Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-08-10

check Tor seVenty.nve dollars that dldn I
belong to me, all la jiffy; and nobody
raised a finger to hinder me. The next
thing was To get the check certified. and
walked round to the auditors desk, and
pushed II under Mr.. Blacklock's nose.
| Will you please certify to this signature
| for me, srg
And MIR. Blackjack being very busy with
n crowd of other matters OF the same sort,
and supposing II was all right. for he'd
seen my face there often enough before.
and knew was In the city's employ-he
certified the check without asking any
questions, aud of went to the bank to
get my money for It.
1t was all done 80 quick hadn't time to
think what was about. II wasn't till
was on my way home, with the green ba cks
In my pocket. that the cold shivers began
to run over me with the recollection tnai
| had committed q felony.
How the duce did | come to do itT l
asked myself; and vow | couldn't ans
wer the question any more than you can.
| was an honest man to the best Of my
knowledge and belief never stole the
worth OF a cent before, nor felt tempted to
in any way, manner or shape. Yet there
was with seventy-fvc dollars in my
| pocket that belonged TO George Meri-
| weather; and I'd not only cribbed the
money, bu: committed a forgery. and done
| 1t all with a cheek that was more surpris.
ing than anything else; because I'm not a
cheeky fellow by any means. Ask Molly,
and she'll tell you so.
IL was all puzzle, and was so twisted
| up IN 1t that never thought OF doing the
sensible thing. which would have been. Of
course, to hunt up George Meriweather,
and give him back his own. On the con-
trary. the money began to feel warm aud
I .nmfnff able in m rat nd mas sip hv
that jewellers window. there lay my anne
| thyst ring. looking prettier than ever A
/ gray-headed old chap, with q slip Of girl
on his arm, stood looking In at the window
a. stopped. He was teazing her. with a
sort OF twinkle in his eyes, about some
| thing she was admiring.
Its too old Tor you he was saying.
/ Aud she answered back. quite eagerly:
oh no, ii isn't. ike amethysts better
than anything except opals-and you know
they re too expensive.
Well, walt till Christmas, and we'll see
what happens the old gentleman said and
they passed on.
But had heard enough to brighten me.
Was Il my ring missy was afterl I'D see
| 20 that on the spot.
So | walked into the store and told the
| fellow behind the show case that Id like
TO look at that case of fiuger rings in the
| window.
Amy one in pariculari' says he. for he
saw meant business
Well, yes; there's an amethyst | rather
Ike says I, as cool As IL il was every day
work.
He brought out the box; aud took up
the ring. turned IL round about, looked at
the stone against the light, tried it on my
little finger, and at last pulled out my roll
of orecnbacks, and tossed three tens on
the counter
IN take that said; bat want it
marked first. How soon can you do Il?
Have it ready for you to morrow morn
ing he answered.
An right. I'll call for il as 20 down
town
so wrote the inscription NJ. VI. (Which
meant My Molly, Christmas eve. Is
The clerk brought me my change, and
Meriweather's money.
Something seemed TO whisper to me as
left the store: DO you know you could go
And ans%ered i%e t ai as fff # It hsP9e hsd beed
real voice: That's all stuff, you know
Who's going To prove | did iti Like as
not George Meriweather won't find out
there was check for him; he amt hard
up like me. confound him. II he does
harm: lie can't tell who got the check.
aud nobody else can. unless Blackjack
spots me. I'll keep out of his way easy
enough. And. by and by, when I'm paid
up myself, I'll make II all right with
George. It's only borrowing, anyhow
There's no stealing about IL, and an't GO
iEy to be-
Before got home l made myself be-
lieve there was no harm done. George
Nerve eather was an'only son, and lived
with his father, who was comfortably we'll
Of. He had no board bills to pay. aud
could afford TO let his salary lie over. The
fact that he wasn't on hand TO take his
warrant showed how little he cared for it.
Most likely he would never hear of il till
| was ready TO fix the matter; and even il
he did, aud the worst came to the worst,
all they could prove would be that some
body had taken Meriweather's warrant,
and signed his name, and fobucd the cash.
Meriweather could prove that he hadn't
signed it, but who WAS going to swear To
the man that did, in the rush and crowd
around the paymaster's counter that day?
Clearly, no one had suspected me then, and
no one WAS likely te now.
| settled 1t all 10 suit myself, and got rid
of the money as quick as possible; gave
my .andlady something on account, and
paid my shoemaker and washerwOman up
to date. Then l bought some candy and
tin trumpets and things for Molly's little
brothers, and a doll for little Tilly Slocum
(!andlady's infant), and some neck ribbons
for the two chambermaids; after which !
treated Jack Stebbins to a lavender tie and
a pair of yellow Kids, and bought two tick
cts. with reserved seats, for Wallack's. l
hadn't taken Molly To the theatre for three
months, and l was bound to do it once
more IL died for it.
BY the time | got through. that roll of
greenbacks had shrunk pretty small; but
kept enough To buy box of bOnbons for
Molly. and leave something over for lit
tie supper at Bigot's after the play. sent
the box to her. with pink note asking il
! might have the honor OF calling Tor her
the next night (Which was Christmas eve)
to 90 TO the theatre with me. She sent
me back a dear little answer that the box
was lovely, and | WAS very kind, and she
would be delighted to 60
When l read it. 1 forgot all about George
Meriweather aud the stolen check; for l
could think Ut nothing but Molly and the
happiness that was in store for tomorrow.
| made a picture to myself OF her pretty
face covered with bushes when | told her
how loved her, and put the ring on her
finger to prove it. and couldn't help
laughing out loud as fancied her saying,
what knew she would say
oh. Jack! how could you be so extrav-
agantr
1t was a fools paradise. ! suppose, but
it was mighty sweet for the time, IL did
have to get out of it with vengeance
Everything happened just as wanted it.
Molly WAS dressed in her prettiest. waiting
| for me. when got to her fathers house.
| The old folks were in the parlOr, very chip
| py and good-natured; the young ones
| were footing their tin horns, and yelling
| Merry Christmas at me. There was
moonlight, l remember, and the walk
| down to WaIlack's-for Molly lived mp
town, and we didn't ride, no siich geese!-
was enough to make fellow spoony, il he
hadn't been set that way to begin with.
Tell you all about itf Not II I know my
| self. There are some things ia this world
| that are not meant to be common proper
| ty, even when a man Is up for confession.
| I'll say as much as this, though. that
didn't waste my opportunities. When we
took our seats IN the theatre the ring was
| on Molly's finger, and her ewes were shin.