Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27
tempted again after being snatched out of
such depths.n

such depths"
She was crying at his feet.
lie raised her and kissed her with sol
emn tenderness, and told her his story.
lie put on his coat next morning and
went TO Mr.. Gales.
ltwas dull, unpretendng brick house
but warm and comfortable within.
The master sat over his lonely breakfast
his face grave and sterner than ever.
Had he been thinking over old dreams
long since come to nothingP
What nowp" he said gru1y, us Yates
entered the room.
This" answered Yates, and he laid the
check beside his plate, "You see it came
yesterday"
And you"
1t was accidental at first. I mislaid it
in my hurry. did not tell You then, be.
cause l wanted to ask favor, and knew
you would be angry at my carelessness |
put 1t in my pocket and it became Satan's
temptation TO me. Do you suppose this
paltry hundred wonld have satisfied me?
knew how easily could make false en-
tries, and repay myself the sum l am
worth to you that your penuriousness
keeps me out of. went out in the storm
last night, and fought as man does for
his life, and, with Heavens help, con.
quered. found poor little stray, not
yet nine years old, hawking papers to keeE
himself and sick mother from starvation
In his anxiety even he refused to steal
And this child that saved me and made it
an utter imposibility ever to touch one
penny of yours or any mans money that
have not honestly, earnestly earned. is
listen, Peter Gale-your son, your baby,
born less than nine years ago, months af-
ter his mother had left your house."
My child! my SOM What trumped-
up story is this?"
Go and see for yourself-there, Il
James Court. The woman is dying"
Peter Gales face took an ashen tint
lie rose and tottered few steps, shaking
as if with an ague.
Will you 90 with me, YatesP /
there are so many imposters. But
should know Margaret's face. DyingP"
What bitter memories surged up in that
hard heart only Heaven knew. Yates
took his arm and led him along.
Here is The place-this door. You
have no further need of me. A man and
his wife are best alone when they have a
story to tell"
Joseph Yates went home again.
6 shall be discharged, of COURSE" he
said to Bessie. Peter Gale would never
forgive such thing. It's hard winter
but | can't think heaven will let Us
starve.
He went down to the counting-house on
Monday and took his place at the desk.
Peter Gale came in and laid the check
on his book without saying Il word. He
had changed greatly since Friday night,
looked older and broken, and fearful, as
if suspicious that every one he met would
pass judgment upon him.
Yates,n he said at night, d" stop awhile,
will youP That was my wife and my
child-my little boy he added, with n
curious tremble in his voice akin to tears
81 can't tell you about the old times
when we were both at fault Margaret's
sorry enough now, and Heaven knows, so
am |. She cant last long, but I've
brought her home, and the boy hangs
after me and kisses me. | never knew
before"
He paused, and, after clearing his voice
and drawing his coat-sleeve across his
eyes, continued:
Yates, I've been hard master,
know, but you're a good man, and |
couldn't 81 are you. want you to stay
and take charge at five hundred pounds a
year-will that do? And refused you
your own on Friday, but here's gift to
make up, for you brought to me-oh,
Yates, such a gift as one man seldom
brings another. She might have starved
before morning. | shall never forget
never, Heaven bless you, Yates"
A few tears fell on Yates ledger.
He opened the folded paper.
1t was II check for n hundred pounds,