Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-01-11

break the terrible force of facts he was
compelled to relate.
In his partner absence he had EN-.
ployed George Gilbert as clerk had
found him competent and trustwor-
thy; had sent him on trip to make
collections On his return he had &C.
knowledged that after receiving con-
siderable sum, he was induced by
respectable looking gentleman, with
whom he had casually fallen in, to
Join social game Of cards; at first
they played for amusement, then for
money, and after losing all his own,
in hope of retrieving his loss. with the
fatal infatuation of that dreadful vice
whose end is swift destruction, hs
had hazarded and lost the last dollar
of money he had in trust for his EN-.
ployers.
Mr.. Meek's voice faltered as he
closed his narrative. He was going
to volunteer something about the
prisoners good character, when dis
approving glance from Mr.. Mangle
brought him to halt. ea- sl.
Just then the prisoner chanced to
turn his head, and catchinga glimpse
of the senior partner. who had just
entered and was standing among the
crowd, he started quickly, then whis-
pered hurriedly in my ear.
Turn aside your face" Itwhisper-
ed back. And the case for the prose-
cution being closed -aT
"Have you am witness for the de.
fence?" inquired the Judge. -.l
Il will call Hezekiah Mangle," I
replied. -.s 5a
A buzz of surprise greeted the an
nouncement, in the midst of which
Mr.. Mangle stepped forward and was
sworn. .. .... ..... .a...
"You have been absent for the past
year, Mr.. Mangle?" began.
II have"
"Traveling in different parts?"
eyes, sir"
"The prisoner was employed by
your partner in your absence, and
was arrested about the time of your
return ?"
"Such was the case"
"Have you ever seen him?"
"Not to my knowledge"
cor met him in yor travels?"
"If he will turn his head this way
l can tell better"
At my bidd ng Gilbert turned and
faced the witness.
The effect was electrical. Mr..
Mangle turned red and pale py turns.
"One other question, Mr.. Mangle,"
l resumed. Doyou recognize in the
prisoner a young man from whom you
won a thousand dollars at poker
while on your travels ?" and l named
the time and place at which the pris-
oner had met with the misfortune.
The man of irou nerve hesitated
worse than his more amiable partner
had done. He was halting between q
point blank lie, which might entail
the penalties Of perjury, and !the
truth, which would cost him money.
Cowardice performed the Office of
conscience, and the truth came out.
The firms money, which George Gill
bert had lost, had been won by the
senior partner; and the Court in.
the jury that, as the sum in
question had actually been delivered
to one of the joint owners, who was
bound to account to his associate, the
prisoner could not be convicted.
"God bless you, Mr.. Parker" fall
tered the happy little wife. II knew
you would bring US out all right"
It was evident the truthful wo-
mans nature gave me all the credit
of result in whose achievement M
share had been next to nothing.
The lesson was not lost on George
Gilbert. His first false step was his
last and the richest fee 1 ever re-
ceived was the heartfelt gratitude o.
his noble, faithful wife.
HARD Work TO START.-Great
are necessary to get a
train off in Germany. When all is '
ready a bell rings. Then another
bell rings. Then the engine whistles,
or rather toot-toot-toot gently. Then
the conductor tells the station master
that all is ready. Then the station
master looks placidly around and
says "so?" Then the conductor
shouts "Fertig?" interrogatively!