True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-08-13

my otui'
He's faint he's faint !" heard a
low tremuIous voice; and, on turning,
saw Julia Evered She was frightened
and that moment came the conviction
that she loved me. But that other thought
came with it, and tlen | knew that ere
long she. would despise me
Sick and faint | hurried away, and TO
all the anxious inquiries of Lucy, | only
replied that | was not well. 0, how
miserable / felt for | knew that my en-
ployer had detected The theft. His gaze
at me was enough; but the conversation
with the tailor made it sure. That af.
ternOon l dared not 60 10 church, and my
mother worried over me. II she had only
let me alone, might have been less mis-
erable but she cIung close to me, and l
had to lie to her-tho first falsehood |
ever spoke to that noble woman!
Another night of restless agony, and
then came to the severest part of all.
| must meet my employer! 1t was late
when | descended to the kitchen. and |
found my mother pale and deathly as
death itself. For the moment forgot
my own pain, and hastened TO her side,
She gazed up into my face with such a
look as hope | may never see again.
Don't stop to ask me any questions,
Charles" she said, "buI 60 at once to
the store. Mr.. Evered wants you imme.
diately."
Icould not ask a question: could
not say a word. Without breakfast,
without waiting 10 see Lucy, l started
from the house. People whom l met
gazed at me sharply, and once heard the
word thief pronounced o. Evered had
told the story of my crime! How could
he NO, no, twas the tailor who had
told it for my employer would never have
done it. Yes, it was known. l stopped
and suddenly the thought Of flight occur.
ed to me. Why had | not thought of it
before! Why should stay longer where
shame only could be mine Turned to
flee, and just then my sister came rush
ing after me, with her hair floating wild
ly in the morning air, and her face as pale
as death.
go. Charles" she uttered, "come
with me at once! Come, come, my
mother is dying!"
My sister seized my hand, and by force
dragged me away. reached my home,
| knew not how, for my reason had al
most left me. In'o The little bedroom
Lucy dragged me, and there lay mother,
stark and cold.
80, Charles, you have killed her !"
sobbed my sister, rs she threw herself
upon The bed. "She could not stand
your disgrace !"
One moment l gazed upon that pale
cold form and then a wild, unearthly cry
broke from my lips plunged madIy for
ward upon the bed.
"Charles! Charles T.
l started up. I felt heavy hand up
on my shoulder, and again my name was
called.
What is The matter Come. rouse
up for mercy's sake, what ails you 7"
1t was Evered who spoke. l was still
sitting upon the stool behind the counter,
but my head had fallen forward upon a
pile of goods that lay heaped up before
me. lnstinctively l cast my eyes uron
the money drawer, and slowly the truth
worked its way TO my mind. A cold
clammy sweat was upon my brow, pain
in my limbs and l trembled like an as
pen.
"What ails you, Charles :" Mr..
Evered kindly asked.
"My soul-such dream" Ivol-
UNFAIRLY gasped.
"Well, well-if lis nothing worse
than that I am glad. But come, l want
to have a few words of conversation with
you before you 60"
| was fully aroused now. l looked at
the money drawer, though, many times
ere | could fully realize that was safe.
The tempter had come, but an angel had
met and beaten him away.-,he doors
and shutters were closed, and then my
employer sat down by my side,
Well Charles" he commenced, "Ju-
LA has been telling me this afternoon
that you wholly support your mother"
Yes sir" l tremblingly answered,
MY sister thus far has only been able
to support herself, and the rest comes on
me-"
+" But how do you get along? Sure
ly, your salary here is not sufficient"
at has been sufficient sir, to find us in
food and fuel. For-for clothing'-l
have"
Run in debt, ell :"
Yes, sir ; but will never do it again,
will go ragged, if need be. but | will not
run in debit"
" Right, right, my boy! But we will
fix that all right now, l have been think.
ing for some time Of increasing your wa
ges. and will do so nuw--not, only 30,
but must put it back TO when | first
thought of it, and that was three months
ago. Let's see.
Z" Three dollars a week for thirteen
weeks would be thirty nine dollars" he
said. "Will that square you up 7"
90, yes, sir, and more, more too 70
"Then you shall have that, and here
after you shall have that amount over
each quarter" .r f...
He said something more about making
me his head clerk at some time, but die
not fully understand himH received the
: money, paid the tailor, and when hat
reached home, | had become calm anC