Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-07-23
The Tin Box.
A TALE FROM REAL LIFE.


tie Office at the back end of his shop
Mr.. Dyson was pleasant-lookine
man of about thirty-five or forty
and his fellow-townsmen frequently
pointed to him with pride as a self
made business man.
But while everybody had a goo6
word for Henry Dyson, very few
people spoke we'll of his brother
Tom.
On the night our story opens the
merchant was waiting for his grace.
less brother, and as the hours rolled
on the frown on his brow grew
deeper.
81 can do nothing with Tom" he
said as he paced the floor i'm.
patiently. II have given him every
possible chance, but he grows more
idle and dissipated every day. Per-
haps l ought not to wait for him,
but he was so urgent in his request
for an interview tonight that could
not refuse. Poor fellow! What
new trouble can he be mixed up in ?"
The front door opened, and a
young man entered quietly, and
after glance round the shop pro-
ceeded to the office.
well, Tom ?" said Henry Dy-
son.
81 am here, you see," replied
Tom.
81 SUPPOSE" said Henry, "that it
is useless to ask why you are so late,
or where you have been during the
last two days?"
Tom looked a little nervous, and
his eyes fell.
"That is neither here nor there, -
he answered, in u staggering way.
have had some business of my
own to look after, and / knew that
you were not short of help in the
shop"
Well, what is it," asked Henry,
abruptly.
Brother" Tom broke out hur-
riedly, and in a faltering voice, :"
must have some money, fifty pounds
or So"
81 wonder where you will get it,
Henry rejoined. "You will not get
another penny from me--that is Ger.
tain. Why should 1 toll here and
economize In order to furnish you
with funds to be lost at the gaming
tablet"
If I do not get this money, u
said Tom, turning very pale, {"
shall have to leave the country. u
A good thing for the country,
then, snapped Henry. "Don't lei
me interfere with your travelling
plsns,"
Tom seemed to fall all to pieces al
this reply. He made one more
effort.
81 hope you are not hard up
yourself. " he said.
81 was never getting along bet.
ter, " responded the merchant, "but
that has nothing to do with the
case.n
He pulled open the door of the
iron safe, and pointed to little tin
box.
"Do you see that, he asked
Well, that box contains twenty
crisp one hundred-pound banknotes.
l drew the money from the bank to.
day for an investment. No, Tom,
am prospering, but 1 am tired OF
your endless drain upon my purse.
1t must stop, and now Is the time. 81
Henry rose from his chair, and
went into little closet for his over.
coat.
In an instant, before a man could
count three seconds, Tom had slip
ped the fiat tin box from the safe
and slipped 1t 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.
81 am ready to CO." he said
You have no further business will
me, 1 suppose ?"
"No, sir, " Tom responded, will
. pale. determined face. Neithe
now nor later good-by."
"Good.by old fellow, " said Henry
with yawn.
Tom walked out of the shop with
out another word, banging the dool
after him.
81 know him." soliloquised tht
merchant. He will not leave here
He will be here tomorrow with {
new proposition. Perhaps, after all
had better look into his affairs
and give him another chance.
He walked slowly out of the build
ing and locked the door. A glapct
up and down the street showed hin
that Tom was not In sight, and HI