Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-10-25
some time, and rather think know the

some time, and 1 rather think L know the
cause"
"Is it out, then? Who has told you ~
No one has told me, but can guess !;
it is debt"
And worse" groaned Charley.
swell, tell me the whole; you've kept
it to yourself too long already"
It's disgrace" said Charley, bitterly.
Il don't believe it; however, l can
judge better when have heard the circum-
Stances" said Mrs. Tenant, sitting down
beside him.
And then he told her the story, which
is, alas, too common to need repeating: of
living above his income till debt had accum-
ulated beyond his ability to pay, of appro-
priating his employers money under sud-
den temptation, with the intention of re-
storing it again when he should receive the
promotion which he had long been prom
ised. But, quite unaccountably, the pro-
motion had been given to another; and to
make matters still more hopeless, the rich
uncle who had always given him OCCASION
al aid, and part of whose property he one
day hoped to inherit, had recently married
and gone to Europe with his bride. He had
other rich relatives. to whom he had APP
piled for help, but they all lived fully up
to their incomes, and could do nothing for
him.
''And so it was only choice between
that'-pointing to the pistol-''and flight" "
said Charley, in conclusion.
"FoOlish boy, as if either would help
the matter!'' exclaimed Mrs. Tenant.
Z" No, there is but one straightforward
course open to you, and that is to go to
your employer, Mr.. Macomber, and tell
him just what you've told me-"
''And be put in prison for my pains, ~
cried Charley.
(which would be no more disgrace than
to be running around the world to escape
justice. As to the pistol, keep that to
shoot crows with; it won't help your af-
fairs any. But l was going on to say, I'll
be responsible to Mr.. Macomber for what
you've spent. Can't allow me to make
such sacrifice, do you say? It's no sac
rifice at all. I've got money enough, and
I'm glad of it, now, if Inever was before. y
''You are so kind, / can never thank
you enough,' said Charley; land as to
telling Mr.. Macomber, l believe it will be
easier to confess than to bear what I've
borne the last six weeks"
"Of course it will, and don't believe
he will be hard on you either; but If he is,
even if he sends you to prison, remember
it is the sin that disgraces man, and not
the consequences"
IF the worst comes to the worst, you'll
be kind to poor Katy ?'' said Charley.
"Set your heart at rest on that point" /"
said Mrs. Tenant.
Difficult as was the task Charley had un-
dertaken, he was eager to have it over, and
did not wait for morning and business
hours to seek an interview with his EN-
plOyer, but went to his house that same
evening. He was shown into the library.
where he found himself face to face with
Mr.. Macomber. Standing before him, hat
in hand, he said
"I've come to see you on business, sir,
very painful business"
''Go on" said Mr.. Macomber.
"You have trusted me, and have be-
trayed your confidence"
s'Please to state in what way - and
Charley repeated the sad story of his temp
tation and fall.
Mr.. Macomber listened to the end, and
then remarked quietly, 81 knew it all be-
fore.''
'sYou knew it! ~
''Yes, and that was why you lost your
promotion"
"One thing more," said Charley. 81
am glad to say you will lose nothing by
me; kind friend will see to that. But
that is no reason why / should escape
punishment; you have a right to enforce
the law"
"Of course have"
$ await your pleasure"
"Well, my pleasure is to keep you in
your present position, that is, if you will
accept it; the promotion, as you know, is
not in my power to give. BY coming to
me openly, you have shown that you are
still honest at heart, and think, therefore,
| may safely trust you again."
Charley left the merchants presence
feeling that new world had opened to
him, as indeed it had. He had now but
one misgiving, and that was concerning
Katy, for of course she must know all that
had happened; there should be no more
concealments. And how would she bear
it? Would she cease to love him, to respect
him? How would she accommodate her
self to their straitened circumstances?
Revolving these thoughts, he opened
the door Of his house, and was met by
Katy herself, who, throwing her arms
round his neck, exclaimed
90 Charley, what did he say? II he
scuus sou W piisob, Will 20 too.
'Then Aunt Tenant has told your
Yes, l thought you had had confes-
sions enough for one night" said Mrs:
Tenant; "but you haven't answered
Katy's question, What did he say %"
He forgave me everything; and all be-
cause followed your advice"
80, I'm so happy, so happy" said Katy,
between laughing and crying.
But we can't live as we have done; 1t
will be a great change for you, Katy"
"Yes, now / shall learn the use of
aunty's aprons and holders; if I'd known
the use of them when we were married, it
might have saved us all this trouble" said
Katy.-Youth's Companion.