The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-09-26

tanned situation in merchant Office.
The pay was sufficient to keep him; but
even now nothing could restrain him
from betting on horse-raeing. As
consequence he was soon penniless, and
worse-dishonest. He had paid bet
ting debt out of a GO note which had
been entrusted to him. Discovery had
ensued, and although the lnckless man
had explained that it was only through
the failure IL smother membeAf the
virtuous fraternity he could not replace
the money at snce, he had been DIS
charged, and had reason to suppose he
would he prosecuted.
MANY, many thanks" replied the
poor fellow 10 ms offer You can see
the firm in the morning; but doubt
whether they will take the money. |
believe they are bent on my ruin.
Early the next morning | was at the
office of Baydon, Blendon & Co., and,
having stated my errand, | proffered
my EGO.
Mr.. Bayden WAS sleek old gentle
man. There was an air of wealth and
ease all over him. He bowed eompla-
Gently, and said:
Il can appreciate your kindness to
this poor man, and myself would pass
the matter ever at once, but my partner
takes different view, and | cannot in
terfere.
Can see Mr. Blendon?"
Yes, ii YOU will call again in two
hours
In the cab kept muttering to myself:
''Blendon, and Robert Blendon, toop
am sure of it, Still, If it be so, it is
very strange. think / should know
that face again. We shall see who will
be master
Back to Messrs Rlendon, Baydon 6
Co s Office, and then 10 the presence Of
Mr.. Blendon All 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-
tennating circumstances no publicity
would be given to the miserable wrong
doing.
MIR. Blendon heard me with some inn
patience, and before replying drew a
check to aself or bearer" for 4l00.
Having given this to the clerk, he said
to me:
lyon will excuse m answering some
what shortly II cannot be- IL is moi
the money we care about, but we must
vindicate the law.
| declare was pleased at the grand.
lose style of his speech. How beauti-
fully he was walking into my nett Isug.
gested that In case like this there
was no imperative cali to such 4
course, and that forbearance might be
shown.
II do not see it, ? answered Mr.. Blen
don. "Yoa do not appear, sir, to OBJ
serve the immense importance of pun
ishing delinquency Of this kind lean
not take yonr money. II | were to let
this man off. would be ashamed o.
myself have just overcome some
foolish hesitation of my partner. an
always firm myself /" Not always
Mr. Blendon-not when last saw you
But wait a bit. A little further into m,
net, pleased. And therefore. howey
er sorry | may be, sir. | must say no
II were myself to commit an act o
THIS KIND, and
Why did he stop? l bowed quietly
and rising said:
You are quite right, MIR. Blendon
for dishonesty is a terrible thing, ant
while not for moment pressing my re
quest, know you will forgive my cal
ling to remembrance q curious cas-
known to myself Some twenty year
ago a poor young couple, not long mar
ried. had fallen into poverty. The wifi
and infant were i'll; the husband wa
distracted; he must get money. Whe
II L. ,...--.e, $685. -.LsId ..,a,.a a
|, most starving what was to be done
= The money was obtained MIR. Blendor
YOU know how But in what way was
repaid before mischief came, and no,
was the husband saved from ruin an
degradation to become ric
and respected merchant Who's
money saved him? That You do nc
know, but will tell you. The f2o moi
which rescued the husband rested onl
ten minutes before in the pocket OF In
very Staining whom you are about I
prosecute. Then Staining was as ric
rs Won are now; but he was kline
christian man. Mr. Blendon, have
right TO ask you to what character d
you lay c!aime'
have often thought since what ac
mirable advantages are a Clear hea
and calm temper I'd worked fRyse
up to white beat. 1t was only when j
first saw my drift that my listener mai
Tested any strong emotion Then
, rose from his chain wit. flushed face
but he resumed his seat, and by tn
. time had finished he was almost. a
calm as when 1 entered. There was
slight pause. and then be said:
, ''Yon have acquired some knowledg
. of an incident in ms life which | an
not called upon TO discuss. Is thi
knowledge confined to yourself?''
/, Il believe it to be confined to mysel
and my informant. and have no dcsir
it should be otherwise
Mr.. Blendon bowed.
II will not conceal that | shall b
glad if this goes no further. and on this
; footing | will say that your friend shaI
be freely absolved, and | will even al
him If / can. Yon must excuse m
taking your ego. am obliged togo
for coming, Good-mornings
Ifelt as left him that the enemy ha
= well covered his retreat, and had nc
!, left me morsel of triumph more tina
! he could help. But my object was az
: cOmplished, and / FASTENED to me,
. Staining. He was not at the appointe
place, so went to his lodgings. Tt
landlady told me that he had come i
j.. early and gone to his room-not wei
= she thought She. and went up t.
gether and knocked more than once
Then went in. Poor Staining lay. III
!, on the bed-dead. His enfeebled fran
had not been able to endure the recei
!. wear and tear. and now he was beyon
= the reach Of his follies and his trouble
= >-ETchagge.
= Sustaining the 0auss r.
q ''Are the springs oflife externally flo'
a.