Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 6, Number 39, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 25 March 1876 — Page 6

ft ,3

iff

THE MAIL

T- A PAPER FOR THK PEOPLE. e* si

MY SHIPS AT SUA.

How many ship* I've sent to s«a— f4 Full or hope and foil of gle*v O* How few return to me! ., RbiiM that I've freighted with my all Drifted away beyond recall. But storms will rise And storm* will fall.

And

ships go down at sea!

How oft, with sails all RoldeH—bright^© Willi sunlight—they have passed from night. While from the shore haw 1

Kept watch with eascer eye, Until my shipa had floated by The bluewlMY**ea melt* Into aky, Until with Mils all proudly set, Ju«t where the oartii with neaven nun, They vanished—while 1 lingered yet. But storm* will conie.atid winds will blow— My ships arc driven to and fro—

And some go down at sea!

Float back to me."

The cruel, living dead

natit

And worno mere wrecks. trom out the past Mere hull, and xpar ami broken masl,. With all th**l treasures overcast.

And then I sigh o'er what I've lost Weep o'er my life «»tempest tout Ho cheerless— and so die «r! Why trust frail Iwrqne* unto the sea. What bring they back but grief to ine, But grief and pa'n and ml wry,

To reud my soul with fear!

These shattered wiwltn the cruel sea Custson the shore to torture me Are filled with phantoms dread!

Phantoms of all I've lost before— (.)! hopes and joys dead in the yore Of hopes and lov*» that come no more And with the** dead from unknown shore Come other dead to make me sort--w..,i

HuLstill, forgetting all my pain, My barqnesI launch upon the main, To cross the heaving sea. Hoping that when all storms nre past, Home sunny port I'll reach al last, To find with Joy, all anchored fast,

My ships awaiting tne.

[From Appleton'p Journal

Jack

fot

Stebbins's Storv.

TO ML UV IIIMSFCL.K.

It is the way of the world to lilamo a woman—some woiu in or other—for most things that go wrong with men. Not to be out of the fashion, I inighv as well begin by saying that Molly was at the bottom of my trouble. There wasn't a sweeter girl, nor a prettier, in New York cUy than Molly used to be and there isn't a better little wife in the world (it I do say it that shouldn't) than she is now. AS to all she knew about it, no baby could have been more innocent but, all the same, it was for her sake I

myself into the roughest scrape over was in, before or sinco. It was nigh uftofit Christmas, von see, and I wanted Molly for my Christmas gift. I wasn't doubtful about getting her, for we'd ktpt company long enough to know each other's mind, and I di.lri't expert her to say "No" when I asked her to be my wife. Hut I didn't want to ask her till I had tho engagement ring nil roadv to slip on her finger as soon as -tho saic\ the word. Ana I'd set my heart OH giving her the sort of ring that would please her. She had a nice taste about such things, and never wore any of thoso tlashy French gilt gewgaw's tint some women dangle about 'em. Tho little brooch and ear-drops that she always wore (and wears 'em still) were pure gold, and the stones in em' were small, to bo sure, but they were real aniotbysts. Thev had been her mother's before "her, and Molly thought so much of them that I was sure nothing else would ple&se her so well as an

amethyst

ring to match. I had had my eye on one for I don't know how leng, in a Broadway window. It was a lively purple color and clear as water, the stone itself and the gold setting was fine and delicate, Just what she liked, I knew. The price was twentyfive dollars, and that was where the hittoh came, for I hadn't the money, and couldn't bfg it nor lorrow it from the b*t friend I had in the world.

They woi^o hard times, you see, for men that depended on the city a living. 1 was a government official in a sutall way, and there'd been a grand row auionu the big-wigs, that made tlvinfgs shufcv Ibr all I u*. I hadn't anything to do with tho plunder, Lord knows, and never made a cent out of my place that I wasn't hwnestly entitled to. Hut suspicion was the order of the day, and rofdrm was the outcry and all sorts of charges were made right and left. Some of'em were for the lmtter, maybe tber* I were plenty more that served no honest purpose, and brought good men into cruel trouble. I had the luck to hfeop.my plaeo, while a lotof the fellows a 1 round me were discharged and mightylgoQd.luek I thought it.

wasn't

so jolly after a while, when

two or three months went by, and I hadplenty ot hard, "work, but no salary to show

Ibr it. Under the old rule, they were very regular about the pay-rolls, and every employe of the city got his warrant /or his month's salary on the last tiav of the month. All that was changed by the reform party, and nobody waa to bo paid anything at all, it appeared. There was so mneh corruption! Hordes of men drawing salaries they had never earned The city treasury emptied to swell the pocket* of thieves! lown with the frauds! Put a *top to tho plunder!

