The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-10-28

Walter, animated by the new feelings
he had acquired, was invincible; his
duty required the sacrifice, and it should
be made. Undoubtedly it was one of
the greatest he could have made, for he
might have played upon the girls credu-
lity, and maintained his position Is lover
without the renAotest prospect or inten-
ton Of becoming her husband. But
with the resolution to do right comes a
consideration for others, which weakens
the natural selfishness of the heart. and
gives it the power tr rnake those stern
sacrifices which honor so frequently de-
mends.
Now, for my mother" thought he,
and trembled at the interview before
him for, had the alternative been pre-
sented to him, he would have preferred
that the maiden he had parted with
should have been acquainted with his
error, than that his mother, his ire
proachable mother, should have known
that he had brought shame on the name
of the parent who had been SO honored
and respected when alive.
After protracted conversation with
his mother. she yielded to his entreaties,
and consented to retire to a more humble
dwelling. The removal was speedily
effected, and, on the evening Of the day
On which they took possession of the
two apartments which were thenceforth
10 be their home the mother bewildered
by the change, inquired from her son
why he had gone so far from the office.
81 have left Mr.. IS employ-he
was dissatisfied with me" replied Wal
ter, slightly blushing at the eq,iivoca-
ton.
Dissatisfied with you'll" exclaimed
the mother. "Oh, Walter, there is
something in all this l don't understand;
first, you bid Mary farewell, then you
induce me to leave Cl0udesly street,
and now YOU tell me you have left your
office. Waiter, my dear son, do not
conceal anything from me-.
Walters lips quivered and his eve
avoided his mothers steady gaze, but
making great effort he soon recovered
himself, and seeing that he must be cool
and firm, or all would be explained, and
perhaps so shock his mother as to do
her serious injury, he addressed himself
to her In the calm language of reason.
He explained that he had been dis
charged by Mr.. ewing to his being
extremely dissatisfied with him, and
that, as henever intended toreturn to that
line of business again, it was necessary,
until he had established himself in some
other, that his mother, deprived of the
assistaiice of his salary, should be placed
in such position as would enable her
to live upon the slender annuity she
enjoyed.
"My son." said the mother, affected
at this instance of talial devotion, "but
why separate from Mary?"
Because, replied Walter, CT wooed
her under favorable circumstances, be-
came gracious in her eyes by the aid OF
those circumstances, and, now that they
have disappeared, my duty to her and
myself demands that I should withdraw
from her society. Our position toward
each other has undergone Change
she is in the satire condition, while 1 am
poor, very poor; and love and poverty
rarely agree"
You know little yet of woman's
heart, Walter" said his mother, smil-
ing, "or you would be aware that, pro-
vided man retains his honor, she cares
little in heE youth about the trash which
the world calls wealth."
This remark caused Walter to turn
pale as death, and almost to fall from
his seat fainting. His alarmed mother
flew to his assistance, and beseeched
HI 70
was sure, she said, he had something
the most poignant distress.
With the utmost difficulty he reas-
sured her, and, when both were more
CAIN, he solemnly requested her to
grant him favor.
"What is ~" che injured.
"Trust me-" replied he, falling on his
knees before her.
81 will !" she emphatically ex-
claimed, falling on his neck and from
that day forth the subject was never
renewed between them.
Give resolutions triumphantly car
ried out" said Walter, after his mother
had retired; "and tomorrow is the ma
tivity of the third"
Taking large sheet of paper, he
wrote upon it, in @ very large, round
hand, the talismanic words, "Never de-
SPAR +" and then fastened it to the cur
tains at the foot of his bed, so that he
might have the sentence before him to
read night and morning.
1t was mighty task, and no blood
stained knight ever couched lance
against q foe more gallantly than did
our brave Walter, in this, his first great
moral battle.
The struggle with life was an arduous
and protracted one but, as it is not our
intention to follow Walter in all his
wanderings, we can only relate that he
found no employment too mean for his
industry, and n occupation disgraceful,
unless criminal and dishonorable. At
the end of six years, by dint of the most
indefatigable labor-and hard, common
day-labOr alone~-he had accumulated
from his labor sufficient to pay his first
employer the amount OF his defalcation,
together with interest up to the day of
payment.
Noon had just been proclaimed by the
great bell of st. Paul's when Walter
presented himself at the office of the
merchant. With some difficulty he OBJ
tanned private interview.
" Well, my man F" said the merchant,
In no very amiable manner, for Walters
apparel was not very attractive.
Six years ago, this very day." said
Walter, modestly, but firmly, "you dis.
missed from your service clerk named
Walter Jackson for defalcation in the
account intrusted to him. I am Walter
Jackson, and here is the aplount owing
to you, with interest at per cent. |
have been unable to pay you sooner, or
| should most gladly have done SO.
Now, to my great relief, am able, and
beg in addition that you will accept my
most grateful thanks for the forbearance
you exercised toward me on that dis
tressing occasion"
Surprise for time held the merchant
mute, but when he recovered he stretched
forth his hand to the workman, and.
when he received that Of the latter,
shook it warmly. He then requested
Walter to relate what had befallen him
since their separation. Walter did so
in a brief but clear and unreseryed
manner.
$50 the moment you left this office
you determined to make restitution ?"
said the merchant, smiling, evidently
hioblxy o,.ofi6od x,.;+L Az ,,oS,,oL: