VOLUME 3. SCAR CHELK. M«tfy sr« the wild wenes thu» havo 00/.tsurred /.tsurred out ou tlic prairies, and Aiotig the great chain of mountains fliatstrotch from the froxen sen to the furthermost point of SoOth America. Ham# of rtwse, with sin gular perversion, havo crept info print, while others lupio \ivid remain Jo be re • corded. It is our purpose, in litis sketch, to re cord an incideut tHat occurred on the i prairies nearly thirty years ago, and i which powerfully illmtrates the habits > and wanner? of life of that singular race 'who s| eid almost their entire ezisteuce beyond the pal* of eivilii itioo. One day, as uight wai drawing on, a person, iu the garb of u Iflrtter, Was riding.over tho piaitit*, no the back of a n.ule A glance at the person woul.l have excited woud.'r and inquiry that /<e, of all others, should have lakeu up the profesaiou of trapper, lie was young, of delicate features, with a fair eomplt xion, and with a countenance that bespoke an ciucatinn and refinement sncli a* would have uiade liiiu a man of uiark anywhere among civilised people. Hut there was an expression that was on doge scrutiny, that tbowed that A-pt had for saken th-it heart. Such a look of unut terable wo and sadness as marked that countonauco would have 11 nutted a man to bis dying day. Ceitainly, there had been some powci fyl cause toat had driven this younjt man iuto the wilds of the I' tr I West. The day was quite warm, and the gait and slowness of (he initio showed that be ■was wearied with a long tramp. The ri der was lost in a deep reverie, aud was .almost Unconscious of what w»s occurring ,around hnu. NOW and IINMI lie raised his head and looked arjund him, as it to make sure that he was not stealthily ap >proavhad by bis ever vigilant enemies, I tie ludians. "I can (ravel a few miles before ; it becomes dark," he i-oliiloqu zod, looking up to ilia sky. " lleigho !yi n der's Miuit) one !" Directly ahead lie paw a single man on loot, walking forward in the direction lie wan traveling, llecognizing liiin at a glance as a white luan, he quiekeuud the jiaee of his mule, and also shouting to liim to attract Li* attention, ho soon overtook him. The latter personage was carrying n gun on Ins shoulder, hid pistols in his bell, aud was over six feet in height, lie had restless, dark eyes,a lithe,muscular frame; but what identified him at once among .other men wis a large, broau sear thai traversed the entire length of Ins right check, it must have been a fearful wound, for it was of such depth and breadth, that it could not in the least hi concealed by ,(iis beard, which w is rather luxuriant th m otherwise. The moment our young friend catue up be icgretted the meeting. There was a ,sinister aud forbidding look about the man that impressed liiiu most unfavora bly: but powerful as was the cause that banished 111 in from the dwelling places ol civilized men, be still craved oo.iipatiion ship ill this griat solitude, and would have sought the company of almost any man of his own race. ' A-fine day, uiy friend,' observed the young man, us ti * reined up his mule be side the sttauger aud began conversing with In iu. 4 Yes, rather warm,' replied the hunter, as lie ran his eye over him: ' especially when a man has tramped all day, as 1 .have.' 4 Y'oit must have ootiio a considerable distance?' * Reckon I have; I've scarcely stopped since sun-up, and it's n>'W about sundown, you sca I've bad a powerful ehatice ot pulling a few miles behind me.' ; 4 Anything of Indians ?' 4 Not a sign all day ; seem to be scarce iu these parts.' They had Bow resumed their journey,j an l were traveling side by side, both go ing slowly, however. 4 Stranger,' resumed Scar Cheek; ; I don't know bow it is with you, but it is just about my camping time.' • It is past mine ; t should have jialted before had I not seen you, and been anx ious for your company.' 4 Bliged to you, sir.' 4 Shall wo stop here!' 4 No; a little way on is the head of the I'awnee Fork; that's about the purtiest place 1 knows oil for a camp. If it's #ll the samo to you, wo'll camp there.' 