There was a deal of ftno talking, and no end of "Investigations j" *tid. meanwhile, hard-working men, abrnt who*# honestv no question could le raised, wore kept out of their just dues month after month. The straits they were put to sometimes were cruel eiionab. I've sstii men «t. wtytf and Mitt at his d«*?k ftrtni "sneer hanger had four mdnAhs' ukiv due him, sod adM cent ln&htpo<$*tw* luv*a |cnny-*wW»*Mo^|

was atl in the name of reform, and a fine of sins. felt fM-eUV bitter as the time went ort, and tBere was no sign of any pay, only uttre work pot upon t»s all thewhlle, aad a lot of pretty niles mind that made a fallow feel like a nigger under an overseer. I was In debt to my landlady, and my washerwoman, and the coboWr that mended tnjr boot*, mnldn't efl»n take Mollv a p«er of

fu-

.fir nluOis ch* a buneh of l|«w«rs whea IfllUftf iTTty sio^m

g«r plums «r a bunen of ftww«rs went to see her and I lianfy got th« rhancb to go to see her one«* Wek, for tha night work that was pilod opou ua without any law to *hmv for it.

The fallofts gruuiltled and swore, but that didn't mend matters and things were looking bUw onouKh foT me. wfaeB on® day came a runvor thatsalariei to be paid at laat. Ht«rw4 true, at least, that paid on accountand WlH?n fu© day »u|e3«wo»n lwrt-.il wat mI aiivW 'fheta wite a Wro*d

hungry

tn®u ottUuie the paymaatw*^ Nobody knew eertaln wtowe would W called, or how much anybody would gat of What was really d*e to. We all wsited for our chance,, and U« chances went dead ucainst me.

When the pay-roll of our offlc* was called, there were about two out of five on the list, and I wasn't one of tho luckj

ones. I had waited two honra for my turn, and waited for nothing and the devil came into me as I stood there, hungry and tired, with my hands In my empty pockets, and thought of the money that belonged to me and I couldn't get. A name was called from another pay-roll—the name of a man I knew, and 1 knew he wasn't there to answer it. "George Meriwether!" sung out the paymaster, "Step up here, sir, aud be 'quick about it."

The devil was in m«,as I ssid, and he took me to the counter quicker than a flash. There was something said all in ajuuible, then an order to hold up my hand, and a Bible pushed in front of me for my affidavit.

George Meriwether—solemnly swear and vow—person herein described— faithfully fulfilled duties—best of your knowledge and belief—so help you God!"

I kissed the Bible, signed Goorge Meriwether's name, and walked off with a check for seveutv-five dollars that didn't bolong to me, all in a jiffy and nobody raised a finger to hinder me, The next thing was to get the check certified, and I walked round to the auditor's desk, and pushed it under Mr. Black lock's nose.

Will you please certify to this signature for me, sir?" And Mr. Blacklock, being very busy with a crowd of other matters of the sume sort, and Supposing it was all right, for he'd seen my face there often enough before, and knew I was in the city's employ—he certified the check without asking any questions, and off I went to tho bank to get my money for it.

It was all done so quick I hadn't time to think what I was about. It wasn't till I was on my way home, with the greenbacks in my pocket, that the oold shivers began to run over me with the recollection that I had committed a felony. "How the deuce did I come to do it?" 1 asked myself and I vow I couldn't answer the question any more than you can. I was an hoRest man to the best of my knowledge and belief, never stole the worth of a cent belore, nor felt tempted to in any way, manner, or shape. Yet there I was with seventylive dollars in tny pocket that belonged to George Meriwether and I'd not only cribbed the money, but committed a forgery, and done it all with a cheek that was more surprising than anything ^lse because I'm not a cheeky fellow by any means. Ask Molly, and she'll tell you 80.

It was all a puzzle, and I was so twist ed up in it that I never thought of doii the sensible thing, which would have

been,

of course, to hunt up George Motiwether, and givo him back his own. On the contrary, the money began to feel warm and eomfortable in my pocket

and,

passing by that jeweler's win

dow. there lay my amethyst ring, looking prettier than ever. A gray headed old chap, with a slip of a girl on his ar:4i, stood looking in at the window as I stopped. He was teasing her, with a sort of twinkle in his cycr about something she was admiring.

It's too old for you,,r he was saying. And slu) answered backr quite eagerIv:

Oh, no, it isn't. I like amethysts better than anything except opals—s.nd you know they're too expensive."

Well, wait till Christmas, and we'll see what happens," the old gentleman said, and they passed on.

But I had heard enough to frighten me. Was it j/iy ring missy was after? I'd see to th it on the spot.

