The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-04-24
it gone, and hole at the bottom of the

and he remembered that he had forgot
ten to tell his wife of that torn pocket.
He offered a reward to the finder, but
no one came to claim it.
This seemed turning point to George
Burton's good luck Next day his
children were taken with the measles,
and doctor had to be called in. One
little domestic trouble after another
came upon him, and at last he received
his dismissal from the iron works, where
there were, the proprietor exclaimed,
more workmen employed than were
necessary.
The same fate befell Martin Hale,
and as he walked gloomily homeward
he thought of the ten pounds lying in
the secret place where he had hidden it.
Never once again had he looked at it,
and not day had passed that he had
not shrunk from the thought of it and
from the sense of his own guilt; and,
yet, by a strange inconsistency, he could
not bring himself to part with the
money.
A haunting dread of poverty and
want tempted him to keep it, and peo-
pie who noticed that he was changed,
that he had become nervous and morose,
attributed it to his poverty.
George Burton wondered that his old
neighbor Stunned him, and Martins S
wife grew anxious and harassed in wit
Messing her husbands changed temper
he who had hitherto been always kind
and considerate to her and the children.
One evening Martin took the purse
from its hiding place and opened it.
There were a few pieces of small
change, and these he slipped in his vest
pocket and started down the street.
He was not accustomed to drinking
anything stronger than beer, bu. now
he thought, to drown his bad feelings,
he would take glass of spirits
Walking briskly down the street, one
of the small coins, slipping from his
vest-pocket, fell upon the pavement.
He did not notice it, but little boy
behind him did.
The coin rolled into the gutter, and
could find it. Then he ran after the
man who had dropped it, and, after a
good chase, came up with him as he was
about entering public-house.
'Oh, Mr.. Hale, is it you?' he ex-
claimed breathlessly. I've chased you
ever so long
Martin looked down and saw pale
little face, and form thinly clad for
such cold evening.
A pang shot through him. 1t was
Eddie, George Burton's little son.
'What do you want?' he said gruffly.
'The-the money! he gasped.
Martin turned white.
'What money!
The boy held up the coin.
Il saw it fall. 1t must have slipped
out of your torn pocket, like my fathers
did, ,,,,,o- :, sammy
asked man who stood by.
Because it wasn't mine,' answered
Eddie stoutly. "Twould have been
stealing
Martin took the piece mechanically,
and shrank away from the boys gaze.
This child had honestly returned to him
the money which he, Martin Hale, had
stolen from the boys father.
Martin walked on with downcast eyes
and pale compressed lips until he reach
ed his own door.
Over the way dim light burned in
George Burton's window, and, crossing
the street, he knocked on the door, and
called to George.
Burton came out, looking little sur
prised.
George, you lost purse and ten
pounds some time ago?' said Martin
abruptly.
'Yes.'
Here it is. 1 am the meanest and
most despicable wretch alive; but I've
a conscience still, thank Heaven ~
And then he told how he had got
possession of the money, how he had
kept it, and it had been through the
honesty of Burton's little son that he
had come to restore 1t.
You'll never speak to me again,
suppose he added huskily, 'and | own
that don't deserve that you should.
But the burden is off my soul now, and,
with Gods help, I will be an honest
man hereafter
Burton held out his hand.
'We will be friends still, Martini he
said. Il will be no mans Judge; tor
none of us can know but that we, too,
might fall if tempted
And then Martin Hale folded his arms
on the top of the low fence, and bowling
his face upon them, shed the first tears
that he had known for years.
Before he left, Burton said to him:
Il was just going over to your house
with good news. was at the furnaces
Yesterday looking for work, and MIR.
Bostiwick offered me good permanent
situation which will require an assist
ant. 1 spoke for you, and he agreed to
take YOU. So there are better days in
store for us, and 1 don't fear, Martini
LAYING his hand on his shoulder-'bu1
that we'll both try to do our duty IN
future.
Gave II Up.
| Mr.. Tobbins' mother-in-law had dice
and in her will had almost entirely let