Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-12-29

DOW N HILL.
A PICTURE OF LIFE.

Not long Iince I had occasion to visit
one Of our Courts, and while conversinp
with legal friend | heard the name Of
John Anderson called. There is hard
cass.' remarked my legal friend.
looked upon the man in the prisoners dock
He was standing up, and be plead guilty
to the crime of theft. He was tall man,
but bent and infrm. though not old. His
galb was torn, sparse, and filthy; his face
oil bloatsl and bloodshot; his hair matted
with dirt; and bis bent form quivering
with dsliTium. Certainly / never saw a
more ptiable object. surely that man
was not born q villain. Imoyed INV place
to obtain fairer view of his face. He
saw my movement, and turned bis head.
He gazsd upon me single instant and
then covering bis face with bis hands, hs
sank powetlsss into bis seat.
Good GodP Involuntary exclaimed
ttalting forward. 'Wil-'
had half spoken bis name when be
quickly raised bis bead, and cast upon ME
a look of such imploring agony that my
tongue was tied at once. Then he cover
ed his face again. asked my legal com.
panion il the prisoner had COUNSEL He
said no. Ithen told him to do all in hi.
power for the poor fellows benefit, and |
would pay him. He promised, and | left.
] could not remain and see the man tried
Tears came in my eyes as I gazed upon
him, and 1t was not until had gained the
street and walked some distance that l
could breathe freely.
John Andersonl Alas, be was asham.
ed to be known as bis mothers son That
was not his name; but you shall know him
by no other. Twill call him BY The name
that now stands upon the records of The
Court. /
John Anderson was my school mate
and 1t was not many years ago-not over
twenty. that We left our Academy togeth.
er-he TO return to the home OF wealthy
parents; | to sit down in the dingy sanctum
Of newspaper Office for few years and |
then wander across the ocean. I was gone
some four years, and when returned, I
found John married man. His father
was dead, and had left his only son ; t
princely fortune.
Ah c. he said to me, as be
met me at the Railway station, ven shall
see whst bird ! have Gagged. Nv Ellen
is perfect larL IA robin, a very princess
Of all birds that ever looked beautiful or
sang sweetlyP !,
He was enthusiastic, but not mistaken
for ! found bis wife ell be said, sinpIy o,
hitting The poetry. She was truly one
Of the most beautiful women / ever saw.
And 90 good, too 80 loving and 50 kind.
Aye she so loved John, thai she really
loved oil his friends. What lucky fei.
low to fad such wife. And what lucky
woman 10 find sucha husband, for John
Anderson was as handsome as abe. Tall.
straight, manly, high.browed, with chest
nut carls' and face as faultlessly noble
and beautiful as ever an artist copied. And
be was good too; and kind, generous and ,
rue, M
Ispent . week with them, ane I va. :
lappy ell the time. Johns mother livsd /,
With them, fine old lady as ere, livaI
md making herself constant ioy aud prids |.
q boasting upon her son, her darling bow,
q she slwsys called him. gave Der an
ccOunt Of my adventures by sea and land .
D foreign climes, and she kissed me when !,
left, She said she kissed me because I /
owed her darling. :,
/ did not see John again for four years
reached lis house late in the eyeninr-IT
Ie was not at home, but bis wife and q,
lother were there to receive me, and two q,
boys were at play about El. !,
nS chair. I knew at once, they were +,
y friends children. Everything seemed ol
Ieasant, until the little ones were in bed s. 81
I'd asleep and PspPy, and then I could ss