The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-11-17

kept silence, and let her depart beyond
recall.
Anything gained at the price of vir-
tuous self-respect is acquired at too grcaI
a cost. a single dollar on the con-
science may press so heavily as to bear
down mans spirits, and rob him of all
the delights Of life. 1t was so in the
present case.
Vain was it that Mr.. Levering sought
self-justifcation. Argue the matter as
he would, he found it impossible to
escape the smarting conviction that he
had unjustly exactcd dollar from one
of his customers. Many times through
the day he found himself in musing
abstracted state, and on rousing himself
theretrom, became conscious, in his ex-
ternal thought, that it was a dollar by
which he was troubled.
Pm very foolish, said he, mentally,
as he walked homeward, after closing
his store for the evening.
Very foolish to worry myself about
trife like this The goods were cheap
enough at fifty-fve, aud she is quite as
well contented with her bargain as if she
had paid only fifty.
But it would not do. The dollar was
on his conscience, and he sought in vain
to remove it by efforts of this kind.
Mr.. Levering had a wife and three
pheasant children. They were the sun
light of his home. When the business
of the day was over he usually returned
to his own frcsde with buoyant feeling.
1t was not so on this occasion. There
was pressure on his bosom-a sense Of
diScomfort-a want of self-satkfaction.
The clinging arms of his children, as
they were twined around his neck, did
not bring the old delight.
What is the matter with you this
evening, DEAR Are you not well = in
quired Mrs. Levering, breaking in upon
the thoughtful mood of her husband, as
he sat in an unwonted silence.
Pm perfectly well,' he replied, rous-
ing himself and forcing a smile.
6 You look SOBER
Do | = another forced smile.
Something troubles you, I'm afraid.
Oh no it's all your imagination
Are you sick, papa'' now asks a.
bright little fellow, clambering upon hi.
knee.
Why no, love, I'm not sick. Why
do you think so p
Because you don't play horses with
me =
oh, dear! Is that the ground of
your suspicion = replied the father,
laughing "Come !" we'll soon scatter
them to the Winds
And Mr.. Levering commenced a
game of romps with the children. But
he tired long before they grew weary,
nor did he, from the beginning, enter
into this sport with bis usual zest.
Does your head ache, pa p inquired
the child who previously suggested sick
ness, as he saw his father leave the floor
and seat himself with some gravity of
manner, on chair.
Not this evening, dear,' answered
Mr.. Levering.
Why don't you play longer, then p
% pap exclaimed another child,
speaking from a sudden thought, 'you
don't know what time we had at school
today
'Ah what was the cause p
oh ! you'll hardly believe it. But
Eddy Jones stole a dollar from Maggy
Enfield y
Stole dollar y. calculated Mr.. Lev
,ring. His voice was husky, and he
elt a cold thrill passing along every
nerve. If
Yes, pa! he stole dollar! Oh,
lie looked so pale, and it made me almost
LEX to hear him cry as il his heart would {
,reak.'
What did they do with him = asked
ir. lowering.
They sent for his mother, and she q
ook him home. Wasn't it dreadful =
1t must have been dreadful for his Q
'oor MOTHER Mr.. lowering ventured to 4
emark.
But more dreadful for him, said Mrs.