Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-19
NUMBER Sc.
From the Child's Paper.
The Counterfeit Shilling.

Dick Manning went into Mr.. Ashton's store,
where his cousin, Thomas Downs, was looking over
some coins.
"There, Dick" said he, showing piece of mo.
ney towards him on the counter, there's coun-
terfeit shilling; you may have that"
" How do you know 1t is counterfeit ~ asked
Dick 1t looks real"
look sharp and you viii see il has yellow
ish brassy look, which real silver never has--siver
is white"
"Butit will pass, said another boy; somebody
passed It to you, why don't you pass 1t on some
| bodyY"
Because il one fellow cheats It is no reason
why should, answered Thomas Downs.
| "Well, what shall i do with t?n asked Dick,
balancing II on his forefnger.
| Do anything you please, except pass IT," an
| swered Thomas and presently Dick pocketed the
| piece and went out Of the store. He showed 1t to
several of the boys, and none of them guessed it
was counterfeit until he told them.
"Come, treat us on it." cried Henry Morris.
"No, no its against the laws to pass counterfeit
money; if he does he'll get taken up" shouted
four five of the boys. Dick kept it great while
in his pocket, but how often, when he passed the
confectionery at the shop-windows, was he tempted
to pass it. "Thcy won't know its counterfeit" he
would say to himself :" But you know It," whis-
pered still small voice.
One Saturday afternoon, party Of boys went
down to the Neck, two or three miles from town.
to play on the rocks and catch crabs. On their
return, they passed cluster of small houses, in
one Of which poor old woman had kept beer an
cakes for many years. She was a kind pleasant
old creature, and as the earnings Of her little shop
helped to maintain an idiot SON, people Of the town
seldom passed by there without buying Of her, and
the children were often sent down with kind char-
ties to the good dame.
"She's got some chestnuts,' said the boys, look
ing at the shop window. But none Of them had
any money.
aDick,S said Henry Morris, anow's the time to
pass your shilling. She'll never know it, you may
be sure of that"
Yes, yes," said two or three while the rest
had fastened on; would 1t not be a good joke ?
Come Dick"
"No, il would be mean to cheat this poor We
man" ," said one Of the better boys.
She's got specs; she can sec for herself" said
another.
"Oh it would be such good joke |" cried Hen
| ry Morris; besides, the chestnuts. Come, Dick
and here you are sure you will never get found
out"
Meanwhile Dick had drawn the shilling from his
pocket and looked at the chestnuts in the window,
which the boys declared would be such treat on
the rocks. The voice within said, "No, Dick y
but some how or other the boys voices were the
loudest and the chestnuts looked tempting, and
they wanted him to treat, and 1t would pass for a
Joke. At last Dick went into the shop his con-
science smote him as he entered but In he went,
and out he came with great paper of chestnuts
and away he ran, the boys after him nor did be
stop until he came to pile Of rocks, behind which
he threw himself on the sand.
Il "There they are" cried he, throwing the paper
to the boys as soon as they got up with him.
" And what did she say " they asked
" She never suspected, said Dick She looked
very msch pleased, and put it in her drawer, and
said, Thank ye, sonny"
The boys set up a shout of laughter, but Dick
did not join in il. I do not know how they enoycd
their chestnuts, but do know that when Dicks
mother asked him about the excursion be told her
nothing about them; and after he went to bed, 1t
did not appear such good joke after ALL to cheat
q poor old woman out of her chestnuts Turn Il
which way he would, the affair had mean and
shabby look, and Dick felt very much ashamed of
himself
The next day, when he went to school. Henry
Morris met and asked him to do his sums for him.
4 can't; can't stop to" answered Dick But
you've got to" cried Henry; you don't, III in
form against you, and you'll have to go to Jail for
passing counterfeit money; l will" Poor Dick
was terribly frightened. How he wished he was
innocent. But as it was, he found himself bond
man TO a wicked, idle boy who kept threatening TO
inform against him II be did not do as he wished,
and Henrys demands were pretty hard sometimes.
Indeed, Dick had 50 little confidence in Henry,
that he constantly afraid lest the police officers
might be at his heels, and he was very miserable.
Dick despised Henry, but guilt made him serve
him. There was quarrel about something at re-
cess one day, when one Of the boys, feeling angry
with Dick, said Pooh fellow that woui1 Cheat
poor old woman, viii do any thing To be twit-
ted in this way was almost too much for poor Dick
TO bear. He wanted to knock the boy down but,
alas he touched upon truths which Dick had no
heart TO fight for; and now Dick keenly felt what
bad friends bad boys are, for the very boys who
urged him to buy the chestnuts, were the first to
turn against him.
On his way homo he suddenly met his cousin
Thomas Downs. "Haloo,n said Thomas, '1et us see
the shilling / gave you" "Hav'nt got t,n answered
Dick, hurTying by. " Stop; did you lose t. or give
Il away ?" q No. said Dick. "Wel, where is ii
you hav'nt passed itS" IL was ON the end Of his
tongue to say "No," but Dick never lied, and great
rs the temptation was, he could not lie now.
Poor Dick, thus holden with the cords Of his
Sins, turned very red and It seemed as II the
veins In his face would burst
"0h," he cried, choaking with modification
and grief "what did you give me that counterfeit
piece forf IL has been temptation in my pocket
ever since. have passed II, and what shall l
dot" and the boy looked wretched.
Thomas was very sorry and surprised, and took
him down lane where they could talk by them
selves. Dick made full confession Of what had
happened, and asked what he should do. He
thought he should rather have IL all known, and
go TO jail than live in such fear Of himself and ey-
crybody else.
Thomas told him that he ought 10 carry real
shilling 70 the woman, and own what bad been
done.
"Could | not go and put it under her shop
doorp said Dick. at will be just the same
she'd get Il, and not lose by the counterfeit
"Just as well for her. said Thomas; "but as
for you, Dick, you know you have done wrong and
if you really sorry, you want TO make clean
work Of IT, Now go like man, be honest about
IL, satisfy your conscience as much as you have
gone against IL; here, take this real shilling put
ting his hand in his pocket, 81 90 down to the wo-
man, own II all, and do works meet for repentance,
AS the Bible says
II VII" cried Dick, with frecr feeling than he
had had for many day; "but ii Is yoursY" "No
matter" said Thomas take IT, give il 10 you
for my share in your troubles and il win be good
lesson to me 10 be careful how put temptation in
the pockets Of my friends" Dick felt badly at the
- IL