Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-11-13
STRONG AND STEADY
By HORATIO ALGER. JR.



sale price to me-"
II shan't do it," said Mrs. Blake. "If
you've made a mistake, it's your lookout.
wasn't willing to pay more than five
dollars"
The two ladies were about to leave the
store when Mr.. Drummond said: 1.-THE
boy will be back directly. l wish you
would wait few minutes, so that if be
denies it you can prove it upon him.
''I've got a call to make" said Mrs
Blake, "but I'll come in again in about
an hour
They left the store, and Mr.. Drummond
began to berate the absent Walter. He
was provoked to find that he had lost two
dollars and a half. and. if Walter had
been in receipt of any wages, would have
stopped the amount out of his salary Bat,
unfortunately for this plan of reprisal,
our hero received his board only, and
that could not very well be levied upon.
However, he might have some money IN
his possession, and Mr.. Drummond decd
Ell to require him to make up the loss.
"When did she say she bought the
shawl, Mr.. Nchols?" asked his employer.
about a fortnight ago"
evil you look on the books, and see
| If you find the sale recorded? l am sur
prised that it escaped my attention"
| Nichols looked over the book of sales,
and announced that no such entry could
be found. Mr.. Drummond was surprised.
Though not inclined to judge others ANY
too charitably, he had never suspected
Walter of dishonesty.
Are you sure you looked back far
enough?" he asked.
Eyes" said Nichols; ito make sure,
looked back four weeks. The woman said
only fortnight, you know"
II know. Then it seems Conrad mas
concealed the sale and kept the money"
Perhaps" suggested Nichols, who
rather liked Walter, ''he forgot to put it
down."
"If he did, he forgot to put the money
in the drawer, for the cash and the sales
have always balanced. He's an migrate
full young rascal" continued Mr.. Drum
mond, harshly after took him into
my house and treated him as a SON.
this was not saying much, if Joshua be
believed has robbed me in the most
cold blooded manner"
Nichols was astonished by the evidence
against our hero. He did not like to
think him guilty, but it certainly seemed
as il he must be.
what are you going to do about it,
Mr.. Drummond?" he asked.
81 suppose ought to have him arrest
ed He deserves it."
1T hope you won't do that. He may be
able to explain it,"
eff do not proceed to extremities, 1t
will be on account of his relationship,
which blush to acknowledge"
The time had been, and that not long
since, when Mr. Drummond felt proud of
his relationship to the rich Squire Con-
rad, of Willoughby but that was before
his loss of property. Circumstances al
ter cases. Quite unconscious of the storm
that was gathering Walter at this mo-
ment entered the store.
$50 you've got backF' said Mr.. Drum
mend, harshly. You haven't been in
any particular hurry. However, that was
not what wished to speak to you about.
We have made discovery since you went
out, and not very agreeable one"
II am sorry for that" said Walter, not
knowing what else was expected of him.
mo doubt you are SORRY" sneered Mr.,
Drummond. n should think he would be,
Ell, Mr.. NicholsI"
AZ am sorry ALSO" said Nichols, who,
though rather weak-minded, was good
hearted young man.
$50 am / sorry" said Mr.. Drummond.
at strikes me l have most reason to be
sorry, considering that the loss has fallen
on me. l have discovered how you have
repaid me for my kindness. You didn't
think would find out, but your iniquity
has providentially come to light"
at don't know what you are talking
about, Mr.. Drummond," said Walter, i'm
patiently. II wish you would stop talk
ing in riddles"
"Did you ever witness such brazen ef-
frontery, Mr.. Nicholsw demanded Mr..
Drummond, turning to his head salesman /;
"eyen when he is found out he brazens 1t
out"
'Wouldn't it be as well to tell him
what is the matter, Mr.. DrummondW
asked Nichols, who wac in hopes our
hero would be able to prove his innocence.
ITO come to the point, did you, or did
you not, fortnight since, sell one Of
those shawls, such as you see on the coun-
ter, for FIVE dollars?"
81 did not" said Walter, promptly.
"It might not have been exactly fort
night. Have you sold such a shawl with
in four weeksP'
II have not sold such a shawl since I
have been in your employ, Mr.. Drum
mond."
"You hear what he says, Mr.. Nichols
said Mr.. Drummond. "You see how he
adds falsehood to dishonesty. But that
is not uncommon. 1t is only what l ex-
pected. Do you mean to say, Walter Con-
rad. that you didn't sell such shawl
for Eve dollars-only half price-and, in
stead Of entering the sale, put the money
into your own pocket?"
II do deny it most emphatically, Mr.
Drummond," said Walter, impetuOusly
! land challenge you to prove it."
II shall soon be able to prove it," sait
Mr.. Drummond. "The lady who bought
the shawl came into the store half ar
hour since, and asked for another. Wher
: l told her that it would cost ten dollars
E she said she only paid FIVE for the ont
r she had on. She then told us that sh'
bought it of you a fortnight since"
There is some mistake about this, Mr.
Drummond. She has made a mistake