Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-02-16
The Counterfeit Quarter.
A QUESTION OF CONSCIENCE.

| ly discovered one beside. When or
where it was made-by whom-or
for what purpose, we know not. AT
the time when we would first intro
duce it to our readers, it was with a
quantity Of other small coin safely en-
closed in the hand of a young man
who, accompanied by friend, sprang
lightly from the steps of an omnibus
and took his way toward the business
part of the city.
Nothing more provoking" he ex.
claimed, "than being obliged to change
a bill in an omnibus. The driver al
ways grumbles, and rightly enough
too, for the passengers are annoyed
at the detention and the unfortunate
individual who has forgotten to sup,
ply himself with sixpence runs the
risk of receiving half a dozen bad six.
pences or shillings, simply because be
has not brass enough to keep a doz.
en- people waiting while he looks at
his change. And here is a case in
point. Just look at this quarter. AS
complete counterfeit as you often
meet with"
at is, indeed" replied the friend.
Should you know the driver if you
met him again ?"
Not |. He is but one among a
thousand. Let him go l will get rid
Of it. No fear Of my being loser
81 threw its counterpart into the
river this morning, Harry"
"And why? Push it about 1t is
worth twenty-five cents as long as
you can get it for it."
"POssibly; but he question is
where will it stop? In whose hands
will it become valueless? Perchance
in those of the widow or the orphan.
"Pshaw, Dick. You go too deep in
to these things. Take care of number
one in the first place. Counterfeit
money will be passed"
"But | will not be the one to pass
it. Take my advice and put thai
money where none will find it."
Il shall certainly rid myself of it a;
soon as possible was the equivoca
reply, and the friends parted for the
day.
Ten minutes after the glittering
quarter was with quantity of other
loose change swept carelessly from
the counter of well known cigar
store and safely deposited in the draw
er below, while its previous owner
leiSurely placed two prime cigars il
his case, and well satisfied with the
exchange, proceeded on his walk. L
was matter of too little consequence
to cause anything more than a mo
mentary feeling of vexation in the re
tail dealer of extra fine cigars anC
best chewing tobacco, when the tricE
was discovered. 1t was only to keel
it moving and no one need be loser
So it was passed off upon the frs
short sighted customer, and he in hi
turn still deemed it hest to keep i
moving, and in settling an old accoun
at his tailOrS, threw it in with the OLE
change. So it passed from one to an
. other, until, somewhat the worse 70
wear, it was safely lodged in cloth
ing store, where we will leave it 70
the present, and beg the reader to &C
. company US to another part of tn
: great city, an obscure street, it i
true, but where many honest heart
. may be found.
In one of the poorest of the man
. poor apartments which formed one o
| those buildings often erected for tn
, accommodation Of the poor, sat a RI
'' spectacle looking middle-aged woman
= bu5ily plying her needle by the dir
light of o taIlow candle. There wa
an air of neatness in her appearance
and in the arrangement of the scant
/ furniture of the room, which showed
sense of propriety, not always fCun
to accompany extreme poverty. Tw
+ children were quietly sleeping upon
q straw bed in one corner of the room
and on small cot lay another som
y what older, also slumbering, but wit
4 that uneasy, restless sleep, which eI
vies mental disturbance, or bodily su
fering.
, The mother gazed tearfully upo
n her eldest born. In happier day
. when a kind husband had stood /
y her side to guard her from life's i'll
Ella had been her darling and ht
. pride; and even now, in want an
y sorrow, her bright smile and wore
of love could cheer the aching hear
= and give new strength to the veal
frame.
,, "Dear Ella" she murmured. at
E fever is on her now; she will SOC
awake. Poor child she needs bett
care than l can give her."
IS A distressing fit of coughing no
= awakened the little sufferer.
Sc Dear mamma" she whispered
y, soon as she could regain her breat
If edo lay aside your work for to-nigf
?" You have done enough and you a
to tired. Lie down by me and rest"
vs. "Not yet, dearest. 1t is still earl
You know | must finish this work
morrow"
w "Oh, how | wish | could help yo
er Did not begin to sew quite neat
ok before | was i'll ?"
p- you did, darling, and you W
d. again before many weeks, l hope. B
ng do not talk. for it brings on that b
or cough. Try to sleep again"
k 81 will, mamma, but first give
nb water. My mouth is SO parched."
ou The mother held the cool water
ne her lips. She drank little, and th
he with quiet "thank you lay back |
d. on her pillow, but there was still
ed wishful look upon her countenan'
and her mother said, tenderly: