The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-04-08

AuO uOOI Was CAOecu, uuG OCC1o1Oudlly
part of sentence came distinctly to
Paufs ears. He heard the words,
"check;" !" "stolen from letter; )" estate
prison offense;" "young for such q
crime"
He looked out of the window into the
street, and strong impulse seized him to
flee from the house, but his limbs were
powerless to act.
Suddenly Mr.. Harrison opened the
door.
"Paul, come here" he said. Mr..
Carter wishes to talk with you"
The boy went into the parlor, nervous
and trembling One glance at the weary,
serious expression of Mr.. Carter's face
seemed to assure him of his coming
doom. Family, and with palpitatiDg
heart, he returned the good mans salu-
tation.
al want to ask You few questions"
began Mr.. Carter. "Can you tell me
why, now you shake! WHAT'S the
matterT p
Nothing-yes-I-I don't know"
stammered Paul.
"I want you to tell me all you know
about"
40 SIR" interrupted Paul, quickly,
/ never told you liel never. NEVER
and hope you'll believe me nowW
Believe aDhat, my son?"
"That-that-ld didn't steal the check
IL lost your letter-but-but--I didn't
know it held a check" with chattering
teeth.
"Lost my letter. aphat letter2 Out
with the truthp commanded Mr.. Har-
rison.
The one you wrote to Mr.. Carter.
You gave it to me to carry to the post
Office. There was plenty of time before
the mail closed, and 1 stopped a few
minutes to look at Caleb's new dog. The
letter was dropped somewhere, and l
couldn't find it-and-and thought it
was only an order for -four, and I wrote
another and signed your name to it. l
knew 'twould bring the -four all the
same, and it did.
Paul began to cry
81 received that letter, and forwarded
the -four at once" put in Mr.. Carter.
"Go on, Paul. So you have forged a
letter for me. What else have you
done" asked Mr.. Harrison, in severe
tone.
"That's all I have to tell-nothing
else" sobbed the boy.
"Your fathers letter, with check of
one hundred and fifty dollars, came to
me. I had two letters, one few days
after the other" said Mr.. Carter. "The
lost letter had been picked up and for
warded according to its written direc-
tion." A look of mingled relief aud sur
prise suddenly came over Paups face.
Why did you suspect me of stealing
the check, ,then7" he asked, drying his
tears.
"Don't see what led you to think 1
did suspect you. What did?" questioned
Mr.. Carter.
Because I heard father and you
talking about check that was stolen
from a letter, and just after that you
mentioned my name.-'
Mr.. Carter burst into hearty laugh,
and even the knitted brows of Mr.. Har
rison relaxed. PauPs face flushed
crimson.
You were more frightened than
hurt, my boy" said Mr.. Carter, laying
his hand on Paul's shoulder. "Your
course was not right, and guilt is loud
accuser, and is easily alarmed. But no
one had suspected you of stealing. Paul.
I was only telling your father that Abel
Phillips, the son of one of our friends,
has lately forged on stolen check, and
is likely to go to prison
"But something was certainly said
about me-"
Yes; / asked to see you, 10 inquire
about your schoolmate, Ned Lee, who
wants place in my store"
Paul gave Mr.. Carter all the informa-
| hn fn4 oh -
while Mr.. Harrison sat thinking. Re
was not quite ready to change the sub
ject. "Paul," said he, sternly, chow
comes it you are SO late in owning that
you lost my letter?'
Paul hung his head.
"'Twasn't right, know, father. !
hated to hide it, but I thought 'twould
-'twould save me from beating"
Paul left the room, and the merchants
were again alone.
"Albert," said Mr.. Carter, earnestly,
eve have been friends from -boyhood
and hope you won't take offense at my
plain speaking. Don't you see you are
helping your son to make roguef'
"a rogue! What do you meant"
"That's what the end will be. Paul
is little thoughtless and impetuous
but good boy in the main. 1t was
| dread of punishment, you see, thai
forced him to act underhanded in thi,
thing. Encourage frankness in him BY
keeping him less under fear. He hal
taken his lesson in artifce. God gran
it may be his last"
Half an hour later, Mr.. Carter wen
away, and Mr.. Harrison sat long alb
sorbed in thought.
A revelation had been made to him
and he arose and went to Paul's room.
"Well, Paul." said he, "you have pait
heavier penalty for concealment thai
If the truth had been told at first"
Indeed Ihave, father; never haC
anything worry me half go much in m,
life."
always be true and open, Paul, anc
you need have no fear of me"
Father aud son had both learned al
important lesson.-Yo Youths Companion