The Hazlehurst signal., 1884-02-07

The servant who answered his ring
told him that Mrs. Pierce had gone out
Tor n moment, and asked him IN await
her return.
"rll wait ten miniites--no longer.
said the old man, rs he stepped into inc
library. ,
Mr.. Pierce was fon'l Of reading. anu
the room was lined with bookcases. III
one Of these Mr.. Maynard saw the vol
umc Of travels he lad presented 10
Fred.
"rll see what II was that proved 20
interesting TO the lad," he muitcrcd, n
Inc drew the book out.
lie opened il, and began Ia turn
over the leaves then suddenly startr"
back as il he had received blow In tho
face.
Impossiblc!' he muitercd. as he
sank down in chair, completely over
come. There must Lc some mis-
take
For several moments he sat thus, In
deep thought, the book resting on MS
knee. Then. rising. he restored II To
its place. decp sigh escaping hi4 lips
n he did 80. Then. picking mp his cane.
which had fallen 10 the floor. heicit tho
house.
"a most fortunate discovery" he
muttercd. n he walked away. "foor
lad, poor lad"
When Mrs. Pierce returned home
few minutes later. she Of course found
the library unoccupicd.
"Unclc Asa i always so impatient,
she laid. "Surcly hc could have wal'ed
just little longer"
"lIc promised Ia wait ten minutes.
but I'm sure he wasn't here more than
iiye." said the servant. >,
81 am very sorry missed him." said
Mrs. Pierce.
But she did not know what Fred had
missed by that early call OF Uncle
Asa's.
Fred wondered why he dlG not rc.
cciyc the promised books. but. conelud-
iny that Mr.. Maynard had forgotten the
matter, said nothing about il.
But hc had greater cause for wonder.
when. after the June graduation. hc
heard that his cousin Henry had been
taken into llis uncle's store.
81 can't make L OUT he said to his
cousin. IL was sure Uncle Asa in'cnd-
ed TO give me the place. He always
appeared to like Inc better than hc did
you"
ut was n great surprise To me. con-
fcss," said Henry. "Ilc seemed SO
ycxed with me about that book chose.
YOU remember. He scarcely spoke To
me the next time met him. But he II
very plpasant 10 me now.
IL wish the matter could be cN-
planed," said Fred I'll would like to
understand abont H."
He understood very soon. One day
in tho beginning Of july he received
summon, Ia come 10 his unclc's oillce.
The interview did not last long: but
perhaps Fred suffered more during tho
ten minutes his uncle talked to him
than he had in the whole Oi his life be-
fore
at il only right that YOU should
know why my choice fell on Henry
said the old man. .for intimated tn
YOUR father that should choose YOU,
The knowledge may be Of permanent
benefit TO you, and influence you for
,.uv,l in . similar sase. l',o,r'd ona ovor
occnr. gave you book Two months
ago. with which YOU seemed immensely
pleased. Meeting you ON the street 4
week later. | asked you II you hal read
IT, You said YOU hal. and praised it
highly. Twas well pleased with you.
and concluded that / had better settle
at once the matter Of your coming here,
after your graduation. Ia learn my
business. / went To- your fathers
house, and, your mother being out,
stepped into the library TO await her re-
turn. There saw the book | lad given
YOU. Some impulse led me to open u.
Frederick, YOU know, OF course. the dis
coycryI made. The volume was rough
ly bound and cheaply printed, and tho
pages were uncut. DO you undcrstandP
/ knew ut once that YOU had not only
been guilty of deceit. but of deliberate
falschood. / want In my employment
no one whom can not trust. and my
trust in you was DESTROYED forever
when Lett your fathers library that
dav."
Fred tried to speak. but there was a
lump In his throat which prevented his
doing SO.
"You may go now," said Mr.. May
nard: "but remember, my lad. that No
matter at what apparent cost. II Is nl-
WAYS best TO stick 10 the old proycrb:
Honesty il the best policy.
And as Fred walked out Of the oilicc
he felt the pcrfcc, truth OF his unclc's
words. Florence D. HaiIopeH. in Golden
Ddys.