Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-04-23
His first impulse was, to secure the

His first impulse was, to secure the
money and throw the pocket book away.
He saw nothing clearly but the money be-
fore him-he thought of nothing but the
blessings which it would bring to his poor
family. Was it not his own? he had found
it-had not Heaven sent it in mercy rs
relief to his wants? an answer to his
prayers ? How much good tbs money
would do! Bread and shelter for his wife
his patient, uncomplaining wife-and
/ for his little ones, whose checks were grow
ing pale with want-whose merry smile
was changed to the anxious look OF care
Thus he reasoned, but conscience whls-
pered, beware. suffer not the love CT
gold to make plague spot on thy heart !!
This money is not thine, and Satan may
have permitted it as snare to thy soul
God may have permitted it as a trial of
thy faith"
But perhaps, he thought, can not find
the owner. Then it will be mine-honestly
mine; and with the hope that it might
contain no evidence of ownership, he COM
menccd examining the pocket book again.
Mortal, condemn him not too harshly fol-
this wish-sit not in hasty Judgment on
the heart of thy erring brother. Thus
tempted, perhaps thy own had been nc
better. But the examination left no room
for doubt. There was the owners name
| fully inscribcd-the name of rich mer
chant with whom, in days past, William
: had been acquainted. What death blow
| was this to his wild hopes. The vision OF
home comforts, which had blessed him for
moment, as if in mockery, was snatchec
, away, and he saw Jain the miserable hut
the pale wife and hungry children. Dash
ing the pocket book to the ground, Lt
stood for a moment gazing on it.
"Tempter. deceiver."' he exclaimed
"w why am thus Knocked and tantalized !!
f and then, as if sudden thought had strucl
him, he picked it up, and stepping into
, thicket, which afforded partial sheltc
from the storm, he seated himself Oh
, fallen tree. The elements were in com
f motion, but there was fiercer conflict il
his bosom. The love of gold, not for it
$ own sake but for the sake Of the goo
which it might bring to him and his, wa
f contending with long established princi
r pies of justice and rectitude.
, "This man is rich," the tempter whis
. pered, "he will never miss this sum, no
Y know the want of it and Oh. the goo
r which it would do thy shivering wife an
babes. Is it not Godscnd, and vii
n thou put away the profiered cupof bles'
c ings ?"
v at is not thine. it is not thine sal
: conscience. stain not thy hands wit
o dishonest gains. Bring not upon tn
!. soul the curse Of an offended God. Bette
g that thy children perish before thy eyes
b than that their father be robbcr."
q He sat there for more than an hour, th
I rushing wind and the falling snow wer
y all unhecded, but when he rose up, tn
d conflict was past, and the expression of hi
|, face, though sad, was peaceful and resigned
d Remembering the purposes for whic
e he had started, he turned his face toward
), his neighbor's house, where he obtained
). small load of wood, and team to haul
G home.
That night, after the children were
v bed, William produced the pocket bool
e unrolled the bank bills before his astol
r ishcd wife, and told her how he found /
e. hid beneath the snow.
r "What shall you do with it p she SAT-
C "What shall 1 do with it" said he.
Ie "Return it to the owner. We can be;
is toll and poverty, but not the reproachcs
% a guilty conscience"
re al knew it would be thus. When tn:
S. dark temptation was on me, ana the ev
sc in my heart seemed ready to triumph,
ir knew that you would not fail to see cleari..
and to approve the right"
|. "But, William, how will you get it
,e him? You have no horse, you have
ut money. and it will not do to risk it in
is letter."
W "I have thought of that" said VII
h lam, rising and going to the window. "ff
is storm is over, and tomorrow l must 60 G
It foot, and carry this money to Mr.. Carlto1
Il 1t is but fifteen miles; l will start earl
e, and perhaps he will give NE enough
,e pay my passage back in the stage"
1T The next morning the Carriers were sti
y ring early, and long before sunrise VIII
a lam was on his way. 1t was hard walkir
n through the new-fallen snow, and the VIII
e was cold and piercing; but he presst
j. resolutely on, and before noon reacht
. | N.1lo. IL ocoonHf