Paul Prescott's Charge Read online

  XXXII.

  RIGHT TRIUMPHANT.

  George Dawkins resumed his duties the next morning as usual.Notwithstanding the crime he had committed to screen himself from theconsequences of a lighter fault, he felt immeasurably relieved at thethought that he had shaken himself free from the clutches of Duval. Hissatisfaction was heightened by the disgrace and summary dismissal ofPaul, whom he had never liked. He decided to ask the place for a cousinof his own, whose society would be more agreeable to him than that ofhis late associate.

  "Good-morning, sir," he said, as Mr. Danforth entered.

  "Good-morning," returned his employer, coldly.

  "Have you selected any one in Prescott's place, yet, sir?"

  "Why do you ask?"

  "Because I have a cousin, Malcolm Harcourt, who would be glad to takeit."

  "Indeed!" said Mr. Danforth, whose manner somewhat puzzled Dawkins.

  "I should enjoy having him with me," continued Dawkins.

  "Did you like Prescott?"

  "No, sir," said Dawkins, promptly, "I didn't want to say so before, butnow, since he's turned out so badly, I don't mind saying that I neverthought much of him."

  "On the contrary," said Mr. Danforth, "I liked him from the first.Perhaps we are wrong in thinking that he took the money."

  "I should think there could be no doubt of it," said Dawkins, not likingthe sympathy and returning good feeling for Paul which his employermanifested.

  "I don't agree with you," said Mr. Danforth, coldly. "I have decided toreinstate Paul in his former place."

  "Then, if any more money is missing, you will know where it has gone,"said Dawkins, hastily.

  "I shall."

  "Then there is no chance for my cousin?"

  "I am expecting to have a vacancy."

  Dawkins looked up in surprise.

  "I shall require some one to fill YOUR place," said Mr. Danforth,significantly.

  "Sir!" exclaimed Dawkins, in astonishment and dismay.

  His employer bent a searching glance upon him as he asked, sternly,"where did you obtain the money which you paid away last evening?"

  "I--don't--understand--you, sir," gasped Dawkins, who understood onlytoo well.

  "You met a man at the door of a low tavern in--Street, last evening, towhom you paid one hundred and fifty dollars, precisely the sum which Ilost yesterday."

  "Who has been slandering me, sir?" asked Dawkins, very pale.

  "An eye-witness of the meeting, who heard the conversation between you.If you want more satisfactory proof, here it is."

  Mr. Danforth took from his pocket-book the torn fragments of the notewhich Dawkins had given to Duval.

  "Here is an obligation to pay a certain Duval the sum of one hundred andfifty dollars. It bears your signature. How you could have incurred sucha debt to him you best know."

  Dawkins maintained a sullen silence.

  "I suppose you wish me to leave your employment," he said at length.

  "You are right. Hold," he added, as Dawkins was about leaving the room,"a word more. It is only just that you should make a restitution of thesum which you have taken. If you belonged to a poor family and therewere extenuating circumstances, I might forego my claim. But your fatheris abundantly able to make good the loss, and I shall require you tolay the matter before him without loss of time. In consideration of youryouth, I shall not bring the matter before the public tribunals, as Ihave a right to do."

  Dawkins turned pale at this allusion, and muttering some words to theeffect that he would do what he could, left the counting-room.

  This threat proved not to be without its effect. The next day he came toMr. Danforth and brought the sum for which he had become responsible. Hehad represented to his father that he had had his pocket picked of thissum belonging to Mr. Danforth, and in that manner obtained an equalamount to replace it. It was some time before Mr. Dawkins learned thetruth. Then came a storm of reproaches in which all the bitterness ofhis father's nature was fully exhibited. There had never been much lovebetween father and son. Henceforth there was open hatred.

  We must return to Paul, whom we left in much trouble.

  It was a sad walk which he took homeward on the morning of hisdismissal.

  "What brings you home so early?" asked Mrs. Cameron, looking up from herbaking, as Paul entered.

  Paul tried to explain, but tears came to his eyes, and sobs choked hisutterance.

  "Are you sick, Paul?" exclaimed Mrs. Cameron, in alarm.

  "No, Aunt Hester."

  "Then what is the matter?" she asked anxiously.

  "I have lost my place."

