Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-02
NO. $50
Gales aud Sketehes.
THE LITTLE SAVINGS BANK BOOK.
Continued from yesterday.)

| said was wanted Immediately at Finanz-
raih's Menninger's, and must bring my
tools.
| was territied-"What. me ? why
| should they send for me p''
Don't stop to question--hurry and
come" was her reply.
dared not go alone; so | requested
her to wait until could procure nv tools.
and conld walk with her.
cannot tell you how felt. thought
that at length my crime had not been un-
noticed. Crime! True, had not been
guilty in deed, but before God and my
| conscience was as fully condemned as
though really had drawn the money.
endeavored to appear calm, and entered
| into conversation with the maiden, who
was by no means unpleasant to look upon.
Nv hat makes you look at me so close
ly ? | enqured.
my father was locksmith, and have
often heard him say that the locksmith be-
longs to the doctor and the minister. To
the one. man intrusts his body; TO the
other, his soul and to the locksmith, his
treasure. The heavenly Peter is our
spiritual locksmi,h, though many think he
is only keyholder for their individual
treasure chests"
was so pleased with her answer that
asked her name. and complimented her
on her discreetness.
'On account of your discreetness I
might be called Liza and you Hans; but
my name is Catherine"
The same as my blessed mother" l
muttered.
BY this time we had arrived at the
house OF the Finanzrath. We ascended
broad II al int E,l1 e
and warmth. A white tapestry covered
the floor OF the room into which | was
led. In the middle OF the room was a red
velvet sofa covered with flowers; beauti-
ful pictures in gilt frames adorned the
walls. This is how the wealthy people
live, thought, bitterly.
The FinanZrath brought me a gold in
laid casket, the lock of which was brok-
en-. 1t was AN English lock, and | had
no small pick with me SO had to retnrn
home for one. On again going into the
room at the house OF the Finanzrath was
gwen the casket, the rath saying that he
mad other arrangements to perfect and
would leave Catherine with me.
''lt must be fine to live in such STYLE"
said ], "but how will it 90 when you
leave this grand house to occupy a hum
BILE one p'
"Oh, that is long time off yet. But
let me tell you this. | have discovered
this. 1t is all one, whether man lives in
splendor or poverty; whether he eats from
golden or tin spoon if he lives on car
peted or uDcarpeted floors; if he has an
easy conscience he can live in peace and
comfort anywhere"
On hearing this reply, was so over
come that the bundle of picks fell from
my hand to the floor | could not find
the key-hole for some time. Catherine
laughed at me, which only added to my
CONSERVATION. Finally | succeeded 10
picking the lock, and as the lid flew open
there lay on velvet cushion a beautiful
diamond ornament. 1t gittered like dew
in the sunlight.
Catherine called her master. He came,
but hardly more than glancing at the open
casket, he laid his hand heavily on my
shoulder and asked: What means this !?
The diamond brooch is missing.
ltrembled as an aspen leaf. The bun
die of picks in my hand jingled--they
seemed to say-Aha Man has tried thee
falsely, and now you are caught! l was
about to throw myself on my knees, when
the voice of Catherine aroused me.
She enguired if he believed me guilty.
He interrupted her by saying that she was
equally guity-that we must not speak or
stir.
Calling his wife be told her of his inten-
tion of giving her the diamonds which had
been his sainted mothers, but the most
important piece was missing. which was
worth many hundred thalers.
Then turning to me he said could eith-
er have the case given to Justice or al
low myself to be searched there-'as for
Catherine, my wife will search her,
As for my self, cared nothing, but that
Catherine, who was SO innocent, who had
even undertaken to defend me--that she
should be supicioned, was almost more
than | could bear. | bit my lips, but stood
there. preierring the ignominy of being
searched then.
1t is perfectly horrible even now as |
think OF i'll was a slave, as an animal
| was no longer man. had committed
no sin, though | might have done much
greater one than stolen the brooch. think
l suffered the most anguish for Catherine.
One OF the maids suggested that the
brooch might be hidden in GATHERINGS hair.
Oh, how she exulted over Catherine's
downfall. l cursed the entire world, great
and small, for all stood there ready to
L
were discharged, still suspcioned, though
| nothing could be found. As left the
house, in my soul was darkness. On ev-
cry side were lights and rejoicing-in me
utter darkness.
told my comrade of my misfortune.
He improved the opportunity by calling to
my attention the heartlessness of wealthy
people to poor ones-jeered me on my
tender conscience and the mental suffering
| bad undergone during the past year.
The ignOminy which had put upon me
did more to silence my conscience than
anything else.
Some days after the occurrence at the
Finanzrath's, as was sauntering along
the streets listening to the changing OF the
church, bells, and cursing the men who
were happier than |. suddenly met Cath
crime
81 cannot go to church, said she, "but
do you go for me. and pray for me pray
that all hate and bitterness may DO re-
moved from our hearts. and that God may
rcoNcIppEp ON FOURTH PAeE.l