Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-04-16

no n could bring 9. shade of reproach'
against my honesty or my truthfulness.
"One day l was given aparcelt to car
ry to the bank.
"'Be careful they said. 1t contains
seven hundred dollars
81 had q secare inside pocket and
had little fear OF any loss. As I took
my way towards the bank I saw an ex-.
cited crowd gathered about one of the
principal newspaper Offices. It was,
during the darkest days Of the war and
[ soon learned that some stirring news
was being received. -
"Of course l had no business to stop.
The new would have been as well re-
ported without any supervision of mine.
But L looked at my watch and saw that
L had nearly an hour to spare, So
threw myself into the crowd and joined
my voice with the enthusiastic cheers
which rose higher and wilder as each
particular of one of Grants earliest
victories was given out. Time and
prudence were lost sight of, until the
last item was learned.
"Then l rushed to the bank to be
faced by the forbidding looking card:
Bank Closed
II had not been specially told to de-
post that day, but of course 1t was UNI
derstood that l should. 1t would have
been the right thing for me to carry it
back and have it placed in the safe. but
l was ashamed of having it known that
l had loitered, so / committed asecond
unfaithful act to conceal the first, al
ways a dangerous thing to do. The
only way to make amends for q fault is
to confess it at once.
II carried home the money and hid
it in the safest place I knew Of You
may be SURF it was a heavy weight on
my mind and as night settled down it
| grew heavier and heavier. l resolved
not to sleep but lay awake listening
and starting in alarm at every sound.
"At length l was sure ! heard mystic
rious noises, but something seemed tn
hold me down so that / could not
move. The sounds increased-surely
people were in the house. I could
hear them moving-hear them in the
room in which I had hidden the
money. Finally with a desperate ef-
fort l sprang up to find myself in the
grasp of a fireman. MY room was full.
of s%uffocating smoke-the house wason
fire. l had fallen into an uneasy sleep
and would have been strangled by the
smoke if l had not been found Just in
time.
"And the money!" asked Felix, in
great excitement.
81 fought against my rescuers with
all my might, declaring l would get it
if l died for it. But the stout fellow
dragged me downstairs and out-iust
before the roof fell in"
"Wha did you do then, sirp"
What could l do but go to my en-
ployers and tell them what mischief my
criminal carelessness had worked for
themp"
Felix drew a long breath and shook
his head soberly.
''1t was as dreadful as my having to
tell you about the book, wasn't itP"
"a little worse, 1 think" said the
gentleman, with a smile. II hope you
will never have such a burthen to carry
as that one l bound upon myself
through my own folly. 1t weighed me
down all through the young years OF
my life, for it took me long to pay the
debt. 1t is not for me to say the lesson
was too severe a one-it was chosen
for me in Infinite wisdom, but / have
always felt a strong desire that others
should profit by it,
81 will try to, sir" said Felix, very
earnestly, as he got up to take his
leave.
'tDo so, Felix. And try to hear in
mind the promise to those who are
faithful in q few things Sydney
Deyre, IN Chicago STANDARD.