The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-09-10

mothers hand to ease the pain from
which he was suffering, The touch of
that pure hand increased the pain to
agony.
:" DO you feel better 2" asked Mrs.
Lewis. She had remained some time
with her hand upon his feorhead.
mot much, he replleda9ld rising as
he spoke, he added, thlhk walk in
the open air will do me good"
Don't go out, James," said Mrs.
Lewis, troubled feeling coming into
her heart.
"I'll only walk few squares" And
James went from the parlor and passed
into the street.
"There Is something more than head
ache the matter with him." thought his
mother.
For half an hour James walked with
out any purpose in his mind beyond the
escape from the presence of his mother.
AT last his walk brought him near Mr..
Carman's store, and at passing he was
surprised at seeing light within.
What can this mean ?" he asked
himself, a new fear creeping, with its
shuddering impulse, into his heart.
He listened by the door and windows,
but he could hear no sound within.
"There's something wrong" he said,
"what can it be. If this is discovered,
what will be the end of it? Ruin ruin.
My poor mother ~
The wretched young man hastened on,
walked the streets for two hours, when
he returned home. His mother met him
when he entered, and with unconcealed
anxiety, asked him if he were better
He said yes, but in manner that only
increased the trouble she felt and passed
up hastily to his own room.
In the morning the strangely altered
face of James, as he met his mother at
the breakfast table, struck alarm into
her heart. He was silent and evaded
all her questions. While they sat at the
table the door bell rang loudly. The
sound startled James, and he turned his
head to listen in nervous way.
Who is it ?" asked Mrs Lewis.
ga gentleman who wishes to see Mr.
James," replied the girl.
"James rose instantly, and went out
into the hall, shutting the dining-room
door as he did so. Mrs. Lewis sat wait
ing her sons return. She heard him
coming back in a moment; but he did
not enter the dining-room. Then he re-
turned along the hall to the street door,
and she heard it shut. All was silent.
Starting up she ran out into the pass
age, but James was not there. He had
gone away with the person who had
called.
All, that was sad going away. Mr..
Carman had spent half the night in ex-
amining the accounts of James, and
discovered frauds of six thousand dol
Ger to arrest him early in the morning;
and it was with this officer that he went
away from his mother, never to re-
turn.
"The young villain shall lie in the
bed he has made for himself !" exclaim-
ed Mr.. Carman, in his bitter indigna-
ton. And he made the exposure COM
pletely.
On the trial he showed an eager desire
to have him convicted, and presented
such an array of evidence that the jury
could not give any other verdict but
guilty.
The poor mother was i'm court. and
audible in the silence that followed came
her convulsed sobs upon the air. The
presiding judge addressed the culprit,
and asked if he had anything to say
why the sentence of the law should not
be pronounced against him.
All eyes were turned upon the pale,
agitated young man, who rose with an
effort, and leaned against the railing by
which he stood, as is needing the sup
port.
"Will 1t please your honors," he said,
"to direct my prosecutor to come a lit
tie nearer, SO that can look at him and
your honors at the same time ?"
Mr.. Carman was directed to come for
ward to where the boy stood. James
looked at him steadily for few mo-
ments, and then turned to the judges.
"What / have to say to your honors
is this" (he spoke calmly and distinct
ly) "and it may in degree extenuate,
though 1 cannot excuse my crime. I
went into this mans store an innocent