The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-08-17

stories about you z asked ALeei IN
tone Of pity.
the rest is the blacklist lie, said Aaron,
fiercely. al did do little wrong.
When I lived with Deacon Phillips /
made few dollars by o trick. II
wasn't exactly honest, and 1t wasn't OK
actly dishonest. / know 1t wasn't right,
and l wouldn't do it again but l was
poor. The deacon only gave mo my
board, and | wanted some money.
After I'd done it he told Of me all over
town, and the next year I couldn't get
a decent place, and I had to go TO ST.
mon Pinkham's. While 1 was there
the old man lost fifty dollars, and he
thought stole 1t but / don't know
no more where his money went to than
he did himself"
"WhAt o shame to accuse you SC !"
exclaimed Alice, Indignantly.
"old Simon Ia forgetful and child
ish. ] think he laid IL down some
where, and forgot whore he put 1t.
Once he left his watch on the haymow,
and II Peter hadn't found II, he would
have thought I stole that, too" said
Aaron. olr M s....Il ls.i.
"And this Is oil you have done ~
replied Alice, reaectiyely.
There was an awkward silence, and
then Aaron said, blushing, "No, not
quite all. Last Fourth Of July I get
partly intoxicated, and did and said
what I never should have done II I'd
been sober. And this is all. Ishouldn't
have said word about IL, only / know
you have heard so much worse m ac-
count Of me. How folks can treat a
poor fellow SO, and not let him have any
chance, Just because his father and
mother are dead and he can't help him.
self, is more than / can tell.
When Alice told her parents her ad-
venture with the "old witch, and how
Aaron had befriended her, and the
fierce words the woman had let fall
about Mr.. Roman as one who had help
ed send her son to his death, they were
very much astonished.
ibid you ever see Martha Cam,
father ?" inquired Alice.
"I do not remember her" said Mr..
Roman. "There was man tried for
murder before the Criminal Court in
Wellington, while Mr.. Pinkerton and ]
were jurymen. He was found guilty
and was sentenced to the State Prison,
and finally died there. But his name
wasn't Cann.' II was Wilson. That
may have been only q feigned name,
though.
Alice repeated her conversation with
Aaron Dyke.
"I don't believe he is half as bad as
they try to make him out, y she said,
emphatically. "and he really wants
works, father. Can't you help him ?"
mCertainly, IL he is anxious to do
well, ] will do all I can for him, said
Mr.. Roman. aa
few hours later another letter found
its way into Aaron Dykes hands. II ran
as follows.
"AARoS DYKE: II You are still in need
Of work, and will try and do well, Twill
take you into my store. II your con-
duct proves satisfactory, you shall have
fair play and permanent employment.
"Truly yours. A. ROMAN"
That letter proved the turning.point
Of q life. In all probability II saved .
friendless boy from becoming bad
man.
Months rolled away, and Aaron Dyke
continued steady and diligent, and SO
won his employers confidence by his
good understanding and attention 10 the
interests Of his business, that the mer-
chant began to regard him as his most
useful assistant.
Two years from the time my story
opens, Mr.. Roman, with his wife and
Alice, went to New York to spend q
week.
On the third night Of their absense,
Rowena, the second daughter, was
startled from her slumbers about mid
mght by q strange kissing sound aud
stealthy steps directly under her open
window. She sprang up and listened.
The air was still and sultry, and she
could have caught the slightest move.
ment, but now nothing unusual seemed
to be stirring. She waited several min
utes, and hearing nothing but the sing.
ing Of insects in the leaves and grass,
abe lay down again and was soon sound
asleep.
Morning came, and Rowena finding
that no one else in the house had been
disturbed, tried to persuade herself
that her alarm was only fancy or bad
dream. But she did not quite, succeed
in Diminishing II from her mind.
AS night came on again she grew nei-
vous and timorous.
At the fall OF twilight Aaron Dyke
dropped in for q few minutes on his way
to the store.
"well, how do you get along without
your father, and mother, and Alice"
he inquired.
o good little boy, and Bridget Is very
steady and faithful It's little lone
some, theughA and only last night ]
heard something right under my win.
dow, or thought / heard something,
that has made me nervous ever since"
And she related to Aaron the story OF
her little fright. at may be I was
dreaming" she concluded, but the
more think Of it the more ] think ]
wasn't. There's some mystery about II,
and I can't get over it."
"Didn't you hear the noise but
once ?" asked Aaron.
"No. I listened a good while, but
all xvaa Rtfl1b -
; = al i.'e guess less twas a dog or cat" said
mo, Il Sasnt i" answered Rowena,
decidedly; "cats and dogs don't mako
steps like what i heard. There was
some person here for no good, / be-
lieye. Honest persons don't 90 into
private wards nt midnight and BlIulk