Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-03-09
DID HE FORGIVE HIM?

very busy man. Ten years before the
time at which this sketch is opened he
and Louis Douglas started in business
with small cash capital and an abun-
dance of enterprise and pluck. By
close attention and hard work the firm
had made success assured, and, while the
principal stores and factory were located
in Boston, extensive branches had been
opened in New York and Chicago, to
which of the last named cities Mr.. Nor
ton was often called on business. In
fact, being the principal salesman as
well as head of the firm, he was COM
PEELED to be absent from home greater
part of the year.
AT the time this story begins he was
busily occupied in settling the details of
several large contracts which had been
under consideration during the week
previous, and many gentlemen were
awaiting his decision as to these and
other matters. One by one each of the
waiting customers was attended to, and
only one person remained, with whom
Mr.. Morton was not acquainted, but who
insisted on transacting his business with
the head of the firm only, and to him at
last Mr.. Morton inquiringly turned, say
ing:
"Well, sir, what can do for your
In parenthesis let us here say that for
many years, and at intervals of but a
few months in each year, Henry Morton
had been greatly disturbed and deeply
grieved in the knowledge of the fact that
an older brother, ON whom rum had fas-
tened its clutches with firm grasp, had
been going from bad to worse; had neg
lected his business and family, and at
the same time bringing moral disgrace
upon the name, which facts were only
kept from publicity by the expenditure
of great deal of money and anxiety on
the part of the younger brother.
Time and again he had taken his
brother Jack from the Tombs. Repeat
edly had he paid the fine in advance and
saved him from appearance in the police
court; often secured his release through
the friendship and respect of the proba-
ton officer, and yet, with all these and
the fact that the whole care of Jacks
family had been thrown upon him, there
was no sign of reformation on the older
brothers part.
The climax came one day. after hear
ing that Jack had borrowed money in
his name from a regular customer of the
firm, which was paid without question,
but caused Henry to arrive at decision
Immediately. This decision forbade the
presence of his brother at the store of the
firm or at the dwelling house of Henry,
with orders that Jack should not be ad-
mitted into either place under any cir
cumstances.
Henry was greatly surprised and
pleased, shortly after, to hear that such
a decision had been the means of sober
ing up his older brother, whose eyes were
apparently opened to the folly and dis
grace of his past life, and that he had
obtained situation at his old trade and
to all intents and purposes showed that
he was once again on the path of virtue
and good morals.
Jacks children and wife occasionally
appeared at Henry's store, and in his
private Office, with tears and smiles, re-
lated the story of their fathers upward
turn and the joy which had come again
into their own household. And SO it
was that on the day on which this story
opens Henry was at peace with all the
world, with no skeleton in the closet at
home and with every success in bust
ness and hope of speedy retirement and
quiet life.
81 should like to see you, Mr.. Morton,
in your private Office, if you please, on
business personal to YOURSELF" was the
ply of the individual to whom Henry
Morton had made the inquiry before
mentioned.
Very WELL sir, step this way" and
after passing into the private office Nor.
ton said again:
"Please be as brief as possible, sir, as
am very busy man today"
"The business, sir, which brings me
here is not of pleasant nature. am
John Hardman of the Neversleep Detect
i've agency, and | am here in reference
to check on which the Endorsement of
Castell & Co. has been forged and the
amount collected upon the same by your
brother"
"Great heavenr exclaimed Henry, ''it
cannot be! Jack may have been drunk
ard, but never forger and thief"
81 am sorry for you sir, but it is too
true. have followed the matter up, sir,
and find that he was given bill to col
lect by Casteil 6 Co., for whom he
works, which he did collect, and meet
ing some old cronies soon after he in
dorsed the firms name upon the same,
obtained the amount, and By this time,
having spent it all in carousing, is now
hiding at a place where l can put my
hands on him at any moment"
"Great heaven what shall / do? Ny
God, it will break the hearts of his wife
and daughters, and bring disgrace upon
our family name, which has never yet
bad even a spot upon It'll Who has this
check" Henry eagerly inquired.
~ have, sir. The chief of our office
suggested that | had better see you be-
fore anything further is done and as