Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-07-29


held the same position in an adjoin-
ing store that Gilbert did Ar
Phelps.
night?" asked Baker.
"No; / can't"
Can't Why not?"
"Why to tell the plain truth, jim
l haven't got the money"
"Pooh! Come along. Pn pay the
shot"
'.But l do not wish to run in debt
Jim, for L may never pay you"
''Pay me? Who talked about pay
ing? If II offer to pay that's enough.
Come along, It'll be a glorious con-
cert"
"But must go and get some sup
per-"
'TNo; go with me and get supper"
But Gilbert could not go without
letting his aunt know; so Baker
walked round that way with him.
Then they went to the restaurant;
here Baker paid for the supper. He
had several bank notes, and poor
Gilbert gazed upon them with
longing looks. Oh, if he could only
have little money! Say one dollar
a week, or one dollar in two weeks
how much happier he would feel
As soon as they had eaten supper,
they went to the concert room, and
Gilbert was charmed with the sweet
music he heard. He fancied it had
noble influence upon him, and
that it awoke more generous im-
pulse in his soul. But alas! how
can a man or youth be over gener-
Gus, with an empty pocket always:
From this time James Baker was
Gilbert's firm friend, as the world
goes. The latter told his secrets to
Jim, and in return he heard all his
friends.
Say, Gil, how is it you never
have any money!" Baker asked, they
were to together one evening in
front of tie store, after having
locked up.
"Why," returned Gilbert, with
some hesitation, ''to tell you the
plaintruth, my father is too poor.
lie has done enough for me now
more than he can we'll afford. He
has never asked me to work on the
farm. but he has sent me to school
and now ne is paying my board
while l learn to be merchant. But
m. father is good ifhe is DOOR,
.'Of course he is" warmly replied
Baker. "That's where you find your
warm hearts, among the poor. But
don't you make the store pay fol-
taking care of it?"
"No, Mr.. Phelps pays nothing foI
the first year."
"Why, are you in earnest, Gill
Haven't you got any money fol
your hard work."
''No, not a penny. Two dollars
is all the money L have had since
have been here, and those my father
gave me-"
"Well, you're a moral improba.
bility, a regular anomaly. Why;
make the store pay me something
Mind you, don't call it stealing, fol
it isn't. My master receives the
benefit of all my work, and am en-
titled to something in return. He
is rich while L am poor. My hard
work turns money into his till, anC
shall dig and delve and lug my life
for nothing? No. When l want ,
little money take il. Did l TAXI
enough to squander and gamble
away, as some do, l should call i
stealing; but l don't, Yet l mus
have something. How do you sup
pose our masters think we liv,
without money? They don't thinl
so; if they do they must be natura
born fools. That's all I've got Il
say about it."
''But how do you do it? asked
Gilbert, tremulously.
"How? Why, sometimes 1 hell
myself to few hankerchiefs, whicl
l sell; and sometimes / take gen
tie peep at the money drawer"
When Gilbert Goodwin went Il
| his bed that night there was a de
mon with him. The tempter hat
come. For long time there ha'
been a shadowy, misty form hover
ing over him, but not until now ha'
it taken palpable shape. He allow
ed himself 10 reason on the subjec
but not yet was his mind mad
up. On the following morning h
met young Baker again, and learne'
| that all the apprentices on the stree
did the same thing.
A week passed on, and during
that time Gilbert gave the tempte
q home in his bosom. He dali
pondered upon the amount of phys
| ical labor he performed. He say
all the others with money, and h
wondered if any one could possibl
get along without that circulating
commodity. Finally the evil hOu
came. The constant companionshl
of young Baker had had its influence
and the shaft had struck its mark
A bright eyed lovely girl had aske,
/ Gilbert to carry her to an evening
entertainment. The boy loved tina
girl-loved her with the whole al
der of his youthful sOul-and h
could not refuse her. At noon b
was left alone in the store. Sewers
people came in, mostly tailOrs, an
bought paying cash. Gilbert di
not stop TO consider; the spell wa
upon him, and he kept back q tw
dollar bill.
That afternoon he suffered mucl
He dared not look the clerks in tn
face: though he was sure that som
of them did the same thing. In tn
evening he accompanied his fai
companion to the entertainment
and though he tried 10 be happy
yet he could not.
That night the boy slept, an
while he slept he dreamed. His Fl
ther and mother come TO him a
pale and sad, and told him he ha
disgraced them forever.
On the following morning he ell
tered the store as usual, and hi
duties were performed silently an
sadly. The clerks asked him if
was sick and he told them no. T(
ward the middle of the forenoon NJ
Phelps came in, and entered tt
counting-room. Gilbert watche
him until he was alone, and then
moved towards the place. III
heart beat wildly, and his face W,
pale as death, but he did not hes
tate. He entered the countin!
room. and sank into a chair.
s.GiIbert, what is the matter?" II
tered the merchant, kindly.
The boy collected all his energit
and in low and painful tone he al
. swered--
81 have come to tell you that
can remain here no longer, sir L
II
"What, going to leave me?n utte
} ed the merchant in surprise, as Il
} boy hesitafed. mo, no, Gilber
J If yoa are sick you shall have GOO
physician. can't lose you now
"Hear me, sir, resumed the bo
! some what emboldened by his ma