The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-04-02

pau-ed irresoluielv before the office of
the HEEALD and fingered the advertise
mentin his pocket. His mother reeersaw
the paper unless he brought Que home
and she would not know ifthe advertise
ment were inserted or not. II il was not
no one would appear to claim the money
and it would be his. lie could go to
school he could make man of him
self.
lie set his lips closely together and
hastened home lie was 50 much afraid
that his mother would question him that
be talked necessarily upon other subjects
and told in a nervous manner all the lit-
tie incidents Of the day. He hastily
swallowed his dinner, ana saying he.was
in a great hurry, hastened out. She called
after him
Il suppose you attended to that adver-
iisement, John?7
He gave forced laugh.
Vow, aren't you in desperate hurry,
mother. to get rid of that windfall It's
all right
"Was il all right ?7 came the question
as he struggled with the wind. which was
as strong then as it had been in the fore
noon. Was lie right What was right
about his whole conlucig lie tried not
TO think, but bent his head and pushed
his way through clouds Of dust and
leaves.
The half sheet OF 4 newspaper flew in
his face. lie caught L, and mechanical
" glanced at its columns as he pressed
along. One paragraph arrested his at
.ention. IL WAS part OF confession of
noted gambler and forger who had been
sentenced to Imprisonment for life in the
penitentiary.
= / had good mother it read, and
| was an honest boy. But one day gave
way TO a 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 I've
got to the bottom"
John dropped the paper, and stood for
moment breaihless. lie had taken the
first downward step, but it was no; too
late to retrace it. He dashed 10 the
HErAD Office, handed in the advertise
ment. and then started for the store, bat
ting against the wind.
You re a disagreeable old wind. aren't
YOU ?" he said TO himself. You've
brought me heap )f things this day.
First money TO tempt me and make me
crazy. and then piece Of newspaper 70
fght the temptation. Oh, you're queer
wind, anyway -
The very day after t.iis prim, stiff
looking gentleman knocked at the door
Of Mrs. Grsfton's cottage.
I've come in answer to your adver-
tisenent, madam" he said, when he was
admitted, " / lost some money yester-
day, and thought irOih your advertise
nent that you might have found it. Alb,
forgot to introduce myself Ny name
is Eldon,"
"What was the amount Of your bill,
sin ~ asked the widow.
1T was one hundred dollars"
"There is a private mark on this one.
Can you identify it,"
Il think so. | often mark large bills
that pass through my hands and
this Is the mark, showing bank-note
With the identical little blue star in cor
ner.
The bin is certainly yours, sir" Ars.
Grafton said, placing tin his hands. ut
was blown in my sons face as he was
leaving the house"
Where is your son p asked the gen
tleman.
He is at work. lie Is never at home
except fos his meals"
The LAWYERS keen eyes took note Of
everything This Mrs. Grafton was
lady, but evidently very poor one.
There WAS hardly comfort in the room.
should he offer her a reward ? What
honest people they mus; be, in the face
Of such poverty not to have taken the
money coming 70 them in such way,
and said nothing about it.
Please tell your son, madam. TO call
al this address this evening about eight
O'Clock
He handed hera card.
By the way, psusing as he was about
to leave, "yonr name is a very familiar
one 10 me- Are you relatei TO Charles
Grafton, formerly 4 commission mer-
chant in New Orleans p
lie was nv husband, she said "He
failed in business and died fey months
afterward. | drilled here with my little
boy, because ] heard tina, living was
cheaper here than it was in southern
city"
"Charles Grafton was distant con-
nection of mine Mr.. Eidon said, grasp
ing 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 house.
keeper of the old gen;leman's bachelor
establishment lie is giving John an
education
II all came OF that jolly old March
wind John says. in telling the story,
and ] don't suppose in the whole world
wind ever blew such good luck to any
one person