The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-09-10
BLOOMSBURY, Pa. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10. 1875.

"1s your father at ?" he asked.
NO." she. replied little nervously. "He
took his violin and went out early this
morning as usual"
"Why should he have done that?" he re-
joined, with an injured air. "Could he not
have trusted me for one day? Well, since
he is not here, l suppose you and l must lay
plans for his benefit by ourselves. First of
all, is he a pretty fair penman, do you
think ?"
"l'm afraid not, answered Evelyn, doubt
fully; che is so old that his hand trembles a
good deal. However in that basket you will
find the papers he kept from his old business,
and you can judge for yourself"
Henry took down the basket, and empty
ing the papers in his lap, ran them over
carclessly. Suddenly he stopped at one of
them with a. start of surprise, and read it
through earnestly. The young girl watch
ing him, saw the color fade out of his cheek,
and deathly paleness succeed it. After
time he rested his head in his hands, and
seemed to ponder long and deeply. Then he
arose with strage expression of gloom upon
his face, and approached her. "Miss Dew
erell," he said, in a low, husky voice, "this
paper contains matter of the greatest impor-
tance to your father. shall keep it, and
see that justice is done him. No." he add
ed, gravely answering her looks, 81 can tell
you nothing more. You will hear from me
in few days. meantime, take this money
it is only little, but all have--takeit, l
say" he cried, almost fiercely. 81 tell you
it belongs to you, and thousand times as
much" Forcing it into her hand, he went
away without another word, leaving her
frightened and bewildered by his strange
actions.
Father" he said sternly, approaching
Mr.. Archer, 81 always knew that you were
hard man, but never knew that you werea
villain. You ruined William Deyerell de-
liberately. Here is the proof" placing the
paper before his father.
"Where did you get this?' quavcred Mr.
Archer, with a white face
81 discovered it among his papers"
'Does he know its value?"
81 doubt if he knows of its existence even,
so implicitly did he trust you-to his ruin,"
he added, bitterly.
"Then," said his father, complacently,
"destroy it, and all's safe"
"No, l will not" answered Henry, sharp
| ly. "Justce must be done"
"Well," said Mr.. Archer, going off on the
other track, and assuming an air of generosi-
ty that sat as well upon his features as a
conch shell would on snail's back, "Tll
take him back at ten dollars a week. But
don't make me give up the money.
every cent" retorted Henry, firmly,
turning away.
The uushot of this conversation was that
a few days after Thomas Archer, merchant,
absconded with all he could lay his hands
upon.
Henry settled up the business to the best
advantage, and with the proceeds in his
pocket started for Mr.. Deverells home but
when he arrived there they were nowhere to
be found, and he learned that they had been
driven out for non-payment of rent Heavy
hearted he sought information among the
lowly neighbors, but he could get no trace
of them and was about giving up in despair
when he ran across them sitting on the steps
of tenement, the sick girl wearily leaning
on the old mans shoulder.
Hailing passing hack, he placed them in
it, and, entering himself, gave them in very
few words the history of his fathers dishon-
esty, his strage discovery of it, and the sud
den reversal of their fortunes.
"And YOU" said William Deverell, after a
long and grateful silence, "what have you
left for yourself?"
"There," said Henry, stretching out his
hands, "honest and willing to work, not
only for my. own support, but also to make
good that portion of debt which is still due
you"
"But," said the other, until you are able
to shift for yourself, let me offer you some
of this money"
"Not a cent" interposed Henry. at
would burn my fingers, Besides, how could
the son succeed wherc'the father is in such
bad rcpute? No; will leave the city for q
time and find some employment, however
humble"
Both Evelyn and her father would have
combatted this resolution, but he returned
firmly
LET me take my own course. As it i,
now, cannot bear to look any man in the
face, for feel az if my fathers dishonor had
reflected back on me. Time and my OWL
eXertions will overcome that perhaps, and
in the meanwhile, you shall hear from me-"
Resisting their entreaties that he woulC
remain with them longer, he bade then
farewell, and was gone.
Fostcrcd by that care and attention whiel
her fathers extreme poverty had hitherto
. prevented her from receiving Evelyn very
soon recovered her full health. A fey
weeks afterward, purchasing small dwell
| ing in retired country town, the father an
daughter turned their backs upon the SC en-
' of their former suiierings.
:. Months rolled by, and nothing was hear
4; of Henry Archer, And yet he who had S
Y nobly sacrificed himself to his sense of righ
and honor, who had raised them out of tn
depths of misery into peaceful ahluence, WI
/. never out of their thoughts, Ofimes, whe
the old man, recalling those sad days Of su
n fering and despair, dwelt gratefully on h
r, name, there came gentle glow to h
n daughters eye that spoke of more than gra
itude.
t One morning, as they were sitting in the
n little parlor, they were startled by a terrii
d explosion that shook the windows al
It brought them to their feet in alarm. The
l was death in the very sound and, in fc
= moments, the village was full of excite
ii hurrying crowds, While the father al
J. daughter were conyersing together in av
IS stricken tones, terrified Yillager rush,