The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-08-29

cisd il had noble influence upon him, ai
that 1t awoke more generous impulses
his soul. But alas How can 9 man
youth bc ovcr-generous, with an emp
pocket always7
From this time, James Baker was Gilbert
firm friend, as the world goes. The latt'
told all his secrets to Jim, and in return !
heard all his friends.
"Say Gil, how is it you never have an
money!" Baker asked, as they were to
gether one evening in front Of the store a
ter having locked up.
"Why," returned Gilbert with som
hesitation, " to tell you the plain truth
my father is too poor. lie has done enoug
for me now-more than he can well afford
lie has never asked me to work on his farm
but he has sent me to school, and now he !
paying my board while | learn to be q mcr
chant. But my father is good, If he is
poor"
"of counc he is" warmly replied Baker
"rhat's where you find your good hearts
among the poor. But don't YOU make tn
store pay for taking care of it.?"
"No, Mr.. Phelps pays nothing the frs
year."
"why, are you in earnest, Gil? Hav'
not you ever got any money for your hart
work ?"
"No, not penny. Two dollars is al
the money I have had since have been herr
and those my father gave me-"
"well, you're moral improbability, a
regular anomaly. Why, I make them pay
me something. Mind you-I don't call il
stealing, for 1t isn't. My master receives
the benefit Of all my work, and am enti
tied to something in return. He is rich
while l am poor. My hard work turns
money into his till; and shall I dig and
delvc, and lug my life away for nothing
No. When want a little money, take
it, Did l take enough to squander, and
waste, and gamble away, as some do, l
should call il stealing; but I don't. Yet I
must have something. How do you sup
pose our masters think we live without
money? They don't think so; if they do,
they must be natural born fools. That's
all I've got to say about it."
"But how do you do it?" asked Gilbert
tremulously.
"How' Why, sometimes ! help myself
to few handkerchief which sell and
sometimes take a gentle peep at the draw
er."
When Gilbert Goodwin went to bed that
night, there WIS demon with him. Tho
tempter had come! For long time there
bad been a shadowy, misty form lowering
about him. but not until now had IL taken
palpable shape. He allowed himself to rea-
son on the subject, but not yet was his mind
made up. On the following day he met
young Baker again, and he learned that oil
the apprentices on the street did the same
thing.
A week passed on, and during all that
time Gilbert gave the tempter home in his
bosom. lie daily pondered upon the amount
of physical labor hc performed. lie saw all
the Others with money, and he wondered il
any one could possibly get along without
that circulating commodity. Finally the
evil hour came. The constant companion
ship Of young Baker had had ITS influence,
and the shaft had struck its mark. A
bright-cyed, lovely girl had asked Gilbert to
carry her to an evenings entertainments
The boy loved that girl-lovcd her with the
whole ardor Of his youthful soul-and he
could not refuse. At noon he was left alone
in the store. Several people came in
mostly tailors-and bought goods, paying
the cash. Gilbert did not stop to consider
tho spell was upon him-and he kept
back two-dollar bill. That afternoon he
suffered much. He dared not look the clerks
in the face, though he was sure that some
Of them did the same thing. In the evening
he accompanied his fair companion to the
entertainment, and though he tried to be
happy, yet he could not.
That night the boy slept, and while he
slept he dreamed. His father and mother
came to him, all pale and sad, and told hin
he had disgraced them forever. 40, my
boy, nv own loved boy, thou hast lost tn,
truth and honor forever :" So groaned tn,
father. The sleeper started up, and for
moment he felt relieved when he found tina,
he only dreamed; but quickly came tn
truth of the day before, the terrible certain
ty Of his theft-and he groaned in tho agon..
of a bowed and contrite heart. lie starte'
up from his bed and paced the floor. l
WIS one long hour ere he stopped, and the
II n l.. all