Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-12-31
THE BURNING COIN.
A SKETCH OF DESPERATE MEASURES.


BY WIN. I. GoGGEsHALL.
"Come, come Charles the boys will
60 without YOU"
These words were uttered at bis bad
room door by Charles Merwin's mother
early, one bright, frosty morning in mid
winter.
The little fellow arousing himself from
one of those morning maps which MAKE
the dreamer dread the sound of break
last bell, for moment nestled cozilv ir
his warm couch, and listens1 to the blesx
wind as it ratified the easement then +
bethought him how he had boasted t.
his companions on the previous evening.
that none of them should reach the skat-
ing ground that morning earlier than he.
lie coveted no longer the sluggard's re.
pose, but, springing from his bed, hasti-
ly dressing himsel, and in few mo.
ments was running briskly toward the
public square of the village, to meet a
few of his school-fellows, who had mace
appointments with each other to assen
BILE at sunrise, at pond in the vicinity,
and have "good skate" before school
time.
Charles had run half away from his ia.
ther's house to the public square, when,
on the opposite side of the street, he saw
a number of men and boys standing
around cellar-door at the residence OF
one of the rich men of the village.
A playmate espied Charlie, and cried
to him. Come over here there's some.
thing up"
Charles curiosity was excited, and
for moment he forgot the skating par.
ty, but lost no time in answering the
call.
sfIVhat's up 2" said he, when he stood
beside his play mate.
''There's fellow down here" answer
ed the boy, pointing to the cellar.
'What fellow" returned Charlie.
Nobody knows" was the reply "Mr
James heard somebody in the cellar last
night he was watching, and he slipped
out and fastened the door. He says j.
amt the first time his cellars been rob-
bed, and now he's got the thief safe; .hs A.
is what | heard man say. Let us STAY
and see who the fellow is, Charlie 2''
Charles agreed to this proposition, viii
ling to crafty his curiosity for little
gossip at the expense of the 'sfun" upon
which he had calculated for the mornir
with his school-fel' at the pond.
The boys did not wait long. Mr. JAM
soon came out of his house, and openin.
the front cellar poor, bid his prison
walk forth. There was no answer =.
the call. Again he demanded that tt.
prisoner show himself, but no one az
peared. Lights were procured, and Ser
eral men went into the cellar To thu
astonishment of all who had waited, likt
Charlie, to crafty their curiosity, an e.
derby man, who, even under these ciz
cumstances, was regarded with defer
ence, was brought forth.
E1n the name Of Heaven, Squire John
son, is it you g cried MIR. James, whel
he recognized the prisoner. "Why die
you 60 into my cellar to steal, when 20,
knew that whatever you wanted l woult
have freely given you! Say that yo'
were not there to steal"
The old man did not lift his eyes from
the ground, but sullenly answered q ,ro
there to steal. My family is starving
and would not beg"
No one attempting to restrain him, hi
head bowed upon his chin, he wake,
through the crowd, and lent his wa,
towards his miserable dwelling.
Squire johnson had been a prominen
man in the village. Twenty years pre-
vious to this scene, he was among tn
wealthiest men of the country, and OF
of the most popular.
Twice had he represented his count,
in the Legislature of the State, and fo
many years had been justice of the peace
He was man respected by everybody
even in degradation. No boy, howeve
rude or thoughtless, ever taunted or crie'
after Squire Johnson when he staggere,
in the street.
Every man, woman or child in tn
village soon knew that Squire johnson
| had been caught stealing in James cellar