So I walked into the store, and told the fellcw bohind the show-case that I'd like to look at tbst case of finger rings in the window.

Any one in particular?" says he, for he saw I meant business. Well, yes there's an amethyst I rather like," says I, as cool as if it was e**ery day work.

He brought out the box and I took up the ring, turned it round about, looked at the stone against the light, tried it on my little finger, and at last pulled out my roll of greenbacks, and tossed three tens on the counter.

I'll take that," I said "but I want it marked first, How soon can you do it?"

Have it ready for you to-morrow morning," he answered. All right. I'll call for it as I £0 down town."

So I wrrte the inscription, "M. M." (which meant Mi/ Molly,) "Christmas eve. 18—." The clerk brought me my change, and I walked off with only fifty left of George Meriwether's money.

Something seemed to whisper to me as I loft the store: "Do von know you could go to "Stateprison for this, Jack Stebbins

And I answered, just as if it had been a real voice: "That's all stuff, you know. Who's going to prove I did it Like as not George Meriwether won't find out there was a check for him

ain't hard

up like me,confound him! If iio does, and makes a row about it, where's the harm He can't tell who got tho check, and nobody else can, unless Blacklock spots mo. I'll keep out of

hia

way easy

enough. And. by-and-by, when I'm paid up myself, I'll make it all right with Oeorge. It's only borrowing, anyhow. There's no stealing about it, and ain't going to be."

Beforo I got home I made myself believe Ihero was no harm done. Georga Meriwether was an only son, and lived with his father, who was comfortably

well

off. lie haa no board bills to pay, and could afford to let his salary lie over. Tho laet that he wasn'ton fcand to take his warrrnt showed how little he cared for it. Most likely he would never hear of It tni I was rwady to fix the matter even if he did, and the worst came to the worst, all they tould prove wottld be that somebody had taken Meriwether's warrant, and signed his name, and fbbbed the cash. Meriwether could prove that he hadn't signed it, but who was going to swear to toe man that did, In the rush and crowd around the paymaster's counter that day Clearly, no one bad anspected me theft, and no one was likely to know.

I settled It all to suit my sal f, and got rid of the money as quick as possible: gave mv landlady something on amount, and paid my shoemaker and my washerwoman up to date. Then I bought some candy and tin trumpets and things for little brothers, and a doll ft»r

MolW*Bllltie brothers, and a anil mi

iteiilady%iufMitt

and some nook ribbons tor .the *two chanfftwIaWa which I t«sud jJack Stebbins to a lavender tie and a, j»tr! {iT yellow kids, and bought two ticKets, with Twwwi tentn, for Wallatifc's. hadn't taken Molly to tho ihe theatre Ibr three months, and I was Iteund to do it once moro tf 1 died for it,

By the time I got through, that roll of greentta^ks had shrunk pretty small lint kept enough to buy a box of b*nbona fur Molly, and leave something over for a little supper at Bigot's after the play. I sent the box to her, with a ptnk note asking if 1 might have the honor of calling for her the next night (which was Christmas eve) to go the theatre with me. She sent back a dear little answer that "the box was lovely, and I was very Mind, and she wooJd delighted to go."

When I read It, I forgot all about

George MeiHrelherand the stolen cheek) for I oould tltak of nothing but Mottj and the bappteess that waa in store for to-morrow. I Made a (Urtur# to mya6lf of her pretty free covered with blushes when I told horhow I loved her, and pot the ring on hey finger to prove it, and I oouldn't help laughing out loud I fancied her saying,- wHat I knew she would say:

O Jack how ooulf jwt* be so extrav agant?" It was a fool's paradise, suppose, but it was mighty sweet for Ihe time, if I did have to get out of it aflevward with a vengeance. Everything happened just as I wanted it. Molly was dressed In her prettiest, waiting for me, when I got toner father's house. The old folks were in the parlor, vory chippy and good natured the young ones were tooting their tin horns, and yelling "Merry Christmas" at me. There was moonlight, I remembor,. and the walk down to Wa,llack'a—for Molly lived up town, and we didn't ride, no such geese! —was enough to make a fellow spoony, if be hadn't been set that way to begin with. Toll you all about it? Not If I know myself. There are some things in this world that are not meant to be common property, even when a man is up for confession.

I'll say .as much as this, though, that I d'dn't waste my opportunities. When wo took our seats in the theater tho ring was on Molly's finger, undhereyos were shining with a light that made me the happiest man on earth, If wo didn't either of us remember much about the play,it's no great wonder. We enjoyed it immensely, anyhow.

The next day was Christmas, and a holiday, of course. I went up to take Molly to church, and was invited to come back to dinner. That was my chance to settle it with the old folks, and everything went on swimmingly. Father'kissed Molly, and mother kissod me, and the boys'wero only too glad ot a chance raise a hullabaloo about anything. They shouted over the ring, and sang "Pretty Pol Hopkins" with variations, and set Molly's cheeks on fire with the questions they asked. But it was jolly, after all, and tho best of it came when Molly and I had the parlor to ourselves in the afternoon. It was cloody and cold,so we dropped the curta'usover tho windows and drew the sofa up to the liro and Molly nestled in the corner like a little white kitten, and took out her knitting work, as she called it—a bundle of .something soft, and white, and fluffy, that was jus# an ex cuse for bewitching mo with the twinkle of her jretty

fingers.

thyst

Was I seing to bother my head about George Meri wether a«5d his uiihicky check at a time like this?" Not I! It never so much as crossed nay mind, and, whether I ha.l aright to it on not, 1 got mv streak of sunshine that day.

Hack at Irhe oflic-* nex.t moniing, with a lot of seedy fellows aronnd that hadn't any merry Christmas to spealtof, things weren't so sunshiny. Some-of 'em began to pitcfeinto me for looking so jolly.

Has been having a good time somewhere, yoo bet," said Ned Simpson. "Look at him grinning like a catamount. Been to see his girl, I s'poes-, and had a good diner."*

Lord, how I wish I had a girl to give me a good dinner!" Joe Iloxie put in. "Turkey wouldn't go round at

our

house but when a follow owes his landlady three months' beard, how's he going to look her in tho eye-and tell her he don't relish a skinny old chickenwhig? Jnst answer me that, now."

Who do you think's going to guess conundrums for you growled Higginson. "You'd better shut up yoorgab, all of you, and go to work." "Hullo! what's up with Higginson?" said Joe and we were all surprised to see liim so rough, for he was a mild sort of chap generally, that didn't interfere with anybody, a'nd let other people do his grumbling. He was unusually excited this morning, snapped at everybody, and banged things around in a wav I never saw him do before.

What is the matter, old fellow Joe asked again. "You don't appear to be in a Christian frame of mind."

Which I ain't," was Higginson's answer, "and which you wouldn't be either, if you hadn't a red cent to take home to your wife and children." "Thank the Lord for the wife and children I haven't got!" said Joe. piously. "As to the red cent, we're all in the same boat, you know. What's tho use of fretting?"

Well, when a man thinks he's got a chance, and sees it snatched away from him by a confounded piece of rascality, it's enough to make him cross, ain't it? I had tho promise of fifty dollars from a man that got a check the other day when salaries were paid. I was us sure of it as could bo, but what do you s'posel heard yesterday? That Meriwether wasn't thero at all when his name was called, and somo soamp or other, nobody knows who—was good enough to sign for blni and walk off with his check!" "Is that so?" cried Ned Simpson. "Why I was there myself, and heard Meriwether'i name sung out. What a cheek tho fellow must have had Are von sure it ain't a mistake, Higginsoji Who told you about it?"

Why, Georgo Meriwether himself. He ought to know, hadn't he No such luck for me as a mistake."

What's he going to do about it somebody askea. It wasn't Jack StebWns, by-the-way.

No?" said Higginson, despondently. "Wbv, what can he do? hunt for a needle in a haystack?"

Yes!" shouted Joe Hoxfe, banging his big fist uu tho desk. "I'd rummage the haystack till I found the sneak, confound him 1 I'd never let up on a haul like that if it was me."

Oh* you can talk!" said Higginson, fretfully.

"Of

course Georgo Meriweth

er won't let it go without trj ina, but there ain't one chancre in a hundred of his spotting the rascal. No such luck for honest men."

Well, it beaU me how he did It," said Simpson.

Who certified the check

or a Higginson nodded.

To think of his sharp eyes being fooled Why, I could have sworn that be kn?w by sight every signature on the city pay-rolls." (Sumo now, that's expecting a little too much, ain't it?" I struck in. I knew I had to say something, but it seemed as if my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth my voice sounded thick and strange to my own ear* and the skin of my head felt crwpy, «s if the hairs were standing on end* I put my hand up oi. the MV to smooth them down, and I oouldn't help wondering if those men around me didn't bear my heart best.

Blacklock doeta't pflen make a blunder," aald Joe Hoxie. "lie's as sharp as a steel-trap but he's put his foot in it this timef If he did certify thai check. The bank will bold him responsible, and Ite'll have to shell ont the money."

Will he?" asked Hlgginsen, eager

Vf-V/./.U.^JT/.' :ii''j/ H'

TETRHE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL.

ly. "Then George Meriwether will get It, after all?"

