The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-27


Running her eyes slowly down the
news columns, she suddenly started
so violently as to oVerturn the coffee
urn, and, regardless of the amber IL
quid soaking into the snowy cloth
and dripping upon the rug, she sat
motionless, her eyes riyeted upon
these words:
"A suspicious looking character
purchased a coat of Claus e. ClOthier
yesterday morning, paying for it with
a $40 bill which proved to be a clever
counterfeit. The swindler, who was
arrested as he was about to take the
evening train for New York, claims
to be the pastor of church in Gim-
field. and gave the name of Ezra Ty-
Ter, which is believed to be assumed"
Mrs Marsh rang the bell for maid
to repair damages and, paper in hand,
left the room. Il wish i could think it
was a mistake she Soliloquized as
she tied on her bonnet But it's too
much like him. Nobody but Ezra
could get himself into such scrape
as this. Well he was quite rioht when
he declared he had no head for bust
ness. and after all | shall have to
acknowledge it.
Mrs. Marshs quarrel with her only
brother dated from his entering the
ministry. Many years younger than
she, he had until that time been en-
tirely submissive to her wishes. she
had selected his books, his clothes, his
college, even his friends. But when
il came to choosing a profession and q
wife the young mans will asserted 1t
self. He would study theology instead
Of banking, and he would marry the
girl of his choice. The result had
been utter estrangement and silence
which no effort ON the brothers part
could break.
This morning Mrs. Marsh's lawyer,
listening to her story, smiled to him
self, as he read beneath her calm
almost Indifferent maner her longing
for a reconciliation. For he's proved
me in the wrong" she said candldly.
LAS a business man he would nave
ruined himself and all his friends by
this time. And | intend to keep an
eye on him after this.
And the lawyer, as he closed his
desk and prepared to accompany her,
remarked under his breath that the
working of n woman's mind was past
his comprehension.
1t was a busy morning. But wealth
and influence can accomplish much,
and before noon Ezra Tyler walked
| forth q free man, the charge against
| him withdrawn. He hardly knew
how it was brought about His sister
greeting him as though they had part
| ed but the day before, had announced
the facts to him, and knowing she had
attended to il he had not troubled
his head with details. He was far
more interested in the case of his
young friend. and insisted on calling
! at once upon the employers Where ne
| argued the matter with such per-
| sistency that they finally consented
not to prosecute if the money was
refunded.
| Mrs. Marsh grumbled not a little
wrote check for the amount, and
! the much amused attorney added his
mite by consenting to give the young
! man a position in his office, where he
would be under strict supervision and
out of temptations way.
Altogether as Mr. Tyler sat at lunch
in his sisters house, he was by no
means unhappy, even though his par
ishionerS were yet to be confronted. 1t
he only knew where that bill came
from. That was a mystery which
must be solved before the world could
be entirely assured of his innocence.
As the train drew into Gimfield that
night Mr.. Tyler stepped from it with
the utmost unconcern. 1t has ceased
TO be of any consequence what his
parishioners thought. The few peo-
pie he met greeted him warmly. One
or two stopped to shake hands and
express their regret at his disagree
able experience He felt his hypo-
crisy in allowing them to call it an I'M
fortunate mistake. His wife met him
at the door, full of questions and COM
ments, but he brushed them all aside,
only inquiring, with q sarcasm she had
never heard in his tone before, if his
overcoat was quite satisfactory. Sup
per was a silent meal, even the chill
dren, awed by the general gloom,
spoke little. Tommy was sent away
from the table for dropping his knife
and Lizzie was sharply reproved for
putting her elbows on the table.
All the time Mrs. Tyler was putting
the children to bed her husband
meditated.
The d6or bell rang, and Mrs. Tyler,
coming down at that moment, ushered
into the room Miss Black and her lit
tie nephew. Miss Blacks face wore
an expression of righteous Indignation
Jimmie's eyes were swollen, and he
hung behind his aunt. II have no
words to tell YOU" she began, "how
grieved we are at the result of jim
mics naughtinesS. 1t was he who
put that counterfeit bill in the pocket
bool-just before the party dispersed.
My brother-in-law took it at the bank
anu Ildu DIOuSIl II nOIle 10 cAduHIle
by our microscope. This all comes
from allowing young children at such
gatherings unattended. Jimmie knew
the bill was counterfeit
81 only just took it to show the
boys" faltered Jimmie, IN then
thought what a good joke 'twould be
to put it in there. | never thought a
man that knew so much as the min
isterd be fooled by it,
Eve are very much annoyed" COM
menced Miss Black, but her pastor,
his face wreathed in smiles, inter
rupted.
Never mind, Jimmie" he said.
you're a nice little boy and | am
glad you did it, That is"-for Miss
Black looked scandalized-'I should
say, | am very glad to know who did
it. And it has proved how even our
mistakes-for 1 think we won't call
it anything more serious than a mis-
take, Jimmie-may be used for 9TH
ers' good. Some time, when you are
a little older, Jimmie, [ will tell YOU
story of another boy who made a
mistake"
Martha" Mr.. Tyler said, after the
guests had gone, ''can we not sing