The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-03
4 BIG MISTAKE.
BY WALLACE P. REED.


about thirty-five or forty, and his fellow-toWns-
men frequently pointed to him with pride as
self-lnade business man.
But while everybody had good word for
Henry Dyson, very few people spoke well of
his brother Tom.
On the night our story opens the merchant
was waiting for lis graceless brother, and as
the hours rolled on the frown on his face grew
deeper.
Il can do nothing with Tom" he said as he
paced the floor impatiently. 81 have given
him every possible chance, but he grows more
idle and d;ssipated every day Perhaps
ought not TO wait for him, but lie was SO urgent
i'll his request for all interview tonight that I
could not refuse. Poor fellow! What new
trouble can he be mixed up in ?''
The front door opened and young man en-
tered quietly, and, after a furtive glance
around the store, proceeded to the office.
'Wcu, Tom?" said Henry Dyson.
81 am here, you see" replied Tom
81 suppose said Henry that it is useless to
ask why you are SO late, CT where you have
been during the past two days"
Tom looked little nervous, and his eyes
Seli.
"That is neither here nor there, he answered
in staggering way, 'fohave had SOME bust
ness Of my own to look after, and knew
chat YOU were not short of help in the store. 2"
We'll what is it ?" asked Henry abruptly.
Brother" Tom broke out hurriedly and in
a faltcring voice, Il must have some money,
6wo hundred dollars or SO.
II wonder where you will get it," Henry re-
coined. You will not get another cent from
me-that is certain. Why should | toll here
and economze III order 10 furnish you with
funds TO be lost at the gaming table,
''If do not get this money!" said Tom turn
ing very pale, ~ shall have to leave the coun-
IA good thing for the country, then" snap
ped Henry, Don let me interfere with your
travelling plans?"
Tom seemed TO fall all to pieces at this reply.
He made one more effort.
Il hope you are not hard up, yourself he
said.
q was never getting along BETTER respond
ed The merchant, "but that has nothing to do
with the case
lie pulled open the door of the iron safe,
and pointed to a little tin box.
''Do Won see that?" lie asked, "Wel, that
box contains twenty crisp one thousand dollar
DGnk notes. l drew tho money from the bank
today for an investment. No, Tom, ! am
prospecting, but I am tired of your endless
drain ,,pon my purse. 1t must stop, and now
IS the time"
Henry rose from his chair and went into
N;t+ta lost fer his overooat
In an instant, before man could count three
seconds, Tom had drawn the fiat tin box from
&he safe and slipped it into the breast OF his
heavy oVercoat.
His brother slowly emerged from the closet
and put ON his Wrappings. Then he closed the
door OF the safe with click.
II am ready to CO., he said. "You have no
further business with me, presume?'
NO. sir" Tom responded with pale, de-
fernned face ''Neither now, nor later, good
bye
Goodbye old fellow said Henry with a
yawn
Tom walked out of the store without another
word, banging the door after him
Il know him." soliloquiZed the merchant.
''He viii not leave here. He viii be around
tomorrow with new proposition. Perhaps,
after ali / had better look into his affairs, and
give him another chance
He walked slowly ont of the building, and
locked the door. glance up and down the
street showed him that Tom was not in sight,
and he then quietly made his way to his hotel,
where he straightway went to bed.
II,
After Leaving the store Tom hugged the tin
box to his breast, and walked at q rapid pace
"lt was an awful thing to do" he muttered,
G shut had to have money, and L worked to
make some of it."
The Young man sped onward through the
deserted streets until he reached the river.
He crossed the bridge and started up the hill
on the other side.
His plan was plain enough. He was going
90 n suburban railway station to take the train
FOR the west.
Suddenly he pulled up with jerk. He took
the tin box from under his coat.
The devil" he exclaimed 81 must have
been mad. am no thief and ] will cut my
threat before | will become one There is but
one thing TO do. | viii take the box back to
any brother, confess nay folly, and then leave
him"
He turned and letraced his sters When he
xeaciled the bridge he paused a moment and
looked over into the dark waters below
Il may find peace there" he said, gloomly.
He leaned over the railing and listened to
the sWift-rolling current.
"NIy God g he cried. 'The box! the box''
1t lad slipped through his fingers, and al
xeady the rushing waters were carrying it to
9he sea
Tom ran in the direction of his brothers
hotel. and then wheeled about and ran back to
the bridge. His first impulse was to throw
himself into the river.
II am o fooll' he said. "Sucide will not
yestorc the money. ] must be man now if
there Is any manhood in met"
Across the river and over the hill, into the
thick darkness of the night tie guilty fugitive
fed Mile after mile he walked like a mad
man.
The lights of the city disappeared from
view. and Tom found himself wandering in an
unfamiliar locality.
Again the river came in sight. and the
wretcled man decided to follow its course. 1t
was not far to the sea He would 90 Oh to the
nearest port and ship as a sailor
Anything to get beyond his brothers. reach
and the eyes Of those who know him!
Thus the light of day found him, but it was
not likely lat anyone along the riverside
would recognize him. There were few dwell
ings. and the people he met were farmers who
were not disposed to be unpleasantly inquis-
tive.
So the half-cIazed man rushed on through
she day, till at nightfall he lhnped YEARLY into
small seaport town.
III
Henry Dyson made every effort to find his
slis>iul brother.
When he thought Of the panied look in
Tom eyes the night the poor fellow left, he
reproached himself for allowing him to go
away without kind word Of announcements
TIE detectives took the matter up and the
newspapers published an account Of Tom
mysterious disappearance.
But it vas all Of no avail There was no
trace no clew, and after year or two the rner-
chant came TO the conclusion that his brother
vas a dead man.
Henry Dyson continued to prosper. He
married happily, aud IN the Dourse O. time lit
Gle children came to make his home sill.
br.biof.
Twenty years had rolled away, when one