The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1882-02-09

consolately under street lamp, 8 drizzl.
ing rain descending upon him, and he with
folded arms presenting a picture Of mute
despair. So did behold Staining. L put
my hand upon his shoulder. He sprang
from me IS though I were wild beast.
i II did not want to run away" he said,
hoarsely; Ssthey knew that. Go on; I'll
walk quietly enough. Why-what--caln
i 1t be-"
eyes, it is Smith, your old companion.
Come out Of this and conflde in me. If you
are in trouble and poney can help you,
you shall not wants And took his arm
and we went together.
And then I heard poor Staining's con-
fession, and 1t amounted to this: When
he had wasted his money, he obtained a
situation in merchants office. The pay
was sufficient to keep him; but even now
nothing could restrain him from betting
on horse-racing. As a consequence he was
soon penniless, and worso--dishonest. He
Ihad paid a betting debt out of a $40 note
which had been entrusted to him. Discoy-
cry had ensued, and though the luckless
man had explained that 1t was only
through a failure Of another member Of
the Vfrtuous fraternity lie could not re-
place the money at once, he had been dis
charged, and had reason to suppose he
would be prosecuted.
'Many, many thanks" replied the poor
fellow to my offer. ''Yon can see the firm
in the morning; but doubt whether they
will take the money. I believe they are
bent on my ruin"
Early the next morning I was at the
Office Of Baydon, Blendon & Co., and,
having stated my errand, profered my
G20.
Mr.. Bav1on was sleek old gentleman.
| There was an air Of wealth and ease all
over him. He bowed complacentlY, and
| said:
II can appreciate your kindness to this
poor man, and myself would pass the
matter over at once, but my partner takes
a different view, and I Icannotinterfere.
s'Can | see Mr.. Blendon?'
EYES, if you will call again In two
hours"
| In the cab | kept muttering to myself:
"Blendon, and Robert Blendon, too am
sure Of it. Still, if it be so, it is very
strange. I think Ishould know that face
again. We shall see who will be MASTER"
Back to Messrs. Baydon, Blendon &
Co.'s office, and then in the presence Of
Mr.. Blendon. All my anxiety fol. my poor
friend faded away. was master of the
situation. I stated my desire to pay the
amount of Staining's defa1cation, and my
hope that under the extenuating circum-
stances no publicity would be given to the
miserable wrong-doing.
Mr.. Blcndon heard me with some impa-
tience, and before replying drew check
to "self or bearer" for e100. Having given
this to the clerk, he said to me:
"You will excuse my answering some
what shortly. 1t cannot be. It is not the
money we care about, but we must vindi-
cate the law
declared I was pleased at the grandi-
ose style of his speech. How beautifully
he was walking into my net! Il suggested
that in case like this there was no impe-
ratiVe call to such course, and that for
bearance might be shown.
''I do not see it," answered Mr.. Blen-
don, ''You do not appear, sir, to observe
the immense importance of furnishing de-
|linquency Of this kind..I cannot take
your money. If [ were to let this man off,
would be ashamed Of myself. / have
just overcome some foolish hesitation Of
my partner. am always firm myself"
(Not always, Mr.. Blendon-not when
last saw you. But wait a bit. Alitt1e
further into my net, please.) Sand, there
fore, however sorrYI may be, sir, must
say SO. If were myself to commit an act
of this kind, and
Why did he stop? I bowed quietly, and
rising said:
''You are quite right, Mr. Blendon, for
dishonesty is a terrible thing, and while
not for a moment pressing my request, I
know you will forgive my calling to re-
membrance a curious case known to my
self. Some twenty years ago poor young
couple, not long married, had fallen into
poverty. The wife and infant were i'll
the husband was distracted; he must get
money. When his young wife and infant
child wese almost starving what was to be
done? The money was obtained--Nr. BLen-
don, you know how. But in what way
was it repaid before mischief came, and
how was the husband saved from ruin and
egradation--saved TO become a rich and
respected merchant? Whose money saved
him? That you do not know, but I will
tell you. The e20 note which rescued the
husband rested only ten minutes before in
the pocket Of this very Staining whom you
are about to prosecute. Then Staining
was as rich as you are now but he was a
kind, Christian man. Mr.. =Blendon, j have
Alright to ask you to what character do you
lay claim ?''
I have often thought since what admir-
able advantages are a clear head and Q
calm temper. I'D worked myself up to
white heat. It was only when he first saw
my drift that my listener manifested any
strong emotion. Then he rose from his
chair with flushed face, but he resumed
his seat, and by the time I had finished he
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