The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-08-22

goin gs-on had reached the ears Of all
the home folks and many things had
been exaggerated, until Annals father
from regarding mie with friendly eyes
a. ttle son Of his old -neigibor and the
playmate Of his little girl, had at last
come Ia look upon me with absolute
dislike, and il WAS with great difficulty
that Anna and met, for he not only
forbade her seeing me but actually told
her he had other views for her than
seeing her married 10 a reckless spend
thrift
God knows how little We either Of
u imagined that the first years Of our
lives would be spent in a weary wait
ing that was enough To odestroy the fire.
Of heart and brain.
About this time was appointed 10
"a responsible position in the bank Of
our little town. Ny fathers influence
he being director and one Of the
largest stOckhoIders-had great deal
TO do with this, for my record was not
such a 10 prove a recommendation.
A few months showed 10 me, however,
that / was gaining the esteem and con-
fidenee Of the people, and my heart
beat high with hope as saw that even
Annals father was unbcnding from hi-
former studied cOldness.
.'On the various occasions when he
come 10 the bank to make deposits he
and [, from exchanging a stiff good
morning at last had reached a point
where we both INDUCED in various
friendly comments on matters pertain
ing to the people and industries OF
the village, the weather. etc. II was
not much, but TO me it seemed a won
derful progress toward an entire recon
cilliation. How proud aud happy
father was a he heard the flattering
comments on all sides regarding my
business ability, dear old mani was
all he had, you know.
MY salary was not large, but out Of
il ! had managed 10 lay aside from
time % time sufficient sums to enable
me to meet the note when it fell due.
At last the day came wheu the final
obligation was discharged and / felt
could again breathe freely, for / owed
no man a cent. That night under the
stars Anna and had a grand rejOie-
ing and when we parted we We're san
guine in our b-lief that bat few short
weeks would pass before everything
would be on the old footing and her
father and | be friends can remem-
ber that night a plainly a. though it
were yesterday. The stars were thick
in the summer skies and the moon,
round and full, shed its glorious light
over waving corn fields and grassy
meadow land, and a. ! walked up the
dewy-scented lane that led to our
home / felt l was very near to my
hearts desire"
Here he paused, and up from the
storage fioated the plaintiff strains Of
Home, Sweet Home.
''rwo days after there was a meeting
OF the directors and at it, close / was
called in, as | supposed, for a COM
mandatory word or a friendly hand
shake This had been the custom for
some time back, and | was not AT all
surprised when old Tim, the janitor Of
the bank building, told me was want
ed by the board The smile that how
cred on my lips was frozen al it, birth,
a stepped into the circle Of cold, ae-
cusing faces. t5sre alone i ever before
me now-;ny p'sor old fathers crashed
and sorrowful44osar, with all the joy
and hope gone out OF it forever. Next
10 him sat the president and 10 his
right AnRa's father, with his oFen
bank book on tie table.
In-tinctively knew he was my ae-
elser, bat of what wax Iaeeused?
SLOWLY the president arose from his
seat and with falterlng words laid bare
the matter Of which l was in such
dense ignorance.
with Il little formal cleaning Of the
throat, You must know, he began,
that this is a more than usually seri-
ous affair. We expect you are able to
explain the matter, indeed We hope 20,
but until yoH do we must lay before
YOU the accusation Of one Of our most
highly respected citizens
"'Of what am aecuaede' / indig-
nantly inquired, and by whom
ga are accused, l am sorry to
state, OF tampering with aIr,l changing
the amounts nooried in this gentI,-
mans hank book, indicating by a
wave Of his hand Annals father, aud
appropriating said sums to your own
use
II Is fal~e.' 1 can see Yet the gIeam
of hope on my dear old fathers face a.
| uttered these words, bat il vanished
at the next, spoken by the president.
How then can you account for
these alterations in your own hand
writing"
Easily answered, with an air Of
relief After all ii was a simple matter
To explain
If YOU will give me your attention.
gentlemen, for few moments will
prove to you that what indeed, on the
face Of il looks like criminal affair is
in realty nothing but correction OF
mistakes made i'm the amounts depOS-
tied by the gentleman who now aeeas-
e. me A. you know, our bank Is the
only concern Of its kind for many miles
around, and at times in my dou bic c.i-
pacity Of receiving teller and cashier.
have found my duties pressing and
urgent Knowing this gentleman To
be one Of our most highly respected
| have never stopped at the
time 10 count the amount Of the depos-
il, but have recorded in his hank book
the sum written ON the deposit slip ac-
cOmpanying il. On several occasions