Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-11-12
FREMONT. sANDUsKY COUNTY. NOVEMBER 49, 1853.


would be at the expense of another, and th
could not mend the matter
This is all squeamishncss, said Mr. L
trying 10 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 Mt L
went TO church, as usual, with his family
Scarcely had he taken seat in his pew, wher
OF raising his eyes, they rested on the coun
tcnance oft lady from whom he had alb
stracted the dollar. How quickly his chcet
flushed How troubled became, instantly the
beating of bis heartl Unhappy Mr. lowering
He could not make the usual responses thai
day, in the services and when the congrega
tion joined in the swelling hymn of praise, his
voice was heard not in the general thanksgv'
ing. Scarcely word Of the eloquent sermon
reached his ears except something about dis
honest dealing; he was too deeply engagec
in discussing the question whether or no he
should get rid of the troublesome dollar by
dropping it into the contribution box, at the
close of the morning service, to listen to the
words of the preacher. This question was
not settled when the box came around. But
q
temporary palliative. There was still pres
sure on his feelings; still weight on lis con
science that gradually became heavier
Poor man! What was he to1o? How was he
to get this dollar removed from his conscience
lio could not send it back to the lady and tell
her the whole truth. Such an exposure oI
himself would no only te humiliating, but
hurtfui to his character. 1t would be seek
ing to do right in the infiction Of a wrong to
himself
At last Mr. Levering, who had ascertained
the lady's name and residence, inclosed her a
dollar, anonymously, stating that it was her
due; and that the writer had obtained it from
her unjustly, in a transaction which he did
not care to name, and could not rest until he
had made the restitution.
ALI the humiliation Of spirits suffered by
Mr. Leverng in thus seeking to get cas- . for
his conscience 1t was one of his btterest life
experiences, The longer the dollar remained
in his possession, the heavier became its pres
sure, until he could endure it no longer He
felt no! only ds9raced in his own eyes, but
hnmliated in the presence of his wife and
children. Not for worlds would he have sul-
fered them to look into his heart
If simple act Of restitution could have
covered all the past, happy would it have
been for Mr. Levering. But this was not pos
sble The deed was entered in the book Of
his life, and nothing could etface the record
Though obscured by the ucc1mulating dust
Of time, now and then a hand sweeps unex-
pectedly ever the page, and the writing is rd :
vealed. Though that dollar has been remov-
ed from his conscience, and he is now gutless
Of wrong yet there are times when the old
pressure is felt with painful distinctness
Earnest seeker after this worlds gods,
take warning by Mr. lowering, and beware
how, in Il moment of weak yielding. you get
dollar on your conscience One of two evils
must follow. 1t will give you pain and troub
lie, or callous the spot where it rests And
the latter of those evils is that which is most
to be deplored. Godey's La,ig's Book.