The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-01-27

! a merchants office. The pay was suflicier
10 keep nm; but even now nothing coul
restrain him from betting on horse-racing
AS consequence he was soon penniess, an
g.. worse-dishonest. He had paid bettn
debt out of a EGO note which had been er
trustld to him. Discovery had ensued, an
though the luckless man had explained tina
it was only through a failure of anothe
member OF the virtuous fraternity he coul
not replace the money at once, he had bee
discharged and had reason to suppose Ii
would be prosecuted.
Many thanks" replied the poor fellow t.
my offer. "You can see the firm in tn
morning; but doubt whether they will tax
the money | believe they are bent on m
ruin"
Early the next morning | was at the ofiic
OF Baydon, Blendon 81 Co, and, having stat
ed my Grand protfered my ECO
MIR. Baydon was n sleek old gentleman -
There was an air of wealth and ease all owe
him He bowed compacently, and said:
81 can appreciate your kindness to thi
poor man, and | myself would pass the mat
ter over Mt once, but my partner takes diff
ferent view, and l cannot interfere"
Can see Mr.. Blendon ?"
Yes, ifyou will call again in two hours ;
In the cab kept muttering to myself "Blcn
don, and Robert Blendon, too? lam sure O
It, Silll il it be so, it is very strange. think
should know that face again. We shall
see who will be master"
Back to Messrs Blcndon, Baydou Il Coz
Office and then in the presence of Mr. Blen
don. All my anxiety for my poor friend fad
ed away. was master of the situation.
stated my desire TO pay the amount of Stain.
ing's detalcation, and my hope that under the
eXtenuating circumstances no publicity
would be given to the miserable wrong doing
| MIR. Blendon heard me with some impa-
tience, and before replying drew check to
self or bearer" for f100 Having given this
to the clerk, he said to me:
| "lo on Will excuse my answering somewhat
shortly. 1t cannot be. 1t is not the money
we care about, but we must vindcate the
law"
| declared was pi, ased at the grandiose
| style OF his speech. How beautifully he was
walking into my net! | suggested that in a
case like this there was no imperative call to
such course, and that forbearance might be
shown
~ do not see it, answered Mr.. Blendon.
You do not appear, sir TO observe the i'm
mense Importance ofpunishing delinquency
OF this kind. | cannot take your money. If
| were to let this man off, | would he asham-
ed OF myself. 1 have just overcome some
foolish hesitation of my partner | am al
ways firm myself" Not always, Mr.. Blen-
don-not when last saw you. But wait n
bit. A little further into my net, please y
And, therefore, however sorry | may be, sir,
must say no. If were myself to commit
an act ofthis kind, and"
Why did he stop | bowed quietly, and
rising said
You are quite right, Mr.. Blendon, for
dishonesty is IL terrible thing, and while not
fora moment pressing my request, | know
you will forgive my calling to remembrance
curious case known to myself. Some TWEEN
ty years ago poor young couple not long
married, had fallen into poverty. The wife
and infant were i'll; the husband was dis
tracted; he must get money. When his
young wife and infant child were almost
starving what was to be done? The money
was obtaned-Mr. Blendon you know how.
But in what way was itrepaid before mis-.
CHIEF came, and how was the husband saved
from ruin and degradaton--saved to become
rich and respected merchant? Whose
money saved HIM ? That you do not know,
but will tell you. The f20 note which res
cued the husband rested only ten minutes be-
fore in the pocket of the very Staining whom
you are about to prosecute. Then Staining
was as rich as you are now; but he was
kind Christian man. Mr.. Blendon, | have
right to ask you TO what character do you
lay claim ?"
| have often thought since what admira-
BILE advantages are Il clear head and calm tenn
per I'd worked myself up to a white heat.
1t was only when lie first saw my drift that
my listener manifesto any strong emotion
Then he rose from his chair with flushed face,
but he resumed his seat, and by the time |
had finished he was almost MS calm as when
entered. There was slight pause, and
then he said
You have acquired some knowledge of an
incident in my life which | am not called
upon to discuss. Is this knowledge confin-
ed to yoursef?'
81 believe it to be confined to myself and
my informant, and have no desire it should
be otherwise"
Mr.. Bendon bowed.
81 will not conceal that shall be glad if
this goes no further, and on that footing
will say that your friend shall be freely alb
solved, and will even aid him if | can You
must excuse me taking your Ego. l am
Obliged to you for coming. Good-morning"
felt as left him that the enemy had well
covered his retreat, and had not left me Il
morsel of triumph more than he could help.
But my object was accomplished and
fastened to meet Staining. He was not at
the appointed place, so went to his lodgings.
The landlady told me he had come in early
and gone to his room-not well she thought
She and l went up together and knocked
more than once. Then | went in. Poor
Staining lay upon the bed-dead His en-
teebled frame had not been able to endure
the recent wear and tear, and he was now
beyond the reach of his follies and his trou-
bles