Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-10-05

OF any dishonesty. He swOre the money
he'd collected had alwsys been pkid ovel
! to the cashier; but the evidence the othsI
way was too strong, and our boy was
branded as thief Mr.. Wilmot. who was an
cry at Sans insinuations. wanted him sent
to prison; but Mr.. Baker was . mercifu
man. and did not bring upon us further
disgrace. After this felt could nc
longer remain In Mr.. bakers employ. ant
thus II was l went to Loostring aud Tools
So that Sam might have . chance Of getting
back his character, NJ. Baker gave hin
. letter Of Introduction to q merchant 1t
Bombay, somewhere in India. who may
be able to find him employment such rs
wouldn't have temptations. Sam eagerly
jumped at the offer, but up to the moment
OF his departure declared himself innocent
OF stealing Mr.. Bakers money. Poor fel-
low 1t was the last we saw Of him. Be.
fore the vessel reached India she met Z
fearful hurricane. and every soul on board
her perished."
Overcome by these painful recollections
Abel buried his face in his hands and wept
Complete silence reigued in the room for
a few moments, and then Polly controlling
with An effort the strong emotions that
swep: through her heart, crept to her
Dear father she said, In broken tones.
the story Of your sorrow makes you dear
er 70 me than ever
The old man withdrew his hands from
her embrace, and, when she had kissed
the tears from his cheeks, resumed:
There could be no donbt OF ysur broth
er's guilt, and l was too sensible Of the
kindness OF his employers 10 allow them
to suffer. | resolved, come what might,
that would do my best to repay them.
For this daily denied myself; for this
narrowed your opportunities Of education !;
and this, nextto your happiness, my child,
is the object Of my life
Dear father, and until now you have
always led me to believe that the amount
paid half yearly was to discharge a debt
OF your own
My darling. was 1t to your interest to
know the truth? When YOUR brother left
England you were hut q child. Up to to-
night il has been my constant endeavor ~
hide the real facts of the case from you.
l had hoped to have paid OF the whole
amount before you got married. Toms .
proposal to. night, however, has friyhten.
ed the secret out of me. for | could not
allow him to marry you without knowing
the truth.
4
claimed Tom who had been trying to speak
for some time, but had been unable to do
so, owing 10 4 strange sensation rs Of
marbles rolling up his throat, and deter
mination OF water to his eyes-'now | do
know It. am more than ever desirous OF
making Polly my wife. thought OF hav-
ing the banns put up next week. and then
we can be married before another month
is over our heads
But, Polly inquired Abel, is not that
rather soon:'
His daughter was at that momeat en-
gagged in attending TO the fire, the bright.
ness OF which had during the recital OF
Abei's revelations become somewhat dim
med. Just after he spoke a CHEEKY fame
again shot forth and disclosed q happy
smile upon Polly's lace and a blush upon
h.r ehe-A, forming quite sufficient answer
TO the question.
Well my children continued the old
man, do as YOU will
Tom Smith sprang from his chair aud
was wtinging Abel's hands in token OF
gratitude, when the sound of footsteps
ascending the stairs caught Abel's ear.
'lIe:e. Polly! quick with the candle.
he cried there Is some one who wants
US. or has mistaken the floor.
The room had hitherto been illuminated
solely by the dtful CLEAN Of the nre, and
just as Polly had got the candle slight the
door was opened. and in strobe Mr.. Baker
Baker junior-~hom Aoel had left but
an hour and half before.
% Abel. said Baker,j with his broad
ruddy face glowing with excitement, I'm
so glad I've found you at home. I've
good news for you-news that1l make
your heart leap from your BOSOM
.What-what Is nr exclaimed Abel
while Polly and her betrothed looked on
in silent sinaIement.
why. your boy Ssm-be who eight
years ago was thought to be guilty OF rob.
bing us-is proved to have been innocent.
Abel sank back In his chair, his face
grew pale. and his hands cluehed the
wrists OF Tom Smith aud his daughter
who had rushed to his side.
How - how do you know this?' he
gasped.
An hour after you lett my office letter
from Australia was delivered-it was
written by 4 gentleman, a Magistrate In
Melbourne. and was to the effect that oul
late cashier, Robert WilmOt, having re
ceived fatal injury through being run
over in the streets. in his last moments
made deposition before the legal suthOri-
himself had appropriated the moneys OF
the r,rm, and in order to conceal his own
delinquencies was compelled to fx the
guilt upon some one else. The Officia
papers will arrive by mex: mail, Abel
believe me no person is more rejoiced q,
this intelligence than myself
The old man was in tears-he could moi
| speak. but the pressure he gave the ex
tended hand evinced his belief in Baker
juniors siocerity.
And Abel continued the newcomer, II
gave me great pleasure-more pleasur,
thanI can tell yon-to hand you bAcl
your ninety pounds. Both my father ant
myself resolved never to touch . penny o
1t; if you had died before you were sat
isfied you had discharged the sum WI
should have handed over the money tc
your daughter. am delighted however
| to give It back 10 you personally; and !
| you will come to our Office Tomorrow
will hand you over the dive per cent. in
terest which has accrued since the firs
payment Good bye. Abel. feel mysel
an intruder now Good bye. aud HeaveI
bless you, my honest fellow.
| Baker junior. who seemed with ever.
word to become thicker aud thicker in hi
Inference, then placed in Abel's lap smai
| canvass bag which gave forth chlHSiiis
sound. aud once again heartily wringins
the old mans hand. bounced from tn
room ere any one could bid him farewell
Polly, Polly whispered Abel. give M
that workbox.'
The girl knew what he wanted, an
placed the box before him. She saw hi
fingers draw from its contents Of preciou
relics of bygone day tiny baby's sho
which had never belonged TO her. Tn
old man held it within his hands. aud ate
esziug at 1t . few seconds, drew 1t rev
erentiy to his lips, and murmured, M
boy innocent, ny boy innocent! Oh tha
he had lived to see this day.
Tom Smith stole his arm around th
waist Of his betrothed and drew her TO tn
window. They raised the blind. and lOOh
ing out witnessed the heavens resplenden
with myriad stars and bright crescent
shaped moon.
Polly dear said Tom, it's the hrst da
of the new moon. You ought 70 wish, an
what YOU wish is sure to come true.
is It. Tom? replied the girl, with wis
ful trusting look 10 her eyes that mad
him draw her still nearer to him. DO yo
know have watched for the new moo
and wished regularly the same thing Il
. many months psstF
,A.d ,.h.t ,~.s vnur xvish POllvT 1