The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-05-02
CONFESSION OF A THIEF.

My father had been dead q month
when one morning, Mr. MaitlaLd d,
.ur family Law yer, one of my fathers
oldest friends, called on me.
"Mr. Charles" he said, after we
lad shaken hands, I'VE have arrang.
ID your fathers affairs, and found q
purchaser for the estate, butt"
Are all the outIsying debts paid
full ?" l interrupted quickly.
They are, but," continued our
sind friend, in a troubled voice, II
srieve to say there is hardly any
ming left for you and your sister
carcely q Thousand dollars"
"Ah,n be went oD, ''if you had
My followed my advice! There
sere among your fathers debts
nore than one that could honestly
ave been cut down by one-hslf.
four father ever bad an open hand
aud generous heart, SIR"
81 regret nothing that has been
lone, Mr.. Maitland, and have but
ne more question TO ask; when can
l have the thousand dollars"
Tomorrow if you wish IL"
A few days later my sister Emme-
inc and l bade adieu to our once
lappy home, ours, alas! no longer
and departed for New York
Ia spite of my efforts to bear up
against the sudden adversities that
,ad fallen upon as. the blow nearly
overw helmed me ct first. l did not
hink so much of myself; 8 man can
always make bis way in this world
sitt energy and strong will, but /
vas troubled for my dear sister.
How should l find means for provid-
ing for this fragile, delicate girl of
-ixt zen, all the comfort and luxuries
-be had hitherto enjoyed? When
his terrible problem first presented
itself to me, l fell prey, for just one
moment, to utter encouragement and
despair. But those of my racs are
proud and strong of will. and l men
tally resolved that / would fight the
battle of life so bravely that victory
must at last crown my efforts.
Arrived in New York, we took q
modest apartment, and furnished it
with as much comfort as our slender
resources would allow. l made uut
a list of all my fathers former friends,
resolved to apply to them one after
another until l had obtained employ
ment Day after day and week after
week / solicited. hoped and waited
Promises without number, express
lions of interest in myself and my
sister and regret for our bereavement
were lavished upon me- But that
was all IL was the old story so
well known TO all those whose hard
doom condemns them to solicit aid or
-uccor from their feliows-promises
6rst, then oblivion. We had now
been three months 10 New York,
when one morning 1 found that only
eve dollars remained in my purse
Here Then was the end of sll my
dreams. Bat how to face the cruel
reality The winter was approach
ing, my sisters pale face was grow
ing paler day BY day, and hacking
cough began to harass her. Another
fortnight passed, during which / had
been obliged to part with my watch
and chain. and even with some srti-
cles of clothing, TO procure the bare
oecessaries Of life. But worst Of al,
Was at length forced TO acqusint
Emmeline of our terrible position
Tho poor child tried 70 comfort me
with tender earesses snd hopeful
words, but the words died away on
ner quivering lips snd gave place TO
bitter sobs And l could do moth
lng. Nothing, Ab. yes. one last
hope remained TO me. Some days
previously | had written 70 Ar. Matt
land, telling him Of my desperate
condition, and requesting him to
give me some letters of introdoetioo
10 the New York law Offices, sad that
very morning had received an N
sser in the shape Of . lssss, o6cial-
looking letter. bearing the address TO
Hon Mr.. Carleton, sn eminent mem
Der Of she Judicial bench Taking up
my bar. / ssrsightssy bore the lettsf
to is destination, and. having read
il, The jadgs aid to NJ kindly ovez
his gold-rimmed speetacles:
aIn o few DAYS Won shah hear from