Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-11-17
George Harmon.

George Harmon. .as.
Yes soEloquized George Harmon / must have money.
ne Will not allow higher salary will make him suf
George was clerk in the store of Mr. Hale. conversa
ton had just taken place between George his employer
relative to an increase in his salary, and had resulted in
FeIusaI TO enlarge his compensation.
1T was hard times Mr.. Hale remarked 'and he really
could not afford it ..'.
Georges salary had always been sufficient his de-
mand but ne be married soon and he needed funds
to detray bis wedding expenses.
Hiae sps and was under is neI be made the above
threat He was not fairly intoxicated
"A companion entered.
why, George said he what is the matter ? You look
desperate--What is to pay !?
Everything to be paid, and nothing to pay with
Come come youmust look the bright side of the picture
mo moralzng, JOEL must have money!
Invent patent pill a rotary churn.'
"PhaW don't tantalize me-
HAS Mr.. Hale reduced your salary 2
NO. don't talk to now
George tried to think of plan whereby obtain the
requisite funds and he lay awake the greater part of that night
IN contriving scheme to defraud his employer.
AS he went the store morning he called at the post
office to get his employers letters and papers, his
TOM One letter was heavily and carefully enveoped, and
George knew contained money.
.Aha 7 he. said to himself here is what 1 want
Turning oin obscure street, he opened the package
contained thousand dollars which George transeredto to
his pocket book
letter from his father which he had not before Observed
was now read 1t full of solcude for his welfare 1t
tue and piety said every morning eight oclock
assemble around the family altar and always remember you
nv dear son." ,.
Just then he heard clock strike eight strange feeling
passed over him. The struggle commenced between con-
science and vice. and sorry say that the latter pre-
vailed
Did the money from Baltimore come this morning 2" in
quired Dir Hale, as George entered the store
NO. Sir" was the reply
Oh! dear what shall do? 1t was promised to-day at
the latest, and wanted that thousand to pay note"
said I
i five hundred dollars for you, if you wish it,
| =" Do So you please" said Mr.. Hale.
The next day came but five hundred dollars still
ted and could not be obtained The note was Protested
Creditors became alarmed.
'f [ suspected it." said one.
" And just laid in stock, too said another.
TIE first step down hill had been taken and with diff
I G'+ -'x4 A. -Aa-ze-x-.-:e---
Mr. Hale wrote to the Baltimore postmaster and the
day brought him his letters from the person for whom be
expected the remittance and one from the postmaster From
these he learned that the letter had been mailed few days
previous Mr. Hale to the postmaster in his city,
: and laid the matter before him.. Sd;
: There is foul play here'' said he. VI
'Let me look at the mail bills" said the official. .
He found reference that the letter had reached his Office
but the clerks knew what had become of it. The i'm
preston that had been placed in the wrong box The
news spread through the city, and many remarks not very
1attering to the postmaster we're occasioned.
ri During these of anxiety George married, and
made bridal the falls The first emotions of fanced
bliss destroyed the bitter remembrance of his wicked deed,
suspension and tortured him the he return
ing to the city gloom over his spirits and his pleas
ure turned into pain.
= When within ffty miles of home while at l., he en-
in letter and directed it. disguised hand to Mr. Hale
This letter he handed boy and gave him dollar carry
< it to office, about five miles distant.
The day George returned to the store and found that
Mr. Hale had received two hundred and fifty dollars of the
stolen money.
"Fhy'' said the astonished merchant "it's from c.,
of
The intelligence spread through the city, and
fully believed that through careessness it had been put
lc into anothers letter box.
plan for detection was formed and they determined
closely watch all letters, and possible discover the writer
At length letter arrived the direction Of which very much
resembed the one addressed to Mr.. Hale
issued and the writer arrested and brought with them boy
who stated that gentleman had given him dollar to take
III letter the postofce and that the letter ad
dressed Mr. Hale He had given the police full descrp
ton Of his person. &c. and they going to make search
er- for him.
George heard Of this fact and fastened home telling hi
wife that he fly. She urged explanation but after
hurried embrace he left her and fed knew whittier.
It was fifteen years after the sudden and yet unexpine
separation that Mrs. Harmon removed to the far West to V
the with her uncle Here she became acquainted with Mr. Day
lie was Of about thry6ye forty years, and it
y strange that who had such apparent dase for so
y, should inger in her presence he did He was muc
on respected and Mrs Harmon who believed her former hu
not band dead recprocaed his feelings She yielded her hand
pc Mr. Day, and finally became his wife.
his One evening Mr. Day called her aside and inmated h
be that be had secret to disclose to her,
Showing her ring he said.
Ray "Do you know this!
She turned pale and tainted his bosom. 1t th
one she had given her former husband When she
cred she asked
sur Where. did you get itl'
that "You gave it fifteen years ago." said he.
ers "Merciful Heavens - she exclaimed "you not
= toI Il am George Harmon" he replied
alb No, ne IS dead ST - :. ,
And "He es better man. and your husband p
the As circumstances would admit he told her his hist
nv. He had changed his name, had written to her that