The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-05-30

their children than to initiate them thus
into the most dangerous amusement
that can possibly be devised either for
the old or the young. Ihope you have
not been taught to play with these min
iature cards, Georger
"No, sir, ! have only seen them,"
81 trust that is all you will ever
know of them, or of any cards. The
inventor Of such playing cards for chill
dren can be looked upon only in the
light OF these eastern sorcerers who
gives noxious drinks to thechildren
of those they hate, to destroy their
vote, distort their limits, and make
Of them, when they arrive at ma.
turity, monsters in torn and visage.
These infant card inventors, as they
poison the mind, are as much worse in
proportion as the mind is Of more than
the body. There is the bell! II must
be Frederick"
"Show him into my private room,n
said the merchant, taking up trunk
and passing out Of the drawing room
by door at the farther extremity, and
entering small but tastefully furnish
ed library. At the same moment by a
door leading from the hall, the servant
ushered in the young man.
swell, Frederick. | am glad to see
YOU" said Mr.. Hawley, extended his
hand with an air of cordiality.
sit trust that you have been quite
well sir," answered the young man,
without looking in his face, but assum-
ing an air OF pleasure at seeing him re-
turn.
81 have been very well thank you,
Frederick. am somewhat fatigued,
however after SO long journey. Ev-
cry thing has gone well, believer
"Yes, sir, answered the young man
in a slight faltering tone, Mr.. Hawley
noticed it and looked at him with a
quick inquiring glance.
81 have sent you for the key of my
private desk. Did you bring 1t with your
"Yes, sir. here it is," he responded,
taking it from his pocket and handing it
to him.
"Sit down, Frederick; / wish youto
pass the evening with the family in the
parlor. ! wish to deposit first some
money in the desk that | have with me,
and then we will 60 in and have some
music.
Frederick Proctor made no answer;
but with colorless cheek and restless
manner he began to walk up and down
the room just as he had been doing In
his own chamber. His mind tortured
between confession and falsehood. He
knew that he was on the eve of ruin.
Falsehood might save him confession
he believed would. The latter was
humiliating to him-the former would
degrade him in his own estimation as
low as he would in Mr.. Hawley's, by
the acknowledgment Of his guilt. He
was yet undecided what course to take.
The merchant had placed the key in
the lock and turned it. He opened the
leaf Of the glass door to the secretary
and then laid his hand upon the knob
Of the side drawer to open it.
At this moment Proctor paused and
rested his eyes upon him with look of
painful hesitation. All at once it van.
ished, and look Of resolution and pur-
pose took its place. He sat Indifferent,
that is tried to appear as he would have
done had he been innocent. tits very
difficult for guilt TO feign innocence
Platina may look like plate, but it does
not deceive the sklllful observer. Mr..
Hawley took pocket book, and open
ing it, started back and turned with a
look of painful surprise and suspicion
toward his clerk. Proctor looked him
full in the face; but Hawley saw through
the silver wash of falsehood; for the
young man had yielded to the evil in
stead of the good suggestions, and brav-
ed it boldly,
"Frederick," he exclaimed, tending
IN his hand the empty book, show Is
this? Have removed the five hun.
dred dollars that was here, to another
drawer2"
"What, sir; is it not there9" he cried,
rising up, taking it from him and rapid
ly running it over.
sYou see it is empty"
1This is incomprehensible, Mr.. Haw-
ley," he answered with well feigned
surprise.
Have you no knowledge what has
become Of the amount Of money in tens
and fives which | left in this bookm
at is very strange"
'It was placed undsr your charge
~ know it was, but
.When did you see it here safe the
lastf -
81 have not looked into the drawer
since Won left sir.D