The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-05-02

DlOeS Out SO nttLe space.
Keep back no gift of treasures manifold
That heaven doth hOld
But pour the brightness of all spheres
Into my childs few years.
That may drink Of Joys full measure first,
Though afterward thirst!'
Ben Ezra was alone beside his dead;
And. while afrcsh he Rrieved,
lived. Christian Union.
A TEMPTATION.
GEORGE MILES sat at his desk in the
countingroom busily casting up the
columns of figures that lay before him.
He had been discharged from his form
cr situation nearly a year before, owing
to the pressure of the times; and for q
long time could find no work until, for
tunately, he obtained his present posi-
ton. which he had held for about three
months. During his enforced idleness
he had been obliged to run into debt
over fifty dollars, and. as his wages now
barely paid his expenses. he saw no
way to free himself from the incum-
brance. George was steady and in
dustrious, and disliked extremely to
feel under obligations to any one, con-
sequently the thought that he was in
debt worried him continually. AS he
sat there at work the door opened and
little old man entered the room.
Good morning!' said George, cour-
teonsly. looking up. Anything l can
do for you?'
lis Mr.. Osgood imp inquired the
visitor, in thin. squeaking tone that
correspondent perfectly with his stature.
My employer is cut of town this
morning." replied the clerk; "but
transact business in his absence"
BE you his bookkeeper?''
"Yes, SIR"
Gould We give me receipt. s'posin'
OWN him?'
Certainly
My names Blair; Bill Blair said
the old man, as he walked up to the
desk. 'Ye see, got trusted for goods
and things up to about seventy-tive
dollars, more n year ago; an s'pose
Osgood has about gin up ever gettin'
his pay. Ye see he couldn't a got it
if he'd tried, for l didn't have the
money. But it was an honest debt. an
I've alters meantto pay it; an now I've
got the money I'm goin' to! Seventy
five dollars an halfr' and he laid the
money upon the desk.
The clerk wrote him a receipt, and,
carefully placing it in his pocket-book
with an air of satisfaction, Mr.. Blair
took his leave. George sighed as he
placed the money in his pocket. Prob
ably his creditors would have to wait
longer than his employer had waited
for this money! How he longed for the
time when he could walk the street with
head erect. not fearing to lift his eyes
lest he should see creditor!
During the afternoon his employer
came in. Mr.. Osgood was pleasant,
jovial man, easy-going and generous,
but thoughtless. He could get plenty
of clerks for the wages he paid George,
and it had never occurred to him that
George might experience any difficulty
in getting along.
ANY callers?' he inquired. as he
took chair by the stove. "A few.
A Mr. Blair was in for a few moments
this morning." "Was he?'' said his
employer, carelessly, "I.see him about
every week. He's been owing me
about seyenty-tive dollars for over
year. He keeps saying he's going to
pay it just as soon as he gets the mon
ey. But he'll never get the money,
I'm afraid. If he does, he'll pay.
He's honest enough. That's why I'm
SO easy with him. say, Miles" he ex-
claimed, halfjocosely, "What will you
give me for that note? Chance for a
speculationr' "Where does he live?'
inquired George.
''In that little house opposite the
machine-shop."
A wild idea flashed through the mind
of the clerk. His employer had asked
him to buy the note. He would proba-
bly, discount considerably from its face!
and here the note was already paid,
and the money in his pocket! The sud-
denness of the temptation blinded him.
He did not see the wrong he would be
doing; he only saw a means of clearing
himself from debt.
"What will you take for it?' he
asked quietly, yelling his eagerness.
90, fudger' laug hed Mr.. Osgood.
That was only my nonsense. l
wouldn't advise you to risk your mon
ey! But I'll sell the note to anybody for
twenty-five dollars"
"You say he is honest, but hasn't
the money! said the clerk, thinking it
would be best not to seem too eager.
"Yes. honest enough! Think you'll
invest, Miles?''
Eyes, believe I'll risk it. guess l
shall get back my money sometime.
I'll pay you tomorrow if you say it is
BARGAIN
He did not wish his employer to see
the roll of bills. or he would have paid
him on the spot; for he knew he would
have to pay it from this money, as he
had not ten dollars to his name. Mr..
Osgood laughingly made over to him
the note, and soon after left the store
without once thinking to inquire for
what reason Blair had called. As he
passed along the street he CHANGED to
meet Blair himself.
''Ah! How do you do?" said the
merchant, pleasantly.
Pretty well!' was the reply. II
feel setter than | have for year; for
can look We in the face without feeling
I'm OWN We. Ye see, 1 got into the
machine-shop. an got pretty good
wages, an jest as soon as got money
enough saved, l says to myself, .ril
clear off that old debt that 0sgood has
agin me- l s'pose your young man
told We dropped in an paid the money
this morning? Ho gave me receipt"
The truth flashed over Mr.. Osgood's
mind.
Il was in the Office only for q few
moments, to-day" he said. "And
Miles didn't speak of it. However, I'm
glad we are straight once more.'
The merchant was in an unpleasant
state of mind as he walked home. So
his clerk had cheated him; coolly and
deliberately swindled him out of fifty
dollars! He could see the whole game
now. In q day or two Miles would have
come in with smiling face to his work,
and say that he had induced Blair to
pay the note. Scoundrel! And he had