Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-10-29

and he thought regretfully how much goot
could have been done with ten dollars. No
that he had regretted that he had been hon
est. There was satisfaction in doing right
but think my reader will understand hi
feelings without explanation.
Mrs. Jones brought some toast to hcl
daughters bedside, but Mary motioned il
away. II thank you for taking the trouble
to make it, mother, she said, ''but l don't
think I could possibly eat it."
els there anything you could relish,
Mary 2"
ono" she said, hesitatingly, nothing
that we can get"
Mrs. Jones sighed sigh which Edward
i echoed
It was with heavy heart that Edward
started to the warehouse next morning. He
had never felt the cravings for wealth that
now took possession Of him.
He set about his duties as usual, Abont
two hours after he had arrived at the ware
house, Mr. Hubbard entered He did not at
first appear to notice Edward, but in about an
hour summoned him to the Office, which was
partitioned off from the remainder of the
spacious rooms in which goods were stored /.
He smiled pleasantly as Edward entered
his presence.
"Tell ME frankly, did you not feel an i'm
pulse to keep the bill which you found last
night p
II hope you won't be offended with me,
Mr.. Hubbard" said Edward, elf I say
did
s'Tell me about it," said Mr.. Hubbard
with interest ''What was it that Withheld
you? should never have known it p
II knew that" said Edward
"Then what withheld you from taking
it %
First [ will tell you what tempted me-
said Edward. ''My mother and sister are
obliged to depend upon sewing for a living,
and we live but poorly at best But fort
night since Mary became sick, and since then
we have had hard time, Mary's appetite is
poor, and she does not relish food, but we
are able to get her nothing better. When
I picked up that bill could not help think
ing how much I could buy with it for her."
"And yet you did not take it ?"
.'No. sir, it would have been wrong and
could not have looked you in the face after
it,"
Edward spoke in tones of modest conf
dence.
Mr. Hubbard went to his desk and wrote
check
CHOW much do pay you now ?" he ask
ed.
Fifty dollars year, said Edward.
s'Henceforth your duties will be increased,
and | will pay you two hundred. Will that
please you?''
'Two hundred dollars a year p exclaim-
ee Edward, his eyes sparkling with delight.
Eyes, at the end of the year that will be
increased, if, as l have no doubt you will,
continue to merit my confidence"
'sOh, sir, how can ! thank your" said
Edward, full Of gratitude.
by preserving your integrity. As [
presume you are in present need Of money,
I will pay you one quarter in advance
Here is a check for fifty dollars which you
can get cashed at the bank. And, by the
way, you can have the rest of the day to
yourself.
Edward few to the bank, and with his
sudden RICHES fastened TO the market, where
he purchased a supply of provisions such as
he knew would be welcome at home, and
then made haste to announce his good for
tune:
A weight seemed to fall off the hearts Of
the mother and daughter as they heard his
hurried story, and Mrs Jones thanked God
for bestowing upon her son those good prin-
ciples which had brought this great relief.
And Mr.. Hubbard slept none the worse
that night that at q slight pecuniayy sacrifice
he had done kind action. confirmed a boy
in his integrity and gladdened a struggling
family. If there were more employers as
considcrate as he, there would be fewer dis
honest clerks