Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-11-05

redCIl6U Tile SLTctI dSdil, ldO thO"S'AN
had done came upon me with overwhelming
force, and was miserable. When reacheo
home professed to be sick, and retired at once
But my mother, sick and weak herself, came up
to nv bed, and wanted to fix me some medicine.
She gave me simple preparation, drew up the
clothes snugly about me, and having kissed me,
she said
''Be careful, Charles, for 'twould be awful in
deed to have you sick. God keep and bless you
Good night"
o, how these last words rang in my ears
What would my mother say-how would she
feel if she knew her son was Maefs 1t was a
long while before could give the word shape
or form, but it came al last. could not keep
it back. Thief! thief rang in my soul till an
agony was upon me so intense that all other con-
ceptions of pain were as nothing. The night
passed away in sleepless phartom making rest
lessness; and when the morning came, l arose
and walked out before my mother anu sister
were up. did not return until breakfast was
ready, and then had so far overcome all out
ward signs that little remark was made upon It,
But the worm was gnawing at my heart.
That afternoon went withmy sister to meet
ing. AS | entered the little church l met the
gaze of Mr.. Evered. lie watched me sharply,
and saw marks Of pain upon his face After
the services were over, saw him in conversa-
tlon with the tailor. | noticed how earnestly
they spoke-and once saw the tailor point his
finger towards me. was sure, then, that oil
was discovered.
''For mercy's sake, Charles, what is the mat
ter?" cried Lucy, as she caught my arm.
"EIe's faint! he's fainti" heard in low,
tremulous voice, and on turning, | sawJulia Ev-
ered She was frightened-and at that moment
came the conviction that she loved me. bat
that other thought came with it; and then
knew ere long she would despise me:
Sick and faint hurried away, and to all anx-
ious inquiries of Lucy, / only replied that was
not well. o, how miserable felt for | knew
that my employer had detected the theft. bis
gaze at me in church was proof enough; but ms
conversation with the tailor made itsure. 1hat
afternoon dared not 60 to church, and my
mother worried over me. If she would only
have left me alone might have been less miser-
able; but she clung close to me, and had to lie
to her-the first falsehood that ever spoke 10
that noble woman.
Another night of restless agony, and then l
came to the severest part of all. | must meet
INV employer! 1t was late when descended to
the kitchen, and found my mother as pale and
deathly as death itself For the moment l for
cot nv own pain, and fastened to her side. She
gazed up into my face with such look as hope
may never see again.
"Don't ask me any questions, Charles" she
said. 8but 90 at once to the store. Mr.. EVered
wants you Immediately"
could not ask question-not even SPEAK
without breakfast-without waiting to see Lu-
cv | started from the house. People whom
- IL on6 | heard the
word THIEF pronounced! o, Evered had told
the story of M crime! How could he. Mono,
twas the tailor who told it, for my employer
wonld never have done it, Yet it was known.
stopped, and suddenly the thought OF flight oe-
Cured to me. Why had mot thought OF it be-
fore9 Why should stay longer where shame
only could be mine? turned to flee, and just
then INV sister came rushing after me, with her
hair floating wildly in the morning air, and her
face as pale as death.
so Charles" she uttered, "come with me at
once: Come, come, our mother is dying i.
Nv sister seized my hand, and by force drag
oed me away. When we reached home my rea-
Son had almost left me. Lucy led me into the
little bedroom, and there lay my mother stark
cold. .,
20, Charles, you have killed her!" sobbed
nv sister. as she threw herself upon the bed
.'She could not stand your disgrace"
One moment gazed upon that pale, cold
form. and then wild unearthly cry broke from
INV lips. Iplunged madly forward upon the bed.
'"Charles! Charlesi"
I started up. l felt heavy hand upon my
shoulder; again my name was called.
ssWhat is the matter? Come rouse up. For
mercy's sake what ails you"
1t was Evered who spoke. was still sitting
upon the stool behind the counter; but my head
had fallen forward upon the pile OF goods
that lay heaped up before Inc. l instlnctvely
cast nv eyes upon the money drawer, and slow
ly the truth was upon my brow, pain In my
limbs, and,I trembled like an aspen.
ssWhat ails you Charles9" Mr.. Everett kindly
asked.
"My soul-such dream," l involuntarily
gasped.
: stWell if its nothing worse than that l am
clad. But come, come, | want to have a lew
words with you before you 60"
] was fully aroused now. looked at the
though many times ere l could
realize that was safe. The tempter had come,
but an angel had met and beaten him away
The doors and shutters were closed, and then
nv employer sat down by my side.
tsWel charles" he commenced, Julia has
been telling me this afternoon, thht you Who'll
" supported your mother"
ayes, sir" / tremblingly answered. "My sis
ter. thus far has only been able to support her
self. and the rest come on me"
"But how do you get along? Surely your
salary here is not sufficient" ;,
"It has been sufficient, sir, to find US IN 1000
and fuel. For clothing-I have
'Run in debt, ell ~ r
"Yes, sir; but I will never do it again. VII
go ragged, if need be, but Will not run IN
debt" go.
0Right, right my boy! But we will fix that
all right now. have been thinking for some
time of increasing your pay and will do SO now
not only so, but l mnst put it back to where
first thought of it, and that was three months
ago. Let's see
"Three dollars week for thirteen weeks
would be thirty-nine dollars" said ne. "Wlii
that square you up2"
20, yes sir, and more too ?"
He said something more about making me his
head clerk at some time, but did not fully un-
dorstand him. received the money and paid
the tailor, and when | reached my home had
become calm and happy told my mother and
Lucy of my good fortune, and they wept for JOY.
Yet could not help shuddering fearfully,
whenever thought OF that terrible vision which
came upon me while the tenpter was with me.
But let me say again-twas an angels visit.
Years have passed away since that time
Mr.. Evered is an old man: my children are his
grandchildren, and the store, that was once his,
is now half mine. He has retired and the other half
of the extensive business belongs to Lucy's hus-
band My mother still lives, and thank God,
can bless her son that he has never yet called one
drop ofsorrow to her life-cup.
BLAoKsMITHNG IN TURKEY.-A correspondent
writing from Constantinople gives the following
description of the way in which the Turkish
lilo nEcnniths do thnir work ttIn nnssinr