The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-03-10
Selfrt Snrp.
Morrison's Vindication.
By n sLINGsBY.
CHAPTER III.
JUST IN TINE.

"Well, Morrison, it seems you were
not to be mistaken in your man 7"
"Hardly-after having known you so
well," replied Arthur, gravely.
"And now," continued Frothinghast
with perfect composure, will YOU inform
me why it is that l am now subject to
this indignity ?"
II should not suppose you would re-
quire an explanation said Arthur.
well, perhaps not. / suppose it is
on Barnwell's account ?"
at is."
swell admitting the truth of the char
ges, do you not think it would be better
to COMPROMISED"
81 don't know as it lays in my power
to do so" s ~,
"Pshaw! you are the only one at pres
ent who can bring any specific charges
against me-"
"Very true; but if should fail to ap
pear against you, how is it to be with
Mr.. Barnwell p
"Pll tell you-you push this matter,
and you lose everything; you compro
mise, and you gain something. Look
here, 1 should prefer not to have this af-
fair made public. Understand me, Nor
rison, arm able to pay l broke the
bank at Crossman's night before last
can restore to Barnwell every cent l
have taken, and not feel it; but if you
are foolish enough to persist in driving
me to the wall, you will gain nothing by
it, only the ruin of your late employer.
As near as can estimate it, have Dor
rowed of Mr. Barnwell, at various times
sums which in the aggregate will amour,
to about sixteen thousand dollars. Now
l have about twelve thousand on deposit
at the Miners and Traders Bank-tha
shall be made over to the credit of Mr.
Barnwell if you procure my release with
in the hour"
Arthur hesitated. Here was the op.
portunity offered to relieve his late EN-
ployer of his present embarrassment
and vindicate his own character in the
eyes of Mr.. Barnwell-that is if there
was any shadow of suspicion still lurk.
ing in his mind.
"Why do you hesitate p cried Froth-
inghast impatiently. "Don't you think
have made you a liberal offer ?"
81 might think SO, were I acting ex
clusively for myself; but under the cir
cumstances / don't know as l have .
right to accept anything short of the ful
amount and when we come TO the lie
gality OF the thing, l know l have ne
business to compromise at ALL Bu
still, in consideration of Mr.. Barnwell'.
interest. it might be the best thing to dc
! it."
"Well, what do you say? Il shouldn'
take you long to decide. AS for NE
care only for the publicity of the thing
If it comes to trial, I shall get out of i
for half the money have offered YOU
ait may not he right, Frothinghast
| but will tell you what / will do. If yol
will make written confession exonera
ting me from all blame or dishonesty
while in the employ of Mr.. Barnwel ,ant
will make up to him the full amount o
your embezzlement, l will withdraw m,
complaint and allow you to go at large
"Very good. Bring me writing mate
rials-I will comply with your require
ments."
Two hours later Arthur held the writ
ten proofs of his own innocence Mr.
Rarnwell was fully reimbursed for all thu
losses he had sustained through the dis
honesty of his head clerl-and the heat
clerk was suffered to 60 at large
Leaving his business; temporarily. un
der the supervision of Uncle George
whose interests were identical with hi.
own, Arthur Morrison started on th,
next steamer for New York.
Mr.. Peterson--one OF the heaviest i'm
porters in New York, was seated on,
morning in his counting-room in earnes
conversation with fine looking youn!
fellow Of two-and.twenty, when the doo
was hesitatingly opened and Mr.. Barn
well entered. L
| The young man gave quick start or