The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1884-10-24

N
certa... Jerome Brent made himself
particularly conspicuous in holding
Paul up to his comrades in every pos
sible ridiculous light, CONTEMPORARY
christening him 1.-THE young dominic"
and Offering him every species of small
annoyances and indignity his brain
could devise.
Paul had wisely concluded to take no
notice OF lis attempts. He devoted
portions of his evenings to his book
keeping. in which he was trying TO per-
feet himself, and what with his long
and frequent letters home, and his en-
deavors to accomplish within the year
the course of reading Fay had marked
out for him. managed to while away
the LONELY hours when he was not en-
ployed in the store. Still. it was with
the feeling that he deserved some credit
for his years struggle. that he wrote
one wet, spring evening in the third
space on his little card:
March l, 1853. Kept"
Shortly after, Mr.. Stearns, his en-
plOyer, was in consultation with his
cashier, Mr.. Glenn. For some weeks
valuable articles had been missed from
the store at various times, and it seemed
impossible to detect the offender, rs the
stolen goods were of so different kinds
and for such various purposes, the sup
position was that they were sold to some
of the receivers of stolen goods in dis
reputable part OF the town. The night
preceding, package of valuable hand
kerchiefs and handsome scarf-pin had
been taken, and Mr.. Glenn was fully
persuaded that he had elew to the
offender.
* remember, distinctly. seeing young
Eldred and Jerome Brent in that part
of the store just before we shut up." he
said; land / am sure that one or the
other is the thief"
Il dislike to make such an accusation
without a particle of proof" said his
employer. doubtfully.
'.Let us search their rooms" suggest
ed the cashier. They both board
near, and it will be strange if we do not
find same evidence of their guilt if my
suspicious are correct.
Half an hour later thev were at the
boarding house, and under some plaus-
iple pretext had obtained the KEYS to
the boys rooms. The first thing that
struck MIR. Stearns' eye as he entered
Paul's room was the dainty little card
suspended above the table containing
his promise and the three respective
entries
II don't think it necessary to look
farther" he said, pointing to the
pledge. "Thc boy who has faithfully
observed those rules for three years IS
in no danger of becoming thief. Let
us try the other"
Scattered about on the shelves and
the table in jerome Brent's room were
books and papers of so immoral u ten
dency that the merchant face darkened
as he glanced them over. Med. the
Buccancer," Ralph, the Robber,"
Cecil. or Life ON the Road" he read
aloud contemptuously. "Fine COM
pany, this. for high-principled young
man."
A collection of empty bottles sto7d
in the cloeet next arrested his attention.
but the most minute search failed 10
reveal any of the missing goods till ut
last, shaking out handsome scarf
which was thrust in an overcoat pocket,
the missing pin fell from its folds
Jerome had been sharp enough to dis
pose of the larger package at once. but
could not resist the temptation to keep
the pin that he might wear it to an
entertainment he proposed attending
that evening.
He made a full confession of his guilt
when confronted by his employer. who
for the sake of his friends contented
himself with dischargipg him with .
severe reprimand. Shortly after he left
town and Paul was freed from his fur
Their prosecutions.
One sunny spring day Miss Lilith, in
her cottage by the ashore, received
this letter:
MY DEAR TEACHER:-If never was thank.
full to you before. be assured that am to day,
for the pledge which gave you and which
have thus far kept has not only been the
means. ~ my employer tells me. of preservinG
me from suspicion I'm q doubtful case. but 1t Is
TO It and ifs influence that owe my promo.
ton to desirable position IN the store, ana
the promise Of something better I'm tie future
whom 1 am qualified for IL by age and expert
ence. / am % thoroughly convinced of the
good II has done me mentally, morally ana
physically. that you may rest assured shal1
make An earnest effort to MI satisfactorily tho
spaces that remain. Gratefully yours.
PAUL. ELDRED.
And to those who know him there Is
not the shadow of doubt that his
endeavors will be crowned with success.
Sarah ID Hobart an CHICAGO AdcQHcE,