The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1855-01-18

Oh' anu sung Oh, 40 huSH ShilO 40 ohO
was at twelve years of age.
In the outskirts of The village at Green
dale stood dilapidated cottage-hut, ,rath-
er. The reckless, dogged look of the man
who sat smoking hispipe in the doorway,
and the lazy, dirty children who lay about,
told the character of the inhabitants. The
good people of Greendale had Mission
ary society, and society for the relief of
the poor; but the poor must be worthy
deserving Objects not ragged, idle out
casts, and all their missionary sympathies
were engaged for fields on the other side
of the word, (barrioboola Cha, perhaps,
overlooking the real missionary ground at
their very doors. They thought more Of
educating little East Indians, who, even
when elevated, would still be an inferior
race, than ofenlightening those in whose
veins ran the proud Saxon blood, formed
for action and rule, now swaying the deste-
nies of the world. Did l say all their SYM
pathies were engaged? Stop! there were
some visionaries among them who cried
out in horror at the ignorance and moral
degradation of the New Zealanders, and
never took the trouble to inform themselves
that there were those in their own village,
in the heart of their own New England
who could hardly answer the question, who
made you?
Why! no one ever went to Sam fuckers
cottage. Two ladies had tried it once, but
half frightened by Sans dark looks, they
never come a second time. Joe Tucker,
the eldest son, had grown up to be nine
teen or twenty-ignorant and degraded,
but not wicked as might be expected.
One day all Greendale was startled by
the intelligence that murder had been
committed. Mr.. Read, one of the largest
farmers, had been knocked down in his
own fields, by blow of rake handlein
the hands of Joe Tucker. Theyoung man
had been hired as day laborer during
harvest. Some alteration had occurred,
and in moment of passion he had given
the fatal blow. He had escaped, but the
constables were out after him in every di-
rection. Before the day was over, hand
bills had been spread through the neigh
boring villages and towns, and information
sent to the Boston and New York police.
Joe would soon be taken-there seemed
no doubt of that, yet day after day passed,
and he still eluded the search One after
noon, about fortnight after the occur
renee, Lucy Holmes was returning from a
ramble in the woods, when she was terri
bly, frightened by the sudden appearance
of Joe Tucker in her path.
Don't scream, Miss, don't scream! Ye
needn't be afeared, said Joe, who looked
ghastly and emaciated 'Only listen to
me. l wouldn't harm hair of your head
Can't you give me morsel to eat, m starv-
ing to death|
Il wish had something for you, but ]
havn't, faltered Lucy.
Then Imust give myself up he groan'
ed. 1've lived ON roots and berries for the
last week. And they'll hang me for get
ing angry. God knows Iuever meant tC
kill the man. Yes, they'll hang me, fol
such as am have no friends
Don't OH don't talk So, said Lucy, the
warm tears filing her eyesas she looked
on the wretched outcast. You have one
friend at least Indeed would do any
thing for you | could
Joe looked upin surprise. II was the
first word of kindness from stranger tha
in the whole course of his life had evel
fallen on his ear. He knew not what t.
make oft.
You friend 10 me9' he said. You for
get who am
} No, l do not. AT this moment woulC
give almost all | possess to have the powe
to do something for YOU
The accent and look were not to be mis-
taken. The wild rude heart on which the.
fell was thoroughly subdued Joe move'
a few steps of, and leaned his face agains
a tree.
Bless you'll bless you for those words,
he said, in broken voice. IF | coult
have heard such as them before, perhaps
, but that's over now. ALPS over now.'
'No!no! l am sure you are sorry for wha
you have done, and
, 'And what? WHAT'S before me even
1 should get out of their clutch9 And T.
l find it hard to do that. The officers are a
: over l suppose
'Yesp and Lucy shuddered and locke
= around.
: so Bill told me week ago. He brough
r me something to eat, and they tracked hir
to my hiding-place. had desperat
I dodge that time. That's week ago, am
l havn't been able to let him know where
t am, or get crust of bread since
, will youtrust me?' said Lucy.
| 'AyP returned Joe Tucker, after Ion
4 look on the pale girl.
Then come with me. You wouldn't b
a able to stay here long at any rate, for
5 heard father say they were to haye thol
t ough securing ofall the wood to-morro'
S morning.
: She turned and hastily traversing til
!. lonesome wood-path in which they ha
s been standing, came to some pasture Ian
: owned by her father. Springing over tn
e stone wall, she led her companion by
g short cut across the fields and through til
e orchards. The shadows of the twiligl
n were thick around when they reached
low, dis-used out building. She oPene
It the door. .rt.r s.ss 81
r Here you are safe for the present. sh
o said hurriedly. No search will be mad
here. As soon as / possibly can l wi
bring you soome food
S AS she turned to go, Joe laid his han
l. unon her arm Won will not hatrav me