The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-11-10

,"u, inost giauly 90 take you by the
hand, and assure you Of my friendship
Our separation has been TO me source OF
extreme pain; have passed many sleep
less nights, because of feeling that had
your ill-will."
A reconciliation having been effected,
the two young men conversed together
until late hour, when, with mutual pro-
testations of regard, they separated.
Everard returned to his home, and was
already beginning the narration of his in
terview with David, when his mother,
with voice of alarm, interrupted him
"What light is that Everardl AS l live,
the house Of Mr.. Jackson is on fiIe!"
Everard rushed to the door, and then,
without pausing a moment, ran as swiftly
as he could go to the scene of the fire, a
distance of quarter of mile; but ere he
arrived, the great barn of farmer jackson,
filled with grain, was in confiagration
which nothing could counteractl How it
hissed, and roared, and famed far up in
the heavens! And the September sky re-
ficcted it back to earth.
David jackson was contemplating the
scene as Eyerard approach.
allow did it occur, Davidl,' said Blakes-
ley.
David, without word of reply, turned
sullenly away.
EEer"rd returned e sadly to his home.
Morning came, bright and beautiful
The dew lay in spangles on the grass; the
birds were singing their morning hymns
to Deity. Happy, indeed, were the in
mates OF the little cot on the hill side
The mother was engaged in household
duties, while Everard was making prepar-
alton for his day of work.
Rudely and without ceremony the door
was opened, and the sheriff of the county
entered, bearing in his hand a State war
rant, and grasping Everard roughly by
the arm, he said, in gruff voice:
~ OH are my prlsoner!"
"For what~ was the agonzing interro-
gatory Of Everard.
"l on will know for what, sir. I never
yet arrested a villain, but he effected ig-
norance Of the cause. You are CHARGED.
my fine fellow, with arson, and, what is
more, there is abundant proof of your
guilt"
at is false! false as God liveth! can
prove by David Jackson, when left the
BARN"
Nor OF your protestation, my lad.-
Come with me! Get ready! will see
that you burn no more barns, for a time,
at least"
Poor mother Of Evcrard Blakesley.-
Doting parent of a guiltless but il.katcd
son! Canst thou survive this blowl Pale
rs corpse, she had sunk into CHAIR
Specific in her terrible agony, her eyes
only revealed her suffering.
But as the sheriff hurried Evcrnrd away.
she arose, ran wildly out, ard cried in ac-
cents that would have awakened compass
SION i'll any breast
go, sir, my boy is innocent! lie never
injured human being! He is too kind,
too gentle, too good, to commit so great a
crime. o, spare him this disgrace! Wait
but day, an hour, and we will, prove his
innocence"
"Alas, my good woman" said the
sheriff, my duty is reremptory. / may
not delay; but it were cruel to concea!
from you the guilt of your son. The oath
OF David Jackson renders certain the per-
petrator Of the crime"
And the sheriff, with his prisoner. hur-
ried away.
Heart only can conceive the agony of
that mother. She was alone! The pride
and glory of her old age was reft from he:
side. lie who spoke to her so kindly,
whose smile was ever ready to greet her,
whose every look beamed with affection
for her, was torn away. Her boy, her
cherished one was the inmate of a prison:
his name damned with the infamy of
crime! Can she endure all thisi Can she
remain at the dear home that Everard
loved so welli Can she ever more take
delight in the flowers that he planted, in
the vines that were trained by his handl
She returned, broken-hearted! The
agony of one moment overwhelmed her,
and she sank on the floor.
A change came over her mind, and she
forgot the present. Was she crazed! She
was again child, happy and joyous in
her chIdhood's home. Her father came
near her and patted her kindly on the
head. Her mother smiled tenderly upon
her, and spoke gently, as was her wont.
She rushed to the old shade-iTss on the
lawn; she ran to the hilltop that looked
down upon her home; she sought the
brook-side, and saw the tiny shells in its
crystal depths. There was no room for
sorrow in her heartl
The vision changed. She stood, hap
ny bride, at the altar, and by herside stood
the father Of Everard Blakesley. The
hopes Of that joyous hour were reproduc-
ed in all their freshness in her heart.
Once moro the vision changed. She
sat by the bedside Of her dying husband.
She took his clamny hand in hers, The
tears ran scalding their pathway down his
cheek. His last words fell moumfally on
her ear. ~
N