The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-06

he began TO walk up and down the room Just
ms he had been doing IN his chamber His
mind tortured between confession and false
hood He knew that he was on the eve of
ruin. Falsehood might save him--conles-
sion lac believed would. The latter was hui
initiating 10 him-the former would degrade
him in his own estimation as low as he
would fall in Mr. Hawey's by the acknowl-
edgement ofhis guilt. lie was yet undecided
what course to take. The merchant had
placed the key in the lock and turned it. lie
opened the leafto the glass door of his sccre-
tary and then laid his hand upon the knob of
the side drawer to open il.
At this moment Proctor paused and rested
his eyes upon him with u look ofpainiul hes
itation. All ut once il vanished, and look
OF resolution aud purpose took It's place. He
sat down, took up paper aud tried 10 appear
Indifferent. Mr. Hnwley took out pocket
book, and opening il, started buck and turn
cd with look of painful surprise and suspi-
cion toward his clerk Proctor looked him
full in the face: but MIR Hawley saw through
the silver wash of falsehood; for tile young
man had yielded to the evil instead of the
good suggestions, and resolved to brave it
boldly.
| Frederick he exclaimed, extending in his
hand the empty notebook, how is thiS?-
nave YOU TClllO1tu llt llNC hOllUlS
that was here to another drawer"
What is it not there? he cried rising up,
taking it from him, and rapidly running it o.
yer. 'Ir 500. ...
'Hou sec it is empty
This is iucompreheusiblc, Mr.. lIawley,'
he answered with well leigned surprise.
Have you no knowledge what has become
of the amount of money in tens and iiycs
which left in this book ...
ut is very strange
1T was placed under your charge
Il know il was sir; but
when did you see il in here safe the nst:'
i have not looked into the drawer since
you left, sir
Yet you have been here writing every at
tcrnpom two or three hours, according TO my
direction, in recopying the private letter book
which was nearly ruined at the fire at the
store
Yes sir, and have nearly completed my
task
1T is extraordinary that this money should
have been taken. Have you kept tho key in
your possession"
| Yes sir, unless il was taken out of my
pocket at night by somebody and returned
before morning.
| Then il is your impression some one has
nv some means got the key and taken the
money!
1T would seem so, sir
! Mr. Huwlcy fixed ms eyes steadily for n
moment in silence. Proctor tried to encoun-
ter the gaze, but was forced 10 drop his eyes
! To the floor. ... w.. ...
This is very extraordinary, Frederick he
said severely.
| The Young man seemed to be greatly agi-
tated. All at once he caught Mr. lIawley's
hand and sank upon his knees before him.
sPardon-pardon, sir!' he cried in great an
guish. Forgive my falsehood, by which j
have added TO crime! l only am guilty!
Have you taken this money"
Yes, sir, and the only atonement that can
make is to confess the crime and throw my
self upon your mercy. | abhor myself for
attempting 10 shelter my guilt by rcsorting to
fllsehood ! have embczzled the amount,
SIR
TO what purpose could you have applied
so much money? Rise from tho floor and sit
down and LEI me hear ALL
Il acknowledge all sir, l have lost it in
play
in gaming"
'Yes SIR
"Thcn my suspicious arc confirmed,' he
said. sadly vet seriously, Alas! that they are
so. have long had suspicion that you gam
bed, Frederick; but not being able TO prove
il, resolved to try you; for knew a person
who gambled would be tempted to embezzle
money entrusted TO him. .......
NV chief motive in trying you was to know
the truth ofthe rumors that reached my ears;
for had it in my heart to place you In more
RESPONSIBLE position than that you now hold;
i'm a word TO offer you by and by the place of
Junior partner in the firm. That you GAM
hled, could not believe, you have served me
so faithfully the four years you have been
with me- therefore on quitting home FOR
Savannah, left in this desk, under your charge
five hundred dollars, and desired you TO cop
v the letter book here instead oicopylng 1t at
the counting room. Thus gave you ready
access to the money. My suspicious, alas!
are confirmed. You may charge me with
laying temptation in your way. did SO TO
save myselfin the future from injury if you
should prove card player. | did no wrong
to you. Ifyou were a man otintegrity, you
were safe. ifyou proved otherwise was
safe. left so large an amount, that, II you
were guilty Of taking it, you might not easily
replace it before returned. This sad, sad
proof ofyour guilt rs deeply distressing to mc.
What have you done with all the money!
lit has all been lost at play, sir. confess
have long been card player. have lost
and won these three years past a great deal
of money. a week after your departure
lost a hundred dollars more than all l pos
sessed; and the gentleman to whom lost ii,
insisted on being paid the nextday us he was
TO leave for New York. | went the next
morning and told him it was out of my power
to pay him. He swore, sir, that he would ex-
pose me unless he had it before night. In a
state bordering on phrensy, Icame lutheran
took hundred dollars from the pocket book
and paid hn.
hoped to restore it aa. s}
IIowY asked Mr. Hawlcy, in the same
calm manner in which he had listened TO