The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-12-10
SELECT STORY.
JESSIE'S DEBT AND HOW SHE
PAID 1T.

clerks were examined; everything bear
ing upon the case was closely watched;
and now, at last, it was-clear as midday
clearer than the eyes that looked MP
on the closed tell-tale volume. Some
men would have said that Simon Burns
had defaulted. He called it harder
name-he had stolen from the company
So ingeniousiy had he covered his
tracks, that doubt if one less asture
could have found him out, and to-day
he was sorry he had served them so we'll.
How could he be glad. when he remem
bered the years of friendship between
them? And then a tenderer memory
fitted before him-of the little wife
who had almost been his own; and Jes- :
sic, dear little Jessie, whose pleasant
errands would case. She had never been
deemed an intruder; so day by day she
fitted in, lighting up the duh "Ofiee, -
as ray of sunshine steals through a
crevice for moment and is gone.
The books are closed. Never mind
the tea that has fallen-it was manly,
it was compassionate, it came through
the eyes from the honest heart of one
who dared TO do right and snffer for its
sake. Bound as he was in honor to serve
the company, how much more was he
bound to free the innocent from suspic-
ion by proclaiming the guilty.
"Good evening, good evening"" came
the quick, sharp voice Of the senior
member, man who had forgotten life
real, true life-in seeking wealth; but as
to the outside, the visible, ostentatious
part, there had been no neglect.
Turning at the salu.ation. still perch
ed on the high office-stooI, he knew the
question coming.
"Well, Lambert, got the thing fixed
up. hey? Traced it out, III be bound
found the guilty dog. hey?"
In an unsteady voice, yet clear in its
articulation. he said:
"Slmon Burns Is the man."
Without another word. without wait
il.s for praise he knew was forthcoming,
he put ON his coat and hat and left the
office-never with so sad = heart before,
although for almost twenty years be had
gone in and out Of the same door morn
ing and evening. Faithful and trnst-
worthy as young man, he had grown
TO be the mostsyalued Of all the employ
ees. He had recommended Simon Burns
as one likely to serve them well;' maybe
he had wished to show Nellie he bore
her no i'll will, because Simon had rOn
where he had wooed. The way had rev
er seemed long to his modest little
home before, where his old mother was
waiting, as she had for years--his only
company in the house. In hooking al
her placid face, traced il more confident
Iy in her son. In his youth he had need
ed no watching, and now, when he was
past forty, he never questioned him
D wonderful faith in human naturel Ia
trust always in ones integrity. In sigh,
of home he had resolved to cast his all
if need be, into the treasury and save his
friend. But the constantly recurring
thought was az to where to find Simon
All the clerks had been suspended nm
ill the decision could be made. Was il
not most pro bable that be, being guilty
had fed, and being searched for, would
be found and imprisoned before he cou ID
rescue him? At home he opened the
door into the pleasant sitting-room
where his supper always awaited him
saying hastily:
"Only cup of tea tonight, mother
please. There, that will do I'll send
Aunt Wayne over to stay till ! come
Don't worry"
Why should she worry? Strange ad
monition from John.
Very much surprised were the firm
that night on Johns temperance Al
the Office where they had sat long ir
consultation. The junior member, be
ing a kind, humane man, was anxious tC
make it as easy for poor Mrs. Bruins ant
Jessie as possible, and be just to them
selves. He had suggested various ways
all of which seemed doubtful to hi
partner, and impracticable for men 0
business. Lambert's timely appearance
and propositions, and the final accept
ance OF his offer. saving the insertion o
the stratling paragraph already prepares
for the morning edition Of The Chronicle
Simon Burns had not run away; bn
to those nearest and dearest-his idQls
for whom he had sinned-he made full
confession. He had hoped SO much 70
Jessie. While child she delighted il
reading; at school she had always beeI
an apt scholar; and at each examination
had shown such marked progress, that
was no wonder her father had centred al
his hopes in her future. His salary wa
sufficient for the daily uses of life; bu
he lacked means TO employ others. Lii
tie by little the temptation came upo
him, as it mostly does to us all. 1t
rarelys that one commits a bold, starr
ling transgression of the law, withou
first having the way paved by little mis-
demeanors. And so it came to pass this
a teacher of elocution was found fC
Jessie. She improved rapidly, her il
structions were thorough, she studie
diligently, and yet at sixteen she wa
scarcely more than child. Yesterda
she had felt herself child; tonight, !
she lay scbbing on her fathers breas
she assumed the woman's part. 81
suddenly felt herself grown old. Coul
IT be she had ever been light hearted an
happy? No more joy could come to h
now-it would be a strange guest. F,
her mothers sake-yea, for both;
was still her father-she would try
lift her cross. Simon Burns had :
hope any more, no life or force to raj
himself ont of the ditch into which
had fallen A friend had saved hi
public disgrace. II was one Of the COZ
ditions with the firm that the nau
should be unknown. Without positi'