Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-04-05

to address the waiting servant in an ordlna'
ny tone.
"James," he said, who gave you this
letter p
"a man sir, and said he'd wait an an
swer"
"Then suppose he is waiting"
eyes, SIR
"We'l, show him i'm
Soon there was a tap at the dor and tint
banker said ''come in in an ordinary
tone.
The servant opened the door, ushered IL
the stranger, and Immediately withdrew -
The stranger was man verging op sixty
of rough appearance and attire. He wore
an old gray overcoat, buttoned to the throat
and a pair Of green goggles, and his whole
dress was saturated with rain
"Take seat" said the banker, pointing
to chair.
emo, thank you, I'll stand was the
gruf reply ''You got my letter and Of
course you know my business" be added
"You allude to this. I suppose" replied
the banker, producing the letter which hac
caused him so much perturbation
eyes"
81 do not understand it; you must have
N ade mistake" --a 0-
ono, no mistake at all. was present
twenty years ago the teeth day of October
and saw you shoot the man and ii you &C
and deny it., I'll have you in prison before
morning. I've laid my plans and got every
thing sure. and if YOU 90 to playing limo
cent and refuse my terms, III take care te
see that you die stretching hemp"
The banker turned pale in spite of him
self, shuddered and struggled to seat.
81 cant give tit would ruin me"
''Just as you say rejoined the other,
moving toward the door ''you know what
will follow if 60 this way
He arg ued, urged and implored for mer-
cy at less fearful cost. 10 vain. At last
the Undertaking ruin. disgrace, death,
before him if he refused-agreed to terms.
He agreed to meet the stranger, with the
required sum, on the following night, in
front Of St. Pauls church. Both were
punctual to the fixed time, and bills and
checks 10 the amount Of ope hundred thoa-
sand dollars changed hands.
A month later there was a tremendous
run on the bank of which Stephen Edwards
was the principal owner. It was soon
closed. The sheriff was set to work by ca:
ger creditors. and all the real and personal
property Of the late millionaire was seized
and sold, leaving him beggar and just
claim unsatis6ed. Fashionable friends de-
serted the family and the proud noblemap
refused the hand Ct the accomplished daugh-
ter.
In the very midst of his disgrace and
tribulation, he encountered the nan who
had turned pale and became so agitated in
his presence short time before
Il rather think you do not knog me SIR
said the gentleman with formal bow.
Your face seems somewhat familiar,
but I can't name you," returned Stephen
= awards
= Permit me to bring myself to your rec
oIleotion, then, as | wish you to know me.
A little more than six weeks ago ] was talk:
ing to you on business, when you observed
that I turned pale and became agitated:'
sAh, yes-I remember you now"
II cid not tell you why | was thus affect
ed My eyes had just CHANGED upon Gu
rious seal, which had once belonged to a
merchant named Philip Sidney, who was
shot in the western part of this State some
twenty years ago; { knew you to be the
william who committed that foul deed"
"Merciful God % exclaimed the banker
with a blanched and quaking form.
Eyes, knew you persuaded the other,
''and week after I disguised myself and
had an interview with you in your mansion.
You remember that of course .
But" gasped the trembling wretch,
"did not pay you your own price to keep
my secret =
Eyes and with that very money and what
other could command, [ was enabled to
buy up enough of your bills to make that
run upon your bank which broke it and
forced ruin upon you"
"And what would you do, now that |
am ruined % inquired the ruined man, with
the deadly calmness Of desperation.
'.Now that I have had my revenge,
want YOU to know that myself am the man
you attempted to murder and did rob.
am Philip Sidney. Behold where the ball
struck and glanced p
And he took off bis hat and showed it.
"God be praised !" calculated the other.
GOOD be praised p and unable to restrain
his emotion he burst into tears. ooh, sir" he
continued, ''you have taken a load from my
SOUL Though poverty, distress and heggary
are staring me in the face, am not guilty q
murder, and am more happy than have
been in twenty years, with all the luxurious
surroundings Of wealth. 1t was my first
and last crime. I have never been able tic
tell how I was SO tempted to outrage my IA
ture as on that fearful occasion. Now sir
do what you will-only, I pray, be mercifu
to my family"
II forgive you,' returned be extending
his haud-''l forgive. You have beer
fearfully punished already, and as God ha
seen proper to bring us together let us hop
for our present aud future salvation, to en-
deavor so to live as to deserve the blessing
we receive I restore you and your famil..
above want; and for the rest, I trust W
shall soon have 10 render an account in an
other world"
Philip Sidney kept his word, and witt
a start in the world, and an easy conscience
the still enterprising Stephen Edwards &C
cumulated auothe, respectable fortune, tn
most of which he spent in charity.
MANNER How much there is in the wa
10 which people speak and act to win Or t
repel those with whom they may come il
contact! Two persons may say and do tn
same things, even, and one be beloved, an
the other provoke disesteem. Indeed, on