The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-05-14

ssThis is bad business"
Maggie soon regained her consciousness,
to look around the Office ithObewildered
face.
"Lie still for few minutes" said Mr.
Symmes. $50 Martin Hayes sent for you,
did he 2"
For answer, Maggie put Martins last
letter in his hand. 1t was letter that
made the old man pause and consider
Could the writer of such sentences be
love, trust, and hope breathed in every
line! He spoke with such noble, manly
pride, Of his position of trust in the
counting house, so confidently of winning
his way to still further advancement, with
such grateful affection of his employers
could this man be thief? AS he read
he recalled the many acts of noble honesty
and manliness that had made him confde
in Martin and, for the first time, there
crept into his heart doubt The detec-
tive police were IN his employ, but had no
trace of the culprit could he escape
them?
Maggie watched the varying emotions
that crossed the frahk, kindly face
"Will you please tell me about it 2"
she said, as he placed the letter in her
hand
"Martin has already told you that he
occupied the position of messenger for
the counting house. One of his duties
was to carry money to the bank for
deposit, and draw it out for use here
Some two weeks ago, had payment of
five hundred dollars made late in the
afternoon, and gave it to Martin with
directions to carry it, as he went home, to
pay to man who lives quite near where
he boarded. He took the note, and l find
went where 1 directed. Finding the
person out, he started in the direction of
my house; since then, we have no trace
of him. The supposition is that he has
left the city disguised. He did not go to
his clearinghouse, and-and1really, my
child, am afraid-yet how he could
when he was expecting you-after writing
such letter as that-dear, dear! it's a
bad business !"
"He has been murdered He never
stole your meney! He could not do it
Why, he is the soul of honesty Oh, sir,
have known him since he was little
boy; we have been like brother and sister,
and," and here the proud flesh came to
her face, and she sat up-"I would stake
my life on his honesty"
"Then where is he ?'
"God only knows" she said, sadly
AT that moment loud noise and hustle
were heard in the store, and the door of
the room was thrown violently OPEN Two
men dragged in pale, emaciated form,
with the cry, "Here he is! We found
him in the street Here he is, sir.''
The prisoner shook himself free, and
stood erect before Mr.. Symmes
D 81 was on my way here, sir-Maggiev
she had been looking with strained eyes
at his pale, thin face, and in another mo-
ment was sobbing in his arms.
"Oh, Martin knew you couldn't do
it. Tell him, Martin tell him you are
no thief ~
"Thiefp
How the angry blood crimsoued his
face /! BY this time the little room was
filled with men, and near the door, with
pallid face, stood the clerk who had
greeted Maggie as she entered the count
ing>haase.
Mr.. Symmes had not yet spoken, but
now he stood up.
"There is no one who will more gladly
bear you prove your innocence than /
will, Martin. Speak, man Stay, all of
you. You all know the suspicion stay
and hear his defence"
With his arm still around Maggie,
Martin spoke:
81 left the countlng-house two weeks |
ago, yesterday, with note for five hun
dred dollars in my pocket for Mr.. Walsh,
to be paid him by Mr.. Symmes' orders.
But one person in the store knew that l
held this money. Stop that man ~ and
ne pointed to the clerk, who was stealing
across the room. The others looked at
Mr.. Symmes.
"Stop him :" he said, shortly, and two
'thers forced the clerk oack to his old
position.
"John Reeves was the man who saw me
axe the money, and heard the directions.
Is | left Mr.. Walsh's door, I saw him
me from the curbstone He
eard the servant tell me that Mr. Walsh
ad gone to Philadelphia for week. AS
started to come back to Mr.. Symmes' I:
ouse, for / was afraid to take the money
ONE, | was attacked from behind, and
truck senseless with loaded cane I
VheD recovered my senses, was in |
ne house of woman who had found me
n the pavement, and had taken Inc in s
have been there delirious for two weeks I
o-day is the first day / have been able !