Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-04-16
STANTON, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY, APRIL is. 1886.


Suppose that one were to receive, as a gift,
the power of cheating with the certainty OF
never being found out There are thou
SAM ways of cheating besides that of cheat
ing at cards. Would not this power be a
cons ant temptation even to the most virtu-
Gus among usa What would it not bs to one
who, ike this unfortunate Dick had been
brought up from childhood to believe that
there never was any morality, any honor,
any honesty, except what springs from a
feeling OF representation and protection!
Would he not jump at such chance? Now,
this was exactly the chance that was offered
10 Dick Murridge. 1t came in his ex remi-
ty, when he had cut himself off from his own
people by deed which would never be for
gotten or forgiven 1t came when he was
in an agony of despair and terror, and it
seemed to open way of life of the greatest
ease, comfort, and profit. He knew not yet
that there IS no way of life without compeli-
ton, and therefore jealousy VITA its at
tendant tokens of malice, SANDER, mischief.
calumny, AMI the biting of back. Also he
knew not how quickly the professions
gambler is detected, and how even the most
unEounded lovers OF the cards become shy of
playin with him All this he had still to
learn.
But it was dull in thai upper chamber,
which he left only to go down stairs at meal
time TO the oar parlor, where he sat at taole
with the land ord and his family. They
knew him as a young gentleman, presuma-
bly, under temporary cloui, in whom the
sIgnor, proprietor of The clu, was interest
ell. II was horribly dull He hated read
ing; he grew tired of drawing; he could not
be Away practising with Jne cards; he
wanted some one to talk w h.
"cOod eventno Mr. Richard said TTncla
Joseph, entering noiselessli.
Dicks head and shoulders were out of the
window; but it does not take long to change
the position of head and shoulders.
''WhatP he cried, springing to his feet
''You here-you?"
Yes, am here. All, you are very snug
and quiet, Dick here No one would ever
expect to fad you here. l was just going
along the street, you know-jus5 walking
down the street, when saw your face at the
window. What surprised whats surprised
How pleased your father will be!'
"Is he? What does he-what does he
what does he want with meg
Uncle Josenh n I'd ed his head impressively.
Some men can convey a solemn and impress
sive assurance much better by nod of the
head than by any words. Uncle Joseph's
nod made this young man understand. first
that his evil deeds were known to every body,
and next that his father would certainly
prosecu g him. Therefore, he sat down again
with terror undi guiSed.
What did you do it fora" asked Uncle
Joseph who had not the least idea what had
been done Blu. everyl o ly knew that some
thing mist have been do le else why did
Dick run aw y?
t'B cause was hard up What else should
do it for?'
In tn, extremity of his terror Dick pre-
sented manly SUI kiness.
s.How did you do it?' asked Uncle Joseph
again.
Wei. if you want money, and can ge' it
by signing another mans name to check,
suppose you'd do that wy
.'Ah! to be- Sure-to la sure; | never
thought of it in that light Uncle joseph
wa acquiring information rapidly. ''Ah,
md when did YOU do it?'
"Six weeks ago, if you want to know"
"lo be Six weeks l. was ago. Yes. You are
perfec ly right, Dick 10 keep out of the way
perfec ly rgh--perfectly right If were You
serious thing. And your father IS hard man-very.
VIVA did you do with the money!
paid some of my debts
quite right. Quite right. AS an honest man
should So far YOU acted wisely And have you any
of it leftT
"Some-not much"
"Thi is a very quiet and comfortable room, Dick
don't know that should like to live in bedro N
aIwaya but for change, now, VIII n one really
wishes to undst1rbed Isn't 1t rather dull here?'
4 uppose 1t 50
old mans dull faea LII up suddenly IS a brillian
thought occurred to him. "I'I come here sometm
uf eve ning, and we'll chat. It's dull for me. to
III the evenings when recall the glorious evenings
used to have in the time-dear me!-n the time that
Is past"
Dick received the proposition doubtfdlly.
This will be very much better than going to your
father and telling him where you are, won't it2
Can you keep thing quietf asked Dick
can l? Haven't kept the sublime secrets CT
thirty-three degrees? Secrets of all the degrees,
You forget. young man. that you are speaking to
cept to keep the secret and work the degree, and
enjoy the banquet afterward Give me secret and
lam happy-with the banquet a1terward"