Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-01-07
MIS- cELLANE Gus.
S1LAs GRIMGRIN'S TRAP,


=. 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
of justice striking came before hearing"
''They are very simple" Mr.. Grimgrin an
swered, presented an altered check at the
Oxide Bank this morning-in Jail for forgery
this evening"
"But there may be some explanation"
timidly remarked young lady. at whose SIM
plicity Mr.. Grimgrn smiled, and Miss Thugse
shifted.
IKE should have made it at once, then"
said MIR. Grimgrin, 'instead Outstanding dumb
before his accusers. After explanations don't
go for much in such cases"
"Poor Edith lit will break her heart"
the young lady could not help adding.
Poor J" said Mr. GrmgrD as you will
find out some day, heart>breaking is only
figure of Speech
Leaving the reast of Miss Thugge's party
to laugh, aud the young lady to blush. at Mr..
Grimgrin's sententious observation, let us 90
back step.
Earnest Jasper, whose arrest for forgery
was just now the subject of conversation, had
hitherto borne an unblenished character
H G. and his brother George, out of moderate
salaries, after supporting their widowed muth-
er, managed to Law up something every year,
and each was looking to happy tme-not
far distant, he hoped-when certain tender
engagements would no longer need to be de-
fcrred.
The course Of truthful love never ran
smoother than in the case of Ernest Jasper
and Edith Wade. Too trusting to allow mis-
chief to be made between them, and too ccp>
erous to make it between themselves. what
could disturb the even tenor of two snch lives?
George Jasper was of a different temper
from his brother. With heart as true. he
was more impusive and passionate. 1t issuch
men that are easily melted to jealousy, and
who act rashly under it.
When George Jasper and Mildred Health
pEghted 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 first
in time began to be listened to. Then came
quarrels and reconcilations, time and again
repeated, till at last it was insinuated to
George that he had rival in his love. He
demanded an explanation in a tone so inn
perious 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. J.: 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 enclose YOU
INV ,pn
savings over the necessary expenses of nv
journey. cannot tell you where am going,
for do not know. To you and our mother
the only ones to whom have the right to
offer it-I leave my fondest love- Farewell"
1t was the check thus enclosed, which on
being presented by Ernest, was ascertained to
have been altered to a larger amount
On being questioned, Ernest offered no ex.
planation. Instantly it flashed upon him tha.
he could not speak without compromising his
brother, and his silence was construed as a
confession of guilt He was at once arrested
and committed for trial.
Silas Grimerin was post>ofice clerk, moral
beyond his years, and with conscience ten
derly alive to the sins of others. We have
already seen how little lenity poor Ernest re-
ceved at his hands,
Slas Grimgrin had just returned from NJ iss
Thugge's party. and in his bachelor apart>
men', was RECALLING himself with cigar and
divers reflections on the vanity of human
wishes, when knock announced visitor.
!"Come in,' said Sias, glancing over his
shoulder.
Stopping to clear the doorway. young
man entered. fellow-clerk of Silss, at least
six feet two in height, with good na.ured.
but not particularly bright looking counte-
nance.
"Good evening, Mr.. 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 at the joke it was an
old acquaintance
"W bat do you think of Jasper's case ?" he
inquired, after pause.
"There can be but one opinion" silas an.
swered.
81 have mine, at last" said the other.
"And what is it, pray ?'
.ttThat lie is not guilty.
Then who is! ssid silss sharply.