Yes, ar you may come In for your fifty, old follow. Hope yon will," said Joe, good natnredly "but wouldn't like to be in that snoak-thlofs shoes, with Blacklock after me. He'll* find him nut in a week's time, sarif be don't.'y "The Lord grant it!" said Hlggin»onr with such a pious unetlon that everybody roared. Everybody, at least, Mt! Jack St eb bins, who cackled out ward P? as loud as tho rest, but sung small inside, I can tel* you.

What a dav that WAS to get through! The story got aroand, and every man I met had something to say about it. I beard myself called more bard names than I ever thought I could have listened to, and notf put my flstinsomobody's face. But I had to girfn and agree to it ail, and tnake out that I would be glad to see tho rosue caught, when all the .while I was shaking with fear lest some unlucky chance should pnt Blacklock on the right scent. Everybody agreed that ho would liavo to refund tho money, since it was ho that let the signature pass unquestioned and I, fool that I was, had never thought of that. It was a different thing from borrowincGeorge Meriwether's money for a w*ek or two, and paying it back when my own came along, "which was the way the matter looked in my eyes. Mr. Blacklock wouldn't be lively to see it so, not by a long shot and he wasn't tho man to sit still and let himself be robbed for 110thing. If Joo Hexio said it once that day, ho said it at Iea«t a dozen times:

Blacklock will catch that fellow, you mind what I eay. I'll bet on it three to one." 1 conld have choked him with a good will.

There was no going to fee Molly that night, though we got off duty earlier than usual. I couldn't face her innocent eyes with such a secret to hide, nnd I didn't want to go home, either. There was always a lot of gabbling women In the parlor of evenings, and my little den in the third story was cold as a barn. Dtd well enough to sleep in, but I

wasn'tlikely

calling

The purpHe ame

sparkled in the ^relight., as her hands moved to and fro ami every now ant! then she would look at it in a sidelong, way, and then give me a laugh ing glatvce that was eno«gh to nsake a fool of a wiser man than I ever pretended to be.

self-respect,

to go to sleep early that

night. So I traveled the streets till midnight, wiCh my coat buttoned to my chin, and my hat jammed over my eyes, and my hands in my empty pockots. I kept out of the lighted thorouchfaros, and sneaked along the shady side of the darkest streets I could find. And I dare sav I looked uncommonly like the shabby rogue everybody had been

mo-all day long. I know I felt

so, easy enough. And I'.l have gladly bargained all the money coming to me., though it was fbnr times what I had taken, f«r a clet»r conscience again. The shame »f the thing, that somehow or other hadn't got into my thick head at first, weighed tnedown now. crushed my

made me feel

liko

a do^

that was going to bohnnc. and deserved it, too. What would Molly say if she knew she was engaged to a thief? and how long would it be before she found it out?

The cold sweat stood all over me as I asked myself that question. But all my conjuring over it, and pounding my brains for some way to get out of the scrape, onlv made things more of a muddle. I'd have shammed sick, and staid awav from the office for a dav or two, if I had* dared. But I had sense enough to see that wouldn't answer. So 1 kept to work as well as I could, and nothing particular happened for the next three days. There Was plenty of talk, of course, and Higginson came in very jolly one morning because Mr. Blacklock had paid Meriwether out of his own pocket for the stolen check.

Went against the grain, you bet," said Joe Hoxie. Oh, of course. Bnt ho was lnightv cool about it," Higginson answered.

Told Meriwether he'd get it back all in good time. Had his eyes open, and knew which way to look."

Lord! I'm glad it ain't this wav," said Joe, with his hearty lauGrb. "I'd as soon have a bloodhound after me as Blacklock."

was

cheerful for me to listen to.

But I kept a straight face, and asked mvself how could ho know which way to'look Had he got hold of any of mv writing, and compared it with the writing on the check? Had anybody watched me at the bank, and given him a clew?" Had George Meriwether himself suspected me, and set him on the track? A dozen possibilities came into my mind, and made me half crazy. But nothing came of it all till Saturday, when 1 had to go over to the controller's office'with a bundle of old vouchors that had t®.be hauled over tho coals again. It wasn't my place to attend to such things, bnt thev put it on me because I happened not to bo busy just thon and of course I couldn't refuse to go, little as.] liked the job. There was one thing abont it, though it would give me the chance to net a look at Mr. Wacklock again, and I thought I could toll something by his fttce as to whether he sus pected me or not. If he didn't take any particular notice of me, why, then I'd feel a little easier in my mind.

