The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-11-08

20 prevent his wronRiny every one who
trusted him. The plea Of not rnining the
poor mans character seeming Al the time more
iorcible than tho just reasoning be had held
with himself, he left the house and proceeded
to his counting. room.
1t was quite late in the afternoon when Mr.
q. made his appearance, and ontefin. with h
melancholy countenance stood before The man
whose confidence he had abused
81 suppose, said he, after a embarrassed
pause. turning from the calm eyes of Mr. B.,
which, mild as they were, seemed TO pierce
his soul; II suppose you can no longer employ
me, after my conduct, and thst I must come
upon the world IA an acknowledged sharper
There is no other course before me, if am ex.
posed. But, sir. if you knew NY pure minded
wife, have pity on her, and for her sake do not
drive me to despair. may repay my wrong
OF industry again restore myself to your con-
iidence o, sir, know not what could have
driven me to this mad step; to forfeit the con-
fidence Of one who has always been to me
more friend than q master. Indeed, sir, l
dare not hope for your forgiveness, but, for my
poor wife sake, do not ruin my character en-
tirely.'
lie paused, and hiding lis face in his hand
kerchief, appeared overcome BY his feelings
Mr. B. could not bear the sight Of such distress
in one whom he had trusted, and almost loved
as son, and brushing the moisture hastily
from his eyes, SAID
"Well, well, Mr.. G., do not .ake on in this
way l have talked over the matter with INV
wife. and she has already persuaded me to be
content with discharging you from my employ
ment, and leaving you u chance of doing bet
ter. have yielded to my feelings, l confess,
| against my reason, and beg of you, as you
| would not burden my conscience with the sin,
to act uprightly in future, and let me rejoice in
seeing fellow-creature saved from destruc-
| ton"
! Mr.. Griswold appeared full of gratitude. and
after many promises for the future, at last, and
with much stammering, asked Mr.. Babcock If
| he might refer to him as to his business capa.
bilities. This was rather q hard question for
the good-hearted, but honest man. He hesitat-
ed for some time, and ut last said, "If you do,
it must be at your own risk, for if ain ques.
toned as to your honesty, must tell the truth.
| will not, however, reveal the past unless
| questioned, trusting that you have now learn
ed that no man without integrity can prosper.
Mr.. G. said he was content with this lenien-
cy, and departed, leaving his former employer in
state ofinquietude which he had never before
| experienced. There was an inward voice con
stantly reminding him that he was not "doine
as he would be done by" in suffering man
to pass for honest when he knew the contra
ry, thereby subjectng Others to prehaps great
er losses than he had himself experienced
But the softness of his heart prevented the
golden rule by asking, "and would l wish to
be punished for all my m;sdeeds2' He was
not tranquil when he took up his way to his
comfortable home for dinner, but the smiles OF
his wife, her cheerful conversation and fond
praise for his kindness, at last made him al
most think he had done right.
Tho next afternoon he received note re-
questing him to give the qualifications of Mr.
Griswold. formerly his clerk. Conscience be-
gan to whisper, but remembering his pro
mise to his wife, and the penitent man, he took
up his pen, and recommended him as zone who
was attentive to his business, active. and wei
| versed in mercantile affairs" AS he received
no further inquiries, he felt comparatively easy
Honesty had not been called i'll question and
he dismissed the affair as much as possible
from his mind.
About two years after the time of the above
occurrence, Mrs. B. WAS sitting i'll her rocking
chair, talking to q beautiful babe, and her hus
band, in HIS undress coat and slippers sa,
| looking on with an expression of countenance
that told his happiness and his affection for the
sweet beings before him. He rose, and taking
the child, began tossing it i'll his arms, and
with many expressions of fondness, Joined in
its infant laughter. This happy party was
disturbed by the entrance OF q servant with d
note for Mr. B. The man stated that the boy
who delivered it said Mr.. Babcock must have
it at once, and immediately ran away.
Mr. B. was about to throw it Oh the table
feeling too happy to let tritiing affair, as he
supposed from the messengers actions this
must be, disturb him. But his wife begged
him to read it, and taking the babe from hi.
arms and soothing it to rest, placed 1t in the
cradle. On looking at the countenauce of hel
husband late so joyous, she saw with surprise
the marks of strong and evidently painful emo
ton; and upon his calling for his hat and boots
she could not restrain her anxiety, but eager
ly inquired the cause of hin uneasiness
Read that, Jane, said he, placing the let
ter in her hand, ''and you will see
! So saying he hurried from the room anG
house, without further adien.
Mrs. Babcock remained moment, gazing
at the closed door, not knowing to what cause
could be attributed. At last, rOusing all hel
faculties. she eat down, and was soon al
much agitated by the perusal of the letter a,
her husband had been.
1t was from Mr. Griswold. After many in
coherent expressions Of remorse, it went on
Had you not, by your mistaken kindness
been the means of placing me in a situation
was not fit for, how different would my lii.
have been. l craved your forgiveness, and
had that alone been conceded, had yOu refused
to recommend me to another Office of trust,
should have retired to the new world Of the
West, and lite OF honest industry might have
been followed by death Of peace How
different from that which awaits me now
My weak principles having once given way
Twas ready to look upon your leniency a.
arising from a sense of the lightness of my Of
fence! If you did not totally abhor me, why
should l So bitterly contemn myself Form
ing, however, resolutions, which, alas l hOpet
to keep, / entered the situation and for
short time discharged my duties faithfully
but when large sums were intrusted to my
care, and my accounts seldom examined, temp
tation assailed me on all sides. l asked my
self why should not escape at least as easily
as beforel If discovered in a slight appro
priation,' why should l be more blamed thar
anOtherf And many examples began now tc
be placed before me. Enough! succumbed
At first, small sums contented me +; but sill
never allows its victims to rest at any giveI
point kept 0n-and now my speculation.
have all failed-my employer is involved
by my guilt, and / 90 to the bar of thai
God for whose mercy l dare not pray
SuecOr my poor wife, who must now suffer
for my crimes"
The letter dropped from the nerveless hanc
which had held it. The reproaches it con
tanned seemed armed with double sting; fol
would not her husband also feel that they were
deserved? Alas, for humanity! how may the
best intentions be productive of misery if 10,
guided by the only rule of right! Who car
answer for the consequences of their slightest
act Weeping, oppressed with bitter thoughts
Mrs. b. awaited the return OF the husband she
for the first time almost dreaded to see.-
Would he not reproach her who had led him
to act contrary to his convictions Of right
Alas she could answer nothing. She could
but weep.
When Mr., Babcock arrived at the house ol
H. IL III