, 1876-04-14
Kindness and Dishonesty.
BY JASPER COWDIN.

BY JASPER COWDlN.
Howard Moore was a young man
twenty-five years of age, fne-looking,
respectable and-poor. He was employed
in a down town fancy-goods house, upon
small salary. But his industrious hab-
its, his methodical way of arranging
everything, and the remarkable ingenuity
he displayed in suiting the different
tastes of the fair sex, did not pass unno-
ticed by the observant Mr.. Emerson, his
employer, who often remarked that young
Moore had the four sources of success
in him.
As Mr.. Emerson firmly believed in
equality and the rights Of man" and as
he measured people by their abilities, not
by the length of their watch-chains, it is
not to be wondered at that be partly en-
couraged the attachment existing between
Howard Moore and his only daughter,
Flora, a peit, sprightly little creature,
unasSuming in manner, with innocent,
childlike ways. Her pleasant gray eyes,
in which strange mixture ofgravity and
humor appeared, at times, would sparkle
with enthusiasm, displaying a slight dash
of coquetry. Although grave and digni-
fed in the presence of strangers, she was
very open and confding to her "dear
papa to whom she impaired every secret
Of her heart.
And this is how she first met Howard
Moore: Happening in her fathers es-
tablishment one afternoon, she was waited
npon by our young hero, who. to her de-
light, seemed to know just what she
wanted without her asking for it; but
when he produced gloves, laces and finery
that was nothing less than superb, " and
assisted her to her carriage with the
grace Of an eleqdnte, it must be confessed
that she was decidedly enchanted.
That evening, when Mr.. Emerson came
home, Flora jumped up into his lap, and
throwing her arms about his neck, asked,
10 the most innocent way, who that nice
young man was who waited upon her that
afternoon.
HHaln said Mr.. Emerson, provokingly,
Il noticed his shy glances and your un-
disguised admiration. Mutual attach
ment l supposel'
@Why, papa how could you2v And
Flora biushed. "But do tell me what
his name is.u
swell, said Mr.. Emerson, with affected
gravity, ''if you must know, and can
never refuse you anything, that was How
ard Moore; -penniless-and the
best salesman I've got"
"But isn't he delightful9' cried Flora
with enthusiasm; "and as to his being
Poor,p she added, demurely, 81 can see
no disgrace in that"
Flora was obliged to go to the store
very often after that, ostensibly to select
handkerchiefs, but what her real purpose
was every reader is entitled to an opinion.
It was not part of Mr.. Emerson's
creed to interfere with love matters, and
as the couple seemed to enjoy eachother's
society he one night invited our hero, in
an off-hand way, to come up to the house
and take supper with him.
Howard, as may well be supposed,
readily accepted the invitation.
The cosy tea-table, at which Flora pre-
sided with so much dignity, cher mother
being dead); the pleasant chat in the
drawing-room, and, more than all, the
timid come again. of Flora, as she bade
him goodnight, were not lost upon our
hero, who, in course of time, Became a
frequent visitor at the Emerson mansion.
It must not be inferred that Flora was
destitute of admirers crowd al gays
trooped about her-but the only one to
whom she had shown the least partiality
was young man named Harry Cole. He
was Of wealthy parentage, accomplished,
and decidedly handsome. But be had
an over-bearing disposition which was
not calculated to gain him many friends.
His father had determined to. make an
acute business man of his son, and with
that object in view had secured him DO
sition in Mr.. Emerson's establishment.
Proud and naughty. he could not endure
the least indifference from others; and
when he observed that he had a rival in
the affections of Miss Emerson, and no.
hced the esteem in which that rival was
held by her father he vowed he would
have revenge.
He professed a great friendship for
Howard; took him to balls, parties, and
fashionable assemblages, introducing lin
as "a most particular friend.r Step by
step he led his unwsry victim on, until, at
last poor Howard found that his slender
sal-Iy would not support his reckless ex-
travaganee.
twas now that the tempter appeared
IN Harry Cole. He delicately insinuated
that Howard might better his condition
aud make up his deficiencies at the ex-
pense Of his employer. 1t was a fierce
struggle, but, alas ! his heavy debts pressed
upon him sorely. He yielded to the
,empter's voice, and disgrace followed
hard upon his folly.
lhe tempter turned accuser, and Mr.,
Emerson could not refute the testimony
oi his own eyes. He had observed the
growing indifference of Howard; his in