American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-01-27


One evening in October, Harry Maple.
son came home at the usual time, but not
in his usual state of calm composure.
His face was pale, his eyes were sparkling
with excitement, his forehead was bathed
in perspiration, and he f1ourshed an even
ing paper about.
What Is the matter?" cried Susan.
Don't be alarmed; it is good news.
We can look the world boldly in the face,
my dear our father was innocentm
" know it; dear mamma always said
So"
cay, but it is proved See here
don't think that you ever knew the details
of the matter?"
No; never wished to do So
"Well then viii not enter into them
now 1t is sufficient for you to under
stand that our father was man of con-
| siderable talent, who took high degree
at his university, and was looked upon as
a rising man by the political party whose
cause he espoused. Indeed, for some
time he was private secretary to a minis
ter, and it was only because of his desir-
ing more certain income upon his mar
riage, that he resigned that unstable office,
and accepted an appointment which was
not dependent upon one set of men going
! out of office, and another coming in. twas
a position of trust, and large sums of
money passed through his hands, Well,
there was wrong.dOing- g-embeZZlement,
downright theft in the department. Our
father could not clear himself, his name
appeared to fraudulent documents which
could not have been used without his
signature-in short, he was condemned
sent across the sea-lost, for, from that
time our mother could hear no more of
him. | am innocent he said when they
parted; but what. does that matter-the
disgrace is the same. | hope to die soon;
but if that blessing is denied me, desire
to be forgotten, as though l had really
escaped from this den of thieves. | will
not drag you and my children any lower.
Do not speak of me to them-never seek
of tidings from me- Our mother prayed,
demonstrated, wept in vain-he was firm,
saying that he knew it was for the best.
This was eighteen years ago, Susan, when
you were quite baby, and l 50 young
that | have only the vaguest remembrance
of the calamity and change. Well, our
father had no more TO do with that crime
than we infants had; man in the same
department forged his name, and emhez-
zled the money; he is dying-struck with
a painful disease, which leaves him in
full possession of his faculties; and in his
terror he has confessed, and he appeals to
the family of the man he has worse than
murdered-to us-for forgiveness Here
it is-see Can you forgive him, Susan
| can't. Forgive him | wish him well
and strong, that | might have my
fingers around his throat, and my knee in
his chest, and watch his black soul
sitting in his black heart Soul [
hope"
Harry, Harry
'Well, well, forgot myself: don't look
frightened, Susan. 1t is well the wretch
has spoken at last, at all events; our poor
fathers memory will be cleared from re-
proach; and you can stay sometimes with I
those good Poynter people and see a little /
good society"
Susan was protesting that she was quite .
contented and happy under present cir
cumsiances, when she was interrupted by .
a knock at the door, and the fellbw-lodger I
entered the room. He too, held a news
paper in his hand; he. too, WAS evidently
under the influence of strong emotion, for
he stood glancing from one TO the other
with a strange yearning expression in his
eyes; twice he essayed TO speak and twice
his voice failed him.
You have seen this account in the
evening papers, and have concluded that
We belong TO the family Of the Mr.. Maple
son whose cruel story is told therer' asked
Harry.
The old man nodded.