He was writing at his de=ik when I came up with my bundl°, and didn't Beeui to see mo till I put it underhis nose. Then he started up sharp as a knife i'i'j

What's that?" 44 Those vouchers of Willoughby Brothers,and the Perine contracts. You know what to do wi them, Mr. Thrall ays." '4 All right. Leave'em there," he said.

And I was turning away, glad enough to get off, when he stopped me short. "Wait a minute. I've something to say to you, now I think of U». You'ra in the—-office, are you?" ii Yes sir."

And your name is—?" "John Stebblns"( tryitog to look as unconcerned as I could. but you can guess if my heart was in my month or not.) 44

John Stebbins," ho said, after me, with a qneer kind of look. "Is that the name you always go by

No, sir. Most people call me Jack," answered, in an off hand way, doing ray beat not to look scared. "Ah, indeed! And nobody, by any accident, crer calls you—Uforg* Meri' wether, for instance?'*

No, sir, they don't."

But my voice shook in apite of me, anil, do mv best, I couldn't help dropping my eyes before the look in his, that seemed to go right through me.

You're quite sure," he went on, tpeaking very low, "that John Stebbins,

Jack-it's all the same-is your real tiAinQ JH

Ypa, It is," I said, doggedly. "And I don't know what you are driving at, Mr. Blacklock."

I'll show vou." And be took out a slip of paper from an inside pocket, and laid it flat on the desk before mo. It was the chock with the lake signature! Mid, as I got sight of toe name I had written, the room and everything in it seemed to spin round me. It wss all I could do to keep from staggering, I waa that sick and dutsy but still I tried to put a bold face on it. *4 Who signed that check ha asked.

And I answered "George Meriwether, I suppose. What do I know about it V*

Yon know enongh about to send

you to Sing Sing," he said, very quietly, folding up the paper and putting it bank in hia pocket. "And I know all that's necessary for my purposes. You can goback to your office, Mr. Stebbins."

He began to write again, as if he had nothing more to ssy. But I didn't go.

Mr. Blacklock, you've said a very herd thing to me. I think I've got a right to ask what yoo mean by it." I began, for I had to make an effort, though I knew it was all up with me.

He turned upon me with a savage lbok. See here, sir, I don't propose to waste words with you, nor to give you any awnecessary information. I've a good memory for fac«s and voices and you know as well as I do why I'm likely to remember yours. Don't make a bad matter Worse for yourself by pretending not to know."

I began to see tbat I bad no chance at that, sure enongh end in my fright I stammered ont something about being allowed to explain. But ho shut mo up shortly.

441don't

Things have gono deuced hard for honest men lately!" I said, bitterly.

But that's no exense for honest men turning rogues," he answered back.

And honest men dont. I sha'n't parley with you about that, however. Your one chance is to bring me seventy-five dollars a week from to-day. If you don't, yon know the consequences, and I know where to find you."

Somebody came up to speak to him, and I walked ont without answering but if ever any whipped dog felt meaner, I'm sorry for him. It took me some time to remember that things weren't as bad as they might havo been. I might have been exposed as a thief, and arrested before all the gentlemen in the office: but Mr. Blacklock had taken pains to speak so that nobody could hear hut myself. Evidently he didn't intend to expose or punish me, provided I brought the money back and he allowed me a week's time for that. I had to own it wns letting me off much easier than I had anv right to expect. But, after all, what did it amount to? For how was I going to raise serentvfive dollars at a week's notice? No need of mv stoaling George Meriwether's warrant if I had had an earthly chance of doinor that.

It was a black lookout, and. if it hadn't been for Molly, I think I should haVe been tempted to jumr» into Ihe river and put an end to it all. What I went through that week, soul and body, trving to rai* the monev. no tongue can tell. Seventy-five millions wouldn't pay mo for tho misery I suffered, and how any man can take up stealing for a trade has been a mystery to mo ever since. For, mind you, it wasn't only the disgraee of being found out, and the straits I was put to in scraping the monev together. A fellow finds out— when hr loses //—that his own self-respect is worth more to him than anything else in life. I'd have sold myself for a bad sixpence in thoso days, and pitied the buver. .Yet I had to keep a stiff upper lip in the office, and before the boarders at the table, and especially before Molly and the old folks To havo let them guess what had happened would have killed me. So I bid my trouble the best, way I could but Molly's eyes—tender and watchful eyes they were—found ont presently tbat I had trouble to hide.

You're not like vourself, Jack." she said, one night.

You've somothing on

vour mind that you don't tellnie and I can jnst tell you that I dont think it is kind."

It wouldn't be very kind to bother you with my troubles, supposing I had any in particular," I said. "Btot there's nothing the matter, Molly, as I've told yn before." "Oh, yes! I know you've toM me, Jack, but I don't believe it."

