Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-08-03
THE FORGER.

"UEY were alone together, the old
man and his son, the one who
Il had toiled for SO many years. and
the one who had spoiled his few years
of manhood.
If you can't find $500 1 will be ar
rested for forgery. Now you know the
worst, father" And the young uan
endeavored TO appear Indifferent. and
failed to do so.
"I've not $50 left" said John Cairu-
gate Sr., land you know that, John
The young man laughed unmerrily.
81 understand" he said. you mean
tnat sooner than part with your money
you would rather 1 went to prison. l
don't blame you; perhaps l should do
the same in your case. l thought I'd
appeal TO you before giving myself up,
but of course you are not compelled 20
help me out of this scrape. 1 know
that well enough"
you've had all my money, my poor
boy" and the old man stood up and
opened the office safe. and. taking
from 1t his bankers passbook, he hand
ed II to his SON The latter looked af
II and threw it down impatiently.
"You wouldn't have shown this to
me If your money was at the bank.
Perhaps you do not quite understand
my position. l have forged my friends
name to n bill 1t becomes due to-mor-
row. | have seen the man who dis
counted 1t, and tried TO get the bill re-
newcd He won't do 1t. smells n rat I
fear, and II don't take it up to-day It
will be presented tomorrow, and | am
ruined"
"Will your friend help you If you
confess the truth and I pay him back
little by littlei"
II don't think So for a moment. put
a parallel case to him in order to feel
the ground and he said that he would
have no mercy on fOrger, even If il
were his own brother"
my poor boy, my poor boy. how
could you have done itf'
It's no nSe discussing that>Rather,
it's done now. Possibly no one world
believe Inc if | said that it was done in
a moment of great pressure; that nj
the time | believed that | should he
absolutely certain to have the money
to take mp the bill long before it was
presented l suppose all forgcrs tell
that tale, and l am going to bear my
punishment without making excuses.
Only | thought you would help me :his
once, for have an offer to Join Frank
Pastor in Port Elizabeth, and wouid
60 there Mt once. 1t would be n new
life for me, and l would try hard to
make II better one. Father"-and the
face was softcned now. and the voice
pleadlng-"give me this chance Re
member me as was to you when you
first called me into the world. Indeed,
/ will strive to deserve your love"
The old man sat with his face hidden
In his hands, rocking quietly to and fro
In his chair.
Il will work to pay you back, father.
shall be out of the way Of tempta tion
In Africa, even II was inclined to for,
get this lesson. Tell me that my life Is
not TO be wasted"
Still the old man said nothing, but sat
rocking TO and fro, to and fro.
Il know that at your time of life
father, $500 may mean a great deal to
you, but every penny shall be paid
back"
do you mean this, John|' And The
senior looked up, the lines on his face
deepened and the gray of 1t more pal
Id.
Indeed do. / ought to have CON,
to you long ago, and told you this. but
l hoped until almost the last momcn,
that | could spare you the shame OF
knowing that l had disgraced youI
name"
IF l managed this for you. how soor
could you start, JohnT
''In a week, father."
'It is not soon enough. 1t must HI
tonight"
Il will If | can"
Old John Cairngate opened the Time.
and looked at the shipping advertise
ments.
.sThc Union Line has a steamer leav
ing Southampton by tomorrow morn
ing's tide Go to their London office; II
they haven't n berth left ask for thi:
gentleman"-and he gave the yOun:
man a card on which he penciled
nano-"trll him as 4 favor l beg him tc
find you one, even II you have to mes.
with some of the crew."
Eyes, father"
Now, / only want one promise from
you in return. You and l part forever
You must not seek to communicate
with me In any way. More than this
you must cut yourself Off from England
for n time, and refuse to see even al
English newspaper, or to receive let
ter from an English friend. You un
lerstand that you are cxiled."
"Yes, SIR" tho voice was hard again
How much money have ycu?'
"Just enough for 4 second class pas
sage; no more"
Mr.. Csirncate brought a snnau bo:
from the safe and took f5 from II.
Take Ills. and now go. and kce
your promisc."
"Good-by, father. and thank GOT
Think less hardly of me some day,
and lie offered hiS hand. but 1t was no
seen. and r:ic gray head was roc<in
between tie w.,lcFed o.d hands a@air
ard so ,hc yo;;rG =:an went quietly out
1t was twelve months later, an
young John Cairngate was waiting I
see the passengers in from the Cap
/ steamer. The new life 1t Fort Elizi