Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-07-08
But Harry, fearless of evil, drew back
the iron bolts and opened the door.
'Why, Mr.. Oxleyl'

But Harry, fearless of evil, drew back
the iron bolts and opened the door.
why, Mr.. OxleyI'
''You young vagabond ~ exclaimed the
incensed man, what do you mean by look
ing at me in that brazen-faced way? Give
me the hundred dollars you'v stolen from
me, or by all the fates I'll have you lodged
in Ledgeport Jail before another hour has
passed over your head
HUNDRED dollars What hundred dol
lars? L have never seen it, sir, said Har-
ry, too much bewiidered at first to realize
the full force of the accusation that had
been made,
You lie, you little misereant you have
stolen it !" shouted the farmer grasping the
boys coat collar, and shaking him violently.
Il think there must be some mistake here,
sir, said Mrs. Morton, advancing, with a
scarlet spot brewing on each of her pale
checks. i am sure that my boy can never
have taken any money that does not justly
belong to him."
''Once more l ask you, Harry Morton, -
said the farmer in choked accents of pas
sion, will you give back that money you
stole %
II have never stolen a cent Of money,
sir, said Harry, Indignantly.
THAT is false, and you know it is.
Charley began to cry vehemently. Mrs.
Morton sat down pale and trembling
Come, said the farmer, resolutely, ''it S
not too late yet to drive down to Justice
Hart's and you will find the upshot of all
this obstinacy is bed in Ledgeport jail to-
night"
You shall not touch my boyl'' exclaim-
ed the agonized mother. 'Harry-Harry
tell him you are not guilty.
Il have told him so once, mother" said
the boy proudly; I cannot help if he does
not believe me. -
''Ill see whether Justice Hart won't man.
age to make you tell different story" said
Mr.. Oxley. Come, you young Jail bird,
we'll have the matter settled at once
He was dragging poor little Harry down
the steps, when cheery voice from the
gate beyond arrested his progress.
''Haloa does John Oxley live here p
II am John Oxley," said the farmer,
shading his eyes to catch a glimpse through
THE darkness of his interiocutor.
"Well, then, come and open the gate.
thought should never make you hear, there
was such racket going on in there.
''What do you want?'' asked the farmer,
distrustfully.
"Why, | want you, of course. Here
show light, well? Yes it is Farmer Ok
leyl"
II don't know who you are though" "
VERY probably" laughed the stranger
| am Mr.. Elliott, second clerk in the Ledge.
port Savings Bank"
And, sir, what may your business here
be?'
Just to restore to you your book, and {
hundred dollars that you left on our count
er this afternoon"
That | left on your counter" ?" stammer
ed Mr.. Oxley, letting go of Harry Morton
collar.
Exactly so,' said the clerk. "And you
couldn't have got it until tomorrow morn
ing if | hadn't CHANGED to be coming thl:
way to spend my weeks leave of absence
among the hills.
II am very much obliged to you" sale
Mr.. Oxley, glancing over the bills, to salts
| fy himself that the number was all right.
ooh not at all; only the next time
should be little more careful how l LET
loose cash lying about
! The clerk turned his horses head away
from the gate with pleasant laugh, as the
| farmer turned with crest-fallen face to
ward the little group standing in the door
way.
''Harry, come here" he said. 1 be!
Jour pardon, my boy I've accused yol
f,lsely."
| 81 told you so, sir" said Harry, Will
btyish dignity, ''but you would not believt
mt "
I've been wrong from beginning to end,
said he Madam, l hope you'll pardon
me-
Nh. Morton bowed quietly.
; "Ad Harry, come up to the house to
morror, and see if We can't find something
for yopto do. -
Harrg went; and years afterward, whel
he was q we'll to do farmer on his own &C
count, pGsessed of his ambition "a big re,
house liz Mr. Oxley's, and ever so man.
acres of lad,'' he dated the dawn of hi
prosperity the evening when he had beer
falsely accused and vindicated almost tn
same monet
For Farme Oxley, impulsive, though h
was, was genrous and warm hearted too
and never didkind things by halves.
An advertisement says-Wanted-A fe
male who has knowledge of fitting boot
of good moral ;haracter