The Store Boy

. That such a man was capable of defrauding a poor widow, counting on her ignorance,

cisely what the

better knowledge of suitable investments than he, he went to him one day and asked advice. Now, the squire was fond of money. When he saw the ample roll of bank notes which

eed time to consider that q

ion. I might lose it or have it stolen. Besides,

travagant, perhaps,"

some day to surprise her by letting her s

n no one knows that

ep my busines

will take the money and give you my note for it, agreeing to pay six per cent. interest. Of course I shall invest it in some way, and

uck Mr. Barclay

the money when I want

tice to realize on securities; but if I ha

ney, squire, and

avenport's strong box, and Mr. Barclay left the squire's presence we

terrible temptation assailed Squire Davenport. No one knew of the trust his neighbor had reposed in him-not even his wife. Of course, if the note was found in his pocket

, but still he did not banish it. He thought the matter over, and the more he thought the more unwilling h

d to himself. "Of course, if it is, I will pay it-"

ing on the body-and pretty soon it transpired that he had left no propert

stances. Squire Davenport kept silence, and thought, with guilty joy, "They

will not undertake to explain, but "the love of money is the root o

iving, and the very man who supplied her with the money was the very man whom her husband

ension that his mean fraud would ever be discovered. Like a thunderbolt, then, came to him the declaration of his unsavory visitor that the note was in existence, a

pon me," he said, mentally bracing up

said the tr

t it?" exclai

o come here at great expense and inconvenience

you've come to the wrong person!" said the squire, s

k I have," assen

commend you to turn over a new leaf, and seek to earn an hones

the tramp, with a laugh. "Thi

e felt uncomfortabl

itably. "However, as you yourself adm

sitor, rising. "I now

?" asked Squire D

ght to have gone

aid the squire nervousl

the tramp, looking h

r mind, and excite erroneous

o her, say, the overdue interest. That alone, in five years and a half

must pay away over thirteen hundred dollars, and his loss

f the note, but if such a claim were made, it would seriously annoy me. I am wil

't take a cent less than two hundred, and that is o

te were genuine," said

e tramp significantly. "At any rate, we

ed dollars, and received back the note, which a

hly, "get out of my

laughing and nodding to the discomfite

again, I will se

Well, good-night! I have enjoy

the squire to himself. "I h

ought that the secret was at last safe. The note was burned, and coul

ofitable evening. I have two hundred dollars in my pocket, and-I still have a hold on the