Willy Burke, or, The Irish orphan in America - Digital Repository ...

170 WILLY BURKE ; OK,
" I can only tell you again that I am innocent ; and as
you have so much reason to suspect me, I suppose I have
nothing to expect but what you threaten me with. Its
hard, sir, very hard, that I must be sent to jail—not that
I 'd complain on my own account, but for the disgrace it
is to the good father and mother that reared me, and to
the holy religion I profess ; but, then, if it is the will of
God, I must submit without a murmur, an' I don't blame
you, gentlemen, if you do put me in prison, for I know
that, as everything stands now, you can't but think me
guilty. But, Mr. Weimar, you 're under a mistake, sir,
if you think that I 'm grieved and troubled about this.
I am, indeed, sir, both sorry and ashamed that such a
thing should be even laid to the charge of my father's
son ; but I 'm not a bit afraid on my own account, for I
know that God will bring the truth to light in his own
good time ; and till he does I 'm content to be treated as
if I was guilty.
" But", said Mr. Talbot, who could not help receiving
a favourable impression from Willy's words and manners,
" but since you so strenuously declare yourself innocent,
have you no suspicion of the real offender ?"
" God forbid, Mr. Talbot", was the reply, " that I 'd
suspect any one of committing such a crime, much less
mention any name. Oh ! no, sir, its bad enough for one
to be set down as guilty, and not be bringin' in another.
All I have to say is, that I put the parcel where you told
me, sir, on Mr. Weimar's desk, and then locked the door
after me, and brought you back the key. I neither saw
nor heard any one in or about the office ; and, indeed, I
don't know how any one could get in to take it away before
Mr. Weimar came back ; for the other door of the office,