The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1888-06-01

caught a small ray Of light comins
from Towards window. The shutters
were closed, but this light found its
way through O small CreviCe at the
top. Mr.. Jones stepped softly to the
window and listened. He could hear
low voices within, showing plainly
that his clerk was not alone. Making
use OF a box near by he then climbed up
so that his eye was close to the crack
at the top of the shutter. Whathe saw
within surprised MIN beyond measure.
There sat Howard Bent and Dick
Bray at the table. Each had a cigar
in his mouth, and a game OF cards was
in progress. Mr.. Jones could hardly
believe that the scene before him was
real. Such q breach OF trust by a boy
who had seemed so full of honor and
worthy OF confidence! The plan which
lie thought would add so much to the
security of his property was being
tr~eacherously used to double it's dan
ger. His surprise and perpleXity were
giving way to anger. He dropped to
the ground, took q key from his pocket
and the next moment stood before
the astOnished couple.
This is the way you keep faith
with your employers, IS lt?" said Mr..
Jones, looking straight at his clerk
without noticing the presence Of Dick
Bray.
Howard could not speak. His com
pan'On had slipped out at the door
and fed.
at seems nothing to say, -
continued Mr.. Jones, land it is just
as well. Words would be useless.
Your chosen companion is probably
skulking about the alley waiting for
you. You can join him a. soon as
you please. Tomorrow we will settle
with you, and will have hofurther use
for your services"
Howard passed out without a
word. All the finer qualities OF his
nature rose in Judgment against him.
His conscience was unhardeped and
active. The distressed face which he
FASTENED to hide in the darkness bore
signs OF the deepest humiliation,
shame and regret.
In the stern, practical eyes OF the
ldll Vi uuSlllC5S LLiC OOJ LGbO SOlllllllG'
tsd an objectionable Offense. He saw
no reason why human figures should
not act with the same mathematical
precision as those on the pages OF his
ledger. The success of his business de.
manded such, and he had neither use
nor excuse for any other.
In simple Justice to the boy and
without g. word for excuse for the
wrong committed, let it be said that
he was not as bad as the man sus'
pected him to be.
When he left the store Howard went
directly to his home, He had no de-
sire to see Dick Bray. His thoughts
were with his mother now. He must
take to her the shameful ruins of her
bright hopes and plans. He must tell
her the whole story of his folly and
wicked deceit. He felt that it would
almost kill her, but he had deceived
her longenough, she must know every.
thing now.
1t was a sad blow to Mrs. Bent as
she listened to the full confession from
her boys lips. Her grief in the disap-
pointment of her plans was great;
but it was the discovery OF the blem-
ish in her sons character that gave
the keenest pain.
The next day she saved him the
modification of seeing Mr.. Jones by
calling on that gentleman herself. Mr..
Jones met her very coolly and placed
the amount OF her sons wages in her
hand. In answer to her inquiry he
assured her that nothing had been
missed from the store, and that he
had no suspicious that her son con-
templated theft. He added, however,
that the deceit practiced was nearly or
quite as bad as stealing, and would
have undoubtedly led to that in the
companionship of such low charac.
tiers as Dick Rray.
Poor Howard He had learned
something of the evil tendencirs of
bad associates. The lesson was q
hard one, and would not be forgotten.
Dicks power over him was now brok-
en-, and he resolved to be free. He
had smoked his last cigar. He had
had his last associate whom he could
not take before his mother without
fear OF her disapproval.
But how hard it was to regain what
he had lost. Every one was suspic-
ious OF him. The story OF his dis
charge was scattered over the village
in a sadly distorted shape. The other
merchants we're unwilling to trust
him. 1t took q long time to convince
them that the open, honest
ways Of the boy yer really genuine,
and that he now possessed strength
OF character.
Many q hard battle was fought and
many disappointments endured.
-Four long years were thus spent be-
fore Howard Bent st God in another
position as good as the one he lost
through the influence Of an evil com
panion.-Western Plowman.
PRESERVING Grasses.