Year: 1873


1t has been many long day since then,
yet | remember it all, just as though it
had occurred yesterday.


was carpenter; the foreman of
large establishment, and as such possessed
the entire confidence of my employer,
who, by the way, had been school-mate
of mine.


One day he called me into his Office to
look at some rare coins he had just pur-
chased.


Here, said he, placing in my hand
heavy gold piece, sis one which is worth
more than all the rest put together. 1t is
great curiosity. paid 5000 for it, and
considered it cheap at that. could easily
double my money in selling it and so you
see, Harvey, it Is really good invest
ment"


"No doubt it il" said l, 'though it
seems large sum to have lie idle


| breathed an involuntary sigh as |
laid the coin down on the desk, for 5000
would have seemed fortune to me Just
then.


The severe illness of my wife and one
Of my children, and the death of another,
made serious inroads on my purse, and it
had required the exercise Of the utmost
economy to keep myself free from debt;
nay, had been obliged to withdraw from
the bank the small sum, which, besides
my salary, was all possessed of worldly
treasures Thinking of this, | laid the
coin down with sigh, and turned away
to attend to my duties.


The next morning | was again sum
moned into the office, but this time | me-
with no friendly greeting as usual.


Harvey" said my employer, abruptly
"that gold coin we were looking at has disap
peared. have made thorough search
but it is not to be found. 1t has beer
carried away by some one. You alon'
saw or knew Of il, and"


He paused and looked significantly int
my face / finished the sentence for him
the hot blood dyeing cheeks and brow a
Ispoke.


aYou mean, therefore that / took it,
IT.


"What else can | think The coli
was here F; you alone saw it. cannot re
call having seen it since il was in you
hands. You are in need Of money; yol
have told me that yourself rtwas grea
temptation, and forgive you because G
our old friendship, but cannot retain yo
in my employ. Here is the salary du
you"


"very well, said l with forced cain
ness, $50 be it. Since you have so poe
an opinion Of me after years of faithfl
service, | shall not stoop to defend m,
SELF"


Then took the money he had lai
upon the desk, and went out from h
presence well-nigh broken-hearted maj
But for the tender love of my wife,
doubt not but that | would have buric
my sorrows in the grave Of a suicide.


Supported by that love, however, an
the consciousness of my own innocence,
took fresh courage and set resolutely
work to find new employer


But powerful is breath of slandel
Turn which way might, | ever foun
that the story Of my dismissal for the
had proceeded me, and my application Il
employment uniformly met with refusa
Time went on piece by piece our fu
niture and every spare article Of clothir
found its way to the pawnbroker's, uni
at length even this poor resource failed u
and nv children cried in vain for food.


Yet | did not sit down in idle despair
could not afford to do so; the life
death Of all loved on earth depended {
my exertions-and so turning away fro
them with heavy heart, | once more $
out on the weary search for work.


All in vain Refusal after refusal m
my entreaties for employment, and l W
turning hcmeward with listless ste
when passing an immense church | W
attracted by group of men at its base.


Impelled by some strange impulse,
approached and mingled with them.


A workman was standing near
looking up at the great steeple, viii
lowered aloft some $50 feet above the
while gentleman, evidently an archite
was addressing him in earnest langual
and at the same time pointing toward
golden cross at the summit Of the spire


al tell you," he exclaimed, as | DIR
near, ''it must and can be done. i
cross must be taken down, or the d
heavy gale win send it down into
street, and lives win be lost Coward J
this the way you back out Of job at
engaging to do it2"


AZ didn't know the spire was so hi
up there. Do il yourself If you want
done"


al would if | were able,' said the
chitect 'sBut 60 If you viii let il
My honor is pledged to have il done
any price-and can find a drawer n
than you to do IT, \.


The carpenter walked away will
dogged, slouching step, and the gehtlcn
was about to move away also, when
stepped forward :,


aWhat Is II you want done, sir <
asked. al am carpenter perhaps l
do it,


He turned eagerly toward me.


81 will make il worth your WI
Take down that cross and will pay yc
hundred dollars. You will have to asc
those ornamental blocks, and | tell
candidly they are not to be depended
they must be weak and rotten--for
have been there for year."


/ looked up at the spire; y was sqt
AZ tha h... . N fanarod IN n sharp DC