Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-06-23


some confusion and perplexjty of manner.
1T has been overlad, in or upon my DESK
But | know the deposite was made
The bank book will settle that matter at
once remarked the teller.
4 don't like the look Of this at ALL said |
Mr. Ellington to himself, as he went hur-
riedly back 10 his store. Jlmes absent,
the tank book not to be found, and no
memorandum of two thousand dollar de-
poeit made yesterday, standing to my cred
it. What can it mean? Surely that yonng
man has not robbed mel He cannot be
so base But il he has
How stern and hard instantly became
the countenance of the merchant.
If he has. wo! be to himl will track
his steps with quick footed justice, the un
grateful wrctchP
1t was quite as bad as the merchant had
suspected James Craig. young man in
his twentieth year, whose character had
stood above suspicion, in an evil hour had
I yielded to temptation, and became the rob
ber of his employer, But hardly was the
deed done beyond possibility Of avoiding
exposure, ere the dishonesty was bitterly
repented.
His FIRST act, after appropriatiog two
thousand dollars instead of deposising the
sum in the bank, was to leave the city in
the earliest train of cars for !he south
In Baltimore he took lodgings in an OBJ
scure tavern, and hid himself away from
observation, hoping to remain concealed
until the first search for him should be ov
er. Here in great humiliation and distress
of mind, he awaited the progress of events
bitterly repenting his folly and crime.
OF what would he not have given for
restored integrity? The price of virtue
and good name was his; but the sum of
two thousand dollars, which little while
before had loomed up with such golden
attraction, now seemed of no value whatev-
er, compared with the rich treasure he had
parted with in order to secure it.
On the second day after Craig's arrival
in Baltimore, as he sat irresolute and des-
pondent in his room, the door thereof was
thrown open, and M. Ellington stood be-
fore him, with sterny knit brows, and eyes
that seemed as if they would pierce him
through
Instantly the wrctched young man turn
ed as pale as death, ard he was for some
momcnts SO parayzed that he could Meth
er move nor speak
'Humph SO have found YOU have l !!
said Mr.. Ellington as he closed the door
There was cruel menace in the tones
Of his voice, that left small room for hope
in the mind Of the guilty one who covered
before him.
AN now, what have you to say for your
sef@
'Nothing,' replied the young man.
Where is my money 2 said Mr. Fixing
ton.
Craig drew from his pocket thick ro
of bank bills, and handing them to Mr.
Elkington, replied:
There it is; I have not used dollar
God in Heaven knows how bitterly | have
S repented of this dreadful crime.
The merchant was taken rather by sur
prise at this unexpected restitution. Still
! his purpose TO hand the offender over t.
S justice remained firm.
h He had ponderrd the matter closely
| had even weighed the strong appeals mad
d by certain collateral considerations-bu
d his rigid mouo-1et justice be done thougl
4 the Heavens should fal'-had decided hi
o course of action, and even now a police of
f fcer awaited his summons below.
@ James said Mr. Ellington sternly, 'yol
G have crossed the Rubicon Of crime, ant
t your enemy, Retribu,ion, must be me-
!. The law wisely ordained punishment 70
al, W., hoU cf,,1an p1u an
!. as a good citizen it becomes my duI
+ to give you up to the ministers of the law
t, which | shall do. A police officer is in tn
/ house, you will pass from here into hi
d, hands. Unhapy young man! What IL
e sanity was upon you?'
J. %, Mr. Elkingtonp exclaimed Craig
IS sinking on one knee, and lifting his ash
face to that OF the merchant; do not sacr
K fee me for one false step, the Grst l hav
N taken
1t Il do not sacrifice you, James, said NJ
II Ellington. This act is your own. Yo
have committed crime, and it is my dut
n as | have said, to hand you over to thos
who punish crime. feel for you deeply
,k but | cannot give place to weakness. Ju
1t, must be done though the Heavens shoul
at fall. If each one against whom crime
re is committed, should suffer the offender
escape, every social safeguard would
as removed. No, no, James, painful as /!
se act may be must give YOU up TO justice
TX AS he did so, the wretched young ms
started forward, and seizing his hand. sa
r. imploringly:
e. Il have poor, widowed mother, sir;
ks her son is disgraced her heart will be br
KEN
You should have thought of that befol
n James. II is too late now.
'Do not say this! o, sir. do not say th
/ am not so bad as you think. Though
M wickedly took the money, did not speI
ire lii. Every dollar is returned to you. b
ali sir, il you ruin me before the world
ay if you have me removed from all conle
with the viru and associate me wi
NO old and hardened criminals, what hope
nd then left for me? If could be overcoI
in temptation while surrounded with 5;
ed guards how will be able to stand when
ere these are removed? o, sir; claim j,
ep- tice for my unhappy mother. Do not
terly ruin the widows only SON.
4 L