The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-10-21

him. Oh, how we loved that boy ho,
proudly we watched him grow up, an
what hopes we formed Of him Sar
sstmed steady, industrious lad enough
and for time he certainly gave erea
satisfaction in the counting house. H
was then seventeen, and as handsome
fellow as you might wish to see, thougl
I'm his father as says it. lie was gen
eral favorite in tho Office. and at last 90
trusted to collect some of the debts du
to the frm. About this time there cam
a sudden change in his habits and ap
pearance which alarmed me and hi
mother very much. He got to keepiny
late hours, made some bad acquaintance
and began to dress extravagantly. 1
was no use cautioning him, for he 'seemel
determined 10 60 on his own course. Blu
all the sorrow and disappointment we fel
was as nothing to the fearful blow tha
almost stunned us when, on chance ex
animation Of the books, it was found San
had embezzled his employers money t.
hundred and fifty pounds. From The
moment of that terrible discovery youl
mother dropped and dropped until she
died. What he had done with the money
he would never tell but the head cashier
Mr.. Robert Wilmot, he who went soor
after TO Australia) declared that more
than once he had heard the boy talk
about horse-racing; and it was in this
way we always considered the money
had gone. AS for Sam himself, he stuck
to it hard and fast that he was not guilty
OF any dishonesty. He swore that the
money he'd collected had always been
paid over to the cashier; but the evidence
the other way was too strong. and our
boy was branded rs thief. Mr.. Will
mot, who was angry at Sans insinuations,
wanted him sent to prison but Mr.. Baker
was a merciful man, and did not bring
upon us further disgrace. After this |
felt that | could no longer remain in Mr.,
Bakers employ; and thus 1 went to
LoostriDg & Tools. So that Sam might
have chance Of getting back his
character. Mr.. Baker gave him q
letter of introduction to merchant
at Bombay, somewhere in India, who
might be able to give him employment
such as wouldn't have temptations. Sam
eagerly jumped at the offer. out up to the
moment of his departure declared himself
innocent Of stealing Mr.. Bakers money.
Poor fellow! it was the last we saw of
him. Before the vessel reached India
she met a fearful hurricane, and every
soul On board her perished.'
Overcome by these painful recollectioDs
Abel buried his face in his hands and
wept. Complete silence reigned in the
room for few moments, and then Polly,
controlling with an effort the strong emo.
tions that swept through her heart. crept
to her fathers side and placed her hand
in his.
Dear father, she said 10 broken tones,
"the story Of your sorrow makes you
dearer to me than ever"
The old man withdrew his hand from
her embrace, and, when she had kissed
the tears from his checks, resumed:-
There could be no doubt of your
brothers guilt, and was too sensible Of
the kindness Of his employers to allow
them to suffer. | resolved, come what
might, that l would do my best to repay
them. For this l daily denied myself;
for this | narrowed your opportunities Of
education and this, next to your hsppi
ness, 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 debt
Of your own"
"My daring, was it to your interest to
know the truth? When your brother
left England you were but child. Up
TO tonight. it has been my constant en-.
leavor to hide the real facts Of the case
from you had hoped to have paid off
The whole amount before you got married.
Toms proposal tonight, however, has
frightened the secret out of me, for l
could not allow him to marry you with.
out knowing the truth"
hnu ~" w huOn ~ IuT. epD,
exclaimed Tom, who had been trying to
speak for sono time. but had been unable
% do SO, owing to strange sensation as
If marbles rolling up his throat and q
determination of water to his eyes -"now
do know it, am more than ever desir.
,us Of making Polly my wife. l thought
If having the banns put up next week,
md then we can be married before anoth.
,r month is over our heads"
"But Polly" inquired Abel, sis not
hat rather soon?'
His daughter was at that moment On.
gagged in attending to the FIRE. the bright.
ness Of which had during the recital Of
Abe's revelation become somewhat dim.
med. Just after he spoke, cherry
iame again shot forth and disclosed
happy smile upon Polly's face and a
blush upon her check, forming qaite
sufficient answer to the question.
"Well, my children continued the
Did man, "do as you will"
Tom Smith sprang from his chair, and
was wringing Abels hands in token of
gratitude, when the sound Of footsteps
ascending the stairs caught Abel's ear.
"Here, Polly quick with the candle"
40 cried there is some one wants US, or
Ias mistaken the hcoI.'
The room had hitherto been illuminat.
ID solely by the iitlul gloam of the fire.
] lust as Polly had got the candle alipbt
he door was opened, and in strodc Mr..
Baker-Baker, junior-whom Abel had
eft but on hour and half before.
30, Abel" said Baker, with his broad,
-uddy face glowing with excitement, "I'm
10 glad found you at home. I've rood
,ews for you--news that will make your
near. leap from your bosom"
"What-what is it ?" exclaimed Abel,
while Polly and her betrothed looked on
n silent amazement.
"Why. your bow Sam-he WIN eight