The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-09-18
THE LEFT.Hl,DED THIEP.

How many young men have been injur-
ed and perhaps ruined by false suspicion!'
remarked my mercantile friend, as we were
conversing on the panic few evenings
since. Suspicion is like an assassin in the
dark. II stabs its victim, and he knows
not from whence the blow came. Or it
may be like the keen frost which seiZes
upon the ears, the cheeks, freezing the flesh
VI driving back the life blood, and yet the
poor man is totally ignorant of his situation
until he comes in contact with heat, and
begins 10 feel the stirring pain. But ] be-
lieve never told you of the only time that
suspicion of evil was ever fastened upon
me. II has nothing particular to do with
the subject under consideration though it
serves to show how merchants sometimes
lose money.
When a mere youth, was placed in the
store of Jacob Wharton, merchant doing
good business. was frugal, industrious
and faithful, and al the age of twenty-one
was advanced to the post of book keeper,
with good salary. had charge OF the
books and The safe, and all the money left
over after banking hours was also in my
care. tried 10 do my duty faithfully, and
I think succeeded. Mr.. Wharton was a
close, methodical man, with quick eye
and ready understanding Of business, and
as fancied he felt satisfied, felt much
pleased.
had been .book-keeper for year when
thought my employers manner towards
me began 10 change. He began 10 treat me
more cooliy, and finally | was satisfied he
watched my movements with distruslful
gIances. | became nervous and uneasy,
for feared had offended him. But the
thing came 10 head at length.
One evening when | was alone in the
store, engaged in making up my cash ac-
count, Mr. Wharton came to me with a
troubled look and spoke. His voice was
HemuIous, and could see that he was
deeply affected
George said he, 4 am cory for the con-
viclon tha, has been forced upon me, fear
you have no: been treating me as you
should
managed in spite OF my asionishment
10 ask what he meant.
Il fear you are not honest was the re-
ply.
Had thunderboli fallen upon me could
not have been more stsrtled than was then
Not honest. And there | had been for
years making it my chief aim and study
how 10 serve him most faithfully. | do moi
remember what said first only know
the tears came into my eyes-ihat my lips
irembled-and that my utierance was al
most choked. How long had he held these
suspicious ] asked him, and he told me
that it was more than two months.
you have suspected me thus, and still
left me in the dark After serving you so
long-afer giving TO your interests all my
energies-atter striving for faith and honor
that might win your love and esteem-io
sus pect me in secrst-io look upon me as a
thief, and yet not tell me! Oh, would mol
have believed itp
Let us talk the matter over calmly said
The merchant, in his old kind tone coming
back. He was touched by my agony, and
couId see that he was waverng.
felt at first like telling him that he
should have done this before, hut as he
seemed ready to reason now, found nc
fault.
'You have spent considerable money, o
late 2
'How!'
Have you not built house?'
'Yes sir, and paid for il too, and have thus
given my mother comfortable home.'
Mr.. Wharton was staggered for momen
by my frank and Ieeling reply, but pretty
soon he asked
what did the house cost you?'
Just fifteen hundred dollars. My moth
er owned the land. And | suppose yoU
would like TO know where got the money
You, sir, learned me how to save j.. have
been here six years The first year yor
paid me fifty dollars, and laid up twenty
FIVE of that. The second and third years
you gave me a hundred dollars and laid
up sixty year. The fourth year you made
me clerk and gave me five hundred. My
mother was able TO feed me, as our little
cot answered for the time. got along lha
year upon an expense of seventy-ive dol
lars. The next year you paid me six hun
dred dollars, on condition tha, kept you
books. saved five hundred of that. Thi.
last year you paid me one thousand, and
spent only the interest of what had previ
ously invested, so that the thousand wat
not touched. OF course my mother has
worked. but she wished to do it. have
paid fifteen hundred dollars for my house
and have five hundred dollars in the saving
bank. That is plain statement OF my af'
fairs,