The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-11
Silas GringriIi's Trap.

1T is plain case" Mr.. Grimgrin said.
Against whom would there not have been
plain case, Mr.. Grimgrn Judging?
mo doubt he is guilty? but what are
the facts!" inquired Miss Thuggc, in whom
the theory of justice striking came before
hearing.
They are very simple, Miss Thucrc.
Presented an altered check at the Oxide
bank this morning-in Jail for forgery this
evening""
but there may be some explanation, -
timidly remarked young lady, at whose
simplicity Mr.. Grimgrin smiled, and Miss
Thugge shifted.
He should have made it at once, then, "
SAID MIR. Grimgrin, "instead of standing
dumb before his accusers; after cxplana-
tons don't go for much in such cases"
Poor Edith it will break her heart"
the young lady could not help adding.
"Pooh," said Mr.. Grimgrin. Gas you will
ma out some day, heart breaking is only
figure of speech"
to laugh, and the young lady to blush, at
Mr.. Grimgrin's sentcntious observation.
let us go back q step.
Ernest Jasper, whose arrest for forgery
was just now the subject of conversation,
has hitherto borne an unblemishcd char
acter. lie and his brother George, out of
moderate salaries, after supporting their
widowed mother, managed to lay up some
thlng every year, and each was looking for
happy time, not far distant he hOped.
when would no longer need TO be deferred
Inc course of true love never ran
smoother than in the case of Ernest Jas
per and Edith Wade. Too trusting TO AL
low mischief to make it between themselves
what could disturb the even tenor of two
such lives?
George Jasper was of different temper
from his brother. With heart as true.
he was impulsive and passionate. 1t is
such men that are easily melted to ioal
ousy, and who act rashy under il,
When George Jasper and Mildred Heath
piighted their troth, they would have stalk
ed their lives on each others loyalty. But
evil tongues came between them. Stories
which should have been scorncd- and were
ut first-in time began to be listened to.
Then came quarres and reconciliation.
'ime ana again repeated, till at last it was
,nsinuated to George that he had rival in
ms love. lie demanded an explanation in
u tone so imperious that Mildred's pride
took offensc, and she answered it with ST.
ience. They parted in anger and Georges
visits ceased.
few days later, cool note from Mil
dred informed him that all was over with
them. In his bitterest moments he had not
counted on this His first impulse was to
ny from the scene of his misery-whither
ne cared not-the further away the better.
letter received through the post office
announced TO Earnest his brothers deparl-
ure.
Leaving you" the latter went on. "the
burden OF Your mothers support. enclose
you my employer, Mr.. Winters check for
All my savings over the necessary expenses
OF my journey. | cannot tell YOU where
am going, for do not know. To YOU
and our mother-thc only ones to whom
have right to offer i'll leave my fondest
love. Farewell"
1t was the check thus endorsed which.
on being presented by Ernest, was ascer.
tanned to have been altered to large |
amount.
On being questioned, Ernest offered no
explanation. Instantly it flashed upon him /
that he could not speak without comprom-
iSlng his brother, and his silence was con
strued into n confession of guilt lie was
at once arrested, and committed for trial.
Silas Grimgrin was post office clerk.
moral beyond his years and with a con
science tenderly alive to the sins of others.
We have already seen how little lenity poor
Ernest received at his hands.
Silas Grimgrin had just returned from
Mrs. Thugge's party, and in his bachelor
apartment, was RECALLING himself with d.
'ers reflections on the vanity of human
sishes, when knock announced visitor.
"Como in,' said Silas, glahcing over his
houlder.
STOPPING to clear the doorway, u young
nan entered, fellow-clerk of Silas, at the
east six feet two in height, with good
atured but not particularly bright looking
ountenance.