The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-02-04
You will then have two words or designs but ono
will be Just the reverse of the other.
The Quality of Mercy,

The Quality OF Mercy
The best he could hope for was dimssal. To
be allowed to go out of the Office alone, disgraced
branded-this would be mercy and forbcarance
What limited anothers fears his hope: but
then he had the dock in prospect the curt and IT.
ritable magistrate. the penalty of ombezzemcnt
the unending shame of the jail. Or perhaps the
first offenders act would return him to the har-
dened faces and condemning eyes of his world. u
marked man. an offense against his class, a traitor
to his family and friends.
Waiting in the artcroom till the senior partner
should be ready for him. George Hamburg cIcncFed
his fists till the palms bled under his nails. He was
ready to face his doom and take what he bad earned
if he could but have taken it alone. Since the dis
covery of his defalcation had become inevitable,
and during the two days that had elapsed since the
discovery itself had taken place, he had realized,
blindngly wildly the responsibility for the hap
pinesS of others, which depends upon every man.
His father his mother, his brothers and sisters.
This struck at them all; this was aimed at their
home at the completeness of their lives and the
root of their self-respeet and happiness. His head
the picture of their msere when the news
should reach home. 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 manage had asked
pointing to page.
Hanbury looked, and knew at once that the blow
had fallen
Not sir he answered quietly
"Nothn@ to say! I" queried the manager, closing
the volume.
Nothing at all the quiet answer
''YerY 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 strong effort to keep calm face in their
mn md ark He
sentence from Mr.. Burns, who came down to the
Office only occasionally and whose very remotencss
from the daily life of the business seemed to Man
bury to add another terror to his position.
The door of the inner Office clicked, and the
manager came out. Hamburg rose to his feet, bit
ing his lip The manager looked at him graveIy.
go in" he said.
Hanbury entered. Old William Burns was sit
ting at a table He was an old man, whitehaired
with chin and check hidden III fluff of white
beard. Keen gray eyes looked out from under
heavy bfows; his face bespoke strength and reso-
luton. but there nothing of harshness in it.
1t was very grave now. and perhaps sad but not
hard nor vindictive
They looked at one another in silence for a mo-
ment, the strong old man who had succeeded and
the young man who had failed.
Il have been hearing details of an embezzement
which YOU have committed" said the old man.
slowly There was country burr in his voice:
Hamburg noted it with odd sense of having ex-
pected it. Il understand YOU make no defense!"
Hamburg found his voice with an effort 'sNone
sir, he answered.
And You know what you have incurred by this
crime!"
VERY wcll,' said the senior partner '.If you
know that we need not say any more about it. l
shall not send you to prison"
lie waited for Hamburg to speak but the young
man could say nothing.
If [ permit you to return to your work and to
gradually refund the money you have misappro-
priated, shall be safe! Can | so trust youT
The clerk started and looked up. Old William
Burns was watching him, wistfully. Sir" STAN
mcred the young man, Il promise--I--swcar-'
His voice failed him. and he struggled with rising
hystcria .
Very WE'LL" said the senior partner, rising and
speaking very gently, I'VE will consider that ar
ranged. No word of it will be said again to any
one"
He held out his hand, and Hamburg graspcd it
feverishly.
You the second man who fell and was par
1oned in this business, Mr.. Hanbury" said the old
man, i'll low tone. Il was the first What you
have done did. The mercy you have received l
received God help us ALL
The shook hands upon it, the two men who had
ocen spared.-Britsh Weekly