The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-05-21

to his own room.
In the morning the strangely altered
face of James, as he met his mother at
the breakfast table, struck alarm into her
heart. He was silent, and eyaded all her
questions. While they sat at the table
the door bell rung loudly. The sound
startled James, and ne turned his head
to listen, in a nervous way.
What is it ?" asked Mrs. Lewis.
A gentleman who wishes to see Mr..
James" replied the girl.
James rose instantly and vent out into
the hall, shutting the dining-room door
as he did 50. Mrs. Lewis sat waiting her
sons return. She heard him coming
back in few moments but he did not
enter the dining-room. Then he return
ed along the hall to the street door, and
she heard it shut. All was silent. Start
ing up she ran into the passage, but
James was not there. He had gone
away with the person who had called.
All, that was a sad going away. Mr..
Carman bad spent halfthe night in ex-
amining the accounts of James, and dis
covered frauds Of over six thousand dol
lars. Blindly indignant, he sent an ofii-
Ger 10 arrest him early in the morning
and it was with this officer that he went
away from his mother never to return.
"'The young villain shall lie in the bed
he has made for himself" exclaimed Mr..
Carman, in bitter indignation. And he
made a complete exposure. On the
trial he showed an eager desire to have
him convicted, and presented such an
array Of evidence that the jury could not
render any other verdict than guilty.
The poor mother was in court; and
audible in the silence that followed came
her convulsed sob. upon the air. The
presiding Judge addressed the, and
asked if he had anything to say why the
sentence of the law should not be pro-
nounced against him. All eyes were
turned upon the pale, agitated young
man who rose with an effort and leaned
against the railing by which he stood. as
if needing the support.
"Will it please your Honor" he said,
'to direct my prosecutor to come little
nearer, so that I can look at him and
your Honor at the same time"
Mr. Carman was directed to come for
ward to where the boy stood. James
looked at him steadily for few moments
and then turned to the judges.
"What have to say TO your Honors is
this-and il may in degree extenuate,
though / cannot excuse my crime. l
went into that mans store an innocent
boy, and if be had been an honest man
would not have stood before you
criminal"
Mr.. Carman appealed to the court for
protection against an allegation Of such
an outrageous character, but he was per
emptorily ordered to be silent. James
went on in a firm voice.
"Only few weeks after went into
his employment examined bill under
his direction, and discovered an error OF
twenty dollars"
The face Of Mr.. Carman crimsoned.
"You remember it, see, said James,
"and ! shall have cause TO remember it
while live. The error was in favor of
Mr.. Carman. asked if should correct
the figures. and he answered, No; let
them correct their own mistakes, we
don't examine bills for other peoples
benefit II was my first lesson in dis
honesty saw the bill settled, and Mr..
Carman take twenty dollars that was not
his own. felt shocked at first it SEEM
ed such wrong thing. But soon after
he called me simpleton for handing
back fifty dollar bill to the teller of
bank. which he had overpaid me on
check, and"
May l ask the protection of the court ?"
said Mr.. Carman.
"Is it true what the lad says?' asked
the judge.
Mr.. Carman hesitated and looked con-
fused all eyes were on his face, and
judges and jury, lawyers and spectators,
felt certain that he was guilty Of leading
the unhappy young mum astray.
4Not long afterwards resumed Lewis,
sin receiving my wages | found that Mr..
Carnan had paid me fifty cents too
much. / was about TO give it back to
him, when ! remembered his remark
about letting people correct their own
mistakes, and said to myself let him
correct his own errors, and dishonesty
kept the money. Again the thing hap
pened, and again kept the money that
did not of right belong to me. This was
the beginning of evil, and here | am. If
he had shown any mercy might have
kept silent and made no defense"
The young man covered his face with
his hands and sat down, overpowered
with his feelings. His mother, who was
near him, sobbed aloud, and bending
over, laid her hand upon his head, say
ing
"My poor boy my poor boy"
There were few eyes in the court room
undimmed. In the silence that followed
Mr.. Carman spoke out;
ais my character TO be thus blasted on
the words of criminal, your Honors?
Is this right
"Your solemn oath that this charge is
untrue will set you in the right" said
the judge. 1t was the unhappy boys
only opportunity, and the court felt
bound in humanity to hear him.
James Lewis stood up again instantly,
and turned his pale face snd dark, pierre
ing eyes upon Mr.. Carman.
"Let him take his oath, if he dare "
| he exclaimed.
Mr.. Carman consulted with his counsel
and withdrew.
After brief conference with his asso-
ciates, the presiding judge said, address
ing the criminal;
an consideration Of your youth, and
the temptations to which in tender years
you were unhappily subjected the court
gives you the slightest sentence, one
years imprisonment. But let me solemn
" warn you against any further steps in
the way you have taken. Crime can
! hive no valid excuse. 1t is evil in the