The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-05-07
THE QUALITY OF MERCY.

THE QUALITY OF MERCY.
The best he could hope for was
dismissal. To be allowed to go out
OF the Office alone, disgraced, branded
this would be mercy and forbearance
What limited another's fears was his
hope; but then he had the dock in
prospect, the curt and irritable magis.
trate, the penalty of embezzlement,
the unendiug shame of the Jail. Or
| perhaps the First Offenders Act
would return him to the hardened
faces and condemning eyes of his
world, a marked man, an ofense
against his class, a traitor to his fam
ilyand friends.
Waiting in the ante-room till the
senior partner should be ready for
hin, George Hanbury clenched his
fists till the palms bled under his
nails. He was ready to face his doom
and to take what he had earned, if he
could but have taken it alone. Since
the discovery of his defalcations had
become inevitable, and during the
awful Two days that had elapsed since
thedisovery itself had taken place, he
had realized. blindly, wildly, the re-
sponsbility for the happiness of others
whichdepends upon every man. His
father; his mother, his brothers, and
sisters This struck at them all ;
this vas aimed at their home, at the
completeness of their lives, and the
root Of their self-respect and happi-
ness. His head swan at the picture
of Their misery, when the news should
reach them, took shape in his mind.
Alone he could have borne it. He
had himself in tight hold.
Two days before the manager had
sent for him, and he found him with
certain books open on his desk.
"Can you explain this?" the man.
ager had asked, pointing to page.
Hanbury looked, and knew at once
that the blow had fallen.
mo, sir" he answered quietly.
Nothing to say?" queried the
manager, closing the volume.
Nothing at all, was the quiet
answer.
Every well, - said the other. "Mr.
Burns will have to hear of this. Go
back to your work.
Then elapsed two days of terrible
punishment. His fellows among the
clerks knew nothing, and it cost a
strong effort to keep calm face in
their midst and so escape remark.
He was awaiting sentence from Mr..
Burns, who came down to the Office
only occasionally, and whose very re-
moteness from the daily life of the
business seemed to Hanbury to add
another terror to his position.
The door ofthe inner Office clicked,
and the manager came out. Hanbury
rose to his feet, biting his lip. The
manager looked at him gravely.
Go in" he said.
.U.snhury entered William Burns
man, white haired, with chin and
cheek hidden in fluff of white beard.
Keen gray eyes looked out from under
heavy brows; his face bespoke
strength and resolution, but there was
nothing of harshness in it. 1t was
very grave now, and perhaps, sad, but
not hard nor vindictive.
They looked at one another in ST.
lence for a moment, the strong old
man who had succeeded, and the
young man who had failed.
"I have been hearing details of an
embezzlement which you have COM
mitted," said the old man, slowly.
There was a country burr in his voice
Hanbury noted it with an odd sense
ofhaving expected it. II understand
you make no defense?"
Hanbury found his voice with an
effort.
None, sir" he answered.
"And you know what you have in
Cured by this crime?"
Hanbury nodded, gulping.
Every well," said the senior part
ner, eff you know that, we need not
say any more about it. l shall not
send you to prison."
He waited for Hanbury to speak
but the yonng man could say nothing
eff I permit you to return to your
work, and to gradually refund the
money you have misappropriated,
shall be safe? Can so trust you ?"
The clerk started and looked up
Old William Burns was watching hin
wistfully. "Sir," stammered the
young man. II promise-I swear
His voice failed him, and he struggled
with rising hysteria.
Very well," said the senior part
ner, rising and speaking very gently
eve will consider that arranged. NJ
word Of it will be said again by any
one"
He held out his hand, and Hamburg
grasped it feverishly.
"You are the second man who fef
and was pardoned in this business
Mr.. Hanbury," said the old man, il
a low tone. IT was the first. Wha
you have done, 1 did. The mere.
you have received, I received. CO.
help US all"
They shook hands upon it, the tw'
men who had been spared. The B,zt
ISL Weekly.