The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-05-09
Mistrllanfaug.
From Godey's Lady's Book
A Dollar on the Conscience.

ne, CUSTOMER OpouipS hSi po'SS.
Now Fifty cents u yard was The price OF the
goods, and SO Mr.. Levering had informed the
lady. She misunderstood him, however.
,-in the community, Mr.. Levering had the re.
putation of being conscientious, high. minded
man. He knew that he. was thus estimated,
and selfcomplaeently appropriated the good
opinion as clearly his due. ~
It came instantly to the lip ofMr. lowering
to say eyes, ffty-fve." The love of gain was
strong in his mind, and ever ready to accede
to new plans for adding dollar to dollar. But,
ere the words were uttered, disturbing per-
ception Of something wrong restrained him.
: II wish twenty yards" said the customer,
taking it for granted that fifty five cents was
the price Of the goods.
Mr.. Levering was still silent though he COM
menced promptly to measure off tie goods,
"Not dear at that price" remarked the lady.
- II think not,"- said the store-keeper. :"
bought the case Of goods, from which this piece
was taken, low y
Twenty yards at fifty five cents. Just elev-
en- dollars" The customer opened her purse
as she thus spoke, and counted out the sum in
clitteriug gold dollars .That is right, be-
liere," and She pushed the money towards Mr..
Levering, who, with a kind of automatic move
ment of his hand, drew forward the coin, and
swept it into the till.
.sSend the bundle to No. 800 Argyle street" "
said the lady with bland smile, Is she turned
from the counter aud the half-bewidered store
keeper. Is. -.
.Stay, madam! there is a slight mistake !"
Thewords were in MIR. Levernss thoughts,
and on the point ofgaiuing utterance, but he
had not the courage to speak. He had gained
dollar IN the transaction beyond his due, and
already it was lying heavily on his conscience.
Willingly would he have thrown it of, but,
when about to do so, the quick suggestion came,
that in acknowledging to the lady the fact of
her having paid five cents yard too much, ne
might faiter in his explanation, and thus betray
his attempt to do her wrong. And so he
kent silence, and let her depart beyond call.
Anything gained at'the price OF virtuous self
respect, is acquiredat too largea cost. A sill-
gle dollar on the conscience may press so hea
vly 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.. Lerering
sought selfjustifcation. Argue the matter as
he would, he found it itimpossible to escape the
smatting conviction that he had unjustly exact
ed dollar from one of his customers. Many
times through the day he found himself in
musing, distracted state, and, on rousing hun.
self therefrom, became conscious In his exter
nal thought that it was the dollar by which ne
was troubled.
) ''l'm very foolish" said he, mentally, as he
walked homeward, after closing his store for
the evening. every foolish to worry myself
about triAe like this. The goods were cheap
enough at ffty.6ve cents, and she isjust as
we'll contented with her bargain as if she had
only paid fifty"
But it would not do. The dollar was on his
.copscience, and he sought in vain to move it
by efforts Of this kind.
Mr.. Leveriug had wife and three pleasant
children. They were the sunlight Of his home.
When the business of the day was over, he usu
ally returned to his own freside with buoyant
feelings. It was not so on this occason. There
was a pressure on his bosom-a want of self
satisfaction The kiss Of his wife, and the cling
ing 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,
dears Are you not well Z" inquired Mrs. LIE
vering, breaking in upon the thoughtful mood
of her husband, as he sat in unwonted silence.
II am perfectly WE'LL" he replied, rousing
himself and forcing smile. =
'Yon look sober"
"DoI2n Another forced smile.
-aSomething troubles you, Pin afraid"
= 90 no; it's all in your Imagination So
sAre you sick, papa2" now asks bright
little, fellow, clambering upon his knee.
aWhy, no love, I'm not sick Why did you
think so2"
"Becsuse you don't play horse with me"
ooh dear! Is that the ground of your sus.
picion 2" replied the father, laughing "Come
we'll soon scatter them to the winds.
: And Mr.. Levering copmenced game Of
rombs with the children: But he tired long
before they grew weary, nor did he, from tie
beginning, enter into this sport with his usual
s.zest. esE
aDoes your head ache, pa I" inquired the
child that had previously suggested sickness, as
be saw his father leave the floor, and seat him.
himself, with some gravity Of manner, on
chair. .fSa,5
SHOT this Ssening, dear" answered Mr., LIE.
vering. - 49, !5s7.
"Why don't you play longer, then n
@Oh, pc a!.sexclaimed another child, speak
ing from sudden thought, .'you don't know
what time we had at school to-day"
aAh what wast the cause r.
sob! you'll hardly believe it. But Eddy
Jones stole q dollar from Maggy Engeld"
"Stole dollar" eiaculasod Mr.. lowering