The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-02-01
A CONFESSION.

Most men would hesitate at telling
.euch story Of themselves. But am
convinced that it will afford q sugges-
ton OF mercy toward such as do fall,
and some may be turned away from
temptation by it's recital.
bad been an under clerk in large
establishment for many years. Natur-
ally economical, my savings had at
tanned TO such respectable sum that
ventured upon, married life, quite as
much as refuge from the monotony OF
nv inexpensive style of living as in
obedience to those warnings of nature
which a man is either very foolish o,
very bad not TO heed in due season
like most men. however, whose adven-
lures OF this kind are not followed by
the comfort and ease which depend
upon money for their possession, in the
course of time came to repent the un-
dertaking; for / was in debt, and my
family had increased, while my income
had not kept pace with my expenses.
MY wife lacked the courage to practice
the proper self-denial which would be
onseluent upon a retrenchment of our
expenses. / was daily annoyed by duns.
/ had borrowed money in every avail
sable quarter, and q walk in the public
streets was literally denied fto me by
the fear of encountering some one to
whom I was in debt for house expenses.
Returning home late one night, jaded
by qistless stroll through the town,
found the junior member of the firm
awaiting me. The house had received
intelligence. after business hours, of {
transaction entered into on their ac
count, which secured the immediat,
transmission to an isolated inland towI
of several thousand dollars, togethe
with certain papers and statement
necessary to conclude the affair. It wa
too important matter to be intrusteC
TO the insecurity and uncertainty of tn
mail. Upon a consultation of the mem
bers OF the firm / had been selected t.
perform the necessary two days jour
ney. I accepted the mission with alac
rity, for the reason, among others, tina
it would be such recreation as woul
divert my thoughts for time from tn
perplexities of my miserable condition
With the usual foresight of the fir
everything necessary to my prompt dC
parture had been prearranged. Th
INDISPENSABLE money required to fnis
tho transactions, were placed in m
hands in an envelope addressed to tn
gentleman who had acted as agent {
the concern in the matter. A letter {
instructions were also inelosed.
I remember we'll the bright Septen
ber morning on which started G
horseback and alone on my journey,
which I accomplished half the first da
arriving at farmhouse, whose occ
pants uuhesitatingly granted my pei
tion for share for the night in
humble hospitality.
The weather had grown colder as Il
evening came on, and by the time hi
reached the house experienced Sc
sible chill. 1 had with me flask
liquor, and was furnished, at my I
quest at bedtime, with small quanti
of hot water with which to compound
sort of punch, as an antidote to the co
apprehended having taken.
I had removed the package of mon
from my pocket and laid 1t on the tab
with view of putting it under my P
low before going to bed. As it lay
the table the address was upPermo
on the left-hand upper corner was
memorandum, "$5,000 inclosed."
was standing with my back to the do
Succeeding a few moments OF ent
silence / heard a steL behind me, ano
almost thought breath upon my ia
Turning suddenly round 1 beheld
host with the bot water had called
in a tumbler in his hand. He '
quite beside me, and his eyes rested,
/ fancied they rested, on the packs
upon the table. I must confess / '