Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-10-24
SELECTED STORY
SII,AS GRINGRIN'S TRAP

"It's plain case," Mr. Grimgrin said.
Against whom would there not have been
plain case, Mr. Grimgrin judging?
mo doubt he is guilty but what are
the facts inquired Miss Thugge. in whose
theory ofjusiice striking came before hear
ing
''They are very simple" Mr.. Grimgrin
answered presented ap altered check at
the Oxite Bank this morping-in Jail
Tor forgery this evening,
"But there may be some explanation .
timidly remarked a young lady at whose
simplicity Mr.. Grimgrin smiled, aud NJ ss
Thugge shifted
''He should have made it at once, then
said Mr.. Grimgrin, instead of standing
dumb before his accusers. After ex-
plantations don't 60 for much in such
cases.
"Poor Edih!-it will break her heart
the young lady could not help adding.
"poor!' said Mr.. Grimgrin as you
will fud out some day, heart breaking is
Only figure of speech"
hCaSiuh sp0 IonG VI IVA teS IuuSSe .
party to- laugh, and the young lady to
blush, at Mr.. Grimgriu's sententioas OBJ
servatioD, let us go back step.
Ernest Jasper, whose arrest for forgery
was just now the subject of conversation,
had hitherto borne an untlemished char
actor. He and his brother George, out
of moderate salaries, after supporting
their widowed mother, M anaged to lay
UP something every year, and each was
looking to happy tjms-not far distant
he hoped-wheu certain tender engage
ments would no longer need to be de
ferred.
The course Of truthful love never run
smoother than in the cases of Ernest
Jasper 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 tenn
Ter from his brother. With heart as
true, he was more lmpulsive and passion
ate 1t is such men that are easily incit
ed to jealousy, and who act rashly under
it
When George jasper and Mildred
! Health plighted heir roth, they would
have s!aked their lives on each other's
Loyalty. But evil tongues came between
them. Stories which should have been
scorued-aDd were 50 at first lin time
tegan to be listened to. Then came
quarrels and reconciliations, time and
again repeated, till at last ii was insinut-
ed to George that he had rival IN his
low. He demanded an explanation in "a
tone so imperious that Mildred's pride
took off nee mud she answered it with ST
lenee. They parted i'll anger. ard
| Georges visits ceased.
A lew days latter, cool note from
Mildred Informed him that all was over
between them. In his hi terest moments
he had not counted en- this Ii came upon
him like a thunder clap. II first i'm
pulse was to fly from the scene Of bis
lAisci WHITTIER he cared net, the further
the better
\ letter, received through the post
| ofice, announced to Ernest his brothers
| departure.
Leaving on you" the letter vent Gil
the burden of our mothers support,
enclose you my employer. Mr.. Winters,
check for all my savings over the neces-
sary expences of my journey. cannot
tell you where am going. for do moi
know. 70 you and our mcther-the only
ones to whom 1 have the rig bt to offer i,
i leave my fondest love. Farewell.
! 1t was the check thus enclosed, which
on being presented by Earnest, was ascer-
tanned TO have been altered to larger
amount
On being questioned, Ernest offered no
explanation Instantly it flashed upon
him that he could not speak without
compromising his brother, and his silence
was construed as confession OF guilt
He was at once arrested aud committed
! for trial
Silas Grimgrin was post-ofice clerk
moral hey end his years, and with con
science tefdcrly 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 Thuggc's party and, in his bachelor
apartment, was RECALLING himself with a
cigar and divers reflections on the vanity
of human wishes, when knock amour
ced visitor
"Come iu,' said s'las, glancing over
bis shoulder. ).
Stopping to clear the doorway. young
man eutered, fellow clerk of Silas. OF
least SIX fees two in height, with a good
natured. but not particularly bright look
| ing countcnaDcc.
"Good evening. Mr.. Grimgrin."
"Good evening, Bunce," said Silas,
PRAY lower yourself on the sofa there,
for your head must be DIZZY al thut height
Mr.. Bunce smiled at the joke it was
an old acquaintance.
''What do you thiuk Of jasper's casey
he inquired, after pause.
There can be but one opinion Silas
an sored
! II have niue. at last" said another.
''And what is it, pray =