Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-04-20

at once. and IN very short time L WIS
on my return home.
On the way had one night n fright
full dream. l fancied q terrible enemy
had me down and clutched my throat.
Tighter grew his grasp and fainter my
breath. My staring eyes scanned every
feature of my murderer. Slowly and
painfully did / call to mind the face
above me- I pass ed all entreaty for
mercy.
Give it to me; want 1t; Imust have
it instantly was the hoarse reply.
"What-what can he mean?''
"Whatl' he shrieked. in maniacal
frenzy. my G20."
had quite forgotten about the bet
and G20; but the dream set me thinking
of what rumors I had heard respecting
Staining since left Ergland-that his
money had wasted, he had fallen in
position and even into poverty.
poor fellow!" thought, "there may
be something in that dream. If his
pride will accept it he shall have that
money back, and very glad 1 shall be to
restore it.
Back in England, settled down in the
old country. Main matters disposed of,
I began to think of minor ones, and
among the latter the discovery of Stain
ing. He was not in his former haunts,
and I failed SO long to find him that l
was beginning to despair, when one
night met him in the street.
The brilliant light of the ballroom
may increase the lustre of a woman's
eyes. but if you want to see broken
down man In his worst aspect, survey
him standing disconsolately under
street lamp, drilling rain descending
upon him, and he with folded arms pre-
senting picture of mute despair. So
did behold Staining. l put my hand
upon his shoulder. He sprang from
me as though were a wild beast.
'I aid not want to run away" he said,
hoarsely; "theY knew that. Go on; I'll
walk quietly enough. Why-what-can
| be"
"Yes, it is Smith, your old compan-
ion. Come out of this and con6de in
me. If you are in trouble and money
can help you, you shall not want. And
II l. L Anm
And then I heard poor Staining's con-
fession, and it amounted to this: When
he had wasted his money, he obtained
situation in q merchants Office. The
pay was sufficient to keep him; but even
now nothing could restrain him from
betting on horse-racing. As a conse-
Quence he was soon penniless, and
worse-dishonest. He had paid bet
ting debt out of e20 note which had
been entrusted to him. Discovery had
ensued. and though the luckless man
had explained that it was only through
failure of another member of the vir-
tuous fraternity he could not replace
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 10 my offer. "You can see
the firm in the morning; but 1 doubt
whether they will take the money. I
believe they are bent on my ruin"
Early next morning was at the Office
of Blendon, Baydon & Co., and having
stated my errand, 1 proffered my 820.
Mr., Baydon was a sleek old gentle
man. There was an air Of wealth and
ease all over him. He bowed compla-
Gently and said:
81 can appreciate your kindness to
this poor man, and I myself would pass
the matter over at once, bat my partner
takes different view, and I cannot in
terfere."
Can I see Mr.. Blendon?'
"Yes, if you will c,lll again In two
hours In the cab I kept muttering
to myself, Blendon, aud Robert Blen-
don, too. am sure of it. Still, if it
be 30, it is very strange, I think |
should know that face again. We shall
see who will be master"
Back to Messrs. Blendon. Baydon &
Co.'s office, and then in the presence of
Mr.. Blendon. ALI my anxiety for my
poor friend faded away. was master
of the situation. I stated my desire to
pay the amount of Staining's defalca-
ton, and my hope that under the ex-
tenuating circumstances no publicity
would be given to the wrong doing.
Mr.. Blendon heard me with some i'm
patience. and before replying drew
check to myself or bearer" for 910O.
Having given it 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
vindicate the law"
declare I was pleased at the grand.
lose style of his speech. How beauti-
fully he was working into my nett /
suggested that in case like this there
was NJ imperative sail to such a course,
and that forbearance might be shown.