Charlie Scott by Unknown (beach books .txt) 📖

E are quite sure that you have been very glad to read of the progress which Charlie has made since we first met him on the pier a little sunburnt boy only eight years old. You have seen what good, kind friends he met with; how well he was trained; how nobly he came out when his father was ill in denying himself and going down the mine, and how he was rewarded; and you have seen, too, how he tried to do something for God in helping Brownlee and Bob White; and yet we are so sorry to have to tell you that all this time his old habit of putting off was still growing up with him, and latterly a good deal of self-righteousness had crept into his heart. Unconsciously he began to have a very high opinion of himself, and would often think with pride how different he was from many boys that he knew.

Unfortunately he seemed to have no idea how completely he was in the power of his old enemy, procrastination. It would have made our story much too long if we had told you every instance in which he gave way to it, but we think you will see that this habit of putting off was his besetting sin, the one flaw in his character. The ship was sailing pleasantly along, with decks clean swept, with colours flying, and all looking well and prosperous; but there was a leak, one little treacherous leak, which, if it remained unnoticed and unstopped, would soon bring confusion and destruction upon the ship, gay and gallant though she looked.

We may often be deceived in ourselves, and think that we are going on well, but God cannot be deceived. He sees us as we really are, not as we appear to ourselves and to others. He is training each one of us, and He saw in Charlie's case that a fiery trial was needed to burn out of him that besetting sin that had been so long indulged. Just as gold is purified by being passed through a fiery furnace, so our hearts need to be purified sometimes by great sorrows, by fiery trials; and so it was that Charlie had to suffer a most bitter, a most sad and humiliating fall.

Eleven months had passed since John Heedman first called in the doctor; he had lingered so long, but now the end was very near. He would not hear of Charlie staying away from his work, although Mr. Carlton had kindly offered to let him have a few days at home.

One evening when Charlie came in from work his mother gave him a letter. "You had better go straight to the post with it," she said, afraid that he would put off. "Your father is very anxious it should go by to-night's post. Now, Charlie, do take care," she said, anxiously.

Charlie's good opinion of himself—his pride—was touched.

"I wish, mother, you wouldn't talk to me as if you thought I didn't know what I was about," he said, in an angry tone, slamming the door after him as he went out. He had not gone far when he met Bob White, who was going with a note from the clergyman to get some books out of the library. "Come with me," said Bob, "and we'll have a look through the books."

"I've got to go to the post office," said Charlie, "but there's time enough yet; I'll go with you." He argued with himself, "What's the use of putting the letter in ever so long before post-time if it won't go a bit the quicker." He was in an irritable humour, angry to think that he should have been doubted. If he had been like Tom Brown, or Joe Denton, or any of those careless fellows, it would have been a different thing.

Arrived at the library, both the boys were soon interested in looking over the books, and the time flew rapidly. "I'll just glance at these," thought Charlie, taking out two more with very attractive titles, "and then I must be off to the post."

Charlie took up a third, determined that it should be the last, when Bob said, "I think you had better inquire how the time goes."

"It's nothing like time for the post to close yet, is it, sir?" he asked of the librarian.

"It only wants three minutes to the time; it is not possible for you to save it, I am afraid."

Charlie dashed down the broad steps and along the streets as hard as he could run; but he was too late, the post had just gone, and he was obliged to drop the letter into the empty box. He walked slowly home, out of breath and out of temper, hoping no questions would be asked. "I don't see why I should say it was too late unless I'm asked," he argued, shrinking from confessing to his mother that she was justified in doubting him. Nothing was said about the letter that night; his father was much worse, and everything else was forgotten. Charlie was almost heartbroken to see him so ill, and miserable at the thought that he was deceiving him about the letter.

The next morning, as he was leaving the room to go out to his work, his father called him back. "Charlie," he said, "I am expecting a sister of mine to-night, and I want you to go to the train and meet her; she would get the letter you posted last night this morning, and will have time to get here by the half-past eight train to-night." He paused for a moment. Why did not Charlie undeceive him about the letter at once? He made up his mind to tell him, but put it off until his father had finished all he had to say.

"I have not seen my sister for years," said John Heedman; "she is the only relative I have living, but some misunderstanding rose up between us after my mother's death—at least, she took offence, and I do not know the reason even now. I wrote several times, but she did not answer. That letter you posted last night was to her; she will come, I know, when she hears that I am so near death. There must be something to explain away, and I am anxious for a reconciliation before I die; indeed, it is the only earthly wish I have left." He said this so earnestly, and with such an anxious, longing expression in his eyes, that Charlie was obliged to turn away; he could not bear it.

How could he tell him that she had not got the letter? If only he had confessed his neglect the same night, before he knew the contents of the letter, it would not have been half so bad.

"You had better go now, my boy," said his father, kindly, "or you'll be late at work."

Charlie went. I need not tell you that he had a miserable day.

At night his father called him into his room and gave him as careful a description of his sister as he could to guide him in knowing her. Charlie dressed and went to the station, and walked up and down the platform until the train came in, gazed at the people, and walked home again. It seemed as if he could not help it; instead of recovering himself after the first false step, he had gone on sinking deeper and deeper into sin and deception; he seemed powerless to help himself.

"Hasn't she come?" exclaimed his mother, seeing he was alone. "Oh dear, what will your father do? he has been almost living upon the expectation of seeing her these last few hours; he has watched the door ever since you went out. I'm afraid the disappointment will throw him back sadly."

Charlie could not trust himself to speak, but turned into the sick room. His father was propped up with pillows, and looked eagerly to the door when Charlie entered; he still waited in expectation until Mrs. Heedman came in and closed the door. "Where is she?" he asked; "where is Jane?"

"She has not come," said Mrs. Heedman, gently; "perhaps to-morrow morning will bring her.—You posted that letter in time, Charlie?" she asked.

"Yes, mother," Charlie answered, in desperation, and in a very low voice.

"It will be too late to-morrow," said John Heedman, sinking back on his pillows exhausted—"it will be too late." He lay so still for about an hour that Charlie thought he slept; after that he called Charlie to him, and wished him to sit up that night with his mother. He spoke very tenderly and lovingly, and told Charlie how happy his gratitude and love and obedience had made him, and how he thanked God that Charlie had never told him an untruth or deceived him, although he had still grave faults to overcome. He spoke for some time, every word sending a pang to Charlie's heart, who knew how unworthy he was of his confidence and praise. He sobbed hysterically, but was unable to speak.

What a night that was for Charlie, as he sat there with his mother hour after hour in the still and darkened room! His anguish and remorse became unbearable. How could he let his father die without undeceiving him and asking his forgiveness? He could not—he must not. Oh! if he had only spoken at first, when the first false step was taken, he