The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-03-26


to agony.
DO you feel better?' asked Mrs Lewis
She had'remained some time with her hand
on his forehead.
Not much, he replied, and rising as he
spoke, be added, Il think a walk in the open
air will do me good.
Don't go out, James, said Mrs. Lewis,
troubled feeling coming into her heart
I'll only walk few squares And James
went from the parlor and passed into the
street.
There is something more than headache
the matter with him, thought Mrs. Lewis.
For half an hour James walked without
any purpose in his mind beyond the escape
| from the presence Of his mother. At last his
walk brought him near Mr.. Carmans store,
and at passing he was surprised at seeing q
| light within.
What can this meanr he asked himself, a
new fear creeping, with its shuddering i'm
pulse, into his heart.
lie listened by the door and windows, but
he could hear Lo sound within,
There's something wrong he said; what
can it be? IF this is discovered, what will
be the eud Of it? Ruin! ruin My poor
mother!
The wretched young man FASTENED on,
walked the street for two hours, when he re-
urned home. His mother met him when he
entered, and, with unconceaed anxiety,
asked him if he were better He said yes,
| but in a manner that only increased the
trouble sue feit, and passed up hastily to his
own room.
In the morning the strangely altered face
of James, as he met his mother at the break
fast table. struck alarm into her heart. He
was silent, and evaded all her questions -
While they sat at the table the door bell rung
loudly The sound startled James, and he
turned his head to listen in nervous way.
who is it?' asked Mrs. Lewis.
"A gentleman who wishes to see Mr..
James, replied the girl.
James rose instantly, and went out into
the hall, shutting the dinIng-room door as
he did 50. Mrs. Lewis sat waiting her son S
return. She heard him coming back in a
few moments but he did not enter. the din
ing room. Then he returned alon @the hall
to the street door, and she heard 1t shut -
All was silent. Starting up she ran into the
passage, but James WAS not there. He had
gone away with the person who had called.
Ah that was II sad going away Mr. Car
man had spent half the night in axamining
the accounts of James, and discovered frauds
of over six thousand dollars. Blindly indig-
nant, he sent an officer to arrest him early
in the morning; and it was with this officer
that he went away from his mother NEVER TO
RETURN.
THE young villain shall lie in the bed he
has made for HIMSELF exclaimed Mr. Carmau
iu his bitter indignation. And he made the
exposure completely. On the trial he show.
ed an eager desire to have him convicted,
and presented su- an array of evidence that
the jury could not give any other verdict
than guilty.
The poor mother was in court, and audible
in the silence that followed came her convul-
slve sobs upon the air. The presiding judge
addressed the cuprt, and asked if he had
anything to say why the sentence of law
should not be pronounced against him. All
eyes were turned upon the pale, agitated
young man, who rose with an effort, and
leaned against the railing by which he stood,
as if needing the support.
will it please the court he said, 'to di.
rect my prosecutor to come little nearer,
SO that can look at him and your honorS at
the same time?
Mr. Carman was directed to come forward
to where the boy stood. James looked at
him steadily for ii few moments, and then
turned 10 the judges.
What | have to say to your honors is
this, (he spoke calmly and distinctly, and
1t may in degree eXtenuate, though [ can
not excuse my crime. went into that mans
store an innocent boy, and if be had been an
honest man l would not have stood before
you to-day as criminal
Mr. Carman appealed to the court for pro-
lection against an allegation of such an out
rageous character; but lie was peremtorily
ordered to be silent. James went on in 8
firm voice.
Only few weeks after / went into his
employment | examined "a bill by his direc
tion an discovered an error of twenty dol
lars
The face of Mr.. Carman crimsoned
you remember it, | see,' said James,
'and shall have cause TO remember it while
| live. The error was in favor of Mr.. Car
man. / asked if should correct the figures
and he answered, No, let them correct theil
own mstakes wedon't examine bills for othel
peoples benefit. 1t was my first lesson il
dishonesty / saw the bill settled, and Mr.
Carmau take twenty dollars that was not hi
own. felt shocked at first; 1t seemed sucl
a wrong thing. But soon after he called nj
smpleton for handing back fifty dola
bill to the teller of a bank, which he haC
overpaid me on a check, and then--
May ask the protection of the court?
said Mr.. Carman.
is it true what the lad says?' asked thu
judge.
Mr.. Carman hesitated and looked confused
all eyes were on his face; and judges and jury
lawyers aud spectators, felt certain that ht
was guilty Of leading the unhappy young
man astray
Not long afterward,' resumed Lewis, I'll
receiving my wages l found that Mr. Carmal
had paid me fifty cents too much. wa
about to give it back to him, when l remem
bered his remark about letting people corec
their own mistakes, and said to myself lie
him correct his own errors, and dishonest,
kept the money. Again the thing happened
and again kept the money that did not o
right belong to me. This was the beginning
OF evil, and here am. If he had shown an,
mercy might have kept silent and made N
defence
The young man covered his face with hi
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