The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-11-27

his father and his sister And last of all
q reminder that 1t was almost Thanks
giving and an urgent, affectionate appeal
to him TO come home and spend that day
with those who had loved him so we'll.
Before he had finished reading it he was
in tears, and when he reached the end he
was sobbing in an agony OF remorsc and
sclf-pity, as well as selfreproach.
The tears were good. When he dropped
the letter he fell on his knees as he had
not done before for n long time.
1t was not. long, however, before he was
on his feet again, and jamming his hat on,
| his head with furious haste. he started for
the street. Half dozen blocks of a quick
walk brought him to Mr.. Spooner's 8 door.
Spooner was hard man.
The servant knew him and showed him
directly into the library, where presently
Spooner appeared. He looked grave and
rather stern whom he entered, knowing
that something unusual must have caused
his clerk to call at his house within an hour
OF having seen him. Yet his voice was
not unkind rs ho said: well, Maynard,
what's the matter?"
"It is very serious. SIR" said the lad The
was only twenty-onel 81 have robbed
you of ninety dollars and want to give
IL back"
He handed over the roll OF bills as he
spoke, and Spooner took 1t and laid 1t on
the library table without looking at It.
is this all you have taken?' hc said
gravsly.
Yes sir My account Is overdrawn
forty-two dollars, but the books show
that"
How did you do it2'
I" ! made false footing Of the receipts
to-day"
Are your books oil right excepting
that?"
Yes SIR"
There was long silence. Then Spooner
spoke. You have been gambling" he
said.
And you took this money to gamble
wth2"
"Yes sir"
"why did you bring 1t back? Have you
made winning?"
NO" said Maynard quickly. 81 brought
1t back because couldn't keep it," And
there was another pause.
This Is very grave matter" said
Spooner at length. What do you expect
me to do?"
81 leave that entirely to you," said
Maynard.
TT is difficult matter" said his en-
ployer, slowly. II suppose some men
would tell you togo on in your place, and
would trust you again, but cannot do
that. Your quick repentance and prompt
restitution do not cover the fact that you
have been dishonest, and ! cannot
keep you In my employ, nor can l recon-
mend you to any place Of trust. You have
damaged you own career badly and will
have to turn to something else. But owe
you consideration for what you have done
for me In time past. / will pay you q
months salary In place OF notice to leave,
and will recommend you for any place
you may seek which does not involve tho
handling Of other peoples NOR ey."
Maynard shuddered, but sa,d nothing.
and the other continued: suppose l
may seem hard, but -
No. sir" said the younger man. "You
are just, but you are not hard. ! have de-
served harsher treatment"
Il am glad you realize 1t, )" said Spooner,
for think so too. But here is the bal
/ will always be your friend in any way
that can. You don't need much advice
just now. for you have brought yourself
around all right. but ! do advice you to
quit gambling forever, and to go home to
your own people for a time at least"
That is what am going to do" said
Maynard, rather brokenly. and his em-
ployer wrote q check and gave it to him,
shaking him by the hand and bidding him
goodbye with unusual cordiality.
1t was pretty harsh, know" said Mr..
Spooner to his wife when he told her
about 1t. "but the boy has good stuff in
him and 1t was the wrong time to be SYM
pathetic"
But when the young man reached home
which he did next night, there was another
ordeal to pass through. lie did not shirk
it, nor put 1t of, but told the whole exactly
as 1t was to his stern old Puritan father
and to his mother. They listened In silence,
though his mother held his hand tightly
In both of hers while he talked.
When he had finished the old man spoke
slowly and sternly, but with manifest
effort.