Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-05-30

DrOau SHOuluor-'A DelleFo VOuj anu
be sure that, young as / am, no other
will take your place in my heart"
1t was a sad parting, but the addi-
Parsons. 1t only confirmed his deter
mination to remove the cloud from his
family name in the only way that he
thought it could be removed-by pa
tience and perseverance in well-doing.
A little over two years passed away.
Nothing new was developed as to the
fate of Richard Parsons. The family
continued to conduct themselves in a
hood; and the suspicious regarding
them were gradually dissipating.
Alden Parsons especially had con-
tinued to grow in the good opinion of
the public, and he now occupied a
responsible charge as clerk in the
principal clothing firm in the country
town, about five miles from where he
lived.
Erastus, the eldest and favorite son
of Farmer Miles Williams, was the
cashier of the national bank of the
same town. His father was never
tired of pointing to his son as an ex-
ample for other young men,, and as
the pride and honor of the family.
Miles Williams, although comfort
ably situated as to pecuniary matters,
continued to pursue, in his mature
years, his early habits of industry, and,
like many Il farmer worth double his
money, he got up at four o'clock of
summer mornings to drive to the
town witt early vegetables.
/ When, therefore, Alden Parsons, on
/ l. l. fa,.
place of business, one morning in
June met Mr.. Williams, with his horse
and lignt wagon, in the suburbs, he
was not surprised. He had frequently
met him before, and accosted him re-
specially, receiving surly nod i'll
return.
.'Anything new in town, Mr..
WilliamsP" remarked Alden pleasant
ly, as he passed the old farmer.
Mr.. Williams hung his head down,
and seemed to conceal his face as he
answered, almost chokngly:
mo. nothing-nOthng.
Alden hardly noticed the farmers
peculiar manner, and went on his
way.
When he arrived at his desk, ne
soon found that there was something
paper contained full account of it.
Erastus Williams had been arrested
the previous night on the charge of
stealing the funds of the bank He
had quietly submitted to the officers,
and made clean breast of his guilt.
The amount of mis- defalcation was
about four thousand pounds, and his
father and another well-known citizen
were his bondsmen to the bank, which,
the paper added, was very likely,
owing to the response bility of the
suretles, to suffer little loss.
1t is needless to recount the story of
the trial. Erastus Williams was a
good deal Of a man at heart. A wife's
extravaganza had much to do with his
crime; but she atoned somewhat for
her folly by standing with him nobly
in his downfall. He opposed no OBJ
struction to the course of justice, and
this fact, coupled with the interces-
sion of friends, secured a comparative
~ light penalty. But his fathers little
fortune was swept away in order to
satisfy the claim of tie bank. A
mortgage was even put on the home
lead.
Miles Williams was a different man
after the SCATTERING of his idol. And
he was better man. Now that his
own heart bled for his guilty son, he
was inclined to be more lenent in
judging of others, and especially of
others the cloud upon whom was not
guilt, but merely the shadow of sus-
picion.
He could not but notice that young
Alden Parsons was as respectful as
ever when they met; that there was no
trace in Alden's manner of gratitica-
ton, or glOating over the misfortunes
of the man who had treated him so
harshly.
Emma, too, was even more devoted
and obedient than ever. Her tender
affection was pillow of down for tie
throbbing head of her venerable
parent
docs Alden ever speak to you
now?" asked the father one day of
Emma.
mo, father she answered, Except
to salute me when we happen to pass.
The old man was silent for some mo-
ments, as if reluctant to express what
was struggling in his mind
do you think he likes you yetp" at
length he uttered hesitatingly.
81 do father" was the prompt and
deliberate reply.
Emma" said the parent, more
moved than she had seen him since
the day that he had came in with the
news of his sous arrest, .'I-I am sorry
for the way l treated that boy"
Il don't think lie has any hard feel
ings on account of it, father" was the |
daughters soothing answer.
eff you don't, Emma then YOU may
consider that what | said two years
ago is unsaid," we're the fathers clos I
ing words, and with this he dropped
the subject
"A moment later the door opened. A
neghbor burst III excitedly.
'.Mr. Williams, nave YOU heard the
news?" he cried. ''Of course YOU
have not! You remember how the
! body of Mr.. Parsons was found in the