looks upon me as a felon, a disgrace to his name andfamily. The brand must be removed from my brow before I meet him faceto face. I want to love him as I once loved him. I feel as if I nevercould love him again. "

'Again the voice became choked and hoarse and the lad gave way to afresh agony of tears. After a while he grew calmer, and said in awhisper: "Mother, pray for me--pray with me, that I may bear this crosswith Christian fortitude, and be taught to forgive my enemies--yes, asHe, the dear Master, forgave them, " he continued, reverently foldinghis hands together, "and gave His life for sinners like me, and died, the just for the unjust. "

'They prayed long and earnestly, that sorrowful mother and son. Atlength a light broke over the pallid countenance of the youth; heraised his head slowly and with difficulty from that dear mother'ssupporting arms, and gazed into her tearful eyes with a look ofunutterable love. "Mother, blessed mother, " he whispered, "the agony isover; I feel calm and happy now. Our prayers are accepted; the divinepeace which Christ bestowed upon His disciples, His last, best gift, isfilling my heart, and the anger I felt at my dear father's unjustsuspicions is lost in pity and love. My sorrows are over; his, alas!are to come. To you, dearest mother, I leave the task ofreconciliation. You will vindicate my memory, and teach him to respectme in death. And that miserable old man--tell him to deal gently withhim for my sake. Tell him that I forgive him, that he must forgive himalso, and lead the sinner back to God. " He paused, and panted forbreath. "George, " cried the terrified mother, "you are ill; let me sendfor Dr. Aldis, and call your father. "

'"Too late! who can heal a broken heart? It will soon be over. God isdealing very gently with me, beloved mother. Let the thought consoleyou that you have a son in heaven. But my father, my dear, unhappyfather, may God comfort him! It grows very dark; I cannot see yoursweet face, mother, but all around is joy and peace. "

'A shade passed over the noble young face, a tremor shook the slightframe of the dying boy, and the enfranchized spirit, throwing off thelast coil of clay, followed the unseen messenger to the land of thehereafter. 

'A shriek, a loud, piercing shriek, rang through the silent house. Dr. Leatrim started from his knees and rushed up-stairs. The next moment hewas standing beside the bed of his son, upon which his wife was sittingwith the head of the dead boy in her lap. 

'The Doctor staggered like a drunken man, and held to the bed-post forsupport. He comprehended the awful truth at a glance, but theconviction was too terrible to receive at once. It was an illusion ofthe senses, a ghastly vision; it was too dreadful to be a hard, everyday fact. He had poured out his soul to God; had deplored to thegreat Judge that his sentence had been too severe, that kindness wouldhave done more to soften the proud heart of the boy than the violentcourse he had adopted. He had just made up his mind to go to George, and once more address him with love and confidence, when that horridcry, wrung from a mother's breaking heart, closed the doors of mercyfor ever, and left him desolate and childless. 

'"Mary, " he gasped out, "do not say that he is dead! It is but sleep orexhaustion. It cannot be that he is dead?"

'His wife was quite calm now. With a mournful smile she pointed to thebeautiful face of the dead. "The seal of God is on that brow. Yourseverity could only destroy the body; God has claimed the soul. Icannot weep for him; he is happier than his parents. Can you now lookin that pure face and believe him guilty?"

'"O woman, great is your faith. But the proof--how can I do away withthe proof of his crime?"

'"Leave that to me. I have a solemn duty to perform for my murderedson. May God give me strength for the task. Call Ralph Wilson, but donot tell him what has happened. "

'Humbled and subdued, but still unconvinced of his son's innocence, theDoctor left the room, and shortly returned, followed by the old man. 

'Mrs. Leatrim motioned to him to approach the bed. 

'Rigid and immoveable, the Doctor resumed his place, still grasping thebed-post to support him from falling. Mrs. Leatrim spoke slowly andwith some effort, but every word fell distinctly upon his ear. 

'"Ralph Wilson, this is your work!"

'"I, my lady? I did not kill him! I did not strike him hard enough forthat. It was the Doctor that ordered me to do it. I begged him to havemercy on the lad. O Lord! who would have thought of his taking a littlebeating so to heart?"

'The old man turned from the bed, and cried aloud. 

'"A slanderous tongue is sharper than a two-edged sword; to noblenatures like his, it strikes home to the heart. Ralph Wilson, you arean old man standing on the very verge of the grave. You accused my sonof theft, and declared on your word of honour as a Christian that yousaw him commit the robbery!"

'"Yes, my lady. A dreadful business, my lady, but too true. "

'"I demand, in proof of this, that you come here and lay your handsupon the brow of your victim, and swear by the living God, by yourhopes of salvation through the blood of Christ, that you saw GeorgeLeatrim commit this crime. "

'The man made a few steps forward. His face became livid, large dropsof perspiration trickled down his forehead, his teeth chatteredtogether, and a universal spasm convulsed his features. 

