The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-03-04
wR0NGFULLY ACCUSED.

| HAO0uEtLLf ABUSED.
1t has been many long days since then, YET
remember it ALL just as though 1t had occur
red yesterday.
| was carpenter, the foreman of large
establishment, and as such possessed the en-
tire confidence of my employer, who by the
way, had been an old schoolmate of mine
| One day he called me into his office to look
at some rare coins he had just purchased.
Here,' said he, placing In my hand a
heavy gold piece, sis one which is worth
more than all the rest put together. 1t is a
great curiosity. paid $500 for It, and con-
sidered it cheap at that. could easily double
my money in selling it; and SO you see, Har-
vey, it is good investment"
"No doubt of it," said I, "though it seems
large sum to have lie idle.'
breathed and involuntary sigh as I laid
the coin down on the desk, for 5000 would
have seemed fortune to me just then.
The severe illness of my wife and one of my
children, and the death of another, made seri
GUS inroads on my purse and it had required
the utmost economy to keep myself free from
debt /; nay, had been obliged to withdraw
from the bank the small sums, which, besides
my salary, were all possessed of worldly
treasures. Thinking of this, laid the coin
down with sigh, and turned away to attend
to my duties.
The next morning was again summoned
into the Office, but this time was met with
no friendly greeting.
Harvey said my employer, abruptly /;
that coin we were looking at has disappear
ed. have made a thorough search, but it is
not to be found. 1t has been carried away by
some one. You alone saw or knew of it.,
and
He paused and looked Significantly into my
face. | finished the sentence for him, the
hot blood dyeing my cheek and brow as |
spoke.
You mean, therefore, that took i'll -
"What else can | think? The coin was
here, you alone saw it. cannot recall hav-
ing seen it since it was in your hands. You
are in need of money you have told me that
yourself. 1t was great temptation, and
forgive you because of our old friendship, bu
cannot retain you in my employ. Here il
the salary due you.'
| Every wel,' said I, with forced calmness
$50 be it. Since you have so poor an opinio
of me after years of faithful service, sha
not stop to defend myself
Then | took the money he had laid upo
the desk, and went out from his presence
well-nigh broken hearted man.
But for the tender love of my wife, doub
not but that would nave buried my sor
| rows in the grave of suicide.
Supported by that love, however, and thu
consciousness of my own innocence, took
fresh courage, and sat resolutely to work tt
find new employer.
But powerful is the breath of SANDER
turn which way might, ever found that
coded me, and my application for employ
ment uniformly met with refusal.
Time went on piece by piece our furniture
and every spare article Of clothing found its
way to the pawnbroker. until at length this
poor resource failed us, and my children cried
in vain for food.
Yet / did not sit down in idle despair;
could not afford to do SO the life or death Of
all I loved ON earth depended on my exertions
and SO turning away from home with a
heavy heart, once more set out on the weary
search for work.
All in vain Refusal after refusal met my
entreaties for employment, and was turning
homeward with listless step, when passing
an immense church was attracted by group
of men at it's base.
Impelled by a strange impulse, approach
ed and mingled with them.
A workman was standing near by looking
up at the great steeple, which lowered aloft
some $50 feet above them, while gentleman,
evidently an architect, was addressing him in
earnest language, and at the Same time point
ing to the golden cross at the summit of the
spire.
81 tell you,' he exclaimed, as / drew near,
ait must and can be done. The cross must
be taken down, or the first heavy gale will
send it down into the street, and lives will be
lost. Coward is this the way you back out
of a job after engaging to do it?"
81 didn't know the spire was SO high up
there. Do it yourself if you want it donc.'
~ would if were able" said the archi-
tect. But go if you will, let it be. My
honor is pledged to have it done at any price
land can find a Drawer man than YOU to do
| IT,"
The carpenter walked away with logged,
slouching step, and the gentleman was about
to move away also, when I stepped forward.
'.What is it you want done, sr?" asked
az am carpenter; perhaps can do it,
He turned eagerly towards me.
81 will make it worth you while. Take
down that cross and will pay you hundred
dollars. You will have to ascend those orna-
mental blocks, and tell you candidly they
are not to be depended on they must bf
weak and rotten, for they have been there fol
years"
/ looked at the spirc it was square at tin
base and tapered to sharp point, while along
each angle were nailed small gilded blocks o
wood.
"Tt's dangerous place to work, ] said
:" and there will be even more perilin descend
ing than ascending. suppose l succeed il
moving the cross and then"