Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-10-15

ne hlsseu her, and thought how, Tor he
sake, he would like to be rich.
lie went home, building huge castles it
the air BY the way. His mother received
him With kiss and blessing She wal
proud Of her sou, aud she was grateful t,
him T; for well she knew, though she ownet
the roof that covered them, she should hav,
Jared but III bad it not been for EDGAR
helping hand. She was a meek, mild
Christian woman, loving and tender. She
was proud Of her boys manly beauty, but
.hc was far more proud Of his sterling
character.
This was Monday evening On Wed
nosday the street was shocked by the re-
port of heavy defacation. A young mar
cashier in bank-had fallen suddenly
from an honorable position to shame and
disgrace. He had been speculating with
funds Of the bank, aud had robbed the in
stitution Of fifty thousand dollars This
man had been Edgar's friend. They had
been companious for years. Only the day
before Edgar had wished that, when he
was married, he could give to Julia such
a carriage ns this man had given to bis
wife.
90 this Wednesday evening Edgar called
upon his broker. All looked we'll.
On Saturday morning Edgar read in the
newspaper that the land grant to the Ash
Valley railroad had been defeated in the
Legislfure. lie buried upon the street,
and he heard il plainly spoken" Ash
Nliioy t'at - Gone from forty down 10
Twenty-Five :" lie went TO bis brokers'
nd there was no ooncealing the truth
The crash had come.
Never say die :" cried the spider,
boisierously. " Didn't you ever catch bai-
butt | have,-and have had to haul in
ninety faihoms Of line three times before |
got the fish. When one Of them big fellow.
comes close to the surface, and turns head
down, you've got to Jet him 20 back to bot.
tom. But, bless you we ant going to
lose him. We pull again Cheer MP, my
boy. There's the New Spring Hill stock
lrs going up ike hot cakes can buy it
to-day for twenty. Itll be double that in
six days"
That very forenoon Edgar manipulated
The books again, and put three thousand
dollars into the brokers' hands
Another week passed, and Spring Hill
bad not advanced a peg. On the Sabbath
Eigar did not attend church with hi,
mother. lie told her he was not feeling
well.
The fearful race was quickly run. Spring
Hill declined, instead Of advancing anC
Edgar was called upon to make good hit
purchase. lie could not do it, lie sur
rendered the stock.
He vas eight thousand dollars out, anC
not q scrap to show for it,
At the bank the directors had been NOR,
critical than usual Defalcatons in othel
places had made them watchful. The fall
ing Of men whom they had regarded al
sterling and Eeliable had caused them t,
overlook more closely the figures Of iheil
own trusted servants.
The summons came to Edgar Fontenay
TO meet the directors in their private room
lie entered and saw his books open befor,
them. His crime was known to them
What had he to say?
He sank down and begged for mercy
Might not his untarnished character unit
this time plead for him ?
The president shook his head mournfully
Alas Edgar that is what makes your
crime black. That is why we are shocked
That you could have cast such a charac
ter into the scale Of treachery is fearful
When the demon of fraud and speculation
comes upon US in such shape, where cal
safety for the public be found if we fail t,
unmask the monster2 Our duty is painful
but it must be done"
A side door was opened, aud sheri
entered.
IL was night-Saturday night-dark an
stormy. Edgar begged that he might b
allowed to 90 home and speak with hi
mother. A carriage was called, and tn
officer went with him TO his home. HI
went in pale and palsiod, staggering like
drunken man.
What hush was upon the house! No
sound-not a whisper-nothing to bic
him welcome Could the news have reached
this place? he asked the officer.
The sheriff shook his head seriously.
The air is startled he said. "SucI
things travel fast. But we must not wal
here. If you would see your mother, Gn,
her at once. | will trust you that far.
will wait here ten minutes, and then 20,
must 20 with me-"
With you2"
With me 2"
"To.-to-jail2n
Yes"
Ilark !"
A low wall, as of one in distress, cam
from an adjoining room.
d" o, my soul =, cried Edgar. can
not see her. Take me away. Let me die
as deserve"
While he spoke door was opened, an,
Julia Amnesty came forth. She was ella,
in white, and her face was as white a
was the robe which seemed winding
sheet.
Julia %
" Edgar, go to your mother. Go quick
or you will not see her alive"
With one wild, despairing cry he starte,
forward He had reached the open door
and Julia had vanished from his sight
when heavy hand was laid upon his arm
] - I11ror Edoor -