Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-10-05
another to fill the place as it had been


filled.
''Of course, I could not be ignorant
OF the movements Of young Sayers
after he left my store. AT the end of
q month be found employment in a
distant town; but he didn't remain
there long. The story Of his digrace
finally followed him, and he was dis
charged. He came and tried to work
on a farm, but his health failed him,
and he was sick nearly all the follow
ing winter. In the spring, his mother
came to the and asked me if could not
help her boy. She said he was entirely
broken down in spirit, and she feared
some worse fate might befall him. But
l would not put forth my hand, until
George would acknowledge his error
if he would come forward and confess
his crime, and promise some sort Of
restitution, l might do something for
him. The widow turned from me sad
and mournful. / knew that she suffer-
ed l knew that the gentle sister sui,
tered and knew that George Sayers
was in danger Of the wine cup. But
what could doe I had taken my
stand, and could not depart from it.
''ln the month of May, l made up
my mind that I would take a partner ;
l did not find clerk to suit me, and |
fancied that could do better to take
in q man who would feel an equal
interest with me. My brother-in law
was anxious to come in, and partial
arrangements were made to that effect.
l took an account of all my stock, and
then went into my counting-room 10
overhaul my private papers. In the
pigeon holes OF my cabinet were letters
which had been accumulating for two
or three years, aud l thought it about
time to destroy those which were of no
use and one evening I sat down to the
work. By and by came across some
old letters from friend in South
Carolina. One of these l recognized
by the superscription, and as l took it
apart from its fellows | found that
another letter adhered to it; in fact SO
tightly did the two letters stick together,
that was forced to tear the paper in
separating them. AS the second letter
was turned TO the light, l recognized in
the superscription the hand Of my
agent Gibson. l opened it, and found
something more-I found FIVE hundred
dollars, five one-hundred dollar bank
notes! The letter bore the post mark
of Montpelier, and by the post-mark of
the letter which had been sticking to
it, knew that both had been received
at our office the same day.
cat first l was thunderstruck. and
then followed season of bewilderment
but gradually the light broke in upon
me. In a little while l was able to read
the whole story. remembered that
afternoon when I came up from my
mill, and found the batch of letters
upon the desk I remembered how l
had found two private letters, and that
this letter from my friend in South
Carolina was one of them. | also
remembered that this letter from my
agent l had opened. Furthermore, l
remembered that on that occasion | had
q pot of varnish with me. 1t was with
a dab Of varnish that the two letters
had been stuck together. When l
picked up those Two private letters, and
put them away in my rigeon"hole,
had unwittiugly laid the remittance
from Gibson away with them; and in
my hurry, as had placed the remain
ing letters beneath the ruler upon the
desk, did not. notice what l had done.
"What should be my next step! I
knew now that George Saycr, " inno-
cent, and that l had wronged him.
must see him, aud acknowledge the
error and the sooner it was done the
better. l arose and put away the uses
less letters, and having locked up the
store, I went directly to the widows
dwelling. The family bad retired, but
called them up, and when they admitted
ire l told to George what I had discov-
cred. There was flash in his eyes, but
I did not yet allow him to speak. l
caught his hand, and acknowledged
that l had done him wrong; and then |
asked him to forgive me. told him |
would make the same acknowledgment
to all his friends; and that if he would
come once more into my employ, |
would make ample amends for the
mistake Of the past.
The youth did not resist my appeal.
He gladly accepted my terms; he
forgave me what I had done, and the
mother and the sister sank down upon
their knees III happy thanksgiving.
On the following day George appear
ed at my store. and helped me arrange
nv affairs and before another night it
was known all through the town that
the dark cloud had been lifted. My
brother-in law entered into partner