Year: 1859

i~AVNu'f 40 II SI'SihihS5 " SOiHS piAO- NN'SiNN
minutes had passed, and, with eyes paItl!
closed, he was sinking down among the sof
cushions of his chair From waking con
soiousncss to sleeping vision there is, some
times, scarcely a moment interval. Itwa
50 in the present case.


'Richer-richer, was still upon the mer
chant lips, when the rustic Of garment
reached his cars, and he saw by his side ;
form of angelic beauty.


And yet, said voice that went thrill
ing to the very center of his lie, you have
lost fearfuny.'


Lost. lost! Oh, mo- have lost nothing
answered the merchant, quickly recovering
himself, Every venture has proved sue
cessful.'


Let US see And the strange visitor
sat down just in front OF Mr.. Stephens, and
fixed her calm searching eyes upon his face
If | have estimated correctly, you are vast,
ly poorer now, than you were at the year 5
beginning.


"A low shudder Of fear ran along the
merchant nerves. What could this Incan.
He thought of his solid real estate, his well
secured stocks. his bonds, his ships, ard
his merchan disc



1 am richer, not poorer, he answered
with regainiog confidence.


You have lost integrity said the viSi-
tor 'Onc of the priceless jewels of mans
life.


4 am an honest man. The merchant
spoke with flush of Indignation upon his
face.


| Honest before mcn-but not before God.
You have forgotten that an All-seeing eye
was upon you


What have l done? Bring my deeds to
the light. 1 have wronged no man


The merchant voice was confident.


The visitor handed him, in silence, a
narrow piece of paper, on which were some
written and printed words.


What is this?' he read, and answered
his own question-Oh, tax bill His
tone was Indifferent,


Is it paid?'


Paid! l have never seen it before


You believed yourself forgotten, in this
particular instance, by assessor and collect
or said the visitor severely, and counted
this sum as so much in the years gain
You knew that the debt existed; that you
owed the State just so much for the protec-
aiOn it gave to your life and property
That so mnch was due as an item in your
contribution in support of order, education,
and the helpless poor. But this high CO.
legation you have wiIfully set aside, and in
dulged feeling of selfish pleasure at the
trifins gain it left in your hands-gain of
less than hundred perishablc dollars


A cold chill of conviction STRUCK to the
heart of Mr. Stephens.


But the loss is fearful to think of, was
continued. Loss Of manly integrity and
heavenly virtue No one could now of this,
you said within your heart. Or, if it were
discovered that any assessment had been

omitted, Or bill mislaid, it would only be
regarded as an error, and your prompt set
tlcment, on presentation, would put you all
right in the worlds regard. All, sir,-in
the trial Of your integrity, honor failed
In the hour Of temptation, you fell. Is
this, glin, or loss? Are you richer, Or
poorer, by the act?'


The merchant head sank low upon his
breast in shame and sclfconGemnation-
It was all too true He had, knowingly
omitted to pay a tax bill that was justly
due. Had failed that much in one Of his
higher obligations to society, and for the
paltry gain of a few dollars. In all his
public walk before men, he had maintained
an upright stature; but stopped to petty
fraud in secret.


y fearful loss said the visitor, for it is
a loss Of just 50 much of the property that
goes to make up a mans riches, in heaven.
l said you were poorer now than at this
time last year; and so youare by this large
item. And you have lost besides, pearl Of
value; one that you could have
taken with you as rich Inheritance into
the other life God gave you an opportunity
to help brother in need. who came to you
In his sore distress, and tried to awaken
your sympathy. But you heard him only
in part. and turned him aside with cold
and cutting words. 1t was not enough
that you saw the struggles of manly pride |
in his face and the pale anguish of features; !
not anough that lie was weak and in sore
troublc-you must add rebuke to denial,
as if misfortune were a crime. AS mer-
chant, You had prosperod in every venture
YOU were at case and in comfort and so
God sent to you this man, that you might
help him in his need, and thus add to your
riches. But love of self triumph
Cd over love of the ncighbor. You pre-
fcrrel gold to good. The treasures that
meth and rust corrupt. to that which is as
enduring as eternity. The pure pearl of
tender compassion was offered for your ac-
ceptance, but your eyes were too dim t.
sec its priceless value. God did not for
get his needy child. The good deed you
failed to do, another performed, and to him
heaven sent the blessing that might have
been yours And SO there is more lost
treasure to be taken into the account"