Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-10-14

told her of Sharping's mode of dealing,
and described his own experience that
afternoon.
ssI'ye been dishonest, and l am un-
happy" he said in conclusion. II do
not feel the same man that l did be-
fore, for there is one man IN the world
toward whom have done wrong, and
L should not dare to look him IN the
face" For some time Sarah was silent
At length she raised her lips to her hus
bands face and kissed him."
Forgive me-" she whispered. flor it
was l who did this wrong. Oh, forgive
me, Arthur, / was blind-foolish. I
was envious Oh, would rather live
in the meanest rags of penury and
want than to live on the wages of my
husbands dishonesty! l shall never
again think of bartering sweet content
for my neighbor's plenty. 1t was l
who wronged you. Forgive me"
1t was a scene of mutual forgiveness
that followed, and that night both hus-
band and wife prayed that they might
not heed the voice of the tempter again.
On the next morning the first person
who came into the store after Arthur
arrived, was the man to whom the cloth
had been sold the day before. The
Young merchant felt a sudden trembling
coming to his limbs and the worst fears
sprang to his mind. He feared that
his wickedness had been detected, and
that he should not have it in his power
to make free restitution. But he was
mistaken. The gentleman had only
come for some stuff for Innings and fac
ings to the pants he was going to have
made. Arthur's heart leaped again, for
he should have the opportunity he had
hoped for.
aAh, SIR" he said, after the article
just called for had been rolled up. Il
fear there was small mistake made
Yesterday, and am glad you called,
for | wish it rectified."
Il was not aware of any," returned
the stranger. wonderingly.
Step this way SIR" Arthur led the
wav to the counter where the sale of
the day before had been made, and lay
ing his hand upon the piece of cloth
from which he had cut three yards he
continued:
"You took q pattern from this piece?'
Eyes, sir"
"And paid me 81 per yard %
Eyes, sir."
"Well, sir,-I was very nervous
very uncomfortable at the time, and |
made sad mistake. | should have
asked you but ~ cents per yard for it.
1t is part cotton. You may return 1t
and take another piece, or / will pay
you back the difference, just as you
please"
He chose to keep the cloth, and Ar
thur paid him back Sl.74 cents. He
was very thankful for the restitution
thus made, and he remained long
time and chatted with the merchant,
often making a remark upon the charm
which he always experienced when
doing business with one in whom he
could confide. He proved afterwards
to be not only II good customer, but
valuable friend to the young mer-
chant.
That night Arthur Leeman was hap
py; and his sweet wife was never hap
pier IN her life, for She had learned the
real value of the blessing she possessed,
and She had gained once more the
treasure she had well nigh thrown from
her-the sweetest treasure of life
content
Time sped on Arthur Leeman re-
manned strict in his integrity. One by
one, customers of William Sharping
dropped into his store. They had
learned the real character OF the dis
honest merchant, and they fled from
his counter. In course of time Sharp
ing was deeply in debt-his great house
was put up for sale. Arthur Leeman
bought it, and when he paid for it he
had The sweet, holy satisfaction that
every dollar of the purchase money
had been honestly earned by fair and
virtuous dealing.