Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-11-17

uOn b AnOh nHdt q d1iC VIC Hau a.
school to-day"
"Ahl what was the cause?"
"Ohl you'll hardly believe it. But
Eddy Jones stole dollar from Maggy
Enfield"
"Stole a doIlarg" calculated Mr.
Levering. His voice was husky, and
he felt cold chill passing along every
nerve.
:. Eyes pa! he stole a dollarl Oh,
wasn't it dreadful"
perhaps he was wrongly accused, u
suggested Levering.
"Emma Wilson saw him do it, and
they found the dollar in his pocket
Oil he looked so pale, and it made me
almost sick, to hear him cry as if his
heart would break"
"What did they do with him?" asked
Mr.. Levering.
"They sent for his mother, and she
took him home. Wasn't it dreadful?"
alt must have been dreadful for his
poor mother" Mr.. Levering ventured
to remark.
"But more dreadful for him." said
Mrs. Levering. "Will he ever forget
his crime and disgrace? Will the pres
sure of that dollar on his conscience
ever be removed? He may never do
so wicked an act again, but the memory
of this wrong deed cannot be wholly
effaced from his mind"
How rebuking fell all these words on
the ears of Mr.. Levering! All! what
would he not then have given to have
the weight of that dollar removed?-
Its pressure was so great as to almost
suffocate him. 1t was all in vain that
he tried to be cheerful, or take an in
terest in what was passing Immediately
around him. The innocent prattle of
his children had lost its wanton charm,
and there seemed an excusing express
sion in the eye of his wife, as, in the
concern his changed aspect had occa-
stoned, she looked soberly upon him.
Unable to bear all this, Mr.. Levering
went out; something unusual for him,
and walked the streets for an hour
On his return, the children were in bed,
and he had rsgained sufficient self
control to meet his wife with less dis
turbed appearance.
On the next morning, Mr.. Levering
felt something better. Sleep had left
his mind more tranquil. Still there
was a pressure on his feelings which
thought could trace back to that un-
lucky dollar. About an hour after
going to his store, Mr.. Levering saw
his customer of the day previous enter,
and move along towards the place
where he stood behind his counter
His heart gave a sudden bound, and
the color rose to his face. An accusing
conscience was quick to conclude as to
the object of her visit. But he soon
saw that no suspicion of wrong dealing
was in the lady's mind. With a pleas
ant half recognition, she asked to. look
at certain articles, from which she made
purchases, and in paying for them,
placed ten dollar bill in the hand Of
the storekeeper.
''That weight shall be off my con-
science" said Mr.. Leyering to himself,
as he began counting out the change
due his customer; and, purposely, he
gave her one dollar more than was
Justly hers in that transastion. The
lady glanced her eyes over the money,
and seemed slightly bewildered. Then,
much to the storekeepers relief, opened
her purse and dropped it therein.
"All right again!" was the mental
ejaculation of Mr.. Levering, as he saw
the purse disappear in the lady's pocket,
while his breast expanded with sense
of relief.
The customer turned from the count
er, and had nearly gained the door,
when she paused, drew out her purse,
and emptying the contents of one end
into her hand, carefully noted the
amount. Then walking back, she said
with a thoughtful air.
''I think you've made mistake in
the change, Mr.. Levering."
al prescme not, ma'am. 1 gave
you four dollars and thirty-fve," was
the quick reply.
"Four thirty-fve," said the lady
musingly. eyes here is four thirty
fve."
"That's right; yes, that's right" Mr..
Levering spoke somewhat nervously.
"The article came to six dollars and
sixty five cents I believe9''
eyes, yes; that was it!''
"Then three dollars and thirty-fve
cents, will be my right change" " said
the lady, placing small gold coin on
the counter. "You gave me too much. -
The customer turned away, and re-
tired from the store, leaving that dollar
still on the conscience of Mr.. Levering.
'I'll throw it into the street." said he to
himself, impatiently. "Or give it to
the first beggar that comes along."-
But conscience whispered that the dollar
wasn't his either to give away or to
throw away. Such prodigality, or i'm
pulsive benevolence, would be at the
expense of another, and this could not
mend the matter.
ssThis is all squeamishness," said Mr..
Levering, trying to argue against his
convictions. But it was of no avail
His convictions remained as clear and
rebuking as, ever.
The next day was the Sabbath, and
I Mr. Taverinor went to Church as usual