The Evansville journal., 1866-09-14
LFTOIh t1OttFS tEI 11O45F
A THEFT FOR LIFE.
TCONCLUDED. I

CONCLUDED. r
Fred went about mournfully all the
day, and at evening time came Oracle,
with her precious load of stores. The
basket seemed heavier than usual,
else the girl was tired, for she caught
the handle on something at the door.
and il required the services of Jenny
and Fred to set it free. A slightchain
around Gracie's neck gave way, and
something fell to the floor. 5w
.oa" Oh, Tam so sorry" said Jenny,
and Fred began to search for the lost
something. He found it soon. 1t
was a cross. of amber, barred with
gold. 1t flashed ali instant in the
light, then was safely hidden away in
the folds of Oracle $ dress. fav, s'F
Fred followed Grace down the stairs
that night. He could not let her go
without one question. They were to
the lowest step ere he gained courage
then he asked, s Oracle, is that pretty
thing of yours, that / picked up to-
night, worth Eve -dollars?' 8s-.'t ~
I think so, Fred. Why do you
ask?nv xa.s1.ol Ar
Because, Oracle, / want it little
while. I'll bring it back to you in a
week, certain. don't want to hurt
it, xaseHg s8l 10 s.9galls4. -.
What will you do with it, Fred 2"
ST don't wish to tell" answered
poor Fred. 7'e ''' 3
Gracie's uncle must have heard
every word; for voice outside said,
Give it to him, Oracle. | will trust
the boy" - GHt
and putting it into Fred's hand, she
closed his fingers carefully over it
that he might not lose it in the up
ward way, and whispered: " Uncle
gave this to me for bringing the bas-
ket every night A moment more,
and Oracle was gone, and Fred had
his treasure, and went to dream OF all
the good it would do. e......,..e ~
On the morning of the morrow, the
1 same wistful face looked In at the
/ place of the boots and shoes. ID s's'.
1 Two ladies were there, who asked
to have their purchases sent immedl-
| atelyq,
Fred was Just in time. "Here, my
| boy said the man who yesterday
asked security, carry these packages
| for me ightaWay." -.
Yes, sir, said Fred, as he oferee
i the pretty cross up 10 the man. .as
"Keep your treasure, boy; / vii
trust your eyes-only be quick as you
can. ." And for the first time in man!
/ days Fred's hands closed over pennies
to pay for a ride. Here came strong
4 temptations to walk and save them
/ but honesty triumphed, and the Con
4 solidated Stage Company received tn,
i coppers. .i4 a..l45as itfg ~ ql1. --
i All the day Fred went out and in
and every chance he could get b
= watched the work-room to see tn
!. progress of the Governors boots. tn
carrying home of which would affor,
him the chance, he thought to tell Q
his father in prison, -r...4,
Night came down, and there ap
peared no beginning; still Fred wen
4 joyfuliy home, holding fast in hi
lShand Gracie's cross, and in the othe
!. a dime for his days labor -''i''
n "Oh, Fredi where have you been
! I've been SO anxious for you, sal
!, the mother, as her boys precious fac
appeared In the room. Fred answere
. | with a kiss and his dime. He tol
the story of how he had gained wor
t to do. but never word of the Gov
! ernor, or the boots to be carried hom
!. to him. ~
Z Oracle received her amber cross i
!. safety the same night. a saa
I Two nights later 1T was almoi
dark-a timid little boy stole into th
/. famous market where his father ha
! stolen food. Hewalked up and dow
peering wistfully at the serving-mel
until he found the man he sough
! and then he touched his apron, afrai
to speak. f ..r.
!. "I'ye got nothing for you, you Ii
tie beggar, said the man, and he gay
. a scor nful glance at the boy. aei3
I g / am not a beggar, and ] wal
!. / nothing of you; / came to pay yc
I Sol some money said Fred, and he WEI
= on rapidly, saying: My father took
piece Of meat from you, because v
were starving, and you sent him
! prison for it, and / want to pay you
! =" !" That won't let him out
4 t,4s''sI I know said Fred; " how mus
=. was the MEATH ssaaslsssats. ..ss.7.
ri The man mentioned the sum, an
Fred put it into his hand. .ea, i,
idl a. II suppose you stole this, was Il
e answer he received. ,t.fs.
I Fred 8 eyes flashed and burned
7 I he drew his little person up to
d greatest magnitude, and said, Ye
e are, bad man, and God will tell "
Is SO one day; and then the boy hu
/ ried away, without seeing the crlms'
L tide that he had raised. ea
p Until the end of the week, Ere
faithfully served his new master. T.
time seemed never ending, but it car
at last-the night when the boots we
papered and tied. and, all his Wo