The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1873-05-16
THE ROT TEN CROSS.
A Thrilling Story.

though it had occurred but yoster-
day.
| was a carpenter, the foreman Of
a large establishment, and as such
possessed the entire confidence OF
my employer, who, by the way, had
been a schoolmate OF mine.
One day he called me into his Of
flee to look at some rare coins he
had just purchased.
"lIere," said he, placing in my
hand a heavy gold piece, SIS one
which is worth more than all the
rest put together. 1t is a great GU
riosity. paid f200 for it, and
considered it cheap at that | could
easily double my money in selling I;
and so you see, Harvey, it is really
a good investment.
''No doubt it u.s. said |, though
it seems large sum to have to lie
idle"
| breathed an involuntary sigh as
| laid the coin down on the desk,
for sf200 would have seemed for
tune to me just then.
The severe illness Of my wife, and
one of my children, and the death OF
another, made serious inroads on my
purse. and it had required the exer-
else of the utmost economy to keep
myself free frem debt nay, had
been obliged to withdraw from the
bank the small sum, which besides
my salary. was all | possessed oil
worldly treasures. Thinkingof this,
| laid the coin down with sigh,
and turned away to attend to my
duties.
The next morning was again
summoned into the office, but this
time | met with no friendly greeting
as usual.
Harvey, said my employer, alb
ruptly, "that coin we were looking
at has disappeared. | have made q
thorough search, but it is not to be
found. 1t has been carried away by
some one. You alone saw or knew
of it, and"
He paused and looked significant
ly into my face. finished the SEN
tence for him, the hot blood dying
my cheeks and brow as spoke.
"You mean therefore, that ! took
i'll p
"What else can | think 2 The
coin was here; you alone saw it.
cannot recall having seen it since i
was in your hands You are il
need of money; you have told mi
that yourself. 1t was a great temp
tation, and | forgive you because 0
our old friendship, but | cannot re
tain you in my employ. Here il
the salary due YOU"
every WE'LL" said ], with force'
calmness, $50 be it. Since yol
have SO poor an opinion Of me aftel
years of faithful service, shall no
stoop to defend myself"
Then / took the money he hat
laid upon the desk, and went on
from his presence well-nigh brok
en- hearted man.
. But for the tender love Of my
wife, doubt not but that | would
have buried my sorrows in the grave
of suicide.
Supported by that love, however,
and the consciousness Of my own in
nocence, took fresh courage, and
set resoIutely to work to find an
employer.
But powerful is breath Of SLAM
der; turn which way | might, ever
found that the story of my dismissal
for theft had preceded me, and my
application for employment uniform
ly met with refusal.
Time went on; piece by piece our
furniture and every spare article Of
clothing fonnd its way to the pawn
brokers, until, at length, even this
poor resource failed US, and my
children cried in vain for food.
Yeti did not sit down in idle
despair; / could not afford to do so !;
the life or death of all | loved on
earth depended on my exertion--
and SO turning away from them with
heavy heart, | once more set out
on the weary search for work.
All in vain! refusal after refusal
met my cntreaties for employment,
and was turning homeward with q
listless step, when, passing an i'm
meDse church, | was attracted by a
group of men at its base.
Impelled by some strange impulse,
approached and mingled with
| them.
A workman was standing near by,
looking up at the great steeple which
lowered aloft some $50 feet above
them, while gentleman, evidently
an architect, was addressing him in
earnest language, and, at the same
time, pointing toward the golden
cross at the summit Of the spire.
81 tell you,' he exclaimed, as !
drew near, "it must and can be done
The cross must be taken down, or
the first heavy gale will send it down
into the street, and lives will be lost
Coward is this the way you back
out Of job, after engaging to DO
itf"
II didn't know the spire was 50
IL n l. 90. ..c1alf IL unIl