The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-10-18

OneJ.
"We will none of us leave this room
until it is foundI' exclaimed one Of
the gentlemen, with ominous emphasis.
"That decision" said young man
who was engaged that night for ball,
might quarter us on our host for an
indefinite time. propose much
more speedy and satisfactory expedient
let us all be searched"
This suggestion was received with
laughter and dcclamatlons; and the
young man, presenting himself for the
tirst victim, was searched by the valet,
who, for the nonce, enacted the part OF
the custom house officer. The General
who first opposed this piece Of practicle
pleasantly, ended by laughing at 1t;
and each new inspection Of pockets
produced fresh bursts Of mirth. Cap
tain Dutton alone took no share In
what was going on. His hand trem-
bled, his brow darkened, and he stood
as much apart as possible. At length
his turn came. The other guests had
all displayed the contents Of their
pockets; 50 with one accord, and amid
reviewed laughter, they surrounded
him, exclaiming that he must be the
guilty one, as he was the last. The
Captain, pale and agitated, muttered
some excuses, unheard amid the up
roar.
Snow for it, Johnsonl" cried one to
the valet.
johnson, we're watching youl'
said another; ''produce the culprit."
The servant advanced; but Dutton
crossing his arms on his breast, de-
clared in an agitated voice that, except
by violence, no one should lay hand
on him. A very awkard silence en-
sued, which the General broke by say.
ing: Captain Dutton is right; thi;
child's play has gone far enough.
claim exemption for him and for my
SELF"
Dutton, trembling and unable to
speak, thanked his kind host by CRATE
full look, and then took an early oppor
tunity of withdrawing. General Yer
non did not make the slightest remark
on his departure, and the remaining
guests, through politeness, initiated hi
reserve; but the mirth of the evening
was gone, every face looked anxious
and the host himself seemed grave an,
thoughtful.
Captain Dutton spent some time IL
wondering restlessly on the sands be
fore he returned home. 1t was lat
when he entered the cottage, and hi
wife could not repress an exclamation
of albright when she saw his pale AM
troubled countenance.
"What has happenedp" cried she.
"Nothing," replied her husband
throwing himself in chair, ami layin
small packet on the table. "Yo
: have cost me very DEAR" he said, aC
dressing it,
4 In vain did his wife try to soothe HIN
and obtain an explanation.
''Not now, Jane," he said. "Tt
1 morrow l will tell you all.
=, Early next morning he went t
: General Vernon's house. Althoug
8 he walked resolutely, his mind wa
= sadly troubled. How could he preser
himselfp In what way would he be +,
ceivedp How could he speak to til
General without risklng the receptio
of some look or word which he coul
never pardenp The very meeting wit
johnson was to be dreaded.
: He knocked: another servant opene
the door, and instantly gave him a,
!, mission. "IltiS man, at all events,
9 he thought, "knows nothing of VIII
y has passed"
" VIII the General receive himp Yei
!, he is ushered into his dressing-roor
5 Without daring to raise his eyes, Il
3 poor man began to speak in a low, hu
L ried voice.
d "General Vernon, you thought n
It conduct strange last night; and paint
}, and humilatlng as its explanation wi
n be, 1 feel 1t due to you and myse
It to make it"
His auditor tried to speak, but Du
t ton went on, without needing the inte
, ruption.
L "My misery is at its height; that is n
IS only excuse. My wife and four lit
d ones are actually starvingl"
= "NIy friendl" cried the General wi
It emotion. But Dutton proceeded:
= 81 can not describe my feelings ye
n terday while seated at your luxurio
l. table. l thought of my poor Jane, d
1t prlving herself Of morsel of bread
g give to her baby; of my little, pal
IS thin Annie, whose delicate appeti
l. rejects the coarse food which is all '
ID can give her, and in an evil hour
ii transferred two pdteS from my plate
)f my pocket, thinking they would tenn
r. my little darling to eat. l should ha
IS died of shame had these things be-
Sc produced from my pocket, and 70
Of guests and servant made witnesses
ct my cruel poverty. Now, General, y,
IS know all; and but for the fear of beil
N suspected by you of crime, my distre
8, should never have been knownir
l. GA life Of unblemished honor" /
m piled his friend, "has placed you abo
the reach of suspicion; besides, 10
D. herel" and he showed the missil
h, watch. "It is l." continued he, CIV
N must ask pardon Of you all. Ina fit
g, absence 1 had dropped it in my wal
it coat-pocket, where, In Johnson's prt
is ance, 1 discovered it while undressing
1t ''If had only knownr' murmur
ae poor Dutton.
d, "Don't regret what has occurred
OF said the General, pressing his har
| lyind1, ere hoo baan tho mama