The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-05-30
Eyes. sir, and have nearly complet-

"Yes. sir, and have nearly complet-
ed my task"
"lti is extraordinary that this money
should have been taken. Have you
kept the key in your possession?"
I "Yes, sir, unless it was taken out of
my pocket at night by somebody and
returned before morning."
"Then it is your impression some
one has by some means got the key and
taken the money!
's1t would seem so, sir" s1s
Mr.. Hawlcy fixed his eyes steadily
upon him for moment in silence
Proctor tried to encounter the gaze,
but was forced to drop his eyes to the
floor.
"Tnis is very extraordinary, Fred
erick." he said, severely.
The young man seemed greatly agi-
tated. Allatonce he caught Mr.. Haw-
ley's hand and sunk upon his knees be-
fore him.
"Pardon, pardon; STRIP he cried in
deep anguish. Forgive my falsehood,
by which | have added to my crime !!
only am guilty?
"Have you taken this money!"
"Yes, sir, and the only atonement
can make, is to confess my crime and
throw myself upon your mercy. alb
hor myself for attempting to shelter
myself by resorting to falsehood. |
have embezzled the amount SIR"
ITO what purpose could you have
applied so much money? Rise from the
floor and sit down, and let me hear ALL"
81 will ackno wledge all, sir. have
lost it at play.
"ln gaiming?"
"Yes, sir"
"Then my suspicious are confirmed"
he said sadl! yet severely. "Alas
that they are so, have long had sus-
picions that you gambIed Frederick,
but not being able to prove it, l resolv-
ed to try you, for | knew person who
gambled would be tempted to embez.
zle money entrusted to him. My chief
motives in trying you was to know the
truth of the rumors that reached my
ears, for had in my heart to place you
in moreresponsible position than that
you now hold; in a word to offer you
by and by the place of junior partner
in the firm. That you gambled, 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 copy the letter book
here instead of copying it at the count
ing room. Thus l gave you ready ac-
cess to the money. My suspicious alas!
are confirmed. You may charge me
with laying temptation in your way.
| did so 10 save myself in the future
from injury ifyou should prove card
player. | did no wrong to you. If
you were man of integrity, you were
safe. 1t you proved otherwise was
saved. lleft so large an amount, that,
if you were guilty of taking it, you
might not easily replace it before re-
turned. This sad proof of your guilt is
deeply distressing to me. What have
you done with all the money!"
SIT has all been lost at play sir. |
confess that l have long been a card
player. / have lost and won these
three years past great deal Of money.
A week after your departure lost
hundred dollars more than all | possess
sed, ard the gentleman to whom | lost
insisted on being paid the next day, as
he was to leave for New York. Invent
the next morning and told him it was
out of my power TO pay him. He
swore sir. that he would expose me un-
less he had it before night. In state
bordering on phrensy ! came hither
and took hundred dollars from the
pocket book and paid him l hoped to
be able to restore it."
"Howq" asked Mr.. Hawley, in the
same calm manner in which he had lis.
tened to this development of guilt.
81 will concealnothing from you sir,"
answered the young man, with an as
pect of the deepest remorse and humil-
ity. 81 hoped TO be able by winning
at play to realise the sum. But ] was
unsuccessful. Ilost still more, and in
CURED debts to those l played with.
To resort to the pocket-book again and
again, after had once drawn upon it,
was less difficult than at first, and in a
few days Tempted it OF its contents.
In despair ! borrowed money and fled
to the gaming table in hope Of retrlev-
ing my losses and replacing the money.
AT length the day for your return drew
near, and feared to meet you. Twas
even tempted to set your house on fire
to conceal my crime. But thank God,
was koptfrom this horrid deed. Each
hour became more and more wretched. |