The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-02-25
DID HE FORGIVE HIM?


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 a 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 10 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 intervels 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 a 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 a 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 adj
mitted into either place under any cir
cumstances.
Henry was greatly surprised and
pleased, shortly after, TO hear that such
q 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 a 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 Henrys 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 20 il
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 busi-
ness and hope Of speedy retirement and
=, a quiet life.
9 II should like to see you, Mr.. Morton,
j in your private Office, il you please, on
q business personal to yourself, was the
g g ply of the individual to whom Henry
! Morton had made the inquiry before
i mentioned.
) "Very well, sir, step this way" and
$ after passing into the private office Nor
(, ton said again:
e please be as brief as possible, sir, rs
d am a very busy man today"
1.-The business, sir, which brings m,
here is not Of pleasant nature. ali
- John Hardman Of the Neversleep Detect
i've agency, and ! am here in referenc,
TO a check on which the Endorsement o
Castell & Co. has been forged and tn
amount collected upon the same by you
brother"
"Great heaven" exclaimed Henry, 'i
cannot bel Jack may have been drunk
ard, N1t never forger and u thiefr
Il am sorry for you, sir, but it is to-
true. have followed the matter up, sir
and find that he was given bill to col
lect by Castell & Co., for whom h
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 nov
hiding at a place where can put IN
hands on him at any moment"
Great heRvenl what shall do? NJ
God, it will break the hearts of his wifi
and daughters, and bring disgrace upo
our family name, which has never ye
had even a spot upon itl Who has thi
checkF Henry eagerly inquired
Il have, sir. The chief Of our ofic
suggested that had better see you bt
fore anything further is done and .
you stand high in this community
thought you would make an effort
hush the matter up"
"How much is the amountT
Give hundred and twenty dollars, 81
and our expenses added will make q
cost 10 you, sir, 500.
"Very we'll, sir; DO seated n few m
ments longer, Mr.. Hardman," said he
~, at the same tilue striking a smi
bell ON the top Of his desk. ''Charl'
bring me my private checkbook fro
the vault, he said to the young mi
who answered the call.
r When the checkbook was given
> Henry he sat down, and with a trel
r bling hand filled ont two checks-o
;. payable TO the order Of Castell & Co.
I. $500 and the other payable to the tre'
: urer Of the "Neyersleep Detective age
cy" for $3.50.
!, There, sir; please give me recei
I for the check to Castell & Co. 70
y treasurer's indlrsement viii be SUI
r cient for the other. And now, sir,
Z check ON which is the forged indor
q ment Thanks; that will do. Have
u cigar, siry Good day, sir, and than
d again for your kindness and conside
= ton"
I, For fully IS minutes Henry Mort
\ gazed upon the terrible evidence Of
, brothers guilt, and then opening q lit
se iron box in which he kept all persol
papers ne mechanically tossed IL
a. locked the box, went ont Of the priv
d ONCE smoking cigar, met his part
'e Douglas with his usual welcome q
plunged again into the business Of
=. daily life.