The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1873-05-17
"WAS IT THE PENALTY ?
BY MARY c. VAUGHAN.

John Greer was u respectable, in
dustrious mechanic. His home was
a large town, the business of which
was principally devoted to manuiac-
turing pursuits. He was well edu-
cpted, with manners that, il not pol
ished, were those of a wcll-bred gen
tlcman, which his occupation did
not prevent his being considered in
that place where nearly every man
was the artisan OF lis own fortunes.
His wife, Sarah, was a sprightly,
little, bright eyed woman, interest
ing and attractive, without being
positively beautiful. She was look,
ed on by all her acquaintauces as a
very fortunate woman, An opinion
in wf ich she undoubtedly agreed.
Her home was a bright aud happy
spot. Her husbands attachment to
her was very great, AMI was fully
reciprocated. No calculation of ln'
tercst had led to their marriage.
They loved each other aud lou nd
their chief happiness in each others
society. John possessed his strong
arms and thorough knowledge OF
his trade, with few hundred already
accumulated. Sarah's little patrimO-
ny was sufficient for the furnishing
Of their little home.
There we're all the elements Of hap
piness there, Il erfect trust, reciprocal
affection, unbounded confidence
these, with health. industry, and the
habit OF thinking and speaking well
and kindly of every one, made their
bright, comfortable home the abode
OF peace aud all the household joys.
It was not for days aud months
alone they lived thus, but for years.
Two children were added TO the cir
Gle, claiming the love and calling
forth the pride ol. their parents.
John Greer was looked upon as a
prosperous man, and one who was
already accumulatiug property. A.
a proof OF this latter fact, many mod
est luxuries beautifcd their home,-
now choice engraving or line-col~
ored print, here n good but not too
snowy carpet, or piece of furniture
things made for use and not too
fine Tor use.
In their home, good taste and
judgment reignsd. A well.sclected
library had its place there, and both
father and mother read ard took
a deep interest in all the moro i'm
portant news OF the day. John had
the ambition to see his children
well educated-his son should 60 10
college and study profession, II bis
tastes led him in that direction. His
daughter should be an accomplished
woman; and both we're TO occupy n
station higher than their parents.
That had been resolved upon, aud
seemed likely OF iuliillmeut. No
one expects, in America, that the
son shall follow the fathers pursuits
unless lie chooses. nor the daughter
marry and spend her life in tho same
social station. The ambition for
each generation to make au advance
/ In the social scale Is a marked iea-
| turo both ci American society and
American character. Aud John
aud Sarah Grssr followed the usual
law.
Yet, in the seeming prosperity oi
this household, there was one seriou:
flaw. With oil his shrowdness aud
| hrs Just ideas of life IN many Of III
aspects, John Greer bad that rest.
less ambition which 80 often prompts
men ,ostrauge and fatal acts. They
make haste to be rich, and often, LED
away By this desire, they press Il
the very limits Of honor and hon
esty.
This wns the case with John Greer
/ lie was tempted into series Of acts
such as are known under the gen
eal name Of speculations. Undoubt
udIy he had no intention Of enteriB,
INTO any but legitimate transactions