Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-07-02
HIS REFORMATION.
BY HAROLD p. MCPHERSON.

by HAROLD r. NICKERSON.
Henry Dyson was alone in his little
Office at the back end of his place of
business. The hour was late, and all
his employees had gone. Mr.. Dyson was
pleasant-looking man of about 35 or
40, and his fellow townsmen frequently
pointed to him with pride as a aself-made
man.
But, while everybody had a good word
for Henry Dyson, very few people spoke
well of his brother, Tom.
On the night our story opens the mer-
chant was waiting for his graceless
brother and as the hours rolled on the
frown on his face grew deeper.
Il can do nothing with Tom" he said,
as he paced the floor impatiently. 81
have given him every possible chance,
but he grows more idle and dissipated
every day. Perhaps ought not to wait
Tor him, but he was so urgent in his re-
quest for an interview tonight that
could not refuse. Poor fellow What
hew trouble can he be mixed up in?"
The front door opened and young
man entered quietly, and, after furtive
glance round the store, proceeded to the
office.
"Well, Tom?" said Henry Dyson.
Il am here, you see" replied Tom.
IL suppose" said Henry, "it is useless
to ask why yoli are so late orwhere you
have been during the last two days?"
Tom looked nervous and his eyes fell
"That is neither here nor there" he
answered, in a staggering way. 81
have had some business of my own to
look after, and knew that you were
not short of help in the store"
"Well, what is it?" asked Henry, alb.
ruptly.
Brother" Tom broke out, hurriedly
and in faltering voice, 81 must have
some money-at least $780,"
81 wonder where you will get it?'
Henry rejoined. "You will not get an.
other dollar from me-that is certain
Why should I toll here and economic
in order to furnish you with funds to be
lost at the gaming tablet"
IF do not get this money" said
Tom, turning very pale, 81 shall have to
leave the country"
"a good thing for the country, then,
snapped Henry. Don't let me interfere
with your travelling plans"
Tom seemed to fall all to pieces al
this reply. He made one more effort.
IL hope you are not hard up your
self?" he said.
II was never getting along better,
responded the merchant, "but that has
nothing to do with the case"
He pulled open the door of the iron
safe and pointed to little tin box.
"Do you sec that ?" he asked. "Well
that box contains 20 crisp $500 bank
notes. drew the money from the banl,
to-day for an investment. No, Tom,
am prospering, but am tired of your
endless drain upon my purse. 1t must
stop, and now is the time"
Henry rose from his chair and went
into little closet for his overcoat.
In an instant, before man could
count three seconds, Tom had drawn
the fiat tin box from the safe and
slipped it into the breast of his heavy
overcoat.
His brother slowly emerged from the
closet and put on his overcoat. Then he
closed the door of the safe with click
Il am ready to CO." he said. "You
have no further business with me, ]
presume?'
mo, sir" Tom responded, with pale
determined face. Neither now nor
later; good-by."
"Good-by, old fellow" said Henry,
with yawn.
Tom walked out of the store without
another word, banging the door after
him.
Il know him." soliloquized the mer-
chant. "He will not leave here. He will
be here tomorrow with new PROPOSE
ton. Perhaps, after all, had better
look into his affairs and give him an
other chance"
lie walked slowly out of the store and
locked the door, A glance up and down
the street showed him that Tom was
not in sight, and he then quietly made
his way to his home and straightway
went to bed.
After leaving the store Tom hugged
the tin box to his breast and walked al
rapid pace.
1T was an awful thing to do" he
muttered, but 1 had to have money
and l helped to make some of it for my
lucky brother"
The young man sped onward through
the deserted streets of Painevile until
he reached the river. He crossed the
bridge and started up the hill on the
other side.
His plan was plain enough. lie was
going to the railroad station to take the
train for New York.
Suddenly he pulled up with jerk
He took the box from under his coat.
''Hang i'll" he exclaimed. II must
have been mad. / am no thief, and
will cut my throat before will become
one. There is but one thing to do.
will return the box back to my brother
confess my folly and then leave him