The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-12-12
For The Cecil Wing.
s'HONESTY IT THE BEST POLICY.''
BY " TOM SINCERE. "

always intermeddling with those who
care nothing about him-always trying
to make the pure in heart to transgrcss
against the divine laws; and when ask
ed by the Almighty whence he came,
or what his Grand? instead of answer
ing, outright, that he had been busy on
his accustomed GRAND of subtle malig-
nifty, only replies that he is going to and
fro upon the earth
From all appearances, he must have
had very strong diabolical influence
over Mortified and German, two men
who were noted for their notorious acts
Their characters were such, that what
NJ and c. were sure to be CEN
surcd-and often justly In fact, they
said themselves, that they expected
hemp would end their earthly, existence.
Mr. p kept large dry goods
store in the town where those two fel-
lows lived After having taken in a
very large assortment of goods, his
ncicc, who was then paving him Il visit,
for short time, observed an elegant
bale of silk, which attracted her attcn-
ton 50 much, that she mcditatcd how
and which was the best way to obtain
it without detection; for it looked supc-
rior to ANYTHING she had hitherto seen
Probably she thought, Ike most Young
females, how conspicuous she would
look, when among her own sex, and at
homc, with such beautiful silk wrapt
about her person. Vain imagination !!
it tokens that the Evil One is present,
and is Indicative of an infrmitv of the
mind. Alas. how many are there
whose sole study is, How shall OIL
tain 50 and so, so that | may look SUI
pcrior to my ncighborS ~ Finally the
day being ended, she thought of no
other alternative than to retire Though
carlv) to bed. Did she sleep? We
guess not, for her mind was haraSScd
with intense thoughts. Lastly, over
come with temptations, she arose and
gaZcd from her room window out ON
the unconscious stars, as if to converse
with them; but they returned her gaze
Again she looked out, just as the Silvcrv
faced moon was beginning to ascend
above the horizon-it rose higher and
higher and higher, until it Shonc re-
splcndentlv into her room, throwing
avenues of light, and presenting every
thing plain to her view. Assisted by
its light, she calmly and softly left her
room, and fastened down spiral flight
of stairs, thence to the Storc-opcns
the door and enters. Hush! a noise is
hcard-a strange sound in the further
most part of the store She stood mute
as a statuc-cvcn ceased to breathe for
awhile. Again summing up courage, she
muttcrcd within herself Perhaps it is
my timiditv?" and proceeded toward
the coveted bale just as the crooked
fingers of dishonesty were about to
grasp the silk, the town-clock began to
chime the midnight hour. The least
noise appeared to damp her courage,
for she paused again for moment, per-
chance conscious of her guilt How
ever, she tried once more, and failed
Ultimately determined, the delicate
white fingers were again laid on it, and
would have borne it away, had she not
stood still and "haltcd between two
opinions > and then she remembered
and uttered aloud the old, familiar adj
age that " Honesty is the best policy"
Therefore, putting the silk in its proper
place, she returned as she camc-with-
out it.
1t was very remarkable, that Oh the
subsequent morning, before the bright
orb of day had risen, she was aroused
from her slumber by confusion below.
OF course she hastcncd down, and found
that the greatest CONSERVATION prevailed
throughout several streets of the town.
Some person or persons had cut out il
panel of the door, and had entered the
store of Mr.. p, her uncle, and had
taken away a considerable amount of
goods. Everybody was on the alert to
find the whereabouts of the dcprcdators,
but no one could be found
Who can comprehend the emotions of
her mind-thc ectacy of delight that
was concealed within her bosom, when
she thought how far she had driftcd on
the cataract of degradation, and stood
still on the very verge of its precipice,
especially in Il time when such a daring
robbery was prcmcditatcd to occur on
the very night that she intended to have
stolen the silk? Perhaps if she had
not heard that Honesty is the best
policy" she would have committed her
robbery, and been found out, and ac-
cuscd as an accomplish of the whole
deed.
Therefore, how soon, yes, and how
easy, can good character be annihi.
lated! Rightly did the noble old poet
say; " You may burn my houses, you
may cnntiscatc my land, you may Scpa.
rate me from those | love, only leave
me my own good character"
Days and weeks flew away, but no