Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-08
fcontiuued from first psge.l

have taken my oath that | saw Frederic
Rayuor in the crowd that was emerging
from il; the next moment | lost sight vi
him. but if had spoken to him ! could
MOI have been more sure OF his identity.
He was at the office at the usual hour,
looking verv much as il after the music
hall he had been at the cider cellars. Gas
the late-supper houses were called in
those days.) but of course had no right
to dictate to him as to how he should
spend his evenings.
so you were at the Harmonium,' my
friend. last night said |, halt in banter
half in remonstrance.
Indeed | was not, said be, looking
me straight in the face. as was his GUS
tom. IL went home from the office, and
remained there all the evening, except
for halt an hour when | went out" he
hesitated, then added, ION business"
Then, somehow | felt, not because of
the music-hall, but because OF his lying to
me in that composed way. that Fred was
going TO the bad. At the same tune | lit
tie guessed how veiy far he had advanced
that way, and least Of all the direction his
erring si,ps had taken.
1t was ABOUT six months after communi-
cations between Fred and my sister had
been cut off, that for the first time since
had been in the employment OF Halland
Brothers. Mr.. jacob Raynor did not APP
pear at his desk at bis ordinary hour. or
rather minute, tor he was punctua'lty per-
sonitied. We all concluded that he was
i'll, particularly as Fred was also absent,
but the cause of their non-appearance
was, as it turned out, much worse than
anything We had imagined. Both the
members of the firm were in their usual
places. and when the time for closing ar
rived word came to us that all the clerks
were to remain, as there was something OF
Importance to be communicated To them. |
Even then few OF US associated the matter
with the Raynors, and perhaps one or two
had qualms OF conscience as to whether
some peccadllo of their own, more serious
than common, might not to be the cause oil
so portentous an announcement.
Inever saw Mr.. Haland, the elder, so
moved as when be began to address us.
"A great misfortune, my friends, has
befalien us all" eve thought the house
had failed) Dishonesty for the first
time, as believe, has crept among us.
One OF our number, hitherto trusted on
his own account, and much more so on ac-
count of his relationship to another, has
betrayed his trust. 1t is easy to say that
such = wretched termination OF "a career
that promised so brightly should be a
warning to us all but it Is an example
bought at dear rate indeed, at the cost
(for one thing) OF fathers misery. !
left our dear and long-lried friend, Mr..
Raynor, this morning, well. nigh heart
broken; a man that VIII never be himself
again. His son Frederick has ialsified
bsi accounts, for the purpose of seli-in-
diligence and dissipation"
What be said more did not rightly I'M
derst4nd; the announcement of Frederic's
guilt Tell on me like a blow and stunned
me. | was panied and shocked upon my
own account. tor he had been my nearest
friend, and until lately my most constant
companion; but my great distress and
wretchedness arose from the thought OF
poor Kitty. pictured TO myself how she
would look that night when | should tell
her "Frederic Is thief; you must forget
him." htYaN
saw her large blue eyes staring at me
in mute despiir, and the work dropping
from her little hands in horror-the work
at which there was no need to toll in
future. since he tor whose sake she wear
led herself, had proved unworthy OF her.
Proved? No. would tel her nothng
l asked TO have few words in private
with my employers, liberty which moth
ing but the urgent necessity OF the case
would have prompted me to take; for,
though l knew them 10 be just, their man
ners 10 their interiors were somewhat aus
tere, and filed but very humble place
in their service. They gave permission at
once, and found myself alone with the
tw brothesr. They look at me very
gravely; my impression is that, having
perhaps heard OF my intimacy with Fred
erick, they expected me ~ confess 10 some
connivance with his evil deeds. This
made me feel more embarrassed than ever
stood speechless.
"What have you got to say, Mr.. Clay
ton P" asked Mr.. Haliand coldy; "our
time is precious"
''Sir," cried |, scarce knowing what |
said, Il speak on behalf OF another, OF my
sister Kitty, who was engaged TO be mar
ried to Frederick Raynor. She loves him
with all her heart, and you were taking
OF broken hearts On, pray have mercy
on her! Do not pass sentence upon Fred
unless You are quite sure"
The brothers exchanged significant
glances with one another.
'This is very sad said Mr.. John Qhe
younger) gently. I'VE did not know OF
lt.ns arf
mo, SIR" said 1; lit was not talked
about. Mr.. Raynor disapproved OF the
match. but it Was 10 take pace next year,
nevertheless"
''Ah! disobedience was to be expected
Of him, y observed Mr.. Haland ''Your
sister, Mr.. Clayton, has had lucky es-
cape"
''She will not think so, Sir, and it will
kill her."
CONTINUED tomorrow