The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-05-09
CAMDEN OUTH-CAROIINA, TUESDAY MORNING, NAY 8

His voice was husky, and he felta cold chill
passing along every nerve.
eyes, pa! he stole dollar Oh, wasn't it
dreadfnlS"
"Perhaps he was wrongly accused" sugges-
ted Mrs. Levering.
"Emma Wilson saw him do it. and they
found the dollar in his pocket Oh he looked
so pale, and it made me almost sick to- hear
him cry as if his heart would breakp
"What did they do with him :" asked Mrs.
Levering.
"They sent for bis mother, audshe took him
home 3 Wasn't5it dreadful 2"
cit must have been dreadful for his poor mo,
ther," Mr.. Leve.ing .ventured to remark.
:'But more dreadful for him." said Mrs. LIE.
vering. "Wil he ever forget his crime and
disgrace Will the pressure of that dollar on
his conscience ever beremoveds He may me-
yer do so wicked an act again, but the memory
of ftbis wrong deed cannot be wholly efaced
from hts mind"
How rebukingly fell all these wordsson the
| ear Of Mr.. Levering /! Ah!w would he then
have given to have the weight of that dollar re-
movedi Its pressure was so great as almost
1 W SuuOCdIo utuis wac dh III Soiu thoS ho
tried to be cheerful, or take an interest in what
was passing Immediately around him. The
innocent prattle, of his children had lost its
wonted charm, and there seemed an accusing
expression in the eye of his wife, as, in the con.
cern bis changed aspect had occasioned she
looked sobcrly upon him. Unable to bear all
this, Mr.. Levering went out, something unusu-
nj for him, land walked the streets for an hour.
On his return, the children were in bed, and he
had regained sufficient selfcontrolto to meet his
wife with q less disturbed appearance. ~
On the next morning, Mr.. Levering felt
something better. Sleep had left his mind more
tranquil. Still there was pressure onhis feel
ings which thought could trace back to that
unlucky dollar. About an hour, after going to
his store, Mr.. Levering saw his customer ofthe;
day previous enter, and move along towards,
the place where he stood behind the counter.
His heart gave sudden bound, and the color
rose to lis face. An accusing conscience was
quick to conclude as to the object of her visit.
But he soon saw that no suspicion OF wrong
dealing was in the lady's mind With a plea
SAINT. halfrecognition, she asked to look at GER
tain articles, from which she made purchases,
and in paying for them placed ten dollar bill
in the hand of the store keeper.
THAT weight shall be of my conscience"
said Mr. Levering to himself, as he began tount-
ing out the. change due to his customer; and
purposely, he gave her one dollar more than
was justly hers in that transaction. The lady
plalced her eyes over the money, and seemed
slightly bewildered. Then, much to the store
Keepers relief, opened her purse md dropped
it therein. ..Allright again!' was the mental
ejaculation of MIR. Leverng, as hesaw. the purse
disappear in the fady's pocket, while his breast
expanded with sense of relief.
The customer turned from the counter, and
had nearly gained the door, when she unused,
drew out her purse, and emptying the contents
Of one end into her hand, carefully noted the
amount. Then walking back, she said with
thoughtful air:
think you've made mistaken the change,
Mr.. Levering.,'
81 presume not, ma'am. l gave you four
isdollars aud thirty five" was, the quick reply.
-Four thirty y-fve," said the lady, musinsly.
sYes, here is just four thirty five."
"rhat's s.right; yes, that's right" Mr.. Lever
ing spoke, somewhat ne&ousIy. *
. "The articles came to six dollars and sixty.
Eve cents, | believe 2"
eyes, yes, that was itp'
!, "rhen three dollars aud thirty five cents will
be my right change" said the lady. placing
small gold coin on the counter. "You gave
| me too much" *
The. customer turned away and retired from
the store, leaving the dollar still on the consci.
ence of MIR. Levering. "I'Il throw it in the
street" said he. to himself impatieptly, cor
give it to The first beggar that comes along"
But conscience whispered that the dollar wasn't
his either to give away or throw awey.- Such
prodgalty, or impusive Ebenevolence, would
be at the, expense Of another, and this could not
mend the matter.
"Ihis is all squeauisbpess," said:Mr, Lever
ing, trying to argue against his convctOns.-
But it was of no avail. His convictions re.
manned as clear and rebuking as ever. =
The next day was the.Sabbath. and Mr.. Lee
vering went to church, as usual, with his fani
ly Scarcely had he taken seat IN his pew,
when, on raising his eyes, they rested on the
countenance Of the lady from whom, he had
abstraeted the dollar How quickly his check
flushed! How troubled became, instantly, the
beatings of his heart! Unhappy Mr.. Lever
iug ! He could not make the usual responses
| that day, in the services and when thereon.
grega,ion joined in theswelling hymn of praise,
his voice was not heard in the general thanks.
giving. Scarcely word Of the eloquent SER
mon reached his ears, except something about
"dishonest deal;ug;" he was too deeply eenggagg.e
ed in discussing the, question whetherlor no he
should get rid Of the troublesome. dollar by
dropping it into the contfibstion box, at the
close Of the morning service, to listen to the