4 Ain't you tired ? i" should be glad to walk and let you ride my mule.' 4 Oh, co; I'm used to ihat kind ot work.' Thus conversing in a friendly manner, they journeyed on until they reacted the forks of tbe Pawnee, when they halted and made their preparations for the night's en. campment. Wood and fuel were collect ed ; the mule was staked close at hand, and they sat down to thoir evening meal on tbe best of terms. Far different would have been the feel ings of these two individuals toward each _other, had either been aware of theotber's identity. Tbe evening weal was when JSear Cheek remarked : , .< It seems we are not alone in these .■parts; yonder is a chap who d«n't seem to p jm ney us.' » Looking in tbe direction indicated, a jingle man was observed, rifle in band, tbe couple, as if not alto, gethar satisfied' with their appearance, 'fle circled arouud over the prairie, as if undecided whether the banters were friends or foes. ' Shall we sot signal him to come for. .ward V asked tbe young man. ' No; he will find us out soon enough. .See ! be has already done so.' Such proved 4o be the case. The hunt. ,*t t who WM evidently experienced and AMERICAN CITIZEN "Let us have Faith that Right makes Mighty and in that Faith let us, to the end,dare our as we understand it"— A - I'TNOOT.W. cautious, was now seen coming straight toward the camp. TUe two sttrvfcv«>i him closely as ho caul? up, and saw that he was much older than either of tbeuj. He was tall, rather full of frame, with long, black, matted hair, and an habitual scowl upon his feature*, that made his counte nance unprepossessing iu the extreme. Upon coming «p to the camp-lire he halted witlj military abruptness; and, be fore returning the salutation, looked di rectly into the countenances of those be fore hiiu. It did not escape the notice of tl.o jyung uno that the i-cowl upon the old ifuuter's face increased, umil it be came positively fearful when he locked upon himself. ' Have you been to supper V inquired the young man. 'No ; was the curt reply. ' Will you take some of our meat V ' Yes.' Ho was invited to help himself, and he did so with a gu.ito that showed lie was uot wanting in appetite, if he wns in man ners. He asked no questions, and spoke no words, except in reply to direct obser vations. The young man saw soinothing in the hunter, despite his savage manner and forbidding appearance, that attracted liiiu toward him, and he resolved to draw him out if possible ' Do you coma from the fountains V he asked. ' Yes.' • Ou your way to the States V ' No.' • Arc you going tiack again V ' Yes.' < Do you hun,t ajone ?' « Yes.' ' llow do you Wte it »' 4 Uinpli !' ' \\ by do you hunt alone ?' The old hunter paused in his eating, and tnriifd his dark eye full upon the young uian iu a manner tfcat -was awful, lie had evidently had enough of this im puUence, and his interlocutor concluded it IT *s heal nut to ' draw him out' any fur. tlicr just uo«r. It liie old hunter had been a-i otijcct of curiosity to the young man, the position' ot iff<irs was no# reversed. The lornier appeared to discover something iu the laiicr that excited his curiosity, und gazed al hull as if ho Would penetrate his very soul. Whatever were ihe thoughts of the old, 10 1.1, ho contented himself merely iu look lug, and ultered neither a question nor a word, unless directly addressed. It was growing dark, when Sjar Cheek again r< marked : •if wc keep on at this rate we gliall have ilieiu all here before uiorniug. Yonder comes the tourlli man.' Tie person alluded to was upon a mule and came steadily and fearlessly forward, as if no such tiling as fear ever entitled t his h a I. 4 look ye for red skins,' he said, as lie rode by, and nodded good-uaturedly to them all. ' Where from?' inquired Scar Cheek. 1 From the Ksaw.' (Kansas ) 'l'hu m w-conier was about tilty years of age,alibis weaj hair contrasted strangely with his daik, b.onzcd features, upon ttbich care and misfortune were sirougly stamped, lie was ouly half elad in the miserable skins he wore, ycl there was a look of good nature aud Iraukiiess about him thai would have imptessed any one the first tnuc be saw him. ' Looks rather comfortable here,' he ob. served, as be dismounted from bis mulci aud came forward. 4 Sartiu you was red skins wben 1 hist set eyes on you, and it look me some tune to find different.' 4 We have secu no Indians to-day,' re plied the young mail. 4 That's no reason to think they ain't about. 1 seed signs this morning, but uoue since i come in these pacts.' Do \jou hunt with them !' inquired the new.comer, in u low meaning tone, care ful thai be seuld be overheard by no one. , 4 No; i have uever been with them un til to-day.' • Good,' was the comment upon ,tliis. While this fragmentary conversation wa.