Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-08-05
THE FORGER.

T HEY were alone together. the old
man and his son, the one who
had toiled for so many years, and
the one who had spoiled his few years
Of manhood
IF you can't find $500 l will be ar
rested for forgery. Now you know the
worst, father" And the young man
endeavored to appear Indifferent, and
failed to do SO.
ave not ESQ left" said John Cairn
gate ST., land you know that. john
The young man laughed unmerrily.
81 understand" he said, you mean
that sooner than part with your money
you would rather l went to prison.
don't blame you; perhaps | 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. know
that we'll 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 1t to his son. The latter looked at
1t and threw it down impatiently.
You wouldn't have shown this to
me IL your money was Mt the bank.
Perhaps you do not quite understand
my position have forged my friends
name to bill. 1t becomes due to-mor-
row. l have seen the man who dis
counted 1t, and tried to get the bill re-
newed. He won't do 1t. smells a rat. |
fear, and II don't take IL up to-day 1t
will be presented tomorrow, and am
ruined"
xviii your friend help you II you
confess the truth and pay him back
little by little?'
81 don't think so for moment. put
a parallel case to him In order to feel
the ground and he said that he would
have no mercy on a forger, even II 1t
were his own brother"
"My poor hoy. my poor boy, how
could you have done itT'
Its no use discussing that, father;
It's done now. Possibly no one would
believe me II said that it was done In
moment of great pressure: that at
the time l believed that-I should be
absolutely certain to have the money
to take up the bill long before II was
presented. suppose all forgers tell
that tale. and l am going to bear my
punishment without making excuses.
Only thought you would help me this
once. for l have an offer to join Frank
PASTOR in Port Elizabeth, and I would
20 there at once. 1t would be a new
life for me. and I would try hard to
make 1t a better one. Father'-and the
pleading 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 tro
in his chair.
IL will work to pay you back. father
l shall he out of the way of temptation
in Africa. even If | was inclined to for
get this lesson. Tell me that my life L
not to be wasted"
Still the old man said nothing, but sa
rocking to and fro. to and fro.
Il know that at your time of life
father, $500 may mean u great deal t,
you. but every penny shall be pal,
back"
do you mean this. John?' And III,
senior looked up. the lines on his fac,
deepened and the gray of 1t more pal
lid.
Indeed I do. ought to have com,
to you long ago. and told You this, bu
l hoped until almost the last momen
; that | could spare you the shame o.
!, knowing that l had disgraesd sou
name"
IF managed this for you, bow sool
could you start. John"
> "In week. father"
sit is not soon enough. 1t must b
, tonight"
81 will II can"
Old John Cairngate opened the Time
and looked at the shipping advertise
ments.
1.-The Union Line has a steamer leay
, ing Southampton by tomorrow morn
ing's tide. Go TO their London office; I
they haven't berth left ask for thi
= gentleman'-and he gave the youn
man a card, on which he penciled
name-"tell him as favor beg him t