The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-10-18

going on; his hand trembled, his brow
darkened, and he stood as much apart
rs possible. At length his turn came !;
the other guests had all displayed the
contents of their pockets, so with one
accord, and amid renewed laughter, they
surrounded him, exclaiming that he
must be the guilty one, as he was the
last. The Captain, pale and agitated,
muttered some excuses, unheard amid
the uproar
"Now for it, Johnson" cried one to
the valet.
johnson, we're watching your said
another; produce the culprit."
The servant advanced; but Dutton,
crossing his arms on his breast, declared
in an agitated voice that, except by vio-
lence, no one should lay hand on him.
A very awkward silence ensued, which
the General broke by saying:
"Capt. Dutton is right; this child's
play has lasted long enough. claim
exemption for him and for myself"
Dutton, trembling and unable to
speak, thanked his kind host by CRATE
full look, and then took an early oppor-
tunity of withdrawing; Gen. Vernon
did not make the slightest remark on his
departure, and the remaining guests,
through politeness, initiated his reserve
but the mirth of the evening was gone,
every face looked anxious, and the host
himself seemed grave and thoughtful
| Capt. Dutton spent some time in wan
dering restlessly on the sands before he
returned home. 1t was late when he
entered the cottage, and his wife could
not repress an exclamation of alright
when she saw his pale and troubled
countenance.
What has happened?" cried she.
"Nsthing," replied her husband,
throwing himself on the chair, and lay
ing a small packet on the table. "You
have cost me very DEAR" he said, ad-
dressing it.
In vain did his wife try to soothe him,
and obtain an explanation.
"Not now, Jane" he said; tomorrow
we shall see. Tomorrow 1 will tell you
ALL"
Early next morning he went to Gen.
Vernon's house. Although he walked
resolutely, his mind was sadly troubled.
How could he present himself? In
what way would he be received? How
could he speak to the General without
risking the reception of some look or
word which he could never pardon :?
The very meeting with Johnson was to
be dreaded. 9nI
He knocked !; another servant opened
the door, and instantly gave him admis-
sion.
"This man, at all events" he thought,
knows nothing of what has passed"
Will the General receive him? Yes !;
he is ushered into his dressing-room
Without daring to raise his eyes, the
poor man began to speak in low, hur-
ried voice.
"Gen. Vernon, you thought my con-
duct strange last night and, painful and
humiGating as its explanation will be,
/ feel it due to you and to myself to
make it"
His auditor tried to speak, but Dutton
went on, without needing the inter
ruption.
my misery is at its height; that is my
only excuse. My wife and four little
ones are actually starvingw
my friend!" cried the General with
emotion. But Dutton proceeded.
Il cannot describe my feelings yester-
day while seated at your luxurious table.
1 thought of my poor Jane, depriving
herself of morsel of bread to give it to
her baby; of little pale, thin Annie,
whose delicate appetite rejects the
coarse food which is all we can give her;
and in an evil hour transferred two
pates from my plate to my pocket,
thinking they would tempt my little
darling to eat. / should have died of
shame had these things been produced
from my pocket, and your guests and
servant made witnesses of my cruel
poverty. Now, General, you know all ;
and, but for the fear of being suspected
by you of crime, my distress should
never have been known"
a life of unblemished honor" re-
piled his friend, "has placed you above
the reach of suspicion; besides, look
here" and he showed the missing
watch. 1T is l." continued he, "who
must ask pardon of you all. In fit of
absence l had dropped it into my waist
coat pocket, where, in Johnson's pres
ence, / discovered it while undressing"
IF had only knownp murmured
poor Dutton.
Don't regret what has occurred, said
the General, pressing his hand kindly.
1T has been the means ST acquainting
me with what you should never have
concealed from an old friend, who,
please God, will find some means to
serve you"
In few days Capt. Dutton received
another invitation to dine with the Gen
eral. All the former guests were assem-
bled, and their host, with ready tact,
took occasion to apologize for his
strange forgetfulness about the watch.
Capt. Dutton found paper within the
folds of his napkin; it was his nomina-
ton to an honorable and lucrative post,
which insured competence and comfort
to himself and his family.
A Forgotten Paragraph.