The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-10-18
Select Storp.
A SHARP TEMPTATION.
BY JUDGE CLARK.

felt he had borne his full share. Why,
then, turn his back upon her favors, if at
last she chose to offer them?
SO james Watson asked himself, on
finding that the pocket-book, which he
had just picked up, contained handsome
sum of money.
But it's not mine, he reflected, ''and
the owner may be discovered.
Don't be fool !" he answered him
self, with the customary rudeness of one
getting the worst Of the argument. sits
not your business to look after the owner.
Others have not dealt so justly by you,
that you need put yourself out much on
account of others.
Bad reasoning, surely, but, if james
Watson yielded to it, it was not without
palliation. The failure of his employer
had lost him his situation, besides a con-
siderable arrearage of wages, The bank
in which he had deposited his savings had
broken, and at last the wolf was ut the
door.
He had been out all day seeking en-
ployment without finding it. At home he
had left an invalid wife and child crying
for bread. To carry them nothing back
but disappointment, he could not bear to
think of. He had continued his search
till hope had become hopeless, and was
moodily bending his steps homeward, when
his eye fell on pocket-book at his feet
which he eagerly picked up, and which he
found, on inspection, to contain sum
larger than he had ever before possessed.
Having snubbed his conscience into
silence, James Watson hastened to seek
the humble home he had moment before
shrunk from entering.
"Dot any supper for Charley, papa p
were the first words that greeted him,
Charley shall have a nice supper to-
night he answered, taking up the child
and kissing him.
"Look here, Mary y he exclaimed, dis.
playing his treasure before the astonished
eyes Of his wife.
"Where did you get it?" she asked, her
pale face growing paler, and her voice
trembling.
Found il"
"Then it is not yours, James.
"0h the pretty money!" cried the
child, clapping his hands-but, papa, Is
so hungry"
The father caught up one Of the bank
notes, and was fastening out, when his
wife's thin hand was laid upon his arm.
Be cur wants what they may" she
said, gently but firmly, "we must not
touch cent of that money. 1t is not
ours, and you see there are papers which
may lead to the discovery of the owner.
A plague on the papers !" he an
swered "we're not bound to read them,
and it's easy putting it out of their power
to tell tales.
He was in the act of finging them into
the FIRE, when his wife caught his arm.
Listen to me, James, she said, look
ing appealingly into his face. "Trial and
privation am ready to bear with you to
the end to lose faith in your honor
could not bear; it would kill me more
cruelty than want
Conscience had found an ADLER advocate
this time than in the discussion which
James Watson had lately carried on sin.
gle-handed with himself
Put it by, Mary" he said, closing the
pocket-book and handing it to his wife.
''You are right. God help us r
Be assured he will, James feel il
now more than ever
But dat nice supper, papa" little
Charley reminded, "when will It tome p
The poor. father sank into n chair, and
covered his face.
Charley shall have supper presently, y
said his mother, "Here, James," she ad-
ded, stake this--it will supply our present
wants, and let us commit tomorrow 10
Gods mercy"
What, Mary p your wedding ring
No, no y
For has sake" she said, pointing to
the child, who was climbing his fathers
knee to renew his appeal.
Without answering, James took the
ring and went out, In short time he
returned, and Charley soon sat down to a
supper in which the goodness of his appc-
tite made amends for the plaiuness of the
fare.
Next morning James Watson took the
pocket-book to place it in trpsty hands till
the proprietor could be found, The papers
Il contained were sealed packet and some
loose memoranda, which gave no clew to
the owner The gentleman In whose hands
James placed 1t commended his honesty,
and promised to advertise cautiously for
the loser OF the property.
While James was absent on this errand,
an elderly gentleman called.
Does James Watson live here ?" he
inquired.
aThat is my husbands name" Mary
answered
Is he at home 2" asked the gentleman.
He has gone out on some business, =
said Mary, a little hesitatingly, for she had
a misgiving that the gentlemans visit
might relate to the lost pocket-book, and
that If It still remained in her husband :
possession, he might, in some way, be com.
promised
aSorry," said the old gentleman a
wished to see him particularly. I'm a
lawyer, you see" he added, abruptly.
Mary was all IN tremble. She was