The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-01-29


painful hesitation. All at once it vanished
and an expression of rcsolutc purpose took
Its place. He sat down and took UP a
book and tried to appear Indifferent, tha,
IS, trled to appear as he would have done
had he been innocent. 1t is very difficult
for guilt to teign innocence. Platina may
look like plate, but it does not deceive the
skillful observer. Mr. Hawley took out a
pocket-booI, and opening it, started back
and turned with look Of painful surprise
and suspicion towards his clerk. Proctor
looked him full in the face; but Mr..
hawley saw through the silver-wash Of
falsehood; for the young man had yielded
to the evil instead of the good suggestion,
and resolved to brave it boldly.
Frederick" he exclaimed, extending
IN his hand the empty notebook, 4" how is
this Have You removed the FIVE hundred
dollars that was in here to another draw
er ~
"What, sir is it not there - he cried,
rising up, taking it from him, and rapidly
running it over.
=" You see it is empty"
. This IS incomprehensiblc, Mr.. Haw-
ley" he answered with well feigned sur
prise.
" Have you no knowledge of what has
become of the amount of money in tens
and fves which left in this book 20
" 1t is very strange"
" 1t was placed under your charge"
" L know it was, sir but"
" When did you see it in here safe, the
last :"
G. I have not looked into the drawer
since you left, sir"
" Yet you have been here writing every
afternoon two or three hours abcording to
my directions, in re-copying the private
letter book which was nearly ruined in the
fire at the store"
=" Yes, sir, and 1 have nearly completed
my task"
"lt is very extraordinary that this
money should have been taken. Have
you kept the key constantly in your pos
session :"
" Yes, sir, unless it was taken out of
my pocket at night by somebody and re-
.urned before morning"
g. Then it is your impression some one
las by S, me means got the key and taken
he money 2"
I" 1t would seem so, sir.'
Mr.. Hawley fixed his eye steadily upon
i'm for moment in silence. Proctor
ried to encounter the gaze, but was forced
D d.op his eyes to the floor.
3" This is very extraordinary, Frederick" /
C said severely \
The young man seemed greatly agitatel 4,
All at once he caught Mr.. Hawley's hand c
nd sunk upon his knees before him. il
Pardon pardon, Sir ~ he cried in t
eep anguish. I" Forgive my falsehood, [
y which have added to my crime. k
MY am guilty." p
" Have you taken this money! c
" \ es, sir; and the only atonemcnt l "
IN make is to confess my ciime and throw r.
yselt upon your mercy. | abhor myself h
n attempting to shelter my guilt by re- y
,rting to ialsehood. L have embezzled Y
lie amount, Sir" a
" TO what purpose could you have ap- I
leu 30 mucu luouey hiSe from tne 81
,or and sit down, and let me hear all" f;
" l will acknowledge all, sir. 1 have D
st it in play" n
" In gaming;"
" Yes, Sir" Il
"Then my suspicious arr confirmed" o
) said sadly yet severely. =" Alas that fl
ey are so. have long had suspicious \
at you gamblcd, Frederick but not @
ing able to prove it, resolved to try Ii
u; for knew person who gambed d
1uid be tempted to embezzle money en- in
listed to him. My chief motive in trying al
u was that l might know the truth Of hi
e rumor that reached my ears; for | had W
III my heart to place you in a more re-
onsible position than that you now hold hG
word, to Offer you by and by the place til
junior partner in the firm. That you
mbled 1 could not telieve, you have IN
rved me so faithfully the four years you