The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-05-12
Friday Aorning, May IL, 1866.
Edwards Temptation.

unless the pressure OF the business compell-
ed the partners to keep open until later.
The duty Of closing usuelly devolved upon
Edward Jones, boy Of fourteen, who had
been engaged TO perfsrm few slight duties
for which he received the sum of fifty dollars
annually. He was the "boy," but he behaved
himself 80 as to win the appreciation Of his
employers, his chance OF promotion was
Yet there was some things that rendered
this small salary hard trial to him-cir-
cumstances with which his employers were
unacquainied. His mother was . widow.
The sudden death OF Mr. Jones had thrown
the entire family upca neir own resources,
and those were indeed but slender. s
There was g.. der sister who assisted her
mother TO sew, and this with Edwards SALARY
constituted the entire income OF the family.
Yet by means of untiring industry they had
continued to live, using strict economy Of
course. Yet they had wanted none of the abb
solute necessities of life.
But Mary Jones-Edward'sa sister-grew
sick, She had taken severe cold which ter
minated in fever. This not only cut off the
income arising from her own labor, but also
prevented her mother from accomplishing as
much as she otherwise would.
On the morning of the day on which our
story commences, Mary had expressed long
ing for an orange. La her fever ii would have
been most grateful to her.
1t is hard, indeed, when We are obliged to
deny those we love, that which would be
rsfreshment and benefit to them
- Mrs. Jones felt this deeply, and 30 did
Edward. as
Il only wish could buy you one, Mary,
said Edward, Just as he set out for the store.
Next year shall receive . larger salary
and then we shan't have to pinch 90 much.
Never mind, Edward said Mary, smiling,
family, i ought not to have asked for 1t,
knowing how hard you and mother find 1t to
get along without me-
Don't trouble yourself about that Mary
said Mrs. Jones, soothingly, though her heart
sank within her at the thought OF her empty
larder; only get well and we shall get along
well enough afterwards.
II was with memory Of this scene that Ed
ward went to the store on that morning,
AL around him were boxes of rich goods rep
resenting thousands Of dollars In money.
Oh thought he, sif only had the value Of
one OF these boxes, how much good it would
do poor Mary and Edward sighed.
The long day wore away at last, and Ed
ward was about to close the warehouse.
But as he passed the desk of his employer,
his attention was drawn to bit Of paper ~
! ing on the floor beneath.
He picked it up, and TO his great joy found
1t to be ten dollar bill.
The FIRST thought that flashed upon him was !:
sHow much good this will do Mary. can
buy her the orange she wants, and she shall
have some every day. And perhaps she
would like chicken.
But q moment later his countenance fell.
IT isn't mine,' he sighed. 1t must be Mr..
Hubbard's. This is his desk, and he must
have dropped it,
STILL urged the tsmpter, he will never
know it. And after all what are ten dollars
to him? He is worth q hundred thousand
Still Edward was not satisfied Whether Mr..
Hubbard could spare it or not was not tho
question. 1t was rightly his, and must be Civ
en- back to him.
sTll 20 to his house and give il to him this
very night said Edward. Otherwise might
be tempted to keepit' ass
He determined to 90 to Mr.. Hubbard's be-
fore he went home. The sight Of his sick sis
ter might, perhaps, weaken his resolution, and
this must never be. He must preserve his in
tegrity at all hazards. s5ssg .seAtsa
He knew where Mr.. Hubbard lived; it was
q large, ane looking house, on a fashionable
street. he had passed 1t several times, and
wondered whether man must not feel happy
who was able to live in such style. 4na xa1A
Without any necessary delay, therefore, he
went to the house, and ascending the steps,
rang the bell. 60 Hsd
A man servant came to the door.
well p he said.
is Mr.. Hubbard at horne?'
yes, but he has only just come in, and l
don't think he can see you,' was the rather su-
4 am in his employ said Edward quietly,
and have lust come from the store. i think
he win see me II you mention this to him.
very wen, you can come in ga
Edward was left standing in the hall while
Mr.. Hubbard was sought by the servant.
We'll p he said inquiringy, has anything
happeneds,
this bill near your desk, and supposed you
must have dropped it. / thought had bet
ter bring it here directly!
sYou have done WELL said Mr.. Hubbard,
'and will remember il. Honesty is very
valuable quality in boy just commencing a
business career. Hereafter shall have per-
feet confidence in your honesty
Edward was gratifed BY his assurance, yet
as the door closed behind him, and he walked
out into the street, the thought OF his sister
sick at home sgain intruded upon him, and he
thought regretfully how much good he might
have done with ten dollars. Not that he re-
gretted that he had been honest. There was
satisfaction in doing right; but think my
readers will understand bis feelings without
any explanation.
Mrs. Jones brought some toast to her
away, saving, Thank you for taking the trou.
BILE to make it, mother, but don't think l
could possibly eat it,
Mrs. Jones sighed sigh which Edward
echoed.
1t was with heavy heart that Edward
started for the warehouse the next morning.
He had never felt the craving for wealth
which now took possession of him.
He set about his duties 40 usual. About
two hours after he had arrived at the ware
house. Mr.. Hubbard entered. He did not at
first appear to notice Edward, but In about
half an hour summoned him to his office
which was partitioned of from the remainder
of the spacious rooms in which the goods
were stored. $3.50
he smiled pleasantly as Edward entered
his presence.
TELL me frankly, he said, did you not feel
an impulse to keep the bill you found last
night9
4 hope you will not be offended with me,
Mr.. Hubbard, said Edward, If say that I
didP 'eaa ti
TELL me all about it, said Mr.. Hubbard
with interest. what was it that withheld
you? l should never have known it,
4 knew that said Edward.
Then what withheld you from taking 1t p
tRirst | will tell you what tempted me,
aid Edward, My mother and sister are
obliged to depend upon sewing for living,
and we live but poorly at best. But fort
night since Mary became sick, and since then
wesbave had hard time. Mary's appetite is
poor, and she does not relish coarse food, but
we are able to get her nothing better. When
picked up that bill, ! could not help think
Ing how much might buy with 1t for her.
sAnd vet you did not take IL
mo- sir; it would have been wrong, and I
ennld not have looxed Won in the fann after