Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-14
fc,rcludea from first page ]

Corcluded nom hrst pa9eI
'rv good news for you-news that II make
your heart leap from your bosom
"What--what Is it Pr exclaimed Abel,
while Polly and her betrothed looked on
in silent amazement.
why your boy Sam-he who eight
years ago was thought to be gully OF
robbing us--is proved to have been inno-
cent"
Abel sank back in his chair, his face
grew pale. aud his hands clutched the
wrists Of Tom Smith and his daughter
who had rushed to his side.
''How-how do you know TINS r ne
gasped.
AN hour after you left my Office let
ter from Australia was delivered-lt was
written by a gentleman, magistrate In
Melbourne, and was To the effect that our
late cashier. Robert Wilmot, having re-
celved a fatal injury through being run
over in the streets, in his last moments
made deposition before the legal author
tiles that your son was innocent, that he
himself had appropriated The money OF
the firm, and in order TO conceal his own
delinquencies was compelled To hx Inc
guilt upon some one else. Inc o1lciai
papers will arrive by next mail. Anel,
believe me. no person is more reJolced at
this intelligence than myself
The old man was III tears-he could not
speak, but the pressure he gave the ex:
tended hand evinced his belief in Baker,
juniors, sincerity.
And, Abel" continued the new conner.
at gives me great pleasure-more pleas
ure than can tell yOu-to hand you back
your ninety pounds. Both my father aud
myself resolved never to touch a penny OF
it; If you died before you were satisfied
you had discharged the SUN we should
have handed it over to your daughter. l
am delighted, however. to give it back
to You personally; and il you will come
TO our Office tomorrow | will hand over
the FIVE per cent. interest which has ac-
crued since the first payment. Goodbye,
Abel. / feel myself an intruder now.
Goodbye. and heaven bless you, my
honest fellowPn
Baker, junior, who seemed with every
word to become thicker and thicker in
his utterance, then placed in Abers lap a
small canvass bag which gave forth a
chinking sound, and once again heartily
wringing the old mans hand, bounced
from the room ere any one could bid him
farewell.
Polly, Polly" whispered Abel, give
me that work box"
The girl knew what he wanted, and
placed the box before him. Sac saw his
fingers draw from its contents OF precious
relics of by-gone day atiny baby's shoe.
which had never belonged TO her. The
old man held it within his hands. and af-
ter gazing at it for few seconds. drew
1t reverently to his lips. and murmnred,
my boy innocent, my boy innocent! GA,
that he had lived to see this day."
Tom Smith stole his arm around the
waist OF his betrothed and drew her to
the window. They raised the blind and
looking out witnessed the heavens re-
splendeDt with myriad stars and bright,
crescent-shaped moon.
"Polly, dear" said Tom, ''it is the first
day of the new moon. You ought to
wish, and what you wish is sure 10 come
true
lis it, Tom ?" replied the girl, with
wistful, trusting look in her eyes, that
made him draw her still nearer to him.
''Do you know | have watched for The
new moon and wished regularly the same
thing for many months past ?"
"And what was your wish. Polly ?" in
quired Tom. archy. q think he knew,
although he pretended to be quite isno-
rant
"Oh, if were to tell you now. the
charm might fail. Ask me, dear, when
the next new moon comes, and perhaps
I'll tell you my wish"
Then, darling, we shall be man and
wife" His voice had sunk to a whisper,
but 1t reached her ears, and when the
words ceased her head sank upon his
shoulder The fire in the CRATE died away,
the candle upon the table tlrkered, and
at length went out but with its last ray
it showed the old man rapt in the con
temptation OF his precious relic, and The
two lovers-oBe in heart and mind-slill
gazing upon the peaceful splrnd"r at The
star-cbecked firmament.-[ 7nsieyS May
azine.