The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-02-14
WrongfulIy Accused.

~ has oeen many long days since
then, yet remember it all, just as
though it had occurred yesterday.
was carpenter, the foreman of q
large establishment. and as such pos
sessed the entire ,nfidence of my en-
ployer, who, by the way, had been an
old schoolmate ST mine.
One day he called me into bis Office
TO look at some rare coins he had lust
purchased. - ....
Here" said he. placing in my hand
heavy gold piece, SIS one which is
worth all the rest pu. together. 1t is a
great curiosity. l paid two hundred
dolars for it, and consider it cheap a.
that could easily double my money
in selling it; and so you see, Harvey,
it is good investment" ,.r.... '
"No doubt it is," said I, "thourh it
seems large sum to have lie id!e."
! breathed an involuntary sigh as
laid the coin down on the desk, for two
hundred dollars would have seemed a
fortune to me just then.
The severe illness of my wife and
one of my children. and the death of
an other, made serious inroads Oh 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 l possessed
of worldly treasures. Thinking of
this, laid the coin down with a sigh,
and turned away to attend to my du-
ties.
The next morning was again sum-
m0ned into the Office, but tlis time
met with no friendly greeting as usual.
Harvey" said my employer, alb
ruptly, 'that coin we were looking at
has disappeared. have made thor
ough search, but 1t 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
Tor him, the hot blood dying my cheek
and brow as spoke.
"You mean, therefore, that took
It'll"
.,..,,
"What else can think? The coin
was here; yon alone saw it. I cannot
recall having 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 l forgive
you because of our own friendship, but
/ cannot retain you in my employ.
Here is the salary due you"
VERY WELL" said i, with forced
calmness, $50 he it. Since you have
80 poor an opinion Of me after years OF
faith ul service, l shall not stop to de-
fend myself"
Then I took the money he had laid
upon the desk, and went out from his
presence a well nigh broken. hearted
man.
But for the tender love OF my wife,
doubt not but that I would have
buried my sorrows in the grave of 8
suicide. ..rg. s.+. y.
Supported by that love, however, and
the consciousness o. my own limo.
cence, | took fresh courage, and set
resolutely to work to find new en-
ployer. fsaH,-rlgr.r rHrae
But powerful Is the breath of SANDER.
Turn which way might, ever fourd
that the story OF my dismissal for theft
had preceded me, and my applications
for employment uniformly met with
refusal. I...-f
Time went on; piece by piece OF cur
furniture and every spare article Of
clothing found its way to the pawn
brokers', until at length even this poor
resource failed us, aud my children
cried in vain for food. oa
Yet did not BIT down In idle despair.
] could not afford to do so. The life or
death Of all loved on earth depended
ON my exertions, and so, turning away
FROM home with . heavy heart, once
more set out on the weary search for
work. 81 .-