Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-07-28

had made in his invoice; that he left il to
be corrected; and that | afterwards made
out new one, having lost the original o.
No CLEAN of hope entered Bessie's mind
from these words. She dared not stay to
converse on any other subject, for had she
done so, her energies would have forsaken
her. But it was terrible, when they would
have shaken hands, to find the iron bars i'm
peded even the poor consolation of that sim
pie act; and in leaving the prison, Bessie
was obliged to lean heavily on her mother
for support.
1t was not long before she again present.
ed hersefto Mr.. Webb she had new ia
vor to ask, Il stranger one even than the first:
it was to be allowed to see the cash-keeper
and his entries for the day upon which
Georges accusation was founded. Mr. Webb
assented at once.
Il know you already he remarked, 'for
a ready and clever accountant, and will give
you every possible assistance. Johnson he
continued, calling aloud, come here, and
bring your daily cash-book.'
The cashier appeared. The book was
handed to Bessie, who turned 10 the account
IN which the transactions Of the day named
in the Indictment Of George for emmbezzle.
ment was recorded. Item by item she read
over the various entries. At last she saw
tina, sum precisely the same in amount az
that for which her lover was incarcerated for
stealing, was placed to the account of Sir
Charles Fox, whom George had before mem
toned. She instantly asked the cashier
whether Sir Charles Fox's account had boen
recently sent in.
The clerk replied in the negative.
'Tlcn,' said Bessie, Il en,reat you to send
one immcdia,ely.'
Though Mr.. Webb and the clerk were a,
loss to conceive the object of applying TO
Sir Charles Fox, the request was complied
|, WIN. Whie the clerk was gone on this er-
rand, Bcsse's agitation and suspense became
almost insurpor'ablc. Firmly persuaded Of
SeIden's innocence of everytlne but of con-
tempt for and carelessness in his duties, she
had strong presentment that the error no
committed would be cleared up by tho step
now taken. Still she was not without her
fears, which were to he confirmed or banished
by the result the clerks mission. She saw
f him enter the shop on his return. As he
opened the glass door of the countlng-house.
f she darsed her eyes upon him, as If her whole
fate was written in his countenance. But
f she learned nothing there. The CASH
! Ter was a rigid man Of business, and his
: face was blank. the fact is he said 10
MIR. Webb, there is some mistake. We
$ have credited Sir Charles Fox with thirty
9 pounds fifteen and fourpence, which he de-
, clares he has never paid
f A short chain of thought darted through
] Bessle's brain. Its results caused her to
murmur, she is saved and to faint in her
, chair.
T., Had not her mother been by, poor Bessie,
a would have been left 10 her fate, for Mr..
Webb's whole attention was now otherwise
n absorbed. Mr.. Williams was called in; cash
books, journals, and ledgers were turned
$ over, entries traced; and before Bessie re.
Y covered her senses, the whole thing was
cleared up. Selden ,oas innocent. The
truth Is, he had received money from one
+ Customer and placed it to the account Of an
other, during one Of his poe,ical fits of alb.
v siraction. This fully showed how his name
!, got placed to a recei pit for money which hs
seemed not to have accounted for. Further
# inquiries were made, and 1t was found no
!. had saved out Of his wages the money so i'm.
d provIdently spent in fine lodgings and fine
S clothes. 1t happened tina, the grand jury
:. were then sitting; all these new facts were
sworn before them; they ignored the bill.
O and George Selden was restored to liberty.
About two months after these events, q
: newly married couple were seated in Mr..
}. Webb's private office, a,tentivcly listening
!, to what that gentleman was saying. Not
G long ago. he said, addressing himself to The
. bridegroom, you heard my advice with i'm.
n patience, almost contempt, because you then
looked upon me as mere mechanical man
$ of business. That you may be more at,en.
tive to what shall now say, and that YOU
y may know it is possible for tradesman to
o be unremitled in his duties, and at the sane
# time employ his leisure with success in i,e-
nature, let me now inform you that the al.
II pha,' whom you were pleased, as have
:, heard, TO patronise with your appreciation, 10
n no other than myself You have already
d been taught by her who, happily for you. 10
is now your companion for life, tho superior
n value ofconmon sense and practical acquire.
II nlents, over what goes by the name, oftenes
than il deserves it, Of genius To her you
j. owe all your happiness
= George Selden, for he was ono Of the per.
e sons addressed, tried TO speak, but fearful
n emotions prevented him. He firmly clasped
l. the willing hand of his wife, and looked to-.
wards her to speak for him. But her heart,
: also, was too full. They both wep, tears OF
g happiness. Mr.. Webb, but for a strong Of.
: fort, would have exhibited some emotion,
|. but turned it fby asking wha, had become
/, of The tragcdyl George owned without the
c smallest appearance Of regret, that he had
: burnt il.
t, That evening there was a grand supper
: in the shop prepared under the superin,end-
is ance of Mrs. Cooper, who had been installed
as housekeeper TO the establishment. Her
n daughter, now Mrs. Selden, had had the
d privilege of inviting any person she pleased;
n and besides all the men and their female
Y friends belonging to the house, Mr.. Williams,
J. Mr.. Webb, and Bessie's pupils, graced the
o solree with their presence.
II The last heard of George Selden was,
: that he is a partner in the firm of Williams
i and Company, and livery man of the city