'"You dare not do it!" said Mrs. Leatrim, pointing to the calm, majestic face of her son. "To witness against him now were to lie inthe face of God!"

'"I have murdered him!" sobbed the old man, sinking on his knees at hismaster's feet "It was I who stole the money. "

'"You, Ralph?" and the Doctor tried to shake himself free from thegrasp of the withered hands that clutched his garments. "Oh, my poorinjured boy!"

'"Yes, I did it, " continued Ralph, in a tone of despair. "The deviltempted me, as he did Judas to betray his Master. I have been ahypocrite all my life. I loved gold--I worshipped it--I lost noopportunity of obtaining it when I could escape detection; but it hasdestroyed my miserable soul. "

'"But why lay the robbery of the box on George?" asked Dr. Leatrim. "You were safe from detection; I never suspected you. "

'"But _he_ did, " returned the old man bitterly. "He never lovedme. I saw it in his eye. I knew it by his manner. He believed me to bea rogue, though he dared not express his opinion in words. I hated himbecause he knew my character; and to ensure my own safety, I denouncedhim. "

'"And what do you think of your work?" and the Doctor turned Ralph'sface towards the dead. 

'"Mercy! mercy!" shrieked the felon. "I would rather die upon thegallows than look in that face again. "

'"You will have to meet it once more, and that before long, RalphWilson, to answer for this foul murder at the judgment-seat of Christ. "

'With a heavy groan the old man fell down in a swoon at his master'sfeet. 

'"Deal gently with Ralph, " said a low voice from the bed. "George madeit his dying request. He not only forgave him his sin against himself, but charged you to do so for his sake. My dear afflicted husband, "continued Mrs. Leatrim, "let us be thankful to the heavenly Father thatHe has cleared the stain of guilt from the memory of a beloved son, andplaced him beyond the power of sin and temptation for ever. "'

'And what became of the wicked old man?' said I eagerly. 

'That night Mrs. Leatrim died. Her son's tragic end brought on a fatalreturn of her dangerous malady. When Ralph heard of her death, he wentout and hung himself. What Dr. Leatrim's feelings were at thisunlooked-for desolation of all his earthly hopes, one can only imagine, it is impossible to describe. One grave contained the mortal remains ofthe mother and son, and the sad story created for the bereaved husbandand father a world-wide sympathy. 

'It was some years after the occurrence of this domestic tragedy beforeI visited Westcliff. Time had softened the anguish of the wound, but itwas still unclosed, and left the traces of a deep, incurable grief inmy uncle's face. He had become a drooping, white-haired man, but wasstill at his post, a faithful and zealous minister of the gospel. 

'Sorrow had worn smooth all the harsh angles in his character, and madehim simple and affectionate as a little child. He had borne the crossand worn the crown of thorns, and, purified by self-denial andsuffering, had found love a more powerful weapon than fear in bringingsouls to Christ. His calamities had endeared him to his people, and hehad become their pastor in the truest sense of the word. 

'On the anniversary of the day when George and his mother died, Dr. Leatrim holds a solemn fast, and excludes himself from every eye, spending the long day in meditation and prayer. 

'One fine summer evening last July, I was strolling through Westcliffchurchyard, and found the dear old man lying on the turf that coveredthe remains of his wife and son. He called me to him. 

'"This little hillock of green sod, " he said, "contains all that wasonce dearest to me on earth. My heart rebelled against God when mytreasures were taken from me; but the Judge of all the earth knew whatwas best for my eternal peace. It was not until these idols wereshattered in the dust that I discovered that I was poor, and blind, andnaked, and not a righteous man, wiser and better than my neighbours. Inmy deep sorrow and humiliation I was taught the knowledge of myself;that I was still in my sins, a proud, unregenerated man. Yes; I can nowacknowledge with the deepest gratitude, that, heavy and maddening asthe blow was, it was necessary to bring me to God, and make me a trueChristian. "

'I went up to the monument. It was a simple urn of white marble, surrounded by beautiful flowering shrubs. The inscription that recordedthe untimely death of his son made me start, it was so painfullycharacteristic of the truthfulness of the father:

'"Here, repose in peace the mortal remains of George Leatrim, who diedat the age of 15, of a broken heart, caused by a false accusation andthe unchristian severity of his too credulous father. Reader, mourn notfor the dead, but weep sore for the living. "

'I saw that my uncle was watching me with his eyes full of tears. 

'He told me the sad story you have just read, sitting beside that gravein the dim twilight. How much I respected the undying love of thefaithful heart, that never sought to spare himself in the mournfulnarration. 

'"Ah, " he said, rising from his recumbent posture, and speaking in acheerful, hopeful voice, "How little we 'know of the spirit of which weare made. ' I have reason to rejoice--ay! and I do rejoice--that Godgave me such a son, and that he died a true Christian martyr, forgivingand praying for the wretched sinners that caused his death. "'