- going on, the trapper was engaged in uusaddling his mule and preparing for the night's rest, lie showed a partiality for the young man, and the latter, siuce his advent among lliem, had felt drawu tow. aid him, aud experienced a strong repug nance tiMtard Scar Cheek and the scowl ing hunter. The dilapidated trapper, after unsad. dliug his mule, carefully staked him: and, taking a scat by the fire, produced a short, black pipe, and Jbegau smoking it. Bo- \ fore doing so, lie carefully examined the priiuißg of his rifle, shaking tbe powder into the pah, i*nd adding a few more graius to it. Then placiug a thin, dry skin over it to keep out the damp, he shut the pan. The group watched him, but be paid little oi-flo heed to them, while Sear Cheek' seemed more interested than the other.-', aud manifested a strange uneasiness. He examined his own rifle, and loosened the pistols at his belt as though they iucom. uiodcd him. The young man find the hunter with the scuwi looked at each other, but said nothing. Now that they were all seated around the fire, tbe four manifested a disposition to engag6 in conversation An obseivtr of human nature, however, would have detected that, upon the part of every one, except the yonng tuan, this was eutirely forced. I It was as if all three were suspioiov* of each other, and took tbis method of quieting tbe others' suspicions. It was uoticeable, further, that not one of tbe four inquired the others' cames. 1 his was singular iu itself, to say nothing of their suspicious deportment toward each other. 4 How are furs down in St. Loyis ?' in. quired the last arrival. ItU'l'LEI!, HUTLEK COUNTY, PA., WEDN &SIJAY," OCTOBER 84, lSlili. • Sellin' low,' returned Scar Cheek. 'Dunoo what's to become of us hunters if tbey much lower,' added the trap per pith the black eyes and the forbidding scowl. « A fellow can't make much more than togo on a decent spree.' „ 'Aud there is the ri-fe you run from the Indians,' said the young man, anxious to I«et> the conversation going, new that it had startcc. ' I have found that's the worst part of the business. I<n>t spring, wlion I had got my peltries down to the head-waters of the Kausas, I had to IcaTe them all, aud was then just able to get away.' "•Wooffcj that's jet the fun of the thing!' exclaimed the hunter with the scowl. 'lf it wasu't for the kuife-stickin' and hair-raisin', I'd give up the profes si( n altcgeth r, aid emig»te.' ' When you get older,' said Scar Check, 1 that'll bo the port you'll like about the bi s'nerg. It «oakes a fell w sharp, too.' The ragtid trapper took his pipe from his mouth, and lookml at the speaker with a curious stare, that made him uneasy and restless again. Then, replacing his pipe, he looked into the coals, as before, aud did not raise his eye for a long time. 1 1 count it rather curious that I have uot seeu the sign of an Indian to-day,' said ibe young man, this tunc addressing himself to Sear Cheek. 112 Kij very cuiious about it,' replied the latter. • I've been further West than this, and have triuiped day in and day out, wi bout g> tang a (quint at a red. skin.' ' You do not generally go a fool ?' 'No; my horse gave out last week, down ou the Kansas, and 1 had to lrnvc hi in. It ain't the best way of doin' this gom' afoot, l'ui on tlio look out for an animal, and hope to ca<ch one before I'm a week older.' , 4 Both of you have hunted and trapped lor tnaiiy yeais, 1 suppose !' The luan with the scowl nodded his head, aud Sear Cheek made answer : ' Yes, 1 have been at it a good many years.' •' i'.Q.V l>'-e it? The trapper who was looking in the fire, raised his head and looked into the lace ol Scur Check, as if waiting for his an swer. The latter showed some unrest as he spoke : • Some times I does, and then again 1 doesn't. I've been at it so long, howsuiuevcr, that I s'puse I'll stick to it 1111 go under.' Tlio trapper smiled and lowered his head, as though sati.-lied with ilie a iswcr. it was observable, aud no d.iubt noticed by this man, that, although he plied the others with questions, yet they tilled to utk a jungle one of lii^o. « You are alone, also—that is,'you nave no animal,' pursued the young man, ad dressiug the scowling hunter w ho respond ed, ' Yes.' l ls it your own choice!' ask cd' the quc.rept. 4 Injms! exclaimed the aeuwl. 