The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-03-23

take a notion to send after me-
William advised hlm with all the argu.
menis in his power not to think of leaving
his place; but it was Of no avail. The
next day cane aud Richard had left his
place. Mr. Porter simply remarked, Il am
sorry for the boy he will not find such
goods friends away and lie may get in!o
bad company and be ruined
Tha. week on reckoning Up what be had
received and paid away, Mr.. Porter missed
six or eight dollars, and how to account for
It he did not know, unless Richard had
been dishonest and taken 1t away but as
he had no proof, and did not know but he
might have lost 1t himself, he said nothing
about il. The place Of Richard was im.
medlately supplied by anoihei youth and
The change vas not regretted by William
or any member OF the family.
As the years passed away William con
tinued faithful TO his employer, -passiog
his leisure hours in reading or writlGg, and
thus improving his mlud. Young Leigh
ton became one and twenty-five age when
all apprentices are free from their masters
and are a, liberty TO 20 where they please
aud to work for whom they feel disposed.
As Mr.. Porter had become attached TO
William, he made proposition to him 10 en-
ter into foil eopartneTship and carry on bu
slness together. This be was pleased to do;
bus his passion for study had SO increased,
that after a few months work, he rein
pushed bis business aud gave lis whole
atteunon 10 study. A friend Of Leighton,
an able lawyer, persuaded hiul 10 study IN
his office, which he consented TO do. Tie
possessed a fine, discriminating mlnd, and
Improved rapidly 10 his studies. In u year
or Two he w.s admitted TO the bar, aud vas
pronounced by good judges a man Of ial
enis, and we'll sersed IN his profession. Asa
pleader or counsellor, few we're lis supeil
ors, and his business rapidly increased.
Leighton had pracilsed at The bar some
Eve or SIX years, when he was pu! up as
candidate Tor representative to Congress.
lie met With lIit!e opposition, bu, was
elected by large majority. In Tie House
81 Representatives be did honor TO himself
aud TO the district whose united voice had
sent him there. Few spoke better or more
10 the purpose We: he was modest and VA
assuming. He knew when to speak and
how 10 address the assembly, and thus won
laurels to which hundreds aspiIed. yet died
Without aiauiog.
Duriog Congressional session, a gen.
lem0a stepped 10 the boarding house Of Nj.
Leighton, aud informed hun that msu
Who was in prison was very ANXIOUS TO see
ain, and urgently requested that be nigh,
call. The first leisure hour lie had, the
stranger accompanied him 10 the cell,
where haggard aud dirty, vas chained .
human being.
Sir said the prisoner, | learn tha; ECU
reside in s.. That is my native place.
am now under sentence OF death for
highway robbery. | IS night that should
suffer. Bot am among strangers; no one
knows me ; no one cares for ire. Soon |
shall receive The just deserts Of life Of
crime.
But had a mother once in s., and
also friend. Ny abjoci in seudlug for you
IS this-lf my mother IS living, and has
heard OF my lite Of crime, want ber.o kuow
that died peaileni-lant her counses
aud admoul.ons are rcmembeied 10 ny last
hours-bu; pray she may never know The
eGd TO which come. Pray, SIR, keep this
a secret. My mothers name is jackson /;
10 you knov Of such woman
" hat, widow Mary jackson 7
IS, slr-do you know her 2
And are you her son Richard y
am nde ed, SIR,
My Gear man. said Leighton grasping
tho prisoner by the band and weep,ug-
Can il be possible lsthls Richard Jack.
son land the tears fell fast.
Sir, you asionlsh ne, SAID the prisoner,
have you seen me before Have robbed
you-O, sir, tell me-
| was your early friend-your fellow
apprentice, William Leighton.
o God, an dreaming ? Can il be =
and tho poor man clasPcd him, weeping Ishu
Il child.
After fen moments, Jackson exclaimed,
Have | come to this Have come 10
Na+iS dt4L no WI ~ stitt iibfSs - lllaA 1
had taken your excellent advice, when you
besought me to look out for my masters 10.
,efesi when was boy, Would 10 ilea.
ven, had never left iny exceen, place,
continued he still weeping, and II was !
long time before he could restrain bis tears
a! last jackson briefly stated his career
Of vice. When he LEI. his master be
went to Boston, where he worked for a tew
weeks; spending his money with Idle and
vicious companions al fas; as be earned H.
Thence he started for New York. IIefe
he commenced work again, with the deter.
nlna,Ioo 10 keep aloof from bad company
but he had vicious propensity le con
tracled bad habits became Incorporate
aud was dishonest. He had been IN i4d
Two or three times for petty lheft--.and ri
forwards served two or three Years 10 the
State Prison. lie bad no@ become hard.
ened ia SIN and lived by fraud and pluuder.
From one state TO another he passed, steal
Ing whenever be found an opportunity, til
al last he took to tbs high ways, aGd vas