Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1860-08-14

"There is something more than head
ache the matter with him, was the
thought of Mrs Lewis.
For half an hour James walked with
out any purpose in his mind beyond es-
cape from his mother. At last his
walk brought him near Mr.. Carman' s
store, and in passing he was surprised
in seeing a light within.
"What can this mean?" he asked him
self, new fear creeping, with its shud-
dering impulse, into his heart.
He listened by the door and windows,
but gould hear no sound within.
"There's something wrong" he said.
What can it be? IF this thing is discov-
cred what will be the end of it? Ruin
Ruin My poor motherl
The wretched young mani passed On,
and walked the street for two hours,
when he returned home. His mother
met him when he entered, and inquired
with unconcealed anxiety, if he were
better. He SAID yes, but in manner
that only increased the trouble she felt,
and passed up hastily to his own room.
In the morning the strangely altered
face of James, as he met his mother at
the breakfast table, struck alarm into
her heart. He was silent, and evaded
all her questions. While they still sat
at the table the door bell rang loudly
The sound startled James, AMI he turned
his ear to listen in nervous way.
"Who is it? asked Mrs. Lewis.
GA gentleman wishes to see Mr..
James, replied the girl.
James rose instantly, and went out
into the hall, shutting the dinnig-room
door as he did so. Mrs. Lewis sat
awaiting her sons return. She heard
him coming back in few moments: but
he did not enter the dining-room. Then
he returned along the hall to the street
door, and she heard it shut. All was
silent Starting up she ran out into the
passage, but James was not there. He
had gone away with the person who
called.
All, that was sad going away. Mr..
Carman had spent half the night in ex-
amining the accounts of James, and dis
covered frauds of over six thousand dol
lars. Blindly indignant, he had sent an
officer to arrest him early in the morning
and it was with this officer that the un-
happy boy went away from the home of
his mother, neuer to return.
"The young villain shall lay in the
bed he has made for himself!'' exclaimed
Mr.. Carman, in his bitter Indignation.
And he made the exposure complete
On the trial he showed an eager desire
to have him convicted, and presented
such an array of evidence that the jury
could not give any other verdict than
gritty.
The poor mother was in court, and
audible, in the silence that followed, came
her convulsed sobs upon the air. The
presiding judge addressed the culprit,
and asked if he had anything tosay why
the sentence of the law should not be
pronounced against him. Alleges were
turned upon the pale, agitated young
man, who rose with an effort, and leaned
against the railing by which he stood,
as if needing the support. -...-
"Will it please your honors," he said,
"to direct my prosecutor to come little
nearer, so that [ can look at him and
your honors at the same timer"
Mr.. Carman was directed to come for
ward to where the boy stood. James
looked at him steadily for a few mo-
ments, and then turned to the judges.
"What have | to say, your honors, is
this, he spoke calmly and distinetively
-"and it may in degree extenuate,
though it cannot excuse my crime. !
went into that mans store an innocent
boy, and if he had been an honest man
1 would not have stood before you to-
day as criminal .....
/ Mr.. Carman appealed to the court fo1
protection against allegations of such an
outrageous character; but he was per-
emptorially ordered to be silent. James
went on in firm voice.
"Only few weeks after I went into
his employment 1 examined bill by his
direction and discovered an error OF
twenty dollars.
The face Of Mr.. Carman crimsoned.
"You remember it, I see," remarked
James; 'sand I shall have cause to re-
member it while [ live. The error was
in favor of Mr.. Carman. I asked if ]
should correct the figures, and he an.
swered, No; let them correct their OWE
mistakes. We don't examine bills for
other peoples benefit. 1t was m first
lesson in dishonesty. I saw the bill
settled, and Mr.. Carman take twenty
dollars that were not his own. I fell
shocked at first; it seemed such wrong
thing But, soon after he called me 6
simpleton for handing back to the teller
of a bank fifty dollars, overpaid Oh 3
check; and then"
"May I ask the protection of the
Court?' said Mr.. Carman.
els it true what the lad says?" asked
the presiding judge.
Mr.. Carman hesitated and looked con
fused. All eyes were on his face; and
judges, jury, lawyers, and spectators fell
certain that he was guilty of leading the
unhappy man astray.
"Not long afterward, resumed Lewis
Sin receiving my wages, found tina
Mr.. Carman had paid me fifty cents too
much. | was about to give it back te
him, when I remembered his remark
about letting people correct their owr
mistakes, and said to myself, 'let hin
correct his own errors, and dishonesty
kept the money. Again the same thing
happened, and again I kept the money
that did not, of right, belong to me-
This was the beginning of evil, and herr
[ am! Mr.. Carman has shown grea
eagerness to convict and have me pun
ished. If he had shown any mercy
might have kept silent and made no de
fense.''
The young man covered his face will
his hands, and sat down overpowered b,
his feelings. His mother, who was nea