4 A good reason; you seem to' take it philosophically,' said tlio young man ; I could scarcely get along without mine.' 4 Y'ou are a younkeryet,' said he of the scowl. ' 1 know ; this is a sad life for lue;' aud the old look of woe came back to the face of the y.oyng man, as he turned and g.-ixed into tin) emkcTs before him. Tears t ( riekled down from his eyes, and dropped upon his bauds. The silent' ragged trapp r, without turning his head, 1 'oked steadily toward him. There seem ed to be something in that young, sad lace, that stirred his soul to its very depths. His brows contracted, and he set his lips as if to keep his feelings, but ho never uttered a syllable. His breath teemed to be deeper, and lie grasp, ed his rifle, as if it might escape him.— Scar Cheek aud his companion, who sat on the other side of the lire, occasionally exchanged glances, and stuoked harder than ever; but neither of them spoke to the other, nor to the other two; and the silence became really painful. The young remained, for some time lost in h:s Sorrowful reverie ; aud, for several min utes, the ragged trapper never ri moved his gaze from liiiu. The group formed a study for p juiater. Uctweeu tlio threo eldest there was, evidently, the greatest mistrust—nut the uitural mistrust which individuals feel toward cacti o her when thrown together, and kuowing nothing of their mutual intentions. Under ordinary circumstances, these men,, meeting as they had, among the great solitudes, jvould have been attracted together as brothers, liut there was something more thin this. There was some dread secret in their past lives, which roso liko a wall of llackness between them. Some of these had cn . countered each other before, all ->ugli the youngest of the four failed to suspect it. The conversation which we have stated, as has already been hinted, was nit spon taneous but forced. The impulse of each and all was to silence, and the conversa tion now fell dead. The ragged trapper, who had disdained to join in it for some time, maintained precisely the same po sition us before, while the youngest ap peared to love tbo communion of bis own thoughts better than aoything else, and made no attempts to resume the discourse which bad ended so suddenly. Scar Cheek and his comrade smoked, and occasionally looked at oacli other, but neither broko the profound silence. Far in the distance tbe'wail of tbe wolf was heard; and, after a while, it was answered from another quarter; but it excited no remark from the group of hunters. Like statues they maintained their several positions. Tbo night wore on ; and all, save Scar Cheek, were unconscious of tbe passage of tiiue. At length he began to look from one to the other, aa if to receive some suggestion from tbom > and, observing tbe same stolid, absent look in each, be said : 4 It's gettin' purty late into tbe night, and I propose we »el our watch and turja in.' This remark arouscd'tieiu all, and each arose to his feet, as if to yawn and stretch before lying down. After consult. iog together for several minutes, the man. Ncr of watch was agreed upon. It was de cided that it should be equally divided among the four, eaeh standing guard for two hours; tbeold.trapper taking the first watch, the young man next, and Scar Cheek and be with the scowl following. The latter, from the lateness of the hour, it was certain, would find his watch com posed more of day fban of night. This, t|ien, being decided, the three men lay down in their blankets, and the old rag ged trapper took his position as sentinel. It was a bright, moonlight night, and over that barren, wild waste of prairie nut a sound was heard, as tho three lay sleep ing upon tjie ground. The union was nearly overhead, and its light revealed objects at a great distance. The old trap per scanned every portion of the prairie visible, but saw nothing to exeito suspi p on. The two mules oould bo sees upon the ground—they, too, i<erc asleep. 11c alone was awake and conscious, and the cuioliou9 that wcro surging through his bosom would have diivcn away sleep for many and many a night. Trailing his rifle, ho paced slowly backward and for wardj looking out upon ihe prairie, and then gazing upon tho furun by the smoul dering fire. Frequently he stopped short iu his walk, and muttered, brokenly : ' It cannot be he,' hi said; ' but it is so long ago, und that scar may have dis guised him.' Ho resumed uis walk, but shortly paused again. 