The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1876-04-20
A SHARP TEMPTATION.

Why then, turn his back upon her IA
vor, if at last she choose to offer them?
So James Watson asked himself, on
finding that the pocket book he had just
picked up contained handsome sum of
money.
But it is not mine" he reflected, "and
the owner may be discovered" ="
Don't be a FOOL" he answered to him
self, with the customary rudeness of one
getting the worst of the argument.
Its not your business to look after the
owner. Others have not dealt so justly
with you, that you need put yourself out
much on account of them"
Bad reasoning, surely, but if James
Watson yielded to it, it was not without
palliatioD. The failure of his employer
had lost him his situation, besides a con-
siderable arrearage of wages. The bank
in which he had deposited his savings had
failed and at last the wolf was at the
door
He had been out all day seeking en-
ployment without finding it. At home
he had left an invalid wife, and child
crying for bread. To carry them moth
ing back but disappointment, he could
not bear to think of it. He had continu-
ed his search until hope became hopeless,
and was moodily bending his steps home
ward when his eye fell on a pocket book
at his feet, which he eagerly picked up,
and which he found on examination, to
contain larger sum than he had ever be-
fore possessed.
Having snubbed his conscience into
silence, James Watson FASTENED to seek
his humble home he had a moment be-
fore shrank from entering.
''Dot any supper for Charlie, papa?'
were the first words that greeted him.
Charlie shall have nice supper to-
night" he answered, taking up the child
and kissing him.
"Look here, Mary!" he exclaimed, dis
playing his treasure before the astonished
eyes Of his wife.
Where did you get it?' she asked, her
pale face growing paler, and her voice
trembling.
"FOund it."
"Then it is not yours, James"
"Oh the pretty money!" cried the
child, clapping his hands, "but papa, I'm
so hungry"
The father caught up one Of the bank
notes, and was Fastening out, when his
wife's thin hand was lain upon his arm.
BE our wants what they may" she
said, gently, but firmly 1--WE must not
touch cent of that money. 1t is not
ours, and you see there are papers which
may lead to the discovery of the owner"
"a plague on the papers" he answered ;
we're not bound to read them, and its
easy putting it out of their power to tell
tales"
He was in the act of throwing them in
the fire when his wife caught his arm.
"Listen to me, James," she said, look.
ing appealingly into his face. Trial and
privation | am willing to bear with you at
the end; to lose faith in your honor |
could not bear; it would kill me more
cruelty than want"
Conscience had found an ADLER advo
cate this time than in the discussion
which James had lately carried on single
handed with himself.
"Put it by, Mary" he said, closing the
pocket book, and handing it to his wife
"You are right. God help us"
"Be assured he will, James; | feel it
now more than ever"
"But dat supper, papa, little Charlie re
minded, "when will it tome?"
The poor father sank into chair and
covered his face
"Charlie shall have some supper pres
entity" said the mother Here, James,
she added, take this; it will supply our
present wants, and We will commit to-mor,
row to God s mercy"
avn hat, Maryl your wedding ring? Oh
nop'
For his sake, she said, pointing to the
child who was climbing his fathers knee
to renew his appeal.
Without answering, James took the
ring and went out. In short time he
returned, and Charlie soon sat down to a
supper in which the goodness of his ap-
petite made amends for the plainness of
its fare.
Next morning James Watson took the
pocket-book to place it in trusty hands
till the owner could be found. The pa
pers which it contained were a sealed
package and some loose memoranda,
which gave clue to the owner. The gen
tleman IN whose hands James placed it
commended his honesty, and promised to
advertise cautiously for the loser of the
property.
While James was absent on his errand,
an elderly gentleman called
'tDoes James Waston live here?" he in
quired.
THAT is my husbands name," Mary
answered.
as he at homer" asked the gentle
man.
'He has gone out on some business" !"
said Mary, little hesitatingly, for she
had misgiving that this gentleman's
visit might relate to the lost pocket-book,
and that if it still remained in her hus-
bands possession, he might in some way,
be compromised
Sorry" said the old gentleman; 81
wished to see him particularly. I'm a
lawyer, you see" he added, abruptly.
Mary was all ina tremble. She was
sure now that it was the lost pocket-book
he had come about.
"Is that your family Bible?" he asked,
Jumping up, and before Mary could an
swer he had the book opened, and was
comparing the family record to a memo
randa he had taken from his pocket.
"Quite right" he muttered to himself.
"Now then," he resumed, '1ve most
unpleasant news to tell, and may as we'll
out with it"
Mary tremblsd still more violently.
Possibly James had been found with the