She had her knitting-work again—tho same white, fluffy stuff that made her hands look so pretty—and the purple stone in her ring shot and sparkled as they flew to and fro. A sudden thought struck me as I watched the nimble fingers, and the gleam of the amethyst in the firelight. A rascally, mean thought it was, but I was in a desperate condition. The weok of grace was nearly ended, and I had raised, by dint of actual beggarA the sum of forty dollars. I had writtetflmplorlng letters to my relations, I had dunned to distraction every body bat owed me a cent I had gone on mv knees, pretty nearly to everybody knew thai had a cent to lend and the sum total of my scrapings was forty dollars.

It was not to be exacted that Mr. Blacklock would accept any such halfpayment as that. He was known for a nard man, and it was a great deal for him to givo me the ehaneo at all. I knew what I bad to expect if I failed and vot wbore, in God's name, to look for another dollar, I didn't know I can only say, to excuse my meanuess, that I was desperate and tbo sight of that ring flashing in the firelight mado me think of the money I paid for it—more than tbat. mado roe wonder if I coudn't contrive to turn it into money again. And, just as the thought was passing through my mind, Molly gave a little, quick jerk at her knitting-neodlea— tuere was a snarl in her wool—and the ring flew off her finger. "There 1" she criod, as it tinkled down on the hearthstone, and I siooped to pick it up "that's tho third time to-day my ring hss dropped off. Something i* going to happen, Jack, and I know it.R ••Something is always happening, ain't it?" said I. "The ring's too big for your ridiculous little finger that's what's the matter." "Tliat Isn't my ftoult," she answered, demurely. "It wasn't I that bought it."

Well, it's got to be flxel, or else you'll !o*e it some dav. I'll take it back to the Jeweler's, and make him nut a little band inaide. You can spare it for a dav or two, can't you

Well—ves, if you're sure he won't spoil it. and if you'll be very careful not to lose It, Jack."

Don't you be a bit alarmed." And I stole a kiss from the pretty, saucy lips that pretended to pout at me. "If I lx» It I'll get you another."

But I don't want

another—another

wouldn't be the aatnothing at

ild.

all,"

she

All right, then, I won't IOWP it. And I didn't intend

to,

if I oould help

... I only meant to make her MICK 1 had, poor little Molly! after I had sold it to pay myldeiit. 1 was the hrst customer at that Broadway jewoler next morning, and the clerk who had sold m4 the ring came forward polite enongh wanting to know what he could show me He

It.

changed

bis tune when 1 told

him I hadn't come to btiy, but to sell. Lord! what a difference

makes, dont

it? You to buy a thing, and It's cracked op for the most perfect thing in alt creation I Take

back to the same

niase, and try to sell

it,

and you're made

(eel that it and yoo, too, are meaner than dirt. for up

than dirt. Twenty-five dollars you paid I this ring Tr' says the clerk, picking it

as if were beneath his notice. "O, yesr I dare say. But prices have come down since then. It wonldn't be wortb anything like that now, you know, if it wasn't second-hand," "Second fiddlestick says I, in» rage.

MThe

ring was bought a week ago ancP tho-store-shine ain't ofTit. You caarsco* tbacas well as I can."

But it's marked, and that's enongh to make it good for nothing, even if it hadn't been nsedat all."

Pretty jeweler you are, if vou can't scratch out wcoople of letters," I neered at liim. "I know what you're up to? but let's make an end of it. What's the highest figure yoo'll put upon it?"

want any of your explana

tions, and I don't ask you'any questions. You'vegot lust one chance to keep out of jail, and* I wouldn't give you that if I didn't see'some excuse for you in the wav things have gone Istely."

Well, we dfen't want it at all, you* know, but, since jfon're anxious to sell,. I'll see what S*r. So-and-so says."

And Mr. So-and-so, after two or three minutes' whispering, was good enough to offer me seven dollars for the article I had paid him twenty-five for little more than a week ago. 'I'm glad to remember that I Sold him I'd see him hanged first and* I walked out of the store with MoIIv's ring safe in my pocket again.

No use to try my luck with it anywhere else, so went down to tho office and pitched into work with all my might. Anything to keep from thinking. At lunch-time Higginson and I went out together and with a kind of forlorn hope—Higginson being a kindhearted fellow—I told him tbat I was in a scrape, and wanted somebody, awfully, to help mo out of it. I hadn't said a woid before to any of the fellows in the office partly because 1 knew how poor they all were, and more because I dreaded rousing any curiosity that might end in suspicion. Joo Hoxie had sucb a nose to scent out things, and he was eternally gabbling about that check.anyhow, and betting on Blacklock. But Higginson was different, and I knew ho would hold his tongue at least, if he couldn't help mo.

