Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-10-06


face of this earth l would more desire to
call my son-in-law but before give my
consent TO your marriage must tell you
something that may perhaps cause you to
draw back"
Tom was about to speak, when AGel in
trembling accents, resumed:-
"If you'd both been content TO walt few
years, what am about 10 tell might never
have been known 10 either of you. 1 was
still young man when entered Baker &
Bakers warehouse; you, Polly, were three
years old, but your brother Sam was IL or
more. He used sometimes to bring me
my meals at the drug warehouse, and once
or twice Mr.. Baker-the old man Pm
I'm speaking Of now-took notice of him.
As was bit Of favorite, he used TO say
TO me: "Now, Abel, when that boy is old
enough, pll take him into the counting
house, If you like" If would likei 1
treasured those words, and your mother
and myself did all we could in the way OF
sending him TO school and such like, so as
he should be ct when Mr.. Baker wanted
him. oh, how we loved that boy ! how
proudly we watched him grow up, and
what hopes we formed of him Sam SEEM
ed steady industrious lad enough, and
for a time he certainly gave great satislac-
tion in the counting-house. He was then
IL, and as handsome fellow as you might
wish to see, though I'm his father as says
IL. He was general lavorite in the office,
and at last got trusted TO collect some of
the debts due 10 the firm. About this time
there came a sudden change in his habits
aud appearance which alarmed me and his
mother very much. lie got to-keeping late
hours, made some bad acquaintances, and
began 10 dress extravsgantly. 1t was no
use cautioning him, for he seemed determ-
ined to go OH his own course. But all the
sorrow and disappointment we felt was as
nothing to the fearful blow that almost
stunned us when, on a chance examination
of the books, it was found Sam had en-
bezzled his employers money 10 a hun
dred aud tiny pounds. From the moment
Of that terrible discovery your mother
dropped and dropped until she died. What
he had done with the money he would new
er tell but the head cashier MR. Robert
Wilmot, he who went soon after to Austria
lldJ uGCAdIGu lldL llOIt ludu Ouct ut udl
heard the boy talk about horse-racing and
1t was in this way we always considered
the money had gone. As for Sam himself,
he stuck TO ii hard and fast that he was not
guilty Of any dishonesty. He swore that
the money he'd collected had always been
paid over 10 the cashier; but the evidence
the other way was too strong, and our boy
hran1pl aG n iniaf Mr. Wilnnf xyh ho
was angry at Sans insinuatious, wanted
him sont to prison; but Mr.. Baker was
mercful man, and did not bring upon us
further disgrace. After this l felt could
no longer remain in Mr.. Bakers employ !;
aud thus l went TO LOostring and Tools.
So that Sam might have a 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, but up TO the moment
OF his departure declared himself innocent
Of stealing Mr.. Bakers money. Poor fel-
low ! it was the last we saw of him. Be-
fore the vessel reached India she met
fearful hurricane, aud every soul on board
her perished."
Overcome by these painful recollections,
Abel buried his face in his hands and wept.
Complete silence reigned iu the room for a
few moments, and then Polly, controlling
with an effort The strong emotions that
swept through her heart, crelt TO her ia
TIERS side and placed her hand in his"
"Dear father" she said in broken tones,
'lhe story Of your sorrow makes you dear
er to Inc than ever"
The old man withdrew his hand from
her embrace, and, when she had kissed the
tears from his cheeks, rlsumed:-
"There could DO no doubt of your broth
ers guilt, aud was too sensible of the
kindness of his employers to allow them
10 suffer. 1 resolved, come what might,
that l would do my best TO repay them.
For this daily denied myself; for this l
narrowed youropportunities of education
and this, next 10 your happiness, my child,
is the object of my life.'
"Dear father, and until now you have al
ways led me 10 believe that the amount
| paid half yearly was TO discharge debt oi
your own."
"My darling, was ii 10 your interest to
know the truth2 When your brother left
England you were but a child, Up to to-
night, it has been my constant endeavor tc
hide the real facts of tho case from you.
had hoped 10 have paid Off the whole
amount before you got married. Tom;
proposal tonight, however, has frightened
the secret out of me, for could not allow
him to marry you without knowing the
truth"
"And now do know it, Mr.. Webb" ex
claimed Tom, who had been trying Il
speak for some time, but had been unable
TO do so, owing 10 a strange sensation as O.
marbles rolling up his throat and determ
ination of water TO his eyes-"now 1 dc
know it, am more than ever desirous o
making Polly my wife. I thought of hav
ing the banns put up next week, and ther
we can be married before another montl
Is over our heads"
"But Polly" inquired Abel, ais not thai
rather soon 2"
His daughter was at that moment en-
gagged in attending to the fire, the bright
ness of which had during the recital o
Abel's revelation become somewhat dim
med. Just aftsr he spoke, CHEEKY fam,
again shot forth and disclosed a happy
smile upon Polly's face and blush upol
her cheek forming quite sufficient answer
to the question.
"Well, my children" continued the ole
man, "do'as you will"
Tom Smith sprang from his chair, anC
was wringing Abels hands in token o
| pratiLude when the sound of fDotsieDs as