Connecticut western news., 1872-09-20
SILAS GRIMGRIN'S TRAP.

"It's plain case" MT. Grimgrin said. Against whom would there mot have been plain case, MT. Grimgrin judging?
 No doubt he is guilty but what are the facts ?" inquired Miss Thugge, in whose theory of justice striking came be1ore hearing.
 They are very simple" MT. Grimgrin answered /: presented an altered check at the Oxide Bank this morning-in iail for forgery this evening.
 But there may be some explanation" tlmidly remarked young lady, at whose | simplicity MT. Grimgrin smiled, and Miss Thugge sniffed.
 "He should have made it at once, | then," said MT. Grimgrin, instead of standing dumb before his accusers. After explanations don't go for much in such cssee."
 Poor Edith Lit will break her heart," the young lady could not help adding.
 "::Pooh p said MT. Grimgrin as you will find out some day, heart-breaking is only figure of speech"
 Leaving the rest of Miss Thugge's party to laugh, and the young lady to blush, at Mir. Grimgin's contentious observation, let us go back step.
 Ernest Jasper, whose arrest for forgery was just now the subject of conversation. had hitherto borne an unblemished char acter. He and his brother George, out of moderate saleries, after supporting their widowed mother, managed to lay up something every year, and each was look ing to happy time-not far distant, he hoped-when certain tender engagements would no longer need to be deferred. | The course of truthful love never ran smoother than in the case of Ernest Jas per and Edith Wade. Too trusting to allow mischief to be made between them, and too generous to make it between themselves, what could disturb the even tenor of two such lives
 George Jasper was of a different temper from his brother. With heart as true, he was more impulsive and passionate. It is such men that are easily melted to jealousy, and who act rashly under it.
 When George Jasper and Mildred Heath plghted their troth, they would have staked their lives on each others loyalty. But evil tongues came between them. Stories which should have been scorned-and were so at fiist-in time began to be listened to. Then came quarrels and reconciliations, time and again repeated, till at last it was insinuated to George that he had rival in his love. He demanded an explanation in tone so imperious that Mildred's pride took offence, and she answered it with silence. They parted in anger, and Georges visits ceased.
 A few days later, cool note from Mildred informed him that all was over between them. In his bitterest moments he had not counted on this. It came upon him like thunder clap. His first impulse was to fly from the scene of his misery - whither he cared not - the further the better.
 A letter, received through the post office, announced to Ernest his brothers departure.
 Leaving on you," the letter went on. the burden of our mothers support, I enclose you my employer. MT. Winters, check for all my savings over the neces- sary expenses of my journey. I cannot tell you where 1 am going, for I do not know. To you and our mother-the only ones to whom l have the right to offer it Il leave my fondest love. Farewell" It was the check thus enclosed, which on being presented by Ernest, was ascer- tained to have been altered to larger amount.
 On being questioned, Ernest offered nc explanation. Instantly it flashed upor him that he could not speak without compromising his brother, and his silence was construed as confession of guilt He was at once arrested and committed for trial.
 Silas Grimgrin was post-ofice clerk moral beyond his years, and with con science tenderly alive to the sins of others We have already seen how little lenity poor Ernest received at his hands.
 Silas Grimgrin had just returned from Miss Thugge's party, and, in his bachelor apartment, was regaling himself with . cigar and divers reflections on the vanity of human wishes, when knock announced 5 8 visitor.
 } "Come in," said silas, glancing ove1 his shoulder.
 Stooplng to clear the doorway, a young t man entered, fellow-clerk of Silas, a least six feet two in height, with a good natured, but not particularly bright look ing countenance.
 Good-evening MT. Grimgrin.'
 " Good. evening, Bunce," said Silas "Pray, lower yourself on the sofa there for your head must be dizzy at that height.
 Mr. Bunce smiled as the joke; 1t wa h an old acquaintance.