Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-02-08

l
Impossibler'' he muttered, as he
sank down in chair. completely over
come There must be some mis-
take
For several moments he sat thus, in
deep thought. the book resting on his
knee. Then, rising, he restored it to
its place, a deep sigh escaping his lips
as he did So Then, picking up his cane,
which had fallen to the floor, he left the
house.
"A most fortunate discovery" he
muttered. as he walked away. Poor
lad! poor lad!''
When Mrs. Pierce returned home
few minutes later, she of course found
the library unoccupied.
/" Uncle Asa is always so impatient"
she said. Surely he could have waited
just little longer"
'He promised TO wait ten minutes.
but L m sure he wasn't here more than
| fiye," said the servant.
Il 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 die not re-
ceiye the promised books, but, conclud-
ing that Mr.. Maynard had forgotten the
matter, said nothing about it.
But he had greater cause for wonder,
when, after the June graduation, he
| heard that his cousin Henry had been
taken into his uncle's store.
IL can't make it out" he said - his
cousin. Il was sure Uncle Asa ipiend-
ed to give me the place. He always
appeared to like me better than he did
you"
1T was great surprise to me. l con-
| fess," said Henry. ''He seemed so
vexed with me about that book chose.
you remember. He scarcely spoke to
me the next time met him. But he is
very pleasant TO me now"
81 wish the matter could he OK
planned said Fred. II would like To
understand about it."
He understood very soon. One day
in the beginning of July he received a
summons TO come to his uncle's of
| flee.
The interview did not last long; hut
perhaps Fred suffered more during the
ten minutes his uncle talked TO him
than he had in the whole of his life be-:
| fore
ut is only right that you should
know why my choice fell on Henry"
said the old man, ''for intimated To
your father that should choose you.
The knowledge may be of permanent
benefit to you, and influence you for
good in similar case, should one ever
occur. lgave you book two months
ago, with which you seemed immensely
pleased. Meeting you on the street
week later, l asked you if you had read
it. You said you had, and praised il
highly. | was well pleased with you,
and concluded that had better settle
at once the matter of your coming here,
after your graduation, to learn my
business. l went to your fathers
house, and, your mother being out,
stepped into the library to await her re-
turn. There / saw the book had given
you. Some impulse led me to open it.
Frederick. you know, of course, the dis
covery made. The volume was rough
ly bound and cheaply printed, and the
pages were uncut! DO you understand:
knew at once that you had not only
been guilty of deceit, but of deliberate
falsehood. l 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 .
lump in his throat which prevented hi:
doing so.
You may go now," said Mr.. May
nard; ''but remember, my lad. that ne
matter at what apparent cost, it is al.
ways hest to stick to the old proverb'
Honesty is the best policy"
And as Fred walked out of the Office
he felt the perfect truth of his uncle's
words. Florence B. RdtioWeU, IN Colder
DdYs.