St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-11-18


favors, born half of shyness, half of
pride, and he shrank from placing
himself under obligation to the boys.
AS to consulting the pastOr-well, he
was indeed a wise and good man, bat
so exceedingly slow and cautious. He
would want week at least in which
to consider and inquire into the mat
ter. No, the risk was really trivial,
and the more Roland dwelt upon it
the smaller it appeared. His clearly
proven uprightness and honesty of
character heretofore had of itself plac-
ed him in the position to command the
present opportunity, and in his self
righteous pride and wicked slipping of
conscience he decided upon the dis
honest act.
The press was bought, Roland's sud
den solution of the difficulty proving
abundantly satisfactory to his partner,
and many were the congratulations
extended the boys on their happy pur-
chase and the enterprising spirit thus
manifested. All things seemed pro-
pitious, and nothing but encourage
ment met them on every side. More
than a week had passed since the let
ter had been dispatched to his uncle,
ed in the new and interesting work to
feel the concern which might other
wise have troubled him. When, how
ever on the following Sunday there
came an unexpected announcement
from the pulpit summOning a special
meeting of the society for the next af-
ternOOn, lie received it with quick,
nervous start, which as he afterward
assured himself, was quite uncalled
for. The meeting was likely to be in
no way connected with the finances on
hand, so why should he be uneasy |?
Moreover, was not the next mornings
mail almost certain to bring the ex
pected letter, and with it an end to all
anxiety2 Eager and early was RO
land at the post Office on the following
morning, and, as though all things
were working in obedience to his wish
es, sure enough there lay the expected
letter awaiting him. But how pain
fully thin, and no mark of registry
With nervous hand he opened it:
''SOrry not to accommodate you, but
think it would be unwise in you to en-
gage in any business undertaking
while still at school. Will write more
at length later. Hastily yours"
These were the words that met RO-
lands eyes, and mechanically he turn
ed away. Yet even now, OVerwhelm-
ing as the disappointment certainly
was for the moment, he need not be so
utterly dsmayed. There was still lit
tie probability of call for the money.
The press had every prospect of sue
cess, and besides, to make it more GER
tain, he would write again and at once
to his uncle, frankly avOwing the risk
he had incurred. Effectually silencing
thus all misgivings, Roland was one
of the first that afternoon at the socie-
ty meeting, an unusually full one in
response to the curiosity generally
awakened by the call of special and
unknown business.
at will not be necessary, L think, to
detain you long to-day, boys" said the
president, entering briskly, and TAX
ing the chair. 81 only wish to inform
YOU that | have been notified of a
most advantageous opportunity for the
of our funds. A library of
books is to be sold i'm
in r, and a friend of
mine offers to purchase for us. l there
fore propose that we forward at once
than lose the chance. Has any one
any objection to offer ?"
A silence followed only for mo-
ment, to be broken by a chorus of as
senting voices.
"Then l suppose it is scarcely nee
essary to take a VOTE" continued the
president, "and so, Mr.. Treasurer"
to Roland - but his words
came to sudden halt, and all eyes
with his were fixed in speechless
on the member address
ed, and not without cause. The boy
had started spasmOdically to his feet
with pallid cOuntenance, on which was
written the most vivid distress, and
then as suddenly sank back into his
chair, his face buried in his hands.
Instantly the pastor hurried to him.
''What is it, Roland, my boy" he cried:
''are you ill-has anything happened ?
speak quickly and tell usw A num-
Der of the boys fastened to him, and
now with an effort, painfully apparent,
Roland lifted face crimson with
shame, and addressing the minister,
"Oh, sir, how shall L make you all
and believe me. L have
used the money but oh, L never
doubted that | would have it again
before it was needed. Even now |
shall probably have it in a weeks
time do not think i'll of me, | did not
1t was all he could say. Covering
his face once more with his hands, the
power of speech seemed utterly to de-
sert him.
81 think | understand it, Roland
said his pastor, kindly but gravely |
''You have used the sOciety's money
for purposes of your own, and in so
doing have indeed committed a seri
Gus wrong. But | will not now re-
proach you for this betrayal of trust /;
you suffer and we suffer with and for
you"
The tears which neither fear nor
shame had brought now fell thick and
fast as Roland sprang to his feet ex
"Oh, thank you, sir. But how shall
| bear the thought of my wrong doing,
and how shall | ever make up to the |
society the loss of this rare emporium
ity % !
1.-The consequences of sin are indeed |
hard to bear, my boy" said the minis
ter, sadly, "but you are fortunate in
having your first turning aside from
the path of rectitude and honor end as
it has done, and your false theories
thus set aside. But | think | can
speak for your companions when as
surfing you of our continued regard
and help in retrieving this great err
rOr." A murmur of assent passed |
round, and several of his special
friends came forward to reassnre him |