The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-01-30
FOR
MARIAN'S SAKE
70 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS o.

1
with the marks Of seven years peiai
servitude upon bim-marks he would
bear through life. =-e Sc; out imme-
diately for home--for the town which
had been the scene cf his unmerited
! disgrace. His parents would never
leave the place, hateful as 1t had be-
come to them, lest by doing so they
should geem 10 Imply that they had
anything to be ashamed OF, which
they did not feel, and would not allow
others ~ think.
| Dear, loyal hearts, Did the town
still ring, he wondered, with the story
of James Wayburn, the banker head
clerk, who had forged the name of one
of his masters rich customers for
large sum and then bolted for the
Continent with his booty? He thought
of that fatal trip abroad-the outcome
of young mans natural longing to
see something Of the world; how he
had asved for months and months with
view of IL, ard then, his health sud
denly falling him, had resigned his po-
sition at the bank and set off on the
holiday he had so long promised him
self, his blood tingling under the an
ticipated delight Of wandering where
ever fancy led him. Oh, that he had
remained at home and kept his clerk
ship at the banki The whole catastrO-
/ phe might have beea aveTted. AS 1t
was, he was suspected and brought
back; the circumstantial evidence
proved astoundingly strong against
him, and a terrible miscarriage Of JUS
tice took place-he was sentenced to
seven ycars' penal servitude.
Except his parents, no one believed
in his innocence. Even the girl he
loved aud hoped one day TO make his
wife, doubted him. His parents
thought it best TO break this to him
in the early days of his disgrace. Ma
rian-to whom he had given his
hearts warmest lovei He thought of
the agony he had endured when this
bitterest drop of all was gently and
cOmpassionately added to his cup OF
misery, and wondered whether he
could ever suffer like that again.
| We'll. he was free once more, but
his good name was gone! Oh, the
horrible, horrible injustice of It!
The loving home reception he re-
ceived made him forget for a time
that lie was an outcast His parents
held him to their hearts and wept over
him: and when he had been refreshed
by some weeks Of home care, his
father-now in aff1uence, for business
had made vast strides during the seven
years-sent him away to finish that
interrupted trip abroad. Whilst stay
ing at an inn in Switzerland, he was
attracted by a young man who formed
one of party also staying at the inn.
An unmistakable cloud enveloped this
young fellow, although be tried to
throw it eff, and eagerly Joined in all
the exploits of his companions. Jim
Wayburn was unhappy himself, and
this bond Of sympathy drew them to-
gether. One morning, while chatting
together before the door of the inn,
they exchanged cards. The instant the
strangers eyes fell On the name,
James X. Wayburn," a terrible
change showed itself in his face and
manner. He turned CHASTITY pale, and
shrank tremblingly back as though
an unexpected blow hao been dealt to
him.
you appear to know me by name"
said Jim, eoldly. Il did the wrong TO
encourage your advances. 20 beg your
pardon"
''Why-why don't you change it?'
stammered the other.
My name. l am not ashamed of 1t.
l am waiting for Nemesis to oyertake
the man who mado me a convict who
had committed no crime" And with
that he turned and left him.
| That evening the young man was
brought back to the inn ina dying
condition. He had met with an acci-
dent while exploring. Medical aid was
Immediately summoned, but nothing
could be done for him. He earnestly
begged that he might be furnished
with writing materials and then left
alone until he rang. His friends
propped him up in bed. laid his desk
open before him and then retired. In
less than an hours time his bell was
heard. He requested that a notary
public be sent to him at once When
this official was at length ushered into
the room and left alone with his client
the injured man was sinking fast.
Some freshly written sheets lay on the
desk before him. He gathered them
up and pinned them neatly together.
This is a confession he said,
family, as he let his hand fall teebly
on the manuscript and looked at the
notary with the awful, impressive
stare of the dying, which / wish TO
sign and swear to before you in yom
official capacity"
| 1t was soon settled.
And now" said the dying man, as
the notary gently relieved him of the
desk, ION your way out, will you
! kindly reUUeSf tha laudlnrd 70 CO.. I