Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-10-06

she returned by cold nod, as she gather
ed her siIken robe about her and filstene
the clasp Of her pocket-book which she bel
in her hand l had, Of course. paused 70
an instant, and as she entered her carriag
| stepped forward with the intention Of pro
ceeding on my way. AS | did so, the bloc,
rushed to my face, my foot touched some
thing, and by another movement covered il
never looked towards the object, but
knew at once that it was pockst-book.
| felt instinctiyely that it was the SANE
which the lady had held but moment be
fore between her gloyed fingers. Their,
she was still before me in the carriage;
might easily stoop and restore it TO h,p.-
However, common honesty demanded thii
of me; and yet, dared throw away The
chance Of rescying my Lucy from starya
ton! What was this to that rich woman
glittering with diamonds and robed with
velvet aud ermineg literally could mol
move. People gazed into my iacs as ]
stood immoyably in the centre OF the side
walk. The great lady put up her windows
to shield herself from my iinpertiuent gaze
and was driven away. / looked aiterheras
she went. Now Icould sti!le after them
now the chance was almost over; no0 il
was gone. / looked around, no one was
observing me. | removed my foot and
stopped, still not looking at what touched.
| felt the pocket-book in my hand, thrust it
into my breast, and SUNK away like pick
pocket. Every eye seemed to glance At me
with scom, every policeman seemed to eye
me suspiciousiy, and right glad WAS when
my humble roof once more covered my
shame-sicken head. When ! left my Lu-
cy's room the table was bare and the CRATE
empty, and when | entered it uttered an
exclamation of surprise, for the board was
covered with delicate luxuries, and 4 fire
burnt brightly between the rusty bars.
looked at my wife for an explanation, and
she answered, smiling through her tears
"My father has been here, Claude, lie has
forgiven us, and told me to say to you that
your old place, or better one awaited you
if You would return to England with him.
See, here is what he has written to you. -
She held a paper towar,i me, but instead Of
taking il | clasped her to my heart.
The first flush Of gratitude over, my heart
sunk again like lead. / stole from Lucys
room and walked about in an empty pas
sage adjoining it; that pocket book seemed
burning NE. | writhed with shame and
sorrow. OH why had done this thing
Why bHghted ali my happiness just when
ii was so near at hand The horror 81
that hour is beyond description: degreda-
ton is worse than death. At last bright
thought struck me; perhaps the pocket
book contained some clue to its owner,
something which would assist me to restore
it. With loath:sg fingers | drew it from
my bosom and he'll it at arms ltngih. |
shuddered from the crown of my head to
the sole Of my feet; could not bring my
eyes to rest upon it. What had | taken
for how much had | sold my honor p
for what price pawned my integrity p
Slowly / cast INV eyes downward; the thing
held swan before NE for a moment, but
steadied my nerves by great effort, and
beheld nay own little 5lGck pocket book
Yes, my own, with the grocers bill and q
suspender button within its leaves. | had
drawn it forth With my handkerchief with
out observing it. / had suffered all this
agony causelessly, and then and there fell
down on my knees, and from the lotion OF
my heart thanked God.
| have been prosperous since. Well, but
| have never forgotten that day and never
can, for it taught me what temptatiop may
be to the poor, and how nearly we are alike
despite the mighty difference we see in each
other, and there is no part of the Lords
Prayer which we need 80 much as the
words "Deliyer us from temptation