Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-04-07
i thousand dollars changed

was Une pTluclpa1 oWAef' II was
soon broken and closed. Then the
Sheriff was set to work by eager
creditors, and all the property of the
late millionaire was seized and sold,
leaving him a beggar, and the
just claims unsettled. Fashionable
friends deserted the iatnly, and the
proud nobleman refused the hand
of ruined bankers daughter.
In tho very midst of this disgrace
and tribulation Stephen Edwards en-
countered the man who turned so
pale and became so agitated in his
presence a short time before.
"I rather think you do not know
me, SIR said the gentleman with a
formal bow.
"Your face seems somewhat ia
miliar but I cannot place you," re-
turned Edwards.
"Permit me to bring myself to
your recollection, then, as I wish
you TO know me. A little more than
six weeks ago I vas talking to you
on business, and you observed that
1 turned deathly pale, and became
agitated?"
"Ah, yes, remember you now,
"Let me tell you why 1 was thus
affected. My eyes had CHANGED
upon curious watch seal, which
had belonged to a merchant named
Phillip Sydney, who was shot in the
western part of the State some twen-
ty years ago, and, looking at your
features closely I knew you to be the
villain who perpetrated the foul
deed"
Merciful God ?" exclaimed the
banker, with a blanched face and
quaking form.
eyes, l knew you," pursued the
other, 'and a week later I diss ,uised
myself and had an interview with
you in your mansion. You remem-
ber that, of course ?"
"But," gasped the trembling
wretch, 4" did not pay you your
own price to keep my fatal secret ?"
Eyes, and with that very money
and what other I could command l
was enabled to buy up enough Of
your own bills to make that run
upon your bank which broke it and
forced ruin upon YOU"
"And what would you, now that
I am ruined?' inquired the other
with the deadly calmness of desper-
alton.
"Now that I have had my re-
venge, I want you to know that /
myself am the man you attempt
ed to murder and did rob. I am
Philip Sydney. Behold the scar
where the ball struck and glanced"
and he lifted his hat and showed it.
"God be praised!" CALCULATED the
other. "God be praised that you
are still living!.' aud unable to re-
strain his emotion he burst into
tears. "Oh, sir" he continued,
you have taken q load off my con-
science-a weight from my soul.
Though poverty, beggary, disgrace
and death are staring me in the face,
I am happy in the knowledge that l
am not guilty of murder-happier
than I have been for twenty years
with oil luxurious surroundings of
wealth. It was my first and last
crime, and I have never been able
to tell how was tempted on that
fearful occasion. Now, sir, do with
me what you will-only l pray you,
be merciful to my innocent family
ct forgive you," returned the
other, extending his hand. 81 for
give you. You have been fearfully
punished already. And as God
has seen proper to preserve us both
together, let US hope it is for our fu-
ture salvation, and let US endeavor
so to live as to deserve the blessings
we receive. I will restore you
enough to place you and your fam
ily above want; and for the rest, l
trust we shall soon have to render
and account of our stewardship in
| another world"
Phillip Sydney kept his word.
and with fresh start in the world,
| and with fresh start in the world,