So I told him a trumped-up story— that my landlady was down on me for aboard bill—had locked me out of my room and confiscated my traps. I couldn''. get so much as a clean shirt or a handkerchief unless I paid her up. and what in thunder was I going to do?

Higginson whistled. "liiat's rough, ain't it?' he says. How much do you owe tlie old hag?"

Over a hundred dollars—bad luck to her 1"

Whew! That is rough," he says, again.

44If

now

it wasn't such a figger,

Oh, well!" I interrupted. "She'd take something on account, I s'pose. I don't believe she'd hold out tor tho lump. If I could- rniso thirty or forty to quiet her for a week or two, thero might le some chance of salaries coming in by that time." "So there might,'' said llipciuson, ••and then again there mightn t. I'll tell yon the or.lv way I know of to help yon, Jack, anS it's a mere chance at that. Tom Lippincott owes mo some money—not as much as a hundred dollars, though—and he promised to pny it as soon as lie came back trom Phfladelphia. lie's an agent for Hlock it Gilsev, and I beard to-day that he was due in town to-morrow. If he comes, and if he pays me, I'll divide with you, old fellow. How's that for high?"

It was enough to make me givo his hand such a squeeze that he jumped and wrung it away from me.

Don't put* a imn's knuckles out of joint lecause he's trying to do you a "good turn!" he said, laughing. "Have a glass of lager, and let's drink to Tom's safe return."

Never did I drink to anything with such a good will as that. To-day was Friday, to-morrow was Saturday—my droaded day of payment. If only 'Tom Lippincott came back in time!

I don't know how I got through the rest of the day, and round till noon, Saturday. Higginson went off to look fir his man then, and I wailed for him ut Crook tt Fox's, in a perfect fever of hope and fear, first one thing, then another. It was ruin if ho didn't como, I knew, but it was too good luck altogether, forme, if he did. Still, if he only did, and I got out of this one scrapo, how I would too the mark in futuie—do justly, love mercy, walk humbly before the Lord!

It was no use, all my vowing and promising. Higginson came back with a long face. Lippincott hadn't arrived, and it was uncertain if he would como by an evening' train, St stay over till Monday.

I'm sorry for youf, Jack," be said, kindly. "Bat don't let it worry you, old fellow. Cone home with me, and stay over Sunday. My little woman will make you welcomo, and we've got a baby worth looking at, I can toll you."

Poor old Higginson I felt ashamed to have deceived bim, wretched as I was and I was half tempted to tell him the wholo truth then and there. I didn't, though, and I excused mysclt from going home with him. I had a friend in Brooklyn, I told him, who wouldn't mind giving me a bed. When we went back to tho office, I found somebody was wanted to carry a message to the deputy-controller, and I offered to go. I knew I must get word to Mr. Blacklock somehow or other,and ask him for an extension—that was my only hope, This was a good oppoi unity to do it. and I went, though I would lather havo tak a beating. Ho wasn't at bis 4esk, however, and not expected a^ain that day, the second auditor said. My heart jumped up for a minute, with a great sense of relief. But it went down again. "Ifyour name is Stebbins," the second auditor said, "there's a messago for you from Mr. Blacklock." "That'smy name, sir." "t ••Well, he expected you here before noon te-day, and, as you didn't put in an appearance, jfau're to report at his house to-night. There's a message going up in an hour or so, and you can send any word you like."

I'll write a note if you'll lend me a pen," I said. And be told me I'd find one at Mr. Blacklock's desk. So I sat down in his chair, and wrote that I would be at his house by nine o'cloek in the evening, and hoped to make things satisfactory. I took care net to sign my name, or say anything that oould be used against me. And I went off, feeling as if 1 had a ^aso of life for a few hours longer, anyhow. Tom Lippincott might get home beforo I bad to soe Mr. Blacklock, and Higginson had promised to be on the watch for him and let me know. It might bo all right yet, I tried to believe. And I put it out of my mind as well as I could till night came, and I #ot word from Higginson tha it was ail wrong. Tom Linninoott hadn't come, and, worse still, didn't expect to come for a week. Something had got awry in Pittsburg, and Block A Gllsey had telegraphed lor him to go on at onco and wait instructions.

This knocked everything, of course, and I gave up, boat. Tbtre was nothing to do but to go and tell Mr. Blacklock that I couldn't pay, and let him do his worst. I was so tired, and discouraged, and down-hearted, tbat 1 didn't* seem to care much for anything oxoept?. Molly, at least. It was rough on her,, poor little woman! And there was her [Cbndudcd on Seventh Page.]