The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-01-14


face before him.
Business of interest to me-" he ask
ed, with lowered brows.
eyes," replied the older of the two.
Make 1t brief" said the merchant and
pointed to seats.
The older youth drew his chair close
to the desk, the boy sitting in the shad-
ow a little behind him.
'Mr. Garner" said the older youth,
81 was on my way to Buffalo last night
by boat. | saw this boy in the cabin
writing. and his appearance attracted
me. His agitation, his trembling hands,
the tears in his eyes, drew me to him.
knew he was in trouble" The mer-
chant raised his head a little and cast
sharp glance toward the boy. But the
latter had drawn back behind his com
panion and was quite shielded from
view. 81 watched the boy the speaker
proceeded. land when he had finished
his writing and placed the sheets in adj
dressed envelopes and left them lying
on the table | picked them up and bur
ried after him as he assembled to the
deck was close behind him when he
threw down his hat and clambered on
n.
to calm him. and presently he told me
his story. and | gave him the best advice
could"
The merchant leaned forward to have
a better look at the speaker.
Are you quite sure this interests me?"
be said.
"Quite sure" replied the older youth
gravely. "One of the letters written by
this unfortunate boy is addressed to you.
the other was to have been forwarded to
his invalid sister. The boy was running
away sir, running away from you. and
then. when he saw the futility of such
a course, he determined to end his trou-
bles at once and forever. He sees things
in a different light now. and the first
morning train from Buffalo brought him
back here to tell you so"
That's very thoughtful Of him. said
the great merchant grimly.
Here is the letter." said the older
youth.
The merchant took the envelope and
stared at the address.
ITS a very pretty story" he said,
with a half sneer.
Its a very ugly story" said the older
youth.
''Of course am to understand that
this young fellow has been stealing Ell
Their my money or my stock. the mer-
chant went on.
1.-THE letter will tell you that he has
embezzled $262" said the older youth.
''Then it's case for the police" said
the merchant, and his hand reached for
the electric button at the side of his desk.
Then he hesitated, his gaze meeting
that of the older youth. whose eyes were
gentle and yet steady and fearless He
slowly drew back.
81 ought to send for an officer at
once" be growled.
''But you will not" said the older
youth.
The merchant raised his heavy eye
brows and stared at the speaker again.
whats the boys name?" he asked.
John Heathcote."
''Where was he employedY'
HE was an assistant in the cashiers
department.
"What was his salaryT
Ten dollars week"
''What did be do with it ?"
supported himself and an invalid sis
ter"
How did he steal the money!
HE had bills to collect last week. and
he failed to turn in all his collections"
what did he do with the stolen mon
eyY
ST went into a bucket shop He was
lured into it by some of his fellow clerks
He didn't know the danger. and the sto-
ries they told him of sudden gains turned
his head. He lost from the start. and il
was the attempt to retrieve these early
losses that swelled the defalcations."
That's an old story" said the grim
merchant.
Painfully told and painfully true" as
serted the young man.
There is a proposition. | supposeT'
growled the merchant.
There is"
Before the old man could pursue his
queries there was rap at the door.
Come ill.," said the merchant
clerk entered
'The gentleman from Atlanta, who
desired to see you at o'clock. is here.
SIR" he said.
Tell him I'm engaged this afternoon. "
said the old merchant. 81 will see him
at 9 tomorrow morning"
HE wished me to say that he will be
obliged to return home tonight. sir
''If he can't see me at 8. let him
write" said the merchant sharply. and
the clerk withdrew.
Then the grim old man turned back to
the youth.
Before we go any further in this mat
ter" be said. Il want to know what in
ierest you have in it
An interest that has nothing to do
with dollars and cents, said the youth.
with little smile
The old man shook bis head doubt
ingly.
Friend of the sisters prrhaps?"
The face of the yonth flushed little.
81 have never seen her, he said.
"But why should you stick by the
boy?''
Because he needs friend" said the
young man simply and stretched his
arm back and laid his hand on the hand
of the boy.
The boy, crouehing behind his friend
uttered quick sob.
"Stop that" said the old merchant
sharply. I'VE can't have any disturb
ance here"
There was a little silence.
whats your proposition? p be abrupt
ly asked.
ITS very simple" replied the young
man. 1--WE propose that you take bach
this erring but contrte boy and that yoI
give him the chance to pay back the
amount he has taken. Let him pay {
part of his salary each week until the
delinquency is wiped out. In the mean
time you hold that letter as proof of his
misdeed."
The old merchant frowned.
THAT would be establishing a very
bad precedent" he growled.
There is one other condition." th'
young man went on. The affair is to re
main a profound secret. known to NJ
one outside of this ROOM
The old man opened his eyes.
Are you aware that | am considered
a hard MANI he slowly asked Haven
you heard that most of my 500 EN-
pIoyees regard me as a soulless tyrant 2
81 have learned to distrust popula
prejudice in these personal matters" re
piled the young man. MY own fathe
has been held up to the world as an ex
ample of heartless greed and cartoone'
and vilified. when | know he is the bes
of men,"
But the old merchant did not heed hi
words. He was looking at the boys let
ter.
'In the first place" he said. wv
might as well destroy this. 1t coul'
make trouble in the future And b
fore the enyeLoDe and fts contents int