The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-02-27

IeeN GhAiuSIou spOhe Will
STL@ firm voice and g
IVA steady eye.
NhA "Orime is often
oN w committed under the
~ pressure of great
temptation. In moment of weak.
ness, tho unhappy subject Of
evil allurement falls" said the
person with whom the gentleman
was in conversation. "There are
collateral considerations in every case,
which may not be disregarded with.
out wrong to the individual. And we
may assume it as an undoubted truth,
that in doing wrong to IN individual,
We wrong the body of which that in
dividual IS member"
''There is o great deal of false
philanthropy, as well as false judg.
ment, excused by this argument based
on exceptions to general rules" said
Mr.. Ellington, with an air Of self
satisfaction. "For my part, believe
that moro harm is done in the end by
admitting the exceptions, than could
possibly arise from On invariably
stringent application of the rule. The
man who steals knows that he is violat.
ing law of both God and his fellow.
The statute OF his country says that
for such IN evil oct he must Sc fer the
penalty of Imprisonment. Let, then,
the penalty be made so sure that
escape becomes next to a moral i'm.
possibility. Let every one who be-
comes cognizant of an act of stealing
give the offender to speedy Justice.
For my part, painful as the necessity
might be, should not stand between
justice and my own son, were he to
become ON offender. The stern old
Roman father has left an example of
answering justice that Christians
would do we'll to initiate"
"The time may come when you will
think o little differently" said the
friend; "when collateral influences
will have sufficient weight to interpose
an exception to your stringent general
rule"
"We'll see," returned Mr.. Fixing
ton, confidently, as the two men Sc
parated. IS x s s...s..:S. a.
A few days after the conversation
took place, Mr.. Ellington, who was q
merchant, was rather surprised to re.
ceive notification that he had over
drawn his bank account more than
two thousand dollars.
altogether o mistake" he said to
himself, as he opened his desk in
order to take therefrom his bank
book. But, the bank book was not in
the usual place. After tumbling over
some papers hurriedly, to see il ii
were not concealed beneath them,
he turned to one of his clerks and
said:
"Whcre is James?"
"He hasn't been in the store this
morning, sir"
"Why? Is he sickP'
az cannot tell, sir. He made no
complaint of indisposition on leaving
the store last evening""
1t was on the lip Of Mr.. Ellington
to say, in doubtful tone of voice:
"There is something wrong;" but
checking the utterance thereof, he
took his hut and left the store. A
little while afterward he presented
himself at the counter of the bank
where no kept his deposits, and asked
the bookkeeper to oblige him by turn.
ing to his account.
81 see no credit here for two thou
sand dollars, deposited yesterday,
said Mr.. Ellington.
"Did you make such deposit?'
asked the bookkeeper.
''I certainly did; or. ct least, in.
tended to make 1t"
The blotter of the receiving teller
was referred to, but no credit of the
sum mentioned was found thereon.
"What does your bank book say?'
inquired the teller.
al can't find it," said Mr.. Fixing.
ton, in some confusion and perplexity
OF manner. 1T has been overlaid In
or upon my desk. But know the
deposit was made.
"The bank book will settle the mat
ter at once" remarked the teller.
81 don't like the look of this at all, "
said Mr.. Ellington to himself, as he
went hurriedly back to his store.
James absent; the bank book not to
be found; and no memorandum of o
two thousand dollar deposit made yes.
terday standing to my credit. What
can it mean? Truly, that young man