The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-11-03
Neither of them spoke for moment

but the same thought was in the minds
of both, and later, when the children had
gone to bed, they talked the matter over
and made search, which proved as
fruitless as the first.
81 can't think Archie would take It,"
said the Squire.
81 don't want to think so, but where
has it gone? And you know, Rueben,
how anxious he was to go to Chelton."
It was agreed, however, not to say
anything to Archie for few days, "for
it may come out yet" they said.
But the days passed, and the money
did not come out, so it was thought that
Archie must know something about it.
Both looked very sober it was hard
to believe that the boy they had known
30 long and who seemed to them almost
like their own, should be guilty OF what
they feared.
"Well," said the Squire, Il suppose
may as well speak to him about it ) so
after breakfast, which Amy and Archie
alone enjoyed, he called the latter back
after the others had left the room. The
boy came back and stood expectantly
before him, while he looked uneasily
about him as if for some way to escape.
At lust he broke the silence by saying,
'Archie, can't tell how sorry / am to
say this-to think it but we can not
forget that you were the only one in tho
room where the money was left, so we
tbink-that is-no doubt it was n great
tnmptation. but tell us the truth, that
will be the best for as oil.
Archie stood silent moment the
color left his face, as he stood looking up,
so, you don't think II stole 1t !! =,
1--WE hope not but if it is true, tell
us now, and we will forgive you.
"But I didn't take it, cried the boy
"can'tyou believe me ? look in my room,
| look"
Mrs, Blake entered the room just
then. go, it isn't likely it would be
among his things now," she interrupted,
speaking more sternly than usual; prob
ably being conscious of her own careless
ness i'll the matter, she was more willing
to blame some one else.
Archio's eyes filed with tears, and he
turned with mute glance of appeal,
that touched the heart OF one, Mt least,
of his accusers, but the Squire left the
room. He talked with the boy after this,
but nothing could make him confess his
guilt.
The time passed, and it was decided that
Archie should go to Chelton Il place
was found for him, aud he, poor boy,
was glad to get away from the rcprOach-
full faces Of his former friends, for Amy
alone believed him innocent.
81 Just know you didn't take the old
money, so there !"
After he was gone, though she missed
her playmate Mt first, it was the Squire
who felt his absence most. AS for his
wife she hardened her heart against him,
declaring they were well rid of the little
thief.
There was no more talk Of adopting II
boy. Occasionally they heard of Archie,
and the report was always good one.
In course of time tho lost money was
forgotten by all but those whom it most
ly concerned.
Ten years have passed since the day
Farmer Stevens called ut Squire Blake's
and left the money which 50 soon dis
appeared, and again it is house cleaning
time; there are several rooms to be
papered this time, and among them the
sitting room.
Amy is now young lady just ont of
school; Nt present she is standing i'll the
doorway of the room, watching the man
MS he tears off the paper, ms it was
thought best to do before the new was
put on.
"Why !" she exclaimed, rs one piece
came off, "what is this, a little door,"
eyes, don't you remember the closets
we had papered over years ago2' said
her mother.
Her curiosity regarding them was not
satisfied till she had climbed some steps
and had with difficulty priod open the
doors of one.
"Why, it's full of books !" she OK
claimed.
81 have good reason to remember
when they were put in; it was at the time
Archie Turner stole that money of you
fathers" :" said her mother.
Amy stood looking over the books
when suddenly, with an exclamation OF
surprise, she sprang down the steps and
went after her mother, who had left the
room.
II have found it." she exclaimed,
excitedly.
"Found what, child?"
For answer, Amy opened book and
held it before her mother, disclosing the
lost money, nicely laid away where il
had been undisturbcd since the day Mrs.
Blake had unconsciously dropped it be.
fore going to attend Deborah.
When the Squire came home there
was quite story for him to hear. After
it was finished he sat a moment wipine
! his spectacles, then putting them on, re.
marked, "Bless the boy, l never could
quite believe he took it."
OF course Archie must be acquainted
with the discovery, and the Squire sud
denly remembered that he had business
= in Chelton the next day. Accordingly
the morning saw him on his way; the
young law student was much surprised
: by this call from the Squire.
lyon don't know how hard it has beer
all this time to think that you believed
that l had taken the money! he sale
after the story was told.
, "But know it has been hard to be
leve it, was the reply.
"A Archie gladly accepted an invitation tc
: visit the Blakes. where he was welcomed
s by all, and the friendship between hin
$ and Amy was not less than it had beer
o in their childhood But it came to pas
in the course of few years that he be
I came the son Of Squire Blake, though
not by adoption -
A CORRESPONDENT says that the "crop
L of marriageablo young men at the water
! ipg-places this season was failure; Io'
many were planted in hill, perhaps
IL l.