'That boy, too; it's mighty strange how 1 feel drawn to ward him. l'oor fellow ! he -don't know them!' Again he paced backward and forward, bis head beit, and muttering to himself. So occupied was he with his thoughts that a horde of l'awnees might have sto len up to camp and seized him uud the others brfors bo could havo suspected tbeir presence. "That villiati," ho exclaimed, stopping short and shaking his head ; 'Mb»t villain with the Feowl 1 ain't mistaken about. I'd know him if I hadu't seen him for fif ty years. I must Jo it. The trapper noiselessly approached the sleeping men, and, kneeling down gazed upon the features of each, and scauned them narrowly. If there had remained a particle of doubt in his mind regarding their identi ty, it was now removed. llisiug to bis feet and walking off some distance, he stood several moments ener getically muttering and gesticulating, as tlinug'.h e were debating them utter with some oue. He was arguing with con science, 1 ut not long, for the latter shrunk, back, trigbtcd at Ins vchemipcc. "7/ ghull be!" bo exclaimed, louJ —-» .u *l.v ol<- r »o. , l[u j turning on Ins heels again approached the gioup. Judgtii.r by the Gf-ys that his watch was up, bo approached the young man aud touched him • u bis shoulder. As he opened his <cycs he pressed his linger on bis lips to command silcuce, and motioned for linn to follow. Tbey walked fully a hundred yards without stopping, and then the trapper paused, and turning the young man so that the moon might shine in his face, be looked wistfully at his feature*. . 'Are you Walter Hamilton?' The young man started wildly, but tho trapper motioned to him to keep silence while bo said: 'Enough! enough' no doubt remains. I aui your uncle,' be 'and that man wi'h the scar is the man who murdered your father, and lie with the scowl bis convicted mo of forgery under falso oath.' The young man turned pole, and ho be came fearfully excited. 'Are you ready 1' asked the trapper. He pressed bis b.ind by way of reply, and moved toward tho 'camp. 'Hold !' said the trapper; 'not in cold blood ; give tbem a chance.' They cautiously returned to the camp, and found both men asleep. Un: le and uephew stood over them. Sear t'beui was breathing bard and irregularly, be suddculy called out : 'I did not kill Wal'er Hamilton.' 'Li'ir !' soid tho trapper, in a voice of thunder, tbe twu sleeping men bounded to tbeir feet. 'Red-skins about V they nsised together. 'No ; worse than red-skins,' replied ;be troppcr. 'John Hamilton is here!' and raising his knife, ho plunged it iuto k'ear Cheek's head. 'Then take that!' said he wi'h the scowl, and raising his piece, the trapper fell a corpse. With a bound and a wild cry, the young man sprang at tbo murderer of his uncle. The struggle was fearful, and terrible blows were given and exchanged, but the elder was taken at a disadvantage from the suddenness (if the attack, and received several fatal wounds before ho could do anything biuise.lf. Finally, he fell exhausted, aud speedily expired. The young liuotcr remained alone, but his father and uncle were avenged. —"Nearly opposite Hallonell, on the bank of (be river, stands the famous haun house of Chelsea. It is an old square building, and tbe very picture of deser tion ; tbo doors and windows being out, tbe out-bouse ID ruin.s, and tbo fences broken down. For quite ft number cf years attempts hart been made to inhab it itj but annoyances by eight and by day, of a mysterious character, have al ways driven away tbo occupants. A pa trol stationed in every direction, and the examination of every nook and corner within during theso disturbances, have failed to give any satisfactory clue to tbeir origin. An interval of years, during which tbe building remained vacant,'did' not ic any wise abate the evil. Though ! the owners offer a free rent, no onoacan be any longer found with tbe oourago to ' accept it." THE MERCHANT'S TEST. "I ick, I am afraid tho old min has faksft ft intj his head to seffd y&uadrilti" Why, what can you mean, l'liilip?'' Ouljr that lie was talking Very earn estly with Mr. Oglethorp as I wont iuto tho room jost now, auij t.ljoy ceased very discreetly on my entrance. I took the liberty of waiting outside tho 4oor til' tho