The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1889-10-24
A VERY YOUNG THIEF.

mHfu8hN frsft sFot Long, warm ray
sboue scross ihe spolless foor and touches
the rows of shining dishes on The dresse
10 Nm Primes cosy kitchen. The lit,l
maid Who stood at The open window VA
thinking Of something far less plessan
than The peaceful scene before her. He,
cheeks were pale and ber eyes svolisr
lsnguidly ont Only yesterday she bad
'bongbt herself the bappissi girl 10 the
world. VIXEN out there under the lilscs
she had promised to be Robin Moore's
wife. Today she wss the most miserable,
for sbe was accused OF crime and vas
about 10 lose her only means Of support.
Yea, she, Molly Bowen. whose character
bad always been the best, vas accused OF
.bei. by the employer whom she bad serv
ed faithfully these four years.
II came about 10 this wise. The day be
fore our story opens Capt Prime brought
y home thirty silver dollars and placed
= them away 10 the desk that stood 10 one
!, corner OF the keeping room, Before do
y ing 90. however, be showed them to his
vile and Molly, and allowed little Hitty
to play with them awhile. Ia the after.
neon be went to the neighboring village,
leaving the desk uplocked. rs he often did.
I II was sunset when be returned. and Just
as be entered the house be saw Molly come
out OF the keeping room. She started
and turned pale at sight OF her master. rho
asked her with smile:
Did frgbten you. Molly?
Molly laughed nervously as she replied
Yes, cir; did not hear you come in, and
you startled me.
The captain thought no more OF the oc
curreuce then. though 1t surprised him to
see Miss Molly 20 nervous Presently Mrs
Prime came in with Hitty in her arms.
Oh, il was your voice that woke me, she
said to her husband this afternoon, and |
think Hitiy and | both slept nearly two
| hours.
In the evening after her work was done /
Molly came In dressed for q walk, and
asked permission to visit q friend who
worked for nois hboring family. It was a
granted, and Molly started ont, but had +
not gone far before she met Robin and in.
stead OF visiting her friend she strolled by
the river with him q
Shortly after the captain came 10 and ;,
went to the desk for something. On open
ing the drawer, be found that his none, s
was not where ho had left il in the morn n
ing He searched each drawer in turn, n
then called his wife: Hannah. bave you "
moved my money? r
Why. no. responded Mrs. Prime, com a
ing to the door and looking in. Again
they searched the desk. but with the same so
result. =,
Call Molly, said the captain. nc
She has gone over to Mr.. Ford's to see 10
Euuice. said his wife. M
Has any one been here today?
No, | asked Molly that question when ",
woke up, and she said she had not seen ~
any one this afternoon. ba
what was she doing in the keeping room or
.oday when came home? aa
Mrs Prime looked surprised. I did m,
,ot know she was In there, she replied. ipt
The captain then told his wife of Molly's IN
'onfusion that afternoon. n.
But, Ezra. she replied. you surely don't 90,
inspect Molly' Why, would as soon ,hs
hink Of Hitty as OF her.
What else can have become Of the mon Sal
y? he quired. III.
This was problem that sue could not 7
olive, so she remained silent. Ro
just then Molly came in, looking flush. TOW
and tired from her rapid walk. ed
"nere nave you oeepT demanded the aga
aptaiD. ba
Molly looked confused. She was not be
sed to being asked such question. and ma
,e captains manner was so stern Il frieb r
'ned her. She could not tell him about No
obir, 80 she rem aimed silent. plie
The captains brow grew stern. II Mol. cles
had answered him frankly be would mai
ave believed her, but her silence strength. vow
led Lis suspicious. trut
Have you been to see Eunice? lie con D
nned. Mol
Molly hung her head and answered faint she
i. No. ont,
What we're you doing in the keeping susr
ON this afternoon? she
There was such lump in Molly's throat was
at she could not answer at frst but after from
o oment said: veic
went in to see II il needed dus,ing pale
II took You some time to make the sn ey "
er, said the captain ssrcasticsIly. II 10 low,
no nse, Molly, you may as well tell me enou
once where my money isl noon
Molly turned pale and looked helpiessIy road
him. Even Mrs Primes faith began cryir
wsyer. and she said gently: Tell him ing |
II. He won't be bard on you. has
This WAS too much for the poor girl, who repli
rat into tears and cried out vehemently. TIL
don't know anything about yonr mon sprin
What do you n,ean1 Pl,
,oms. comel said the captain, anerily. Iy isi
! won't do, for yon see you are found Mr.
. wouldnt have believed it Of you ed be
fould have trusted ron snyvberei 1 ed io
pose | ought TO send you to Jail; but strsis
II on your mothers account. II You both
restore the money III forgive you. bat the r,
ou do not shall send you home with me Il
your pay. ard everybody shall know 70,
I. 80 that they may not get deceived 10 earth
ss have. aud a
oor Molly crept of TO bed With burst. cauqh