The Van Buren press., 1870-10-18
MISCELLANY.
A Case of Conscience.

1t was the hardest Of hard times. Old
we'll established houses were failing all
around no wonder that the smaller con-
Germs were fairly swallowed up in the
crashes going on in the business world.
No wonder that Harry Tyndall young
city merchant, sat in his office gazing
with pale face and despairing eyes at the
spccter ruin, which stared at him from
10 great distance He Lad weathercd
the storms of three brief years-hc had
soon hoped 10 weather this. but the loss
Of thousand pounds held by friend
deprived him OF the means of making a
payment due in three days, and he felt
that all was lost, for his efforts to nego-
tiate loan in the present state of the
money market had been worse than use"
less.
The prospect before him was not a
cheering one. 1t is rather hard to begin
life over again at thirty, especially when
one has reached that age after years of
poverty, toll, and self exertion. In his
younger days, Harry Tyndall had known
want in :, cruelest, most savage form
he had battled Its grim leg'ons, and risen
to independence and now. at the thresh
old of a higher life, he was hurled back
with just glimpse Of lne enchanted
grounds within. ,'$as $50
AS he sat confronting the heap Of pa
pers on his desk, the office door opened,
and lady entered. Mechanically Harry
rose and placed chair; but as the lady
threw back her veil, he exclaimed, in sur
prise, " Miss Berwick y
Pardon my intrusion, Mr.. Tyndall," I"
said the most musical of voices. IL have
been on the upper floor, looking for the
Office Of Graves and Waldron, and was
told that they were on this feor. wish
to give Mr.. Waldron this package May
ask you to deliver it? l will remain
here OF all things dislike to lose my
self in these dark passages hunting for
Offices
Harry took the package with alacrity
was gone but a moment, and on his re-
turn found Miss Berwick standing by the
window, idly looking down the street
She tlrned at his entrance, thanked him
with smile and a bow, and then took
her bright presence out of the room ;and
Harry was left to his meditations.
q may as well give it up, / have not
friend who could help me in this strait"
he muttered after a half-hours deep
thought Il will make an assignment
or 60 into bankruptcy, and then depart
for America, where toll is better requitcd
And as he spoke, he rose to his feet,
his eyes falling on the floor. lie was
vaguely conscious Of some dark object
at his feet, stopped carelessly to lift it,
and saw that it was pocket. book
leather, and rather the worse tor wear,
but very plethorc. He sat down again,
and opened it. There were various com
partments, but all of them empty save
one That contained ten one hundred
pound notes
Just the sum that would save him from
ruin. If it were his, he could pay that
bill falling due, sell his stock, and seek
4 situation until the panic were past
lie looked the pocket book over again
| There was no clue to the owner; yet he
felt convinced that it must of fcourse, be-
long to Clara Berwick She was the only
person who had been in his office that
morning. 1t was a terrible temptation
to Harry. Had his visitor been any other
than Clara Berwick, it is hard to say
| whether conscience or inclination would
have prevailed as it was, conscience won
the day, and he started out after Miss
Berwick.
She was not to be found, however land
Harry concluded she had gone home.
SO thither he bent his steps. Clara was
an heress, and something of belle too.
She was not classically beautiful, but she
was young and had good figure, clear
complexion, frank gray eyes, and very
abundant hair; all Of which good points
she made the most of, as every daughter
Of Eve is bound to do. She came down
in response 70 Harry's double knock and
looked quite surprised, though she en-
| deavored to conceal IL.
When Harry showed her the pocket
book, she looked at it attentively, and
laughed merry peal Of laughter.
"Why, Mr. Tyndall,' she cried, "you
must think have poor taste to own such
a purse as that See, that is my pocket
book :" and she drew out dainty pur.
pie velvet purse, to which was appended
gold chain.
But no ono has been to my Office to
day save YOU"
Indeed! The pocket book is ccl
tainly not mine,' she responded, very
earnestly.
"What shall do with 1t p said Har.
ry, in perplexty ~. -.
"Why, keep it, Of course responded