The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-03-23
AN UNSAFE STEP.
A SKETCH FOR BOTH YOUNG AND OLD
BY syLyASus COBB, JH

BY sYLvASuS COBB, JR.
/" Frederic, would not do it. 1t is an
unsafe step. You know not what the conse-
quences may be-"
Frederic Towne was an active member
OF an association, and had been entrusted by
the members with matter Of some impor.
tance. A man Of the name of Morgan had
died short time previously, and as he had
been one Of the most jealous and effective
men of the organization, the brethren felt
called upon TO bear testimony, in some tam
gble manner, to their esteem for the depart
ed. Morgan had lett his family-a wife and
small chidren-with but little OF this worlds
goods, and the friends resolved to give some
thing that should be of assistance to the Wild
Ow and her little ones so they voted TO pre-
sent her with FIVE hundred dollars. The
money was drawn, and Frederic Towne
was entrusted to carry it to her, together
with copy of the resolutions which were
adopted on the occasion. On the morning
after the receipt of the money Frederic went
to the house where Mrs. Morgan resided,
but he was informed that she had gone out
of town and would not return for week.
So he would have to Keep the meney for her
until she came back.
Towne was an Industrious tradesman, do
ing small business, and il so happened that
he was called upon 10 paw note OF four hun-
dred and fifty dollars on the very day of his
visit to the widows house. When he went
home to dinner he found the demand await.
ing him.
"Ah-this is lucky" he said. as he read
the missiye which had been left for him
+" Mrs. Morgan will not be back for week
and can use that money till then"
Frederic" spoke his wife, 81 would not
do il. 1t is an unsafe step. You know not
what the consequences may be-
But they cannot be bad" returned the
young man. . must pay the note, aud this
money is lying here idle in my pocket"
"You have no business TO have il in your
pocket" said his companion. I" 60 and lock
il up. II is not yours. Ii was placed in
your hands as sacred trust, aud YOU should
not touch penny Of il. You should t.el
that you have no such money by YOU, If the
thought of using it enters your mind"
I" But where's the harm, Clara: cannot
raise this money handiiy to-day, and here |
have it,"
THAT is tile very reason why you shonld
not touch the sum that has been placed in
your hands. The simple fac; thatyou cannot
raise The money in any other way should
warn YOU not TO touch this. As for the note
you can ret il renewed"
/" But I've bad ii renewed twice alreadv.
and have not the face to ask the favor
again"
Then let Il 20. If ypu cannot raise the
sum 10 meet it. you had better let the holder
sue Il than have ynur fair fame blasted"
"My fame blasted :" repeated Frederic,
with look Of surprise.
Ave. Suppose YOU use this money now,
and should not be able TO replace il when the
widow returns; Think what a position il
would place YOU ID. Your associates would
not trouble themselves to consider much up
on the motives which led to your abuse Cf
their confidence. they would Judge you,
as the world always Judges, by YOUR overt
acts. They would simply say that they had
placed money in your hands for the use OF a
poor widow. aud that. instead of using il
thus, sou had appropriated il 10 yourself.
And 81 il would stand against you"
"phaw! But tell you can raise Il be.
tween now ard them
"Then 20 aud raise il now"
81 cannot do that"
"fhen ~ thc nest thing haze The note
renewed.
II tell ypl cannot ak Mr. Johnson to
do that again"
Then let him sue Il. and before itcomes
10 trial you will have plenty Of time 10 raise
the money"
But think Of tie idea of my being sued.
Clara. 1. would hurt me in my business"
Not 50 much a. a solemn breach u trust
would.'