conversation was re. umed,and I hear I enough to sitisfy lue that Oglcihorp ha ß a nephew who is about to take your place 112" "What did you overhear?" '•Merely a sentence from each. Ogle thorp said : 'So you think my nephew will have no difficulty in filling the place of your head clerk/ iho Heale replied: ■None whatever, and the other cleik, l'liilip Warden, has been in my estab lishment a long time, and he can give hiiu a little insight info our business al furs if need he ' I did not wait to hear more, but that is enough I should tliink." '"So it would seein," was the reply, in a tone of deep despondency. "It is mean in tho old man to dis charge you, and equally strange; if it was uic now, I should nit think it HO old, *.Ait lie I.as all along seemed [to thick fio much of you. Rut 'tis just like him, always doing something outofthe way.'' Richard Wilkin* was too sick at heart to reply. lie turned tothedesk nnd en deavored to concentrate his wandering thoughts upon Ills work, but in vain Tho pon droppod lioui his finger*, and leaning his head oh hie hand he gave lull scope to hi* sorrowful and indignant feel ings. When the two gentlemen emerg ed froiu Mr. lieale'a private room he started like oue guilty of a secret crime, and snatching tho pen, pre'ented to he all absorbed in .his duties. His flurried mannor, to different from his u-ual quiet Ci»iupot« e, was noticed by his em] loyer, who drew his own crnciusi ms thetefr m. Mr. Ogle thorp w:is lcturuing to hi' home in ISaltiinorc. His friend accompanied him to the steamboat, and on returning closely observes his two clerks as hu sauntered back and forth through the store, l'hilip's appearance iudicted noth ing unusual; but Utchard, though lie had t .it,. a hts customary Oompi;- suio, could not pievent a slight hesitan cy and constraint when replying to Mr. Beale's ca ual remarks. Several days after, Mr. Bcalc brought Richard a letter to seal and deposit it in the postolfico as lie went to dinner. At the same time lie sent I'hilip to a neigh boring store on business, which w. uld dct:in liiin some little time - he then re turned to his private room. Left to him self, lliehard gaated on the superscription of the letter, long and earnestly. "D. o{;le(horp, Esq., Ualtimoro"—the words secerned burned into Jiis bruit/. What would he not give to kuow the contents of that letter? Doubtless it related to the nephew thai vras to supplant him.— lliehard hesitated, turned (he letter over and over. Why could he qot glance iu to it? It was scaled—he would hetray no conSilcuce by doing ro most of (he business letters wore given him to ans swer, and certainly to one living would he reveal the contents, whatever they be. 'J lioso reflections overcame his strong repugnance to the act, und with trembling hand ho opened the let ter and read : "DJCAII Sltt : I wi.-jh your nephew to arrive, if possible, by Tuesday, the 30th, as on that day young Wilkins' year will have expired, and it is deniable that his succcvs >r should be oil the spot to enter immediately On his duties. Truly, yours, J. DEALS." The blood rushed ; t) Richard's brow as he tcad. I'or on instant he forgot the consequences to himself of tho threaten ing blow cf indignation of his employer's duplicity. Four years ho murmured, bitter ly, ay, four years next Tuesday. I enter ed this store. Not once since that day fas lie had occasion to reprove me for the slightest or oversight, sle/n aud cxaetiug as he is. I have given DO cause for complaint, and that is the end this is lay reward. lam to bo dis charged to make room lor one of his friend's connection's connections, lam thankful I opened the letter —now I can prepare for his treachery. With a calmness that surprised hiic self, the clerk sealed the letter, and drop ped it in the post-office as directed. Ou his way back to his employment he call ed at tile /Counting rooni of a merchaut, whom, as otie of Mr. Beale's acquaint ance, ho well knew Richer! wiohed to make inquiries, in an indirect way, for a situation, but while he was striving to form some question to this end, the gen tleman came to his relief, by asking if he knew any young man in need of a situation wbosu bo could reoommend to him. as he had a vacancy for a ojerfc. Richard eagerly offered ' liimßalf. Mr Curtis was surprised that bo should wish to leave his old place, but gladly acccn tod Mai, having