The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-08-13

III lIlIil. lOE ut
"1es, I'm ashamed of myself It's
my own fault that III down here. |
let temptation get the better of me. >
That was another prick of conscience
but Ire actually hurt me when he said:
"Thanky, old man. May you never
know what it is to lose the respect OF
the world"
Within twelve hours it would he
known that | was an embeZZler and an
absconder! Not only that, but | was
robbing w",ows and orphans and help
less old men! 1t seemed to me that
could bear the newsboys crying out
the headlines of the article telling of
my shame and dishonor. stood look
ing after the tramp rs he walked away
when hand was laid on my arm and
| turned to confront the leading mer-
chant of the town. | knew him well
and favorahly, although he had never
been patron of our institution.
"Look here he said, as we walked
along arm in arm. 1--WE always done
business with Gleason because found
everything all right, but | IN gong to
begin with YOU tomorrow. Gleason is
as good as gold himself, but | don t
fancy his new cashier He's hio h
roller, hear, and some day he may
turn up missing with all the Doodle he
can carry. No fear Of that in Your
case.
And | had one hundred and seven
thousand dollars all rar ed. and was
only waiting for train tim to become
the mcanest and most contemplate
robber in the state!
Everybody is speaking in your
praise" he continued, land you deserve
all that is said. Just keep a level head
and you'll find the road to honor and
wealth.
When he left me | had to lean
against a dead wall for support. The
sound of his footsteps was still i'll my
ears when I suddenly felt that | was
saved. There had been a terrible
struggle of conscience. but right had
triumphed at last. | was pulling my
self together to return to the bank
when 4 woman accosted me by name
and said:
"HIow lucky | happened to see you.
| was on my way down to Blacks to
see if he wouldn't take charge of this
package till tomorrow. It's money |
got only two hours ago-two thousand
dollars"
"Come in here and I'll give you a
receipt"
"Nevcr mind that. We all know
YOU and trust YOU
Her parting words gave me a shiver.
How little they knew me! \ hundred
rods away was evidence to make me
an object of contempt in the eyes of
every man, woman and child in hct
community! I had one more trial to
undergo. Almost at the door of the
bank | met two business men of high
standing who were holding an animated
conversation.
Heard the news" asked one As |
came up. ....r.
"W hat is it,"
"Iou remember the clerk in my
brothers office in Philadelphia who
skipped out two years ago with thirty
thousand dollars? Well, he's been over
hauled. He went to Peru, no doubt
expecting to have grand times. It
seems that everybody soon knew he
was a thief, and he was an object of
general contempt. He wandered about,
always marked man, and at last was
SO overcome with shame and degrade
tion that he asked to be arrested and
sent back. He was despised. insulted
and plundered and did not have one
hours solid comfort out of his stolen
funds. He will go to prison for ten or
fifteen Years, and he might as well die
then. Say, isn't it curious thing
that men will SO destroy themselves"
Take your own case, added the
other, as he placed hand on my
shoulder. "Iou are Young. but re-
spectcd. trusted and honorcd, and on
the sure road to wealth. You might
crib one hundred thousand dollars from
the bank and get away, but would that
compensate you for the sacrifice? No.
Even million wouldn't. | tell V0u.
the man who has got 70 outlaw himself
to enjoy his plumber must see days
when he would almost give his life to
be set back in the position he once
held"
| passed into the bank and carefully
locked the door behind me- Ny knees
were so weak that | had to rest for 4
good twenty minutes before proceeding
farther. Even my hair was sopping
wet with pcrspiration. When | felt
strong enough | carried the satchcl to
the vault, opened the doors and rc-
placed the money, and it was not until
the iron doors were locked again that
| felt sure | had won. There would
he no Waterman that night. | had
planned it 50. | took off my coat.
kicked Oft my shoes and made myself
comfortable in an armchair. did not