The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-04-09
He offered reward to the finder, but


This seemed . turning-point to
George Burton's 4'good luck" Next
day his children were taken with the
measles, and doctor had to be called
i'm. One little domestic trouble after
another came upon him, and at last he
received his dismissal from the IRON
works, whore 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
vet, by 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 summed HIM, and Martins
wife grew anxious and harassed i'm 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 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, but now
he thought, to drown his bad feelings,
he would take n 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 q little boy be-
hind him did.
The coin rolled into the gutter, and it
was a moment or two before the child
could find it. Then he ran after the
man who had dropped it, and, after
good chase, came up with him as he was
about entering public-house.
''Oh, Mr.. Hale, is it your" he ex-
claimed breathlessly. 'Tve 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 grufliy.
The-the money" he gasped.
Martin turned white.
"What money!"
The boy held up the coin.
81 saw it fall 1t must have slipped
out of your torn pocket, like my fathers
did"
''Why didn't you keep it, sonnyp"
asked man who stood by.
Because it wasn't NINE" 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
reached 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 q purse and ten
pounds some time ago?" said Martin
abruptly.
Yes"
''Here it is. am the meancst and
most despicable wretch alive; but I've
conscience still, thank HeavenW
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 it.
you'll never speak to me again, 1
suppose" he added huskily, "and own
that l don't deserve that you should.
But the burden is off my soul now, and,
with Gods help, 1 will be an honest
man hereafter"
Burton held out his hand.
1--WE will be friends still, Martini" he
said. 81 will be no mans Judge; for
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. l was at the furnaces
yesterday looking for work, and Mr..
Bostiwick offered me good permanent
situation which will require an assist
ant l spoke for you, and he agreed to
take you. So there are better days in
store for us, and don't fear, Martini
laying his hand on his shoulder 'but
that we'll both try to do our duty in
future"