lorig Admired the integ 5 ri'y and striet application of the yount; man, whoso praises ho had ficquoi.tfy heard from Mr. Isea!e. The yearly sal ary was named; it was one hundred dol lar.i more than Ilichard was now recoiv nig; and having cngagod IQ enter upon the duties of his new place on ilia fol lowing Tuesday, ho went with a light heart to his old pnipicyihent. He did not mention his intention to' Mr. Rca!c. so the week passed without *Mr. Curtis visiting the stole. He hoped ho had not mot his emj liyer, for Richard hada wish that the latter should not licar how his treacherous scheme had been defeated til the last mouient. Oil Monday evening Biehard knocked at tho d:>or of Mr. Jieulu's room, and in as few w< rJs as possible requested the wa«;es due liiiL*, as he was engaged togo to another house on tcAiorrow. 1 i have known of your engagement since Wednesday," said Mr. Ucalc; "Mr. Curtis informed me of it. May 1 ask tho motive of this secret and unusual proceeding on your part'! 1 believe 1 gave you no cause fur go sudden a deter mination to quit my employment, did 1?" ' Xo cause !" Richard repeated, bitter ly. "Ob, no sir, no causo, of course— the clerk is ouly tho dupe, the flave of the merchant, and has no right to com plain of any [conduct, however iniqni> Jo'iis, of which l.c is the victim." ''Your sawm is rather out of place, young mar.," ropliel Mr.- Ueale, coolly. ' I at-ked if I had given j(.u any cause of ((Fence. I know I have not; you finely imagine that I have, and thus im agii.c that I I.are, and thu.i imagining, you have done yourself a great injury Nay, *>o questions, I will tell you all On the day that Mr. Ogla'horp was here [ noticed a great alteni'.ioD iu jr.urboks y< ur words, your whole' Conduct. I MIS peofed at once that I'hilip had ovcihcard .pur conversation, and repeated it to you. incjusequenca of which you were dii turbed iu wind. 'i bis was natural, an I was far from blaming you ; but it af forded me an opportunity for a test which I had [tculiar reapon fir desiiing t« ap ply. I penned a brief note to .Mr. Og k'-horp, gave it to you to tcabund wa.cli ed your proccodiug from that window. 1 t bought the temptation would provo a severe one, and if ymi arose superior to it, I need never «iavc any fears concern ing you. I was right, tho temptation was strong—t )o strong for your hun.>r or tj Witlistin I. [ si'v you open the letter—'l was enough. I did not at all wonder when I h ;arl of joti apply 'ng lor a new situation; you tbougt that I was acting treacherously to you, and that you would outwit mr." Mr. licule ceased, and looked fixedly at Ilicliar J, whoso whole countctianca was suffused witli blushes as the true na turc cf his conduct was brought thus c;. : ,uily to his vitw. ID liia indigmtnt feelings he had not tijl this moiucut thought of his dorelietion of principle in opening a letter not intended for his in spection; uiw he was overwhelmed with •shame and rcm>»rse, tjr he was naturally uprigl.t and ingenuous. Mr. iical J saw his confusion, an 1 turn ed to hid desk to pay what was duo of Richard's salary, but firct taking tome papers tiom a secret drawer, throw theui oti the table before the young man. "All this is rt au end now," he said, "but you may sec how unjust your sus picions wpre to nie,how injurious to your self, as I said awhile ago." Richard's eyes ware intently bent up o.i the pipers One was in the merchant's hand writing, a uitice of Richard Wilk ins having boon admitted as a junior part ner into his own and established business Gnu; the others were necessary business papers relating Utpreto, Richard contin cd gazing at theui as jffacinatcd, till the merchant's voice broke the spell. •'Well, young uian; do you understand the matter uow I l, Oli, sir," BaiJ Richard, turning his I ryes imploringly on him, and then ana ! ble to repress his tortured feelings, he boot his head on the table to conceal the fast gushing tears. "llogret is unavailing,'' said Mr. li< • e in his clear, cold tones. l 'l had every reason to place confi lence in in you During these years L have observed your conduct closely. It was such as to satisfy me; and resolving to reward yonr strict integrity aud faithlulucsg, I had dc.'tded to tuke you into partnership, as you iea by these papers, prepared nearly t .o months ago, and only awaiting the siguitures aud date. My friend, Mr. O'j