The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-09-01

He was introduced to the planters
wife and daughter; saw the servants--a
simple old negro and his wife; and was
shown the room from which the valua-
bles had been purloined.
While he was thus engaged, fine
looking young fellow, but with rather
careworn face for one hardly yet out of
his teens. came and stood in the door
way.
"Ah Signor, here is my son." said
Mr.. Oatman, slightly embarrassed.
You see, George, I-I-thought best
to-vou won't mind, my boy; for ask
ing him it can't do any hurt, if it don't
do any good"
"All right !" said George, carelessly.
But the signor, who exchanged chances
with him, saw that his lip twitched nerv-
ously, and that there was an anxious
look in his eye.
"Your father has an extravaganza no.
ton of my poor abilities, the signor re-
marked in a friendly tone. You haven't
witnessed my performances p
81 haven't had that pleasure. " the
youth replied, dryly.
ono doubt you have been more pleas
antly employed. The city offers good
many attractions to a spirited young
man aud l see by your looks" the sig :
nor added, with meaning smile, that
You are not one of those billiards who go
1 to bed at dusk"
George smiled in CLASSY sort of way,
and seemed trying to bring out some
careless reply, when his mother re-
marked, complainingly:
George keeps very late hours this
winter. I'm so sorry for any one can
see it isn't good for him."
"He used to make calls with me,
evenings" said the sister. "But he
never does, nowadays. / can't think
what he finds to amuse himself so late,
every night"
Il can think" said the signor. CT
/ know the city, and know young men.
I'm sorry, George" He looked the
young man keenly in the eye, as he con-
tinued:
eff you had been in the habit of re-
naming at nome nights, this theft never
would have taken place y
BY the look, and the words, and still
more by the tone in which the words
were spoken, poor George must have
perceived that his secret was in the sig
nor's possession. Still the truthful par
ents and affectionate sister remained free
from the slightest suspicion of his guilt.
reckon that's true, signor |" said
the father. George is known to be a
capital shot, and no burglars would vent
ture in the house when he was at home.
Do you discover anything more ?"
being stranger here" the signor
replied, 81 can't make up my mind at
once If yOur SON should set about it,
I've no doubt ne could clear up the mys-
terry very quickly; but l shall have to
study over it awhile"
Declining to say anything more def
mite, but promising that the family should
hear from him if he succeeded in finding
the lost treasures, he presently took
leave, giving George very significant
! look at parting.
He mad not been long at the hall, pom
dering over the painful problem he had
been set to solve-haunted by the pale
face of the guilty son-when the face it
self appeared before him.
"Ah, George !" said the signor, kind
ly; -" L am glad to see you"
The youth came forward slowly, too
much agitated to speak. Then, appar-
emily touched by the signors sympa-
thetic manner, he broke forth imploring-
ly:
"For mercy's sake, sir, don't expose
me -
"My dear George p replied the signor,
taking his outstretched hands, Il shall
not expose you if l can help it. But
let's understand each other. Tell me all
about it.
"You know it all ~ exclaimed the
wretched youth, beginning to tremble
and sob violently.
4" know something. You have fallen
in with bad companions. But how could
yOu-how could you deceive and wrong
your own parents ?"
q Because | am an idiot because I
am the most miserable, ungrateful,
wicked son that ever had good parents
to wrong" said George, in a convulsion
of remorse and despair. But L didn't
mean to rob them"
81 know" said the signor. "You
meant to return what you took. That's
what every well brought-up young man
means when he takes the first step in
crimes of this sort"
"Truly meant it !" George protested.
ct took the money first, hoping to win
back with it what 1 had lost at play.
Then when / had lost that, took the
ring. Then, desperate fool as i was, I
took the watch and pledged it. That
led to the discovery. II it hadn't been
for that, all would have been WELL"
How so ?" the signor inquired.
"Last night the luck turned" said
George, "and [ won back good part of
what have lost enough to recover the
watch and ring and all the money took
| from the till"
SIS it possible?" exclaimed the signor,
astonished.
81 have it all here" said George,
touching his coat. cit was in my pocket
when You came to the house didn't
you know it?"
The signor was obliged to confess that
he had not seen so far as that.
ct was in distress. trying to invent
some way OF returning the things with
out being found outlying to keep my
father quiet-when he brought you in
and spoiled all! Unless" said George,
with looks of entreaty,-" unless you
will be merciful and help me?''
g / will help you on one condition, L"
Al