Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-02-22

in arriving at the actual account of the
bank bills before me, than | ever before OF
since encountered in counting any sum
however large or however numerous the
notes Finally, putting chair against the
door, | spread the notes out singly on the
little table, in row, and counted them
with my finger. Then made two rows Of
five notes each, and again counted them
[ finally, though slowly, became satisfied
that | had in my possession double the
amount of money was expected to deiv-
CT to my employers agent. Temptation
entered my soul Five thousand dollars
would relieve me OF all my debts. Here
ii was within my grasp. | had but to seal
up the letter by rewetting the wafer, in
closing but half the money, and deliver it
scaled to the agent and my trust would
be oall appearances, faithfully discharged,
Once the thought occurred that possibly
it might be trap set for me by my en-
ployels. But their confidence IN me was
unbounded and the suspicion was dis
missed. | do not attempt to glaze over
the dishonesty of what contemplated
but had been 50 increasingly worried and
annoyed by domestic troubles arising from
limited resources, and SO prosecuted by
creditors, that almost argued myself into
the conviction that appropriating the mon
cy was simply authorized seIi-deipnce. |
would pay all my debts, get clear of the
world once more, insist upon my wIfe,s
adopting my views of living, save none y
get into business for myself and finally,
pay back the sum.
| left the envelope unfastcned until
morning, so as to give myself that
much more time before finally deciding
upon an act which all my arguments WITH
myself had not made entirely roconcila-
bic. Arrived at this conclusion, my at
reution again turned to my host and his
wife. ! could hear his voice alone now.
Ii had been sounding along in somewhat
elevated tone for some moments. | Crept
Quv,ly to the partition dividing their
apartments from the passage. The bright
/ Autu nmoon, which was on their side of
the house, shone through their window
AM through the spaces between the
smuOken planks of the partition and out
into tho passage, and upon its floors in
brilliant bars OF light. 1t was easy for
me to see what was passing within the
room. Man and wife were kneeIinp at
tier bedside in prayer. The man wi tn
up!fted head and closed eyes uttering
an earnest supplication, his wife beside
him, and one arm passed ialectionately
through one Of his, and her head resting
against his shoulder. They were kneeline
at the side of the bed opposite to me, and
his face was plainly visible Its calm and
picns expression was a sufficient rebuke
to my unjust suspicious. began to listen
III time to hear him cry :" Pardon, 0 mer.
ctiuI Father, not onI y tor the sins OF Thy
humble servant and his household. but
turn the hearts OF those who have done
evil unto him, who have harbored unjust
suspicious OF him. Bless such. O Lord
ana preserve them, in order that they NAV
tmn from the error Of their ways and seel
the path OF righteousness"
His serious, earnest and manly voice
struck chord in my heart, not only il
sympathy with the honest and tende,
eupphcatlon that was passing from his lips
but OF contrltiOn Tor the wrong had done
aim by my suspicious. | mvolmtarly
compared him, whatever his good or bac
deeds, at least an humbl' penltent before
God, with the wretch had decided but
few moments ago to make OF myself, by
Incorporating my employers money
and still haunted, however, by the relle
1t could obtain for me, would not quit,
give way to the feeling Of repentance which
wa knocking for admission at my breast
had halt decided to turn away and drive
these better thoughts from my mind, whel
l observed something that was moving II
Il small crib that was placed at the sid
ana toward the foot of their bed. Its oc
cupant, a srandchild, whose parents, the,
mad informed me, were dead, awakened
probably by its grandtather's voice, rUso
up, looked around, and settled down upol
it, knees, and clasping its little hands a,
ITS gr ndfather's were clasped, and looking
upward out through the window at tn,
moon, whose bright light fell upon its dar
ling face, began moving its lips as if trying
to repeat the words. Nothing so like al
angel ever met my sight. The grandtathe
began the Lords Prayer. The little fel
low seemed to have this by heart. He re
peated it word for word, his tiny, silver,
Voice sounding in sweet accord | coulc
! not turn away, nor any longer resist tn
better emotions which had hitherto ken
down. A rush of repentant feeling passe,
through me with an effect that shook ever,
llbre. | fell on my knees, and with TIL
tears streaming from my eyes, joined il
the concluding words of the prayer
: need not say changed my mind wit
} regard to the money. | passed a quie
t night and rose carly, FASTENED away towar
my journeys end, so as to give myself tn
s least time or opportunity for changing m,
, new formed resolution. In handing tn
; package to the agent, | SAID to him, tina
e as there was money IN it, it might as wei
be opened in my presence, to see that al
e was correct, &c. Pic of course discovere,
e the error, and handed me back the amour
$ that was over, with which | returne
b home and delivered it up safe to the pror
Y er owner in due time
= 1t was fortunate for me in every wa
b that | pursued the course | had adopted
/. 1t appeared that the money had been oh
j. tanned from the bank after bank hours, /
t the presence OF the teller, from one of tn
}, officers There was no loose money e
hand Of the larger denominations, bu
}, there were sheets of thousands and fiv
f hundreds signed by the president an
!, cashier. Either two sheets were piskc
S up in mistake for one or the wrong bate
h of sheets was selected from that is, thou:
n ands were selected instead OF five hun
S dreds. The notes were hurriedly cir
Il pied, strapped and endorsed "S5, 000," witt
n out recounting, and so enveloped an
T. handed over to me. The bank had dii
n covered the error, and no doubt was Ell
tertaLned but that the missing monev us