Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-05-05

| ed the pain 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, he added, II think walk in the
open air will do me good. -
| Don't go out, James," said Mrs Lewis,
troubled feeling coming into her heart
TN only walk few squares. And
James went from the parlor and passed in
to 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. Carman's S
store, and on passing he was surprised at
seeing light within.
What can this mean?" he asked himself,
new fear creeping, with its sauddering i'm
pulse, into his heart.
He listened 10y the door and windows, but
he could hear no sound from within.
There's something wrong" he said !;
what can it be? If this is discovered, what
will be the end of it? Ruin ruin My
poor mother -
The wretched young man hastened on.
walked the street for two hours, when he
returned home. His mother met him when
he entered, and, with unconcealed anxiety,
asked him if he were better. He said yes,
but in manner that only increased the
trouble she felt, and passed ur hastily to his
own room.
In the morning the strangely altered face
of James, as he met his molher at the break
fast table, struck alarm into her heart. He
was silent aud 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 iu ner-
vous way.
WHO is it2" asked Mrs Lewis
"a gentleman who wishes to see Mr..
James, replied the girl.
James rose instantly and went out int O
the hall, shutting the dining room door as
he did so. Mrs. Lewis sat waiting her son S
return. She heard him coming back in
few moments; but he did not enter the
dining room. Then he returned along the
hall to the street door, and she heard it
shut. All was silent. Starting up she ran
into the passage, but James was not there
He had goue away with the person that
called.
All, that was sad going away. Mr.
Carman had spent half the night in exam
lining the accounts of James, and discovered
| frauds of over six thousand dollars Blind
ly indignant, he sent an officer to arrest him
early In the morning and it was with this
officer that he went away from his mother
nerer to return.
The young william shall lie in the bed he
has made for himself" ex laimed Mr.. Car
man. in his bitter indignation. Aud he
made the exposure comi lctely. On the tri-
al he showed an eager desire to have him
convicted, and presented such an array OF
evidence that the jury could not give any
other verdict than guilty.
The poor mother was in court, and audi
BILE in the silence that followed came her
convulsed sobs upon the air The presid-
| ing judge addressed the culprit, and asked If
he had anything to say why the sentence of
the law should nor be pronounced against
him. All eyes were turned upon the pale,
agitated young man, who rose with an ef-
fort, and leaned against the railing by which
he stood, as if needing the support.
will 1t please your honors, he said ito
direct my per~ecutor to come little nearer,
SO tuat L can look at HIM and your honors at
| the same time
Mr. Carman was directed to come for
ward to where the BOY stood. james look
ed at Nun steadily ior lew moments, and
then turned to the judges.
What | have to say to your honors is
this" The spoke calmly and distinctly, and
not excuse my crime. l went into that
man store an innocent boy, and if he had
been an honest man | would H0; have stood
before you TO-DAY as criminal. y
Mr.. Carman appealed to the court for
protection against an allegation OF such an
outrageous character; but he was peremto-
riiy ordered to be silent. James went on
In firm voice.
Only few weeks after | went into his
employ ment examined a bill by his direc-
ton, and discovered an error of twenty dol
lars.
The face of Mr. Carman crimsoned.
"You remember it see, - said James,
land | shall have cause to remember it
while l live. The error was in favor of Mr.
Carman asked if l should correct the
figures, and he answered, mo, let them
CORE It their own mistakes; we don't exam
inc bills for other peoples benefit" 1t was
my first lesson in dishonesty. | saw the bill
settled, and Mr.. Carman take twenty dol
lars that was not his own. | felt shocked
at first it seemed such wrong thing. But
soon after he called me simpleton for
handing back fifty dollar bill to the teller
of bank, which he had overpaid me on a
check, and then
May | ask the protection of the court?'
said Mr.. Carman.
is it true what the lad says p asked the
Judge.