The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-01-05

was buried.
We returned to bed. already saw
myself across the ocean, picking up
nuggets Of gold. had a carriage with
four magnificent horses, aud servant
VINO offered me beautiful mecrschaum
pipe trimmed with silver, while another
poured my champagne.
The next morning at the table feared
every moment that I might see an
officer approaching to take me to prison.
was so much afraid of uttering an i'm
prudent word that dared not reply i'm
mediately TO any question. | no longer
dared to carry money to the savings
bank, but made long detours to avoid
passing the building in which it had
been reorganized. Gradually, however,
| recovered sort Of tranquility, as
saw that nobody suspected what | had
done. But when, on the approach Of
Christmas, my masters children began
to dance around me one morning, say
iug, "We know something we shau't
tell" their voices pierced my heart like
a knife. They knew the surprises their
father was preparing for our pleasure,
and were delighted with their secret.
On Christmas Eve, Counselor Men
niugcr's servant came running TO our
workshop. was in the door way. She
said she had come for me, aud that
must 20 at once with my tools to her
masters house.
The counse!or's name had terrified
me. Could my offence be already
kuownl had decided not TO use the
book until spring, aud had never shown
it. But was afraid OF everything.
Nevertheless, | went with the young
girl. She had a sweet, fresh face, aud
the pure Christmas hight burned in her
eyes.
"My father was locksmith," said
she. "St. Peter Is our patron, and for
many people the key to Paradise is the
key to their money-box.' "
We arrived at the counselor's house,
and | was shown into rich,y-furnishcd
room. The counselor brought me an
elegant Gaze VIII )se KEY was broken, aud
bade me open it. He then told Cath
crime, my guide, that he had other
preparations to make, aud badc her re.
main with the lock smith.
at will he hard for you," said TO
Catherine. "to leave these beautiful
rooms for some poor little home"
IL have plenty OF time in which to
make up my mind to IT," she replied.
"But you do not yet know everything.
Living in a rich dwelling, one soon
learns that it matters little whether he is
served with 4 golden spoon or brass
one. The essential thing is TO live in
peace with a good conscience.
At these words could no longer find
the kcyho!e, aud Catherine began to
laugh at my lack of skill. At length,
however, opened the caskct, and my
eyes were dazzled by its contents. Upon
a blue velvet cushion glttered set of
diamonds.
Catherine stepped to the door aud
called her master; but no sooner hal he
glanced at the casket than he rudely
seized my hand, saying: "rhe brooch
With the large diamond in the centre i.
gonc!"
shook like a poplar leaf, aul was
about to throw myself on my knees,
when heard GATHERINGS voice.
Show can YOU think--' said she,
al was here"
ABE still! We will examine you toow
He called to mis- wife, aud then, turn.
ing to me, said that he would search me,
while his wife did the same to Cathar.
inc.
And seeing this honest maiden out.
ragged by such ot!ous suspicious, yield
ed myself 20 his hands. But never can
tel, what felt at that moment. felt
no longer like 4 man, or even a slave,
but like some vile animal. An act OF
cruel injustice had been committed
against me. Compared with this, the
offence Of which was really guilty
seemed but petty and childish thing.
NJ anger grew still greater when
another servant suggested that Catherine
might have hidden the diamonds in her
hair, and | ,aw the poor girl as pale as
/ death with her braids all unbound.
/ q. course the counselor found nothing
/ on Catherine or me. remember in that
parting | said 20 the young glrl: 'Bc
patient; l will make up to you all you
have suffered through me"
The aifrout had suffered paralyzcd
my conscience.
sought often to see Cltharinc, but
seldom successfully. She was afraid
that, if We were seen together, it would
cause fresh suspicion. One day, how
ever, she met me with a joyful express
/ sion, aud said:
! "God be thanked! We are now com.
pleteiy justified. My masters slater has
writ;el him that she for got to put the
brooch into the casket."
"And is not the counselor going to
beg my pardon2'
ale wished me to do So, she replied,
"and asked me to do so for him." At
the same time she begged ne TO harbor
no resentment because OF what had hap.
| pened to me.
"Yon may have committed some Sc.
/ cret fault, - said she. "Accept what you