  "Poor boy! I am very sorry to hear it. But it might have been worse."

  "No, not very well, Aunt Hester, for Mr. Danforth thinks I have takensome of his money."

  "He is very unjust!" exclaimed Aunt Hester, indignantly, "he ought tohave known better than to think you would steal."

  "Why, no," said Paul, candidly, "I must confess the evidence was againstme, and he doesn't know me as well as you do, Aunt Hester."

  "Tell me all about it, Paul."

  Aunt Hester sat down and listened attentively to our hero's story.

  "How do you account for the money being found in your pocket?" she askedat length.

  "I think it must have been put there by some one else."

  "Have you any suspicions?"

  "Yes," said Paul, a little reluctantly, "but I don't know whether Iought to have. I may be wronging an innocent person."

  "At any rate it won't do any harm to tell me."

  "You've heard me speak of George Dawkins?"

  "Yes."

  "I can't help thinking that he put the fifty dollars into my pocket, andtook the rest himself."

  "How very wicked he must be!" exclaimed Mrs. Cameron, indignantly.

  "Don't judge him too hastily; Aunt Hester, he may not be guilty, and Iknow from my own experience how hard it is to be accused when you areinnocent."

  Soon after the sexton came in, and Paul of course, told his story overagain.

  "Never mind, Paul," said Uncle Hugh, cheerily. "You know your owninnocence; that is the main thing. It's a great thing to have a clearconscience."

  "But I liked Mr. Danforth and I think he liked me. It's hard to feelthat he and Mrs. Danforth will both think me guilty, especially afterthe kindness which I have experienced from them."

  "We all have our crosses, my boy,--some light and others heavy. Yours, Iadmit is a heavy one for a boy to bear. But when men are unjust there isOne above who will deal justly with us. You have not forgotten him."

  "No, Uncle Hugh," said Paul, reverently.

  "Trust in him, Paul, and all will come out right at last. He can proveyour innocence, and you may be sure he will, in his own good time. Onlybe patient, Paul."

  "I will try to be, Uncle Hugh."

  The simple, hearty trust in God, which the sexton manifested, was notlost upon Paul. Sustained by his own consciousness of innocence, andthe confidence reposed in him by those who knew him best, his mind soonregained its cheerful tone. He felt an inward conviction that God wouldvindicate his innocence.

  His vindication came sooner than he anticipated.

  The next day as the sexton's family were seated at their plain dinner, aknock was heard upon the outer door.

  "Sit still, Hester," said Mr. Cameron. "I will go to the door."

  Opening the door he recognized Mr. Danforth, who attended the samechurch.

  "Mr. Cameron, I believe," said Mr. Danforth, pleasantly.

  "Yes, sir."

  "May I come in? I am here on a little business."

  "Certainly, Mr. Danforth. Excuse my not inviting you before; but in mysurprise at seeing you, I forgot my politeness."

  The sexton led the way into the plain sitting-room.

  "I believe Paul Prescott is an inmate of your family."

  "Yes, sir. I am sorry----"

  "I know what you would say, sir; but it is needless. May I see Paul amoment?"


  Paul was surprised at the summons, and still more surprised at findingwho it was that wished to see him.

  He entered the room slowly, uncertain how to accost Mr. Danforth. Hisemployer solved the doubt in his mind by advancing cordially, and takinghis hand.

  "Paul," he said pleasantly, "I have come here to ask your forgivenessfor an injustice, and to beg you to resume your place in mycounting-room."

  "Have you found out who took the money, sir?" asked Paul, eagerly.

  "Yes."

  "Who was it, sir?"

  "It was Dawkins."

  Mr. Danforth explained how he had become acquainted with the real thief.In conclusion, he said, "I shall expect you back to-morrow morning,Paul."

  "Thank you, sir."

  "Dawkins of course leaves my employ. You will take his place, andreceive his salary, seven dollars a week instead of five. Have you anyfriend whom you would like to have in your own place?"

  Paul reflected a moment and finally named a schoolmate of his, the sonof poor parents, whom he knew to be anxiously seeking a situation, butwithout influential friends to help him.

  "I will take him on your recommendation," said Mr. Danforth, promptly."Can you see him this afternoon?"

  "Yes, sir," said Paul.

  The next day Paul resumed his place in Mr. Danforth's counting-room.