The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-08-09
THE BURGLAR IN THE WARDROBE.

"Will you ask whether Mr.. Gra-
ham will see stranger 7"
The clerk thus spoken to nodded
rose, and went into an inner tli)ce.
The stranger remiined, leaning "a
gainst tho walnut railing of the desk,
his hand trihins with tho little door
that shut outsiders from the sanc-
tum within. lie was a tall, fair man
of thirty, with close cropped hair
and beard. His shoulders were
broad, his features handsome, but
there was an odd air about him that
puzzled tho clerk, and would have
perplexed any one. 1t was some,
thing that could not be defined, but
it pervaded the whole mau--a sup-
prossel look as one forced in
some way to hide his feelings n
manner of staudinS aud holding his
hat which had something apologetic
in it.
"Mr. Graham will see you, sir, "
said the clerk, returning AMI open
ing the little rlilei door. In
there--tho Office to the right
Tho stranger passed into the
room indicated, and closed the door
behind him then standing with his
back against it, ho fombloi with his
hat in the same odd manner in
which he hal handled it in the out
er Office, and, instead of speaking,
looked ut the gentleman behind the
desk with eyes that had u mcasure-
less uppcal in them.
The other did not rise from his
chair, nor hold ont his hand, nor
even speak for some moments. Each
looked at tho other, that was all.
But it was the elder one at tho desk
who broke the spell at last.
$780, he said, lit is you James :"
"Yes, it is T. said the other,
"Haven't you word for me, Will
liam"
81 have a good many words that
You might not like to hear" said
William Graham. 81 really can't say
I'm glad to see you delighted, hon.
ored, aud all that you know
81 don't expect any one to be
glad" said the other. Il know |
have disgraced the family, but I've
been punished for it, Ten years,
William-thing of that ten years
of prison life, and prison fare, and
prison friends I'd have given my
soul to undo what did, even before
it is found out, and never meant to
keep the money
"We know the story" said the
merchant. You were in position
of confidence you betrayed it it s
the old affair, I've had it happen in
my own office. can't feel any SEN
timental pity for a fellow like you.
What brings you here, James r.
Shifting his hat from hand to
hand, looking from under his eye
brows in an abject fashion, pitiable
to contemplate, when one saw in
what gentlemanly mould ho had
been cast, James Graham answered
81 was twenty when went to pris'
on, am thirty now. The outside
world has been blank to me for al
these years. l want work. want
you to give it to me--any honest
work, William. I'm good book
keeper, but I'll bo a porter, an Or
rand man, anything
"Oh, no, not anything here,' said
tho elder. you've reckoned with
out your host, James. You are nj
brother of mine. l cast you off when
you became felon. For the SAX,
OF tho poor woman who called yor
son. Ill give you some money
enough to live on for week or two
I will never give you another penn.
--dou't expect it. / will have yol
turned out if you come here again
The prison taint was 80 strong up
on the other man that his pride wa
not aroused yet he fumbled will
his hat, ground himself against th
door, looked abjectly from under hi
eyebrows, and asked, "How is siste