Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-11-05
MISCELL A n Y
MY First Temptation.
STORY OF A CLAssMATE.

At an early age lost my father, and as nc
left me with little of this worlds goods, it soor
became necessary that should find some en-
ployment. | was then thirteen years OF age
and not very stout or strong, but yet with vii
10 do ANYTHING that could be found for me to do
At length nv brother made an arrangement
with carpenter, by the name OF Morris, and
was taken into his shop ~ an apprentice Wlth
him I remained two years, but at the end OF
that time became so worn down by the hard
work imposed upon me, that my mother resolv-
ed should remain there no longer. My sister
Lucy, who was two years older than myself, had
detected my failing strength, and it was manly
through her efforts that was removed from the
place, for should never have complained.
I was now fifteen-tall, slim, and pale, and L
knew that could not stand any sort OF work
that taxed my physical strength to any great
extent. But fortune favored Inc. a Mr. Jo-
seph Evered, who kept dry-goods store, near
by, was in want of salesman, and through my
sisters influence obtained the place. Mr.. EY-
cred had daughter, Julia, about my own age,
who was very intimate with Lucy land it was by
her intercessions with her father that Lucy
gained her point.
was duly installed in my place, and was soon
happy and contented, for my employer was Kind,
and an intimacy sprang up between myself and
Julia which afforded me q purer bliss than had
ever before experienced. Thus matters passed
on for q year, and at the end of that time my
health was restored and had so far gained up
on the confidence of Mr. Evered that he now
trusted me with some of his most important
business Orly one thing troubled me. was
not receiving such wages as fancled my SER
vices entitled me to. In fact, was IN debt. L
had purchased q suit of clothes OF tailor IN the
neighborhood, and was owing for them. Ihe
tailor wanted his money, and l had promised
him he should have it at certain time, but the
lime came and passed, and l could not pay him.
He threatened, and promised anew. y, how
many times wished had never bought those
clothes. could have got along without them,
anything which could not pay for on the spot.
But that did not help the case.
One evening / sat alone in the store. 1t was
Saturday evening, and the day had been busy
one. We had sold great quantity OF gooos,
and the noney-drawer was well filled. Slowly
q demon arose before me, and began to advise.
He pointed to the money-drawer, and Whisper.
ed /: "There is the means for paying your debt.
knew that Mr. Evered had no knowledge OF
the amount of money there for he knew not now
much had Sold | could take nearly hfty dol
ars and he might never miss it, for had sold
great quantity of stuff of which he had no ac-
count. had promised the tailor that ne should
have the money that very night, and l had
planned to get Mr.. Evered to advance me the
necessary sum. had not been spending money
foolishly, but from my poor pittance supported
my mother and that ate it all up.
For o long time l sat and looked upon that
drawer, and all the while the tempter was per-
suading Inc. knew that young clerks often
did such things, and that sometimes necessity
compelled them to do it-at least, so l thought.
How could meet my creditor again without
the money2 / could not, and at length re-
solved and resolved that would not. / arose
and went to the drawer. / opened it. and saw
the bank notes which had been jammed in there
Il counted out twenty dollars My hand
trembled and my heart beat quickly. | thrust
the notes into my pocket, and then hastened
hack TO nv seat; and not long afterwards my
employer entered. -
'iWeell, Charles" said he, / guess wen shut
up now." A. ..n..,u,
and when came back found Evered engaged
in counting the money. As approached hlm,
he eyed me with a sharp, searching look, aud l
trembled like an aspen.
sWhat ails you 2" he asked.
Nothing, sir" answered, trying to tocompose
myself. !,
"But there must be something thematter," ne
for you look as pale as ghost"
IL am tired" | said.
"Wel, well, you have worked hard to-day,
and you may go. III attend to the rest"
With a desperate effort to compose myself, /
thanked him for his kindness, then seized my
hat and left the store. The fresh air revivedne
somewhat, and hurried on to the tailor's.