Year: 1876

Iwasimmediately discharged; and


the boss said to me that he would be


doing but the right thing to withhold


my wages as penalty for having i'm


posed on him as an honest man. He


called me 'rascally thief and hint


ed that the sooner 1 left the city the


better it would be for my safety. This


was discouraging enough. and /


scarcely knew which way to travel


but after serious thought it occurred


me that my best plan. after all, would


be to go back to Cincinnati, and by a


strict and honorable course of life, live


down the false charge against my


character.


Il arrived here about four months


ago, and at once sought employment


at my trade, but was driven from ev-


ry shop inthe city. 1 then attempted


to engage in some other pursuit. and


even sought employmenta as common


laborer; but various accidental en-


encounters with former racquaintances


continued go disclose the fact that |


was discharged convict, and / have


been denied even the most mental |
employment. How 1 have subsisted |
is mystOry to myself, but it is fact |
that l have not partaken of one good,


wholesome meal since my arrival in |
Cincinnati. An old negress, whe was
my washerwoman during my
apprenticeship, gave me some
thing like a dinner two days ago,
and since then / have nottasted
food. Breaking into this house
is really my first attempt at crime, as
God shall judge me; and starvation
alone goaded me to this. I rejoice
that | am here, and that 1 did not ac-
complish my original purpose, for
now feel that can die in happiness
(having told my tale to willing ears
and believing hearD in the sweet
consciousness that, whatever may be
the verdict of the world, I am irlno-
cent Of positive crime"


God bless you,' responded Joshua,
but now,' he continued, you shall
fast no longer. 1t is near morning, so
L may as well dress, and We'll take
up some plans for the future over an
early breakfast. You have had poor
show for your time of life, my friend,
and l am sure there Is better fortune
in store for you


Poor John McMasters was overcome
at such an exhibition of generosity,
for it disclosed phase of the human
heart be had never before witnessed,
and he wept tears of joy; but Joshua
went vigorously to work 10 feed and
clothe this new subject of his bounty,
for he was convinced of the mans
truth, and saw promising germ of
good in him. :


These events happened in the sec
1nd year of the war of the rebellion,
and before break fast was over, McMas-
ters' patron suggested to him the fin
est opportunity to regain the reputa-
ion, so unjustly filched from him,
could be found In the service of his
He declared himselfanxious
o enlist, and in three or four days {
to bis ATTEMPTED burglary 6
ne was enrolled as private in an Ohio
regiment.


The real gist of this sketch Ia in its t
sequel, and it is more than usually in I
.eresting for the lesson it teaches.
The man who was falsely accused, un- I
Justly convicted and subjected to
punishment that threatened to /
stamp him with everlasting disgrace,
proved to be brave and trustworthy
when trust was reposed In him. and
within twenty months from the date
If his enlistment rose through the
iifferent grades in rapid succession,
% the rank of captain of company.
st the close of the war he returned, q
With scores of honorable scars and y
minus an arm, to attest his service in 7
he cause of the Union; but he had n
established a claim superior to that q
he highest patent of nobility can be- +
tow, and he is respected accordingly.
he is to-day revenue officer in one ;
# the most flourishing cities of sis !,
er state.


Had joshua Newland raised an
Ilarm on the night of the attempted q
and handed John McMas-
ers' over to the officers of the law, o
lie would have added one more to the
lordes of vagabonds that infest our
ands; but by a contrary course, he
ecured valuable recruit to the ranks o
"a sUOu EIGI1Sn0nIPs 49,. ''---~- ---. -
eceive an exceedingly great reward. q