The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-03-08
A CONFESSION.
BY A VERY OLD MAN.

Most men would hesitate at telling
such story of themselves. But l am
convinced that it will afford a sugges.
ton of mercy toward such as do fall,
and some may be turned away from
temptation by its recital.
l had been an under.clerk in large
Establishment for many years. Natur-
ally economical, my savings had at
tanned to such respectable sum that 1
ventured upon married life, quite as
much as refuge from the monotony Of
my inexpensive style of living as in obe-
dience to those yearnings of nature
which a man is very foolish or very bad
not to heed in due season. Like most
men. however, adventures of this kind
are not followed by the comfort and
ease which depend upon money
for their possession. In the course of
time came to repent the undertaking,
for l was in debt, my family had in
creased, while my income had not kept
pace with my expenses. My wife lacked
the courage to practice the self-denial
which would be consequent upon a re-
trenchmen, of our expenses. l was
daily annoyed by duns. ! had borrowed
money in every available quarter, and
walk in the public street was literally
denie d me By the fear Of encountering
some one to whom was indebted for
my house expenses.
Returning home late one night jaded
by listless stroll through the town,
found the Junior member of the firm
waiting for me. The house had re-
ceived intelligence, after business hours,
of transaction entered into on their
account which required the immediate
transmission to an isolated island town
Of several thousand dollars, together
with certain papers and statements
necessary to conclude the affair. 1t was
too important matter TO be intrusted
to the delay and uncertainty of the
mail at the time. Upon consultation
Of the firm, l had been selected to per.
form the necessary two days. journey.
accepted the mission with alacrity, for
the reason, among Others, that it would
be such a recreation as would divert
my thoughts for a time from the
perplexities of my miserable condi.
ton.
With the usual foresight of the firm,
everything necessary to my prompt de.
parture had been prearranged. The
needful papers and accounts, and the
indispensable money requisite to finish
the trar saction were placed in my
hands in an envelope addressed to the
gentleman who had acted as agent of
the concern in the matter. A letter of
instruction was likewise inclosed.
| remember we'll the bright Septem.
Der morning on which l started on
horseback and alone on my journey,
of which | accomplished half the first
day, arriving at farm house, whose oc-
cupant unhesitatingly granted my petit
ton for share for the night in its hum
BILE hospitality.
The weather had grown colder as the
evening came on, and by the time
had reached the house experienced a
sensible chill. had with me flask Of
liquor, and was furnished, at my re.
quest, at bedtime, with email quan.
tity of hot water with which to COM
pound sort of punch, as an antidote
to the cold l apprehended having
taken.
/ had removed the package of money
from my pocket and laid it on the ia. |
BILE, with view of putting it under my |
pillow before going to bed. As it lay
on the table the address was upper.
most; on the left-hand upper corner |
was memorandum, $4,000 inclosed."
] was standing with my back to the
door. Succeeding a few moments of |
entire silence, l heard a step behind
me, and I almost think breath upon
my face. Turning suddenly round,
beheld my host, with the hot water l |
had called for in tumbler in his hand.
He was quite beside me, and his eyes
rested, or fancied they rested on, the
package upon the table. l must con.