Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-04-23

! lHe perSon VIII PaSSeu is' WIN you soo ~ yo'
recognize itl
Again the swift pallor swept over Carleton
face; but this time it was more marked than be
fore, and his fingers trembled as he examined
the bill.
Certainly" said he, Il recognize it. It's {
note changed with Captain Wilkins last even
ing" H
at also happens" observed the agent, "to be
note which according to an accurate descrip
ton have of it, was recently lost in Che south
ern mails. This is as painful to me, Mr. Carle.
ton, as it is unexpected; and hope you will be
able satisfactorily to account for the manner in
which YOU obtained the money"
1T is still more painful to me than it can be
to you," replied Carleton; and heaven knows
heartily wish could not tell how the bill came
into my possession. remembered it after you
left me this morning, and had presentment
that trouble would come of it. lam afraid, SIR
Carleton added after some hesitation, II am a.
fraid YOUR suspicious of Howard will prove too
we'll founded" --srss
"Do YOU mean to say that Howard is respon-
sible for that bill?"
81 will tell you all that know about it sir.
Yesterday sold colt | had been training the
past season. He proved too high-spirited for our
use. and preferred to own horse my mother
and sister would not be afraid to ride after.
sold it to neighbor of ours, Mr.. Fellows. lie
was to pay me one hundred dollars dOwn-and
this is the money he gave me"
Carleton hesitated. The agent begged him to
proceed, as no time was to be lost.
81 was trying to recall the conversation that
passed between Mr. Fellows 1t was to this eff
feet =
"rd quite as lief you'd give me small bills, il
convenient, said ], for shall have several little
bills to pay out of this in day or two.
| SHE replied that he could not do better by me,
and added that he thought Howard would like
to change it for me- How so said /.
"You remember, said he, that Howard bought
house and lot of me some time ago. The last
payment came due Yesterday. He seemed re-
iuctant to part with this BILL and said if would
wait, he would give me specie for it in day or
two. Something more was said about Howard's s
good luck in making payments for the house and
lot so promptly, and so we parted"
"Where will | find this Mr.. Fellows?" asked
the agent.
~ saw him not ten minutes ago, enter store
in the village"
"You are sure he will corroborate your state
ment2"
"There's no doubt of it. He's plain, practi-
cal man, who tells q straight forward story"
"Come then" said the agent, 1--WE will go and
find him."
Carleton readily assented, and the two left the
chamber together
"I've little business to transact before dinner,
mother" said the young man as they passed out.
''If Lam not back in quarter OF an hour do not
wait for me-"
But little difficulty was experienced in finding
Mr. Fellows. lie was such person as Carleton
had described; but he turned out to be very
deaf and the agent deemed it expedient to retire
with him and Carleton to some secure place,
where their loud talk could not be overheard
The clerk proposed that they should make use OF
the private room of the post office. The agent
agreed to this, for he was somewhat anxious to
make sure of Howard, and he now resolved that
the latter should be present at the interview
This plan was also proposed by Carleton, and
when they arrived at the post office the senior
clerk informed the Junior in q low and serious
tone that his presence was requested in the pri-
vate apartment.
''But who will attend in the Officer" asked
Howard.
"rll speak to one of the clerks in the store
they accommodate US very often in this way,
Carleton added, addressing the agent ITS only
around the corner"
The thought struck the agent that it would be
safe enough to accompany Carleton. But to do
so. it would be necessary to leave Howard, who,
if guilty might by this time have suspected the
danger at hand Besides it seemed not at all
probable that Carleton could have any motive in
attempting to escape His position in society,
his family circumstances his frank and manly
demeanor, everything tended to disarm suspi-
cion Furthermore, nothing could be more sat
isfactory than the story he had related OF the
manner in which he had obtained the fatal bill.
He was accordingly suffered to leave the office.
| As there were persons passing in and out, the
agent did not consider it proper to broach the
important subject until Carleton's return.
But some minutes passed and he did not re-
appear. -,
II thought he said he had only to 60 around
the corner" said the agent.
ut is possible" Howard replied, shat the boys
have gone to dinner. In that case, if your busl-
ness Is important, he has possibly gone to Cal
the postmaster himself"
| A quarter of an hour passed Carleton mac
had time to walk to Mr.. B. s house and back, Du'
still he did not make his appearance. The agen'
grew uneasy He waited five minutes longer
then resolved upon decisive step.
Mr. Fellows" he cried in the deaf gentle,
mans cor, ''did you ever see that bill before e
Fortunately, Mr.. Fellows sight was good, though
his hearing was very bad. He examined the
paper without spectacles, and decided at once
that he then and there saw it for the first time;
"Did YOU buy a horse of Carleton yesterday Z
"No," said Mr.. Fellows Il have talked O
selling his mothers pony, but never bought any
thing of him."
The truth flashed upon the agents under
standing. For his Gedit, let it be declared
| Carleton had played his game with consum
mate art that would have deceived the very Q
! lect
No time was lost in obtaining traces Of the
Young mans flight. The agent judged rightly
from his character, that he would not attempt t
leave town. He anticipated more melancholy
fate for the unhappy youth. Some inward
promptings seemed to direct him to the apothe
cary's shop, not many doors distant, and on IN
ouiry he learned that Carleton had just beer
| there.
(which way did he go2"
SIN fact, am not certain that he has gone,
said the druggist; "he purchased some medicine
remarking that he wished to write out some di
rections for its use, and stepped into the bach
room. have been very busy, and ne may have
passed without my seeing him."
The agent sprang forward The door was
locked upon the inside.
"Oh! you needn't be alarmed, he has studiet
medicine, and knows how to use these things"
"He knows how to use them too well, his doo
must be forced. His life depends upon tiff i
is not now already too late.
Too late indeed it was.
On breaking into the room, Carleton was fount
lying upon the floor, with an empty vial beside
him, and an unfinished letter to his sister on th'
table.
! In that letter he confessed his guilt, and be
sought his sister not only to support the morta
afflction he had brought upon her, with fort