It was there that
I became acquainted with your bookkeeper,"
he added, maliciously. "Let him deny it if he dare."
"I shall not deny it. It is true," said Gibbon.
"But I had resolved to live an honest life
in future, and would have done so if this man
had not pressed me into crime by his threats."
"I believe you, Mr. Gibbon," said the
manufacturer, gently, "and I will see that this is
counted in your favor. And now, gentlemen,
I think there is no occasion for further delay."
The two men were carried to the lockup and
in due time were tried. Stark was sentenced
to ten years' imprisonment, Gibbon to five. At
the end of two years, at the intercession of Mr.
Jennings, he was pardoned, and furnished with
money enough to go to Australia, where, his
past character unknown, he was able to make
an honest living, and gain a creditable position.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
AFTER A YEAR.
Twelve months passed without any special
incident. With Carl it was a period of steady
and intelligent labor and progress. He had
excellent mechanical talent, and made remarkable
advancement. He was not content with
attention to his own work, but was a careful
observer of the work of others, so that in one
year he learned as much of the business as
most boys would have done in three.
When the year was up, Mr. Jennings
detained him after supper.
"Do you remember what anniversary this is, Carl?"
he asked, pleasantly.
"Yes, sir; it is the anniversary of my going
into the factory.
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