lathcrp, had frequently mentioned his NUMBER 45 iifl[ haw, w how lie much desired mo to oiupli>y. At his Inst vijit I aijroedHo do '' r ;:S i"y intention lo j»i»e you no iijtreeuMc..surprise to lOttUW£JAL ftere "l■ ail iny arrango mmts secret fortunately, a, I now see, 112 r Biy wh'.ia em.tAd tiiT- U icH' the s,rcl S •» of your 112 rincipies." ' Oh, if )-ou Ctuid opljr J«£gjyo me, Mr iJealc," cxelniuied Richard, implor ingly. "It wus my first error in this re gard -I am fUIO J t w ;|] mj j m{ „ For all answer, M Bealo quietly push ed the tiudey ho had counted over to liichurd, and pickidg up the papers,tore tlicm into ?mi II fragments. The young man looked sadly at them, but knowing that rcmoustrance>r eutreaty was aliko unavailing in tho stern man, ho by n 3 ' r °ng effort conquered his emotion, and taking up his money, bowed his thinks and farewell to his late employer, and turned to leave the room. As lie laid his hand on the door knob, ho paused and ask«<d, inn ' still faltering Toioe, if M . Curtis was informed of allthis. ''No, I did not think it necessary speak pf it," said M . Ueale, "for I had reasou to lliink it was your first depart ure (rem the straight road; and though all business connection* between us has ceased, jet I would not injure your rep uta'ion by revealing an act which I thought you would regret. You will find Mr. Curtis a more indulgent employer than the ono you are leaving; your sala ry will be larger than it has been here, so that on the whole, perhaps, you are ao lo3er, and I nope for your sake that your frst error will provo also your last." Richard sadly loft the store. On tho morrow ht entered on the duties of Jbif new situation. It proved agreeable, and the addition to his previous salary was of groat use to hnn; but what conld silence remorse for tho act by which he had not only lost so much in a pecuniary point or view, tot also sunk immeasurably iu his own estimation. lie profited by the lesson, however. Years after he found himself in a position prosperous and ea vioin as that which he had forfeited ia narly manhood; but to his dying day ha never tried to banish the humiliating but iihitnry recollection of hio first and last deviation from tho straightforward path of honor and integrity. —At our school feast, writos tho Super intendent, every h-id exhibited a tolerable appetite, but one boy had eaten to repletion, so that when I saw him sud* denly turo very pale, and attempt to riso from tho table, I began to fear that ho had made himself ill. " What's the matter, my good boy?" inquired [, whiJc a sympathizing throng of philanthropic ladies, who had been acting as waiters upon the company, gath i red around tho sufferer. "Do you feci unwcllj? " My stomach aches, Sir,'-' replied bh# boy, with great distinctness. "I'ear me !" said I, almost suffocated with my endeavors to repress laughter; "don't you think you had better go hoaie ?" " No, no, Sir," roplied tho lad, with determination. "It will aohe a precious s:ght more ttjort 1 ha' done ici him I" And I am bound to say that he did not submit to the threatened dictation, but devoured two slices of cold pudding in addition to his precious supplies, as well as au enormous hunch of bread and chfeee. —Cousin Charley is th? (post precious youngster that it was ever my lot to know, u t summer he And his little sister paid me a visit at my farm in Orange County. One day when I was taking them out for a drive a robin reu™reast flew past and alighted on a fence near at hand. "Ob, what a beautiful little bird !" ex claimed, Jennie. "Yes," I said; "but it's a very naugh ty bird; it eats up all the cherries." "What is its name 7" asked Jennie. Charley who had been listening atten tively to wluc had been said, turned tcr waul me with a self-satisfied expressitn on his little face and shouted out: "I know; it's cherry pec(k)toral; isn't it cousin —lt is related of Rov. "Robin, of F , that he once entered a store and b Jlight, among other things, some eggs, One of tho by-standers observing bin* put them in his pocket, told hiua to be careful not to sit on them. "Yes," said the divine; "but did you never know a robin to sit on hen's eggs without halt ing them 7" - deed, because it has a shifting crown.", "Uood, but net correct. Because thsre is no mow dying or pprtinj thejrj !'*
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers