Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-03-07
miserable; but she clung close to me, and
had to tell her lie--the first falsehood
ever spoke to that noble woman.

| niocIoOio pue ChO OiuhS SiooS w AA'S OH,
/ had to tell her lie--the first falsehoot
l ever spoke to that noble woman.
Another night of restless agony, ant
then came to the severest part of all
must meet my employer! 1t was lat'
when descended to the kitchen, and
found my mother pale and deathly al
death itself. For moment forgot my
own pain, and fastened to her side. Sht
gazed up into my face with such lool
as hope may never see again.
Don't stop to ask me any questions,
she said, but go at once to the store
Mr.. Evered wants you Immediately
could not ask question: could no
say word. Without breakfast, withou
waiting to see Lucy, l started from tht
house. People whom l met gazed on me
sharply, and once heard the word THE,
pronounced oh, Evered had told the
story of my crime How could he No,
no, twas the tailor that told it, for my
employer would never have done it. Yes
it was known. | stopped, and suddenly
the thought of flight occurred to me
Why had not thought of that before
Why should I stay longer where shame
only could be mine? / turned to flee,
and just then my sister came rushing af-
ter me, with her hair floating wildly in
the morning air, and her face as pale as
death.
20, Charles she uttered, come with
me at once Come, come, our mother is
dying
My sister seized my hand and by force
dragged me away. | reached my home
/ know not how, for my reason had en-
tirely left me- Into the little bedroom
Lucy dragged me, and there lay mothe.
stark and cold
%, Charles, you have killed her =
sobbed my 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 my lips, plunged madly
forward upon the bed.
Charles Charles 7
| started up. 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 youe
1t was Evered who spoke. l was still
sitting behind the counter, but my head
had fallen forward on pile of goods
that lay heaped up before me. Instinct
lively I cast my eye upon the money
drawer, and slowly the truth worked its
way into my mind. A cold clammy
sweat was upon my brow, and pain in
my limbs, and / trembled like an aspen.
What ails you, Charles?' Mr.. Evered
kindly asked.
MY soul-such dream 7 involun-
tarily gasped.
We'll, well-if it is nothing worse than
that l am glad. But come, want to
have a few words of conversation with
you before you go.'
l was fully aroused now. l looked at
the money drawer though, many times
ere could fully realize that / was still
safe. The tempter had come, but an an
gel had met and driven him away. The
doors and shutters were closed, and then
my employer sat down by my side.
We'll, Charles he commenced, Julia
has been telling me this afternoon that
you 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? Surely
your salary here is not sufficient
1t has been sufficient, sir, to find us
in food and fuel For--clothing-I have
-
Run in debt, eh?
Yes, sir; but / will never do it again.
l will go ragged if need be. but l will not
run in debt
Right, right, my boy But we will
fix that all right now. l have been think
ing for some time of increasing your
pay, and will do SO now-not only SO,
but | must put it back to when first
thought of it, and that was three months
Three dollars week for thirteen weeks
would be thirty-nine dollars, he said
Will that square you up?'
% yes, sir, and more, more tool
Then you shall have that, and hereaf-
ter you shall have that amount over each
quarter
He said something more about making
me his head clerk at some time, but /