Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-10-07

/ 600. This in bad enough, but by no
| means the worst. The money could be
| replaced, an explanation made, and there
would be an end of it. Unfortunately,
we have discovered that the thief is no
other than the son of our highly esteem
| ed cashier, a man who is probity itself,
who looks on the firm as the most impor-
tant institution in the world, who has
grown up on our hearthstOnes. SO to
| speak, and who hopes TO die In harness.
! If the ne'er-do-well son OF this excellent
| person were to stand in the dock his I'M
| happy parent would never lift up his head
again. We are bound to do what we can
20 save our aged and trusted servant, even
/ to the compounding of felony; and so
ask you, for, auld lang syne,' not to re-
fuse my request.
'.It is this: We have discovered that
the scapegrace has started for Liverpool
with a large portmanteau, on his way to
New York, probably. It is also probable
that he may try, before starting, to get
rid of the securities. They bear the
stamp of our house. Therefore, it is most
likely that he will bring them to you,
processing to be sent by US, knowing that
| our firms are closely mixed up in business
and that we constantly have transaction
| together. This is mere conjecture, but it
is our last hope. We could not, you know,
expected our correspondents in America
to act as I am imploring you to do. If
the young man presents himself, seize
the stolen property and keep it till COM
municate again. Lecture the silly lad
severely, pay his passage to New York,
and hanN him a couple of hundred
pounds wherewith to begin the world
afresh. For old Boyle's sake we do not
desire to throw his son penniless into
fresh temptation. I am myself going to
Paris for fortnight, and shall anxiously
expect news when I return. Do not write
before that, as this is a secret which
must be kept in as small a circle as may
be; and there is no knowing in my alb
sence into whose hands your letter might
| fall
Thus wrote my friend; and stood pow
| dering sadly, fully resolved at the same
| time to do his bidding. Many a smooth
chinned lad has gone wrong through in
experience, has satruggled out of the mud,
retrieved the past, and had ended his
| days as a respectable member of society.
This boy was lucky to be SO kindly
treated. Certainly [ would lecture him
most severely; would give him his pit
lance and buy his ticket, and send him
away with a warming to 'sin no more"
But what if he did not come? What
if - My train of conjecture was
brought to full stop by rap at the
door.
"a young gentleman of the name of
Boyle my messenger announced, waits
without, and wishes to speak with you"
My heart leaped up with gladness, as
| l. o.
and see that we are not interrupted" A
nicelooking young fellow was this same
Mr.. Boyle, tall and slim, with a bright
frank face, which belied his conduct.
He was not bad at bottom. That was
evident. Johnson was right in giving
him another chance. The young man
explained in a constrained, nervous man
ner that he was about to travel; that il
would be a convenience if I'd help him
to realize certain securities; that he did
not understand business, and was per
haps going awkwardly to work, but as
the ship was to sail that very day there
was no time for sending TO London.
I heard him out and looked him in the
| face. He lowered his eyes, aud looked
more and more confused. SternIy he
out Johnson's letter, which was still
my fingers, and babe him read it. AS he
did so his breast heaved, and after awhile
he buried his face in the tablecloth and
burst into tears. This was a tacit confession
of his guilt. | waited silently to allow his
better nature to assume the mastery, and
when he grew calmer spoke. 1t is not ne
cessary to recapitulate all [ said to him
Suffice that I pointed out soIemnIy the
Nervousness of his crime, his ingratituie,
his wickedness, and further stated that I
was prepared to act as directed in the
letter. He chung to my hand and kissed
it.
The securities were sealed in big en-
YelOpe, which he drew from an inner
pocket He would thankfully accept the
munlfcent offer of my friend he muir
INJURED in broken accents; would go and
life again in the New World, and perhaps
some day might venture to return a wiser
and better man. Have not convicts in
Van Dieman's Land acted as admirable
Senators? had judged rightly concern
ing the youth. [ was glad of that. He
had been very FOOLISH nay, criminal, but
his heart was in the right place.
took the securities and locked them
in my safe, to lie there till such time as
Johnson should send me further instruc-
tions. I doled out the e2OO in notes of
| 0~AO 0dCu, 6ueu, putting Oh my naU ana
coat, called at the shipping Office and
purchased a irst-class ticket. Mr.. Boyle
seemed SO utterlr wretched, to feel his po-
sition so acutely, that my heart was touch
ed with pity. I took him to a restaurant
and gave him good dinner, and even or
dered wine, that, with jollity cast in a
miner key, we might drink to his speedy
reformation
But could not raise his spirits. AS he
said most feelingly, had placed his con-
! duct in so Odious and so clear a light that
he saw what he had done in all its naked
deformity. The Joyous and buoyant
youth was transformed in twinkling in
to contrite and repentant man. We
parted In the evening on board the ship:
and, as stood on the landing stage
watching the black phantom as it vanish
ed in the glooming, [ declared my eyes
were dimmed by tears, and yet am sup
posed TO be as hard as wooden figure
| head.
At the end of the prescribed fortnight
| t 10 x-5th rr1o 10 TDI II