Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-06-14
G8f storp GflIer,
FANNY REDFIELD.
A Tale of Circumstantial Evidence.

A Tale of Circumstantial Evidence.
There was certain heart-sinking look
about the stranger as Mr.. Talbot told him he
was in need of no help in his ware-rooms,
which caused that gentleman to look up again
from his ledger and eye the young man more
closely.
With half audible sigh, and with an air of
hopeless, utter despondency, the object of his
scrutiny had turned to leave the counting room.
Stay moment, young man-what can
you do
Il have never been accustomed to any kind
of business except that of secretary, but pos
sess an excellent education, and sufficient en-
ergy TO undertake and persevere in any pur-
suit that may offer ITSELF
There was a certain something In the young
mans manner that interested the good Mr..
Talbot So he told him to take a seat beside
him and answer few questions.
The young man pleased Mr.. Talbot. A
mutual confidence springing up between them,
the stranger confded to the good merchant his
pressing HcCeSSitieS
He was Pole by birth he had been de-
spoiled of home, fortune and country at one
blow. He had served as private secretary for
several years to an English nobleman, but
misunderstanding occurring between them, he
had come TO this country, and had been here
several months, but not being able to get any
thing to do, he had spent his last penny, and
had not tasted food for two days.
Mr. Talbot did not read him lecture on the
uncertainty of human prospects, but he put
his hand into his pocket, and handing well
filled wallet to the stranger, bid him go and
make himself comfortable with good cheer,
and then TO return TO the counting room, that
he would take him in his own employ for the
present, and that the contents Of the wallet
were but part Of his salary.
With an expression of gratitude the stranger
left Mr.. Talbot, wallet in hand There was
something in the lustre of his large, earnest,
grey eyes that told the worthy merchant he
had not misplaced confidence.
lido Sternberg entered into his new occupa-
tion with a zeal and comprehension that
showed Mr.. Talbot had not over estimated
either his moral or mental capacity.
Sternberg was employed to write Mr.. Tai.
bots most confidential letters, and to attend to
his most private accounts for the merchant,
nj that time, was deeply involved in several
complicated speculations, all of which, if sue
cessful, were to benefit the whole system of
commerce.
After several months of unremitting labor,
tie schemes ended in sudden failure. After
honorably satisfying the calls of all creditors
who were involved through the unfortunate
speculations, Mr.. Talbot was enabled to con-
tinue his business, though on very much re-
duced scale.
"A professional friend of mine wishes Sec
retary; will you accept the situation, lido L
The salary is good-far better than anything l
can offer you, for just now, alas | can offer
you nothing. | mentioned you TO my friend,
telling him he could not find one more capa-
BILE and more unexceptionable in every way
than YOURSELF
Il cannot sufficiently thank you for your
good opinion of me, and for your care for me-
replied Sternberg warmly. Il will accept
your friends offer, whatever il may be, on
your recommendation, and | hope the result
will prove your good word for me not an un-
just one.'
Mr. Redfeld, the professional gentleman,
with whom Sternberg now took up his abode,
was a lawyer of much repute, practising in
the city, and dwelling in much style, short
ride in the country.
Take care of yourself, lido, my boy said
Mr.. Talbot, shaking Sternberg's extended
hand, and looking upon him with the fondness
of father.
81 hope you will not forget your old friends
for your new ones,' said Miss Talbot with a
pretty blush Father and / shall expect TO
see you as often as you can make it convenient
to give US CALL
Fanny Talbot's bright eyes fingered with
him as he entered his new abode. They looked
up from the paper on him, day after day as it
lay before him upon his DESK They accom-
panied him in all his outgoings and incomings.
Their light had become the guiding star Of his
life. But yet, in his numerous visits to the
merchants house, lido preserved the same re-
spectful distance of behavior toward the bright
Fanny that had marked his conduct from the
first.
Mr.. Talbot was once more prosperous, and,
learning wisdom from experience, he pursued
the beaten path to wealth, leaving chimeras to
the uninitiated
1t had grown TO be toward the close of sum-
mer, when lido Sternberg entered the Office OF
Mr.. Redheld one morning somewhat later
than usual, and told him he could no longer
remain in his employ. In vain Mr.. Redfeld
urged him for reason, he would give none,
merely saying he had made up his mind to 90
to South America.
In about an hour after lido left the Office
Mr.. Redfeld was summoned home his eldes
daughter had been found dead in the grove Q
woods by the seaside, which had ever bee
her favorite walk. Her sister had seen he
start in the direction of the grove, in the earl
morning, and had also seen young SternberI
81. tho same nath a short time after seem