Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-12-06


whole of their contents. All, sure enough,
the two penny peices he had brought out
with him in the morning were there; but eh
what one of the half-dollars was missing
Half in hope, half in fear, his nervous hands
traced their trembling way from trowsers
to waistcoat and from waiscoat to trowsers,
while the blood, rushing to his fair face, suf-
fused it with scarlet and when, at length, he
had examined all his pockets, and the half
dollar was nowhere to be found, he turned
deadly pale, and burying his face in his out
spread hands, burst into tears"
The first flood of his grief being over, he
again proceeds TO still more minute examin-
alton of his pockets and money and then it
was that the little transaction with the APP
pie woman came suddenly to his recollection.
Eyes" he argued, as all the circumstances
dashed upon his mind, II must have made
mistake, and given her half-dolar for a pen
ny. | had but two cents when | came from
home this mornings so, having bought the
apples, should, by rights have only one left,
but as there are two, and only one-half dol
lar | must have made the mistake with her"
Without moments hesitation, he stole
quietly to the Office door and related to the
apple-woman what had occurred; but when
she stoutly denied having so much as received
a half-dolar from anybody that day, he again
returned to his desk, convinced, in his own
mind, that the woman was dishonesty re-
tanning his money, and again burst into
tears.
At this moment, Mr.. Goodwin entered,
and very naturally demanded the cause of
our hero's grief.
"Oh sir" sobbed John, ~ have had a
great misfortune | should not so much
mind, but my poor father has been so i'll this
fortnight, that mother has been compelled to
stop at home and attend on him; and she said
last night that my wages would just pay the
rent and get few little things which the
doctor told her father must have to strength
en- him."
"But what is the great misfortune to
which you allude ?" inquired Mr.. Good
win
"Why, sir" answered John, checking his
| lamentations, "when you sent me, o short
| time since, to the post Office, stopped mo-
ment to buy cents worth of apples of the
woman outside, and, in my hurry, gave her q
half-dollar for penny. | have been to her,
and asked ior it, but she denies having re-
ceived it,"
care you quite certain you did not lose it
upon the way?"
ooh, yes, sir" said John 81 am quite sat
isfed of that
"Well then," said Mr.. Goodwin, an go
and see what | can do with her, and if she
does not give it up, l shall make it my bust
ness on Monday to acquaint Mr. Fleecem
with the facts. in the case; and am quite
sure that he viii not permit so disreputabe a
person to disgrace his doorway" And he
has lily left the Office. In about five minutes
he returned.
HAS she given it up, sr,2" eagerly in
quired the boy.
"No," he replied, "she has not But
dry your eyes; you shall not be the loser of
it, nor shall your father go without the nee
essares he requires. Here is halfdollar
for the one which you have lost, and anoth-
er to assist in defraying the expenses which
your mother may incur in carrying out the
doctors Instructions"
"Ten thousand thanks" exclaimed John,
as he sprang, trembling with emotion, from
his stool to receive the prolfered money. "But
oh, sir, do not, pray do not let Mr.. Fleecem,
or anybody else in the Office, know how poor
we are lest | should be discharged am
sorry | told even you, sir, kind as you have
been to me-"
'You have no cause" returned Mr. Good
win, in gentle tone, 'to be ashamed of
your poverty, better, far better be poor and
honest, than possess whole mines ofwealth OBJ
tanned by fraudulent means. And, in truth,
the humblest artisan or laborer in this land
who goes forth to honest toll with the crow
ing of the cock, has oftentimes greater fund
of real riches than many of our so-called gen
tlemen; for it is not unusual with many OF
them to rise at midday, staggering under the
effects of their previous nights debauch, or
to roll about in gilded coaches, and keep up
splendid establishments by means Of trickery
and imposition The world, | know, too Of
ten winks at their iniqities but day of
reckoning must eventually come, when
! knaYery and dissipation will meet with meet
! with their natural consequences, misery and
condemnation Good night, John, and rest
assured shall reveal to one that which you
are so anxious TO keep a secret"
The last word had hardly fallen from his
lips, when the Office door closed behind his
manly form, and at the same instant the
neighboring church clock moaned solemnly
forth the hour of eight So John, carefully
extinguishing his candle, fastened up the Of
hce, and with heart .overdowing with graf
itude hastened home.
CHATTER III.
When Monday morning came, John was
at his post with usual precision, but the ap-
| nIe woman was before him A marLed