San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-07-23

had fallen on Fred Why keep them eli
IN suspense until Junei So reasoning, he
pushed the gate open and walked thought
fully up the path to the house.
The servant who answered bis ring told
him that Mrs Price had gone out for
moment. and asked him TO wait.
''Iu wait ten minutes, no longer" said
be, Is he stepped into the library.
Mr.. Price was fond Of reading, and tbs
room was lined with bookcases. In one
of these Mr. Maynard saw the volume Of
travels he had presented to Fred
IN see what it was that proved % in-
terestipg to the lad" he muttered a he
drew the book ous. He opened 1t and BE-
gan to turn over the leaves; then he sud
denly started back as II be haf received .
blow "lmpossibleI" he muttered. as be
sank down In Q chair. completely over
come There must be some mistake"
For several moments he sat thus In deep
thought. the volume resting on his knea
Then. rising be put 1t back with . sigh
He then picked up his cane and left the
house
"A most fortunate discovery be NUT
tered, a. be walked away Poor lsdl"
when Mrs Price returned homo .
few minutes later she found the library
unoccupied-
"Uncle Asa Is always inpatient
Surely he could have visited . little
longer. she said.
He promised to wait ten minutes, but
In sure be wasn't hero more than five,
explained the servant.
Il am very sorry that ! missed him."
said Mrs. Price
She did not know what Fred had missed
by that early call Of Uncle Asa's
Fred wondered why he did not receive
the promised books, but concluded that
his uncle had forgotten them He had
greater cause for wonder when, after the
June graduation. he heard that his cousin
Henry had been taken into bis uncle's
store
II can't make 1t out. he said to his
cousin. IL was SURF Uncle Asa intended
to give me the place He always appeared
to ike me better than he did you"
1T was great surprise to me, con
fess. Henry said. He seemed SO vexed
with me about that old book chose. you
remember He hardly spoke to me the
next time met him; but he Is very pleas
ant to me now "
Il wish the matter could be explained
| would like to understand 1t.
Fred understood it very soon. One day
in the beginning of July he received
summons to his uncle's office. The inter
view did not last long, but perhaps Fred
suffered more during the ten minutes his
uncle talked to him than he bad In the
whole of his life before.
1T is only right you should know why
my choice fell on Harry" said the old
man. for l intimated to your father that
should choose you The knowledge may
be Of permanent benefit to you and influ-
ence you for good In similar case. should
one ever occur. | gave You q book two
months ago with which you seemed i'm
mensely pleased Meeting you on the
street . week later asked you II you had
read 1t. You said you had, and praised 1t
highly. was pleased with you, and con
cluded that had better settle at once the
matter Of your coming here, after your
graduation, to learn my business. Invent
to your fathers house and your mother
being out, spent a few minutes In the
library. There saw the book had given
you. Some impulse led me to open it.
Frederick. You know the discovery Imade
The volume was roughly bound and
cheeply printed and the leaves were un.
cut Do you understand ! knew at
once that You had not only been guilty Of
deceit, but Of deliberate falsehood |
want in my employment no one whom |
cannot trust. and my trust in you was
destroyed forever when left your fathers
house that day"
Fred tried to speak, but there was
lump in his throat which prevented his
doing SO.
you may go now. said bis uncle,
but remember, my Lad, that no matter
at what apparent cost. it is always better
to stick to the old pro-erb. Honesty Is
the best policy"
As Fred walked out Of the Office he felt
the truth Of his uncle's words--Philadel
phia Cell