The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-10-16
SflisteQal1tons.
MY FIRST TEMPTATION.

At an early age lost my father, and at
no lett us with but little of this world't
goods, it soon became necessary that l should
find some employment. | was then thirteen
years Of age and not very stout or strong
but yet with will to do anything tina,
could be found for me to do. At length my
mother made an arrangement with carpen'
ter by the name of Morris, aud was taken
into his shop as an apprentice. With him
remained two yenrs, but at the end OF that
time became 80 worn down by the hard
work imposed upon me that my mother re.
solved should remain there no longer. My
sister Lucy, who was ten years older than
myself, had lorg detected my failing strength,
and it was mainly through her efforts that
was removed from tho place. should never
have complained.
was now fiftecn-tall, slim, and pale
and knew that could not stand any sort
of work, which taxed my physical strength
to any great extent. But fortune favored
me. A Mr.. Joseph Evcred, who kept dry
goods store near by, was in want OF sales.
man, and through my sisters influence,
obtained the place. Mr.. Evercd had n
daughter, Julia, just about my own age
who was very intimate with Lucy, and II
was by her interccssions with her father that
Lucy gained her point -.
was duly installed into my place, and
was soon contcnted and happy, for my en-
ployer was kind, and an intimacy sprang up
between myself and Julia, which afforded
mo purcr bliss than had ever before ex'
periencod. Thus matters passed on for year,
and ut the end of that time my health was
restored and had so far gained upon the con
fdence of Mr.. Eyered that he now trusted
me with some of his most particular bust.
ness. Only one thing troubled me. was
not receiving such wages rs fancied my
service entitled me to. In iact, was in
debt. | had purchased q suit of clothes OF
n tailor in tho neighborhood, and was owing
for them. The tailor wanted his money,
and had promised him that no should have
it at certain time; but that time passed,
and could not pay him. He threatened
and promised anew. Oh, how many tipes
wished that had never bought those
clothes could have got along without
them, and resolved that never again would
buy anything which could not pay for on
the spot. But that did not help this case.
One evening sat alone in the store. II
was Saturday evening, and the day had been
busy one. We had sold great quantity
of goods and the money drawer was well
filed. Slowly demon rose before me and
began to advise me. lilo pointed to the
money drawer and whispered, There are
the means for paying your debit" knew
that Mr.. Evcred had no knowledge Of the
amount of money there. for no knew not
how much had sold. could take even
City dollars, aud hc might never miss it, for
| had sold great quantity OF stuff which
he bad no account OF. had promised the
tailor that he should have the money that
very night, and | had planned to get MIR.
Eyered to advance mo the necessary sum. !
had not been spending money foolishly, bu,
from my poor pittancc supported my moth
or, aud that ate it all up.
For long while sat and looked upon
that drawer, and all the while tho tcmpter
was pcrsuading mo. | knew that young
clerks often did such things, aud that some
times necessity compelled them to it-at
least, so then thought. How could meet
my creditor again without the money!
could not and ut length resolved that
would not. arose and went to the drawer
I opened Il, and saw the hank notes which
had been fairly jammed in there. counted
out twenty dollars. My hand tremblcd, and
nv heart beat quickly. thrust the notes
into my pocket, and then FASTENED hack to
my seat. and ere long afterwards my employer
entered.
"wcll, Charles" he said, III guess We'll
shut up now"