Mr. Jones to Dr. Pott.

Rev. and dear Sir,—Your letter of the 15th inst has indeed plunged me into the greatest tribulation. As John page 22has made his bed so must he lie on it. I had intended to take him into the office shortly with a view of ultimately allowing him to succeed to my share of the business, as I have a right to do. This had been my great hope, and I always looked forward to the right of retiring after a hard life's work, and seeing my only son take my place. This of course now cannot be. My partners would not hear of it; how could I expect them to! Our firm has for nearly a century prided itself on its character for integrity and straightforward dealing, as well as on its large and important country connection. In my opinion, any one, whether a son of mine or not, who meddles, for his own advantage, in trust property, however small the trust estate may be, is an object and always must be an object of suspicion. My son's flight creates a presumption of guilt, and casts upon him the onus of proving his innocence. I have given instructions to our most experienced officers in town to trace my son's whereabouts. When he is discovered as I have no doubt he soon will be, I shall have to determine what course to pursue. At present, I can think of nothing but the sea service.

I am thankful for the trouble you have always taken with John.

I regret, more than I can say, the annoyance you have undergone, and the awful disgrace that has fallen upon me,—