Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-03-27

sons good Offices on behalf of biz
friend. In spite of his French accenI
be spoke Danish well, and pleaded hard
for mercy toward the accused clerk,
Grundler. First be fiattered the bank.
er on every imaginable subject, and
chiefly those on which he prided him.
self-his noble descent, his abilities fol
business, and the figure his son Freder-
lex was sure to make. Then he urged
that man of his sound sense and up
rightness could not believe in Grund-
ler's guilt; showed how incapable the
boy was of committing forgery, even il
be had been willing; how unlikely il
was, that If he knew anything of the
note, he would not save himself by a
full confession; that be had always led
an honest life, was young and had no
relations that cared for him. Harold
son agreed to all he said; it was hard
case, but be could not interfere with the
law.
81 know you cannot" said Delapres,
"bu. you can save the boy. The con-
demning evidence is in your hands
Remember that neither your pen nor
your memory is infallible, that the note
may have been in the packet"
81 am certain that it was not" said
Haroldson.
"But you could waive that certainty,
to save young mans life. and make
me your eternal debtor. Excellent sir,
what is tampering with bank entry,
or admitting that you are not sure OF
its accuracy compared with sPilling
blood"
"What, sirl falsify my books and
swear to what know to be untrue!"-
cried the banker.
"Mr. Haroldson. l know you to be
an honorable and pious man; but were
your own son in the same position, what
would you wish to be done? And does
not the highest authority you acknowl-
edge say, Whatsoever ye would that
men should do unto you, do even SOP"
Haroldson was not to be moved by
such dexterous reasoning. He had q
high and inhexible sense of duty
Every man was bound to tell and show
the truth. He would do anything law
ful to save the boy, but he must act ac-
cording to his conscience. Then the
Frenchman took to prayers and entrea-
ties. He had high spirit, or at least
good deal of pride, like the most OF
his nation; but he flung himself on bis
knees before the banker, beseeching him
to save Grundler, as if the life had been
his own. But Haroldson was not to be
prayed out of his duty, though tears
came into the good mans eyes; and at
last he said resolutely, "Mr. Delapres,
1 would not do what you ask of me to
save the whole city; and l doubt not
you know more than you should about
this business"
Delapres sprang to his feet, and his
eyes look a cold, deadly CLEAN, as he
fixed them on the banker. "You re-
fuse to save him." he said, 'tbecause it
is your duty; or in other words because
it would not please the merchants and
bankers Of the town. Well, listen; do
what 1 ask you tomorrow, or 1 will
make your family and yourself, an ex-
ample to all merciless Danes, while the
walls of Hamburg stand" And be-
fore word could be said in answer he
had gone and shut the door.
Haroldson was not the man to be in
undated, but be shut up the bank with
unusual care, and looked sober and
thoughtful all the way home. He was
sure the Frenchman was concerned in
the transaction, and the wisest plan was
to give immediate information to the
police. The police was accordingly in.
formed, and Delspres' lodgings visited
the same night, but be had removed
early in the afternoon, bis landlady
could not say whittier, and the whole
city was searched for him in vain. The
next day the trial came on, and Harold
son gave his evidence. 1t was conclu
sive against poor Grundler. He woult
say nothing in his defense but what h'
had said before. Sentence OF dealt
: was accordingly passed upon him, bu
in hopes that the boys heart might fail
or something turn up to throw light oI
the mystery. that day three months wa
|; appointed for his execution. The poo
, fellows steadiness surprised everybody
. he went back to prison without sayin!
one word; but whether from weakness
or the terror of his mind, he was 500
after seized with brain fever, and die,
within a fortnight. No one though
r him guilty, but they laid him in tn
prison burial ground; it was the law 70
) all who died within the walls.
Nothing more was seen or heard c
Delapres, and Grundler's relation
, thoug it was good riddance, so di
: Christian Haroldson, though he did nc
r say it. The banker was prudent man
e and things went well with him; bis so
t iourished at college; no more forge
: notes turned up, and his wealth wa
e increasing. In the safe fashions {
: times. he was not only manager. bu
e one of the four proprietors of the banl
| One lived in Copenhagen, one in Bre
, men, and one in Lumbeck, they did Iii
I tie in the way Of directory, but left th
. entire management to Haroldson, q
the right of bis family. and though NJ
stingy, he kept his house and son eet
E nomically, that capital might acct