Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-06-21

QaQ wrought an evil CDdISo III LIE Uoy IcSA-
ings. He wanted the money so badly that he
forced himself to believe that he ought to
have it,
have alluded before to the moral fault in
John Grafton's character, that when he
craved thing passionately, he seemed to
lose sight of every obstacle in the way OF his
possession of it. His mother had noticed and
striven against this trait, but for the first
time in his young life he had been brought
face to face with serious temptation.
As he hurried home to his dinner, he paused
for minute irresolutely before the Office of
The Times and fingered the advertisement in
his pocket His mother never saw the paper
unless he brought one home, and she would
not know if the advertisement was inserted
or not. If it was not, no one would appear
to claim the money and it would be his. He
could go to school. He could make a man OF
himself.
He set his lips closely together and fastened
home. He was so much afraid that his mother
would question him that he talked necessarily
upon other subjects, telling in u nervous man
ner all the little incidents of the day. He
hastily swallowed his dinner and saying he
in great hurry, FASTENED out She
called after him:
81 suppose you attended to that advertise
nlent Johnp
He gave forced laugh.
''Now aren't you in a desperate hurry,
mother, to get rid of that windfalls It's all
right"
"Was it all right?" came the question as he
struggled with the wind, which was strong
then it had been in the forenoon. Was
lie right? What was right about his whole
conduct? He tried not to think, but bent his
head and pushed his way through clouds of
dust and leaves.
The half sheet of a newspaper flew in his
face. Hecaught it, and mechanically glanced
at its columns as he pressed along. One par
agraph arrested his attention. 1t was part
of the confession of noted gambler and
forger who had been sentenced for life to the
penitentiary.
81 had good mother" it read, land was
an honest boy. But one day gave way to a
small mptation-rv very small temptation
and made up my mind-that though would
do that one wrong thing, it would be for the
last time. That was the first downward step,
and it seemed to push me down, till Fve got
to the bottom"
John dropped the paper, and stood for a
moment breathless. He had taken the first
downward step, BUTTS was not too late to re-
trace it. He dashed to The Times office,
handed in the advertisement and then start
'You're a disagreeable old wind aren't
you?" he said to himself you've brought
me heap of things this day. First money
to tempt me and make me crazy, and then
piece of newspaper to fight the temptation.
Oh, you're queer wind, anyway"
The very day after this prim, stiff look
ing gentleman knocked at the door of Mrs.
Graftons cottage.
''Ive come in answer to your advertise
ment, madam" he said when he was admit
ted. 81 lost some money yesterday and I
thought from your advertisement that you
might have found it. All, l forgot to intro
duce myself. Ny name is Eldon."
"What was the amount of your bill, sir?"
asked the widow.
sit was one hundred dollars
s'There is private mark on this one Can
you identify its'
81 think SO. / often mark large bills that
pass through my hands and this is the mark"
showing bank note with tho identical little
blue star in the corner.
"The bill is certainly yours, sir" Mrs.
Grafton said, placing it in his hands. sit
was blown in my sons face as he was leaving
the house"
"Where is your sons' asked the gentleman.
'He is at work. He is never at home ex-
cept for his meals"
The lawyers keen eyes took note of every
thing. This Mrs. Grafton was lady, but
evidently very poor one There was hardly
q comfort in the ROOM Should he offer her
reward! What honest people they must be
in the face of such poverty not to have taken
the money coming to them in such way, and
said nothing about it!
''PIease tell your son, madam, to call at
this address this evening about s o'clock"
He handed her card ''By the way" paus-
ing as he was about to leave, "your name is
very familiar one to me. Are you related
to Charles Grafton, formerly commission
merchant in New Orleansgf
"He was my husband" she said. ''He
failed in business and died few months
afterward. l drifted here with my little
boy, because heard that living was cheaper
here than in southern city"
"Charles Grafton was a distant connection
of mine," Mr.. Eldon said, grasping her hand
warmly. "Send your son to me tonight.
will see you again shortly"
He saw her again to some purpose, for Mrs
Grafton is now installed as housekeeper Of
the old gentleman's bachelor establishment.
He is giving John an education.
at all came Of that jolly old March wind"
John says, in telling the story, land don't
suppose in the whole world wind ever blew
such good luck to any one person. youths
Companion.