The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-10-16
BIDDEFoRD, Me- FRIDAY MORNING, OCT. 1e, 1863

Iarose and went out and put up the shut.
ters, and when l came back I found Mr..
Evercd engaged in counting the money. As
l approached ho eyed mo with sharp search.
ing look, and tremblcd like On aspen.
"What ails you2" he asked.
"Nothing, sir" answered, trying to
compose myself.
"But there must besomething the matter, F"
he resumed, "for you look as pale as
ghost"
81 am tired, said..
"Well, we'll, you have worked hard to.
day and you may 60. I'll attend to the rest.
With desperate cndeayor to compose
myself thanked him for his kindness, and
then seized my hat and left the store. The
fresh air revived mo somewhat, and | hur.
ried on to tho tailor's. paid my bill, and
for q moment my heart was lighter but it
was only for moment. When | reached
tho street again, the thought Of what had
done came upon me with overwhelming iorcc'
and was miserable. When reached home
I professed to be sick, and retired at once
But my mother, sick and weak herself, came
up to my bed and wanted to fix inc some
medicine. She gave me simple preparation,
drew up the clothes snugly about me, and
having kissed me, she said:
"Be careful. Charles, for 'twould bc pain
ful indeed to have you sick. God help and
bless you. Good night"
Oh, how those last words rung in my
ears. What would my mother say-how
would sho feel-if she knew that her son
was thief? 1t was long while before
could give the word shape and form, but it
came at last. could no keep it back
Thief! thief rank in my soul till an agony
was upon mo 50 intense that all other con-
coptions Of pain were as nothing. The night
passed away in sloepless, phantom-making
restlcssncss and when the morning came,
arose and walked out before my mother or
sister was up. did not return until break
fast was ready, and then had SO far over.
como all outward signs of distress, that little
remark was made upon it. But the worm
was gnawing at my heart.
That forenoon went with my sister to
meeting, and as entered the church, met
the gaze Of Mr.. Evered. He watched inc
sharply, and saw marks Of pain upon his
face. After the services were over, saw
him in conversation with the tailor. no
.iccd how earnestly they spoko-and once
saw the tailor point his finger towards me.
I felt sure, then, that oil was discovered
"for mercy sake Charles, what is tho mat
?" cried Lucy, Us she caught my arm.
..Ho's faint! hos faint!" heard a low
tremuous voice say; and on turning, saw
julia Eyered. She was frightened-and
that moment came the conviction that she
loved mo. But that thought came with it (;
and then knew she would ere long despise
me!
Sick and faint hurried away, and 10 all
the anxious inquiries Of Lucy only replied
that was not we'll. Oh. how miserably /
felt, for I knew that my employer had do
tectcd the theft. His gaze ut mo in church
was proof enough; but his conversation with
the tailor made it doubly sure.
That afternoon dared not 60 to church,
and my mother worried over me. Ii she
would only have left me alone, | might have
been less miserable; but she clung close to
me, and had to lie to hor-the first false
hood over spoke to that noble woman.
Another night Of restless agony, and then
| came to the scverest part Of all. must
meet my employer It was late when de-
sccndcd to the Kitchen, and found my mother
rs pale and deathly rs death itself. For
moment forgot my own pain, and hastencd
to her side. She looked up into my face
with such look rs hope may never see
again. -.
"Don't ask mo any questions, Charles"
she said, "but 60 at once to the store. MIR.
Evered wants you immediately"
could not ask q question, | could not
speak. Without reaklast-without wait
ing to SEQ Lucy--T started from the house.
People whom | met gazed ut inc sharply,
and once heard tho word thief pronounced.
Oh, Evered had told the story of my crime
How could he? No, no, it was the tailor
who had told it, for my employer would
never have done IL. Yet it was known. /
stopped, and suddenly the thought OF flight
occurred to me. Why had not thought of
it before? Why should I stay longer where
shame. and only shame, could be mine? l
turned to flee, and just then my sister came
rushing after me, with her hair floating
wildly In tho morning air, and her face as
pale rs death.
"Oh. Charles" she uttered, "como with
mo at once. Como, come, our mother is dy-
ing"
My sister seized my hand, and by main
force dragged me away. Ireached my home,
knew not how, for my reason had almost
left mo. Into tho little bed room Lucy
dragged mo, and my mothcr lay there stark
and cold. "0h, Charles, You. have killed
her :" sobbed my sister as she threw herself
upon the bed. "She could not bear her dis
grace !"
One moment gazcd upon that cold, palu
form, and then wild .uncarthly cry broke
from my lips. plunged madly forward up.
on tho bed.
"Charlcs! Charlcs!"
1 started up. felt heavy hand upon
my shoulder and again my name was called.
"What is the mattcr2 Come, arouse up.
For mercy sake what ails you?'
II was Mr.. Eyered who spoke. | was
still sitting upon tho stool behind tho coun-
ter, but my head had fallen forward upon q
pile of goods that lay heaped up before me.
instinctively cast my eyes upon tho money
drawer, and slowly the truth worked its way
to INV mind. A cold, clammy sweat was
upon my brow. u pain in my limbs, and ]
tremblcd like an aspen.
"what ails you, Charlcs'" Mr.. EvcOd
kindly asked.
rily gaspod.
"Wcil, wcll-if It's nothing worse than
that, am glad. But come, want to have
few words Of conversation with you before
you CO."
was fully aroused now. ! looked at the
money drawer, though, several times erc l
copld fully realize that I was safe. The