The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-09-29

.,.. Down Hill--A Life Picture. ~.
Not long since / had occasion to vis-
it one Of our courts, and while convers-
ing with legal friend | heard the name
of John Anderson called.
"There is hard case," remarked
my friend.
| looked upon the man in the prison.
er's dock. He was standing up, and
plead guilty to the crime of theft. He
was tall man, but bent and infrm,
though not old. His garb was torn,
sparse and filthy; his face was bloatcd
and bloodshot; his hair matted with
dirt, and his bowed form quivsred with
delirium. Certainly, I never saw a
more pitiable object. Surely, that man
was not born a villain. / moved my
place to obtain q fairer view of his
face. He saw my movement, and
turned his head. He gazed upon me a
single instant, and then covering his
face with his hands, he sank powerless
into his seat. "Good God !" 1 invol-
unfairly calculated, staring forward,
"Wil-" o H Ga
/ had half spoken his name when he
quickly raised his head, and casting
upon me look of such iInploring ago
ny that my tongue was tied at once.
Then he covered his face again. /
asked my legal friend if the prisoner
had counsel. He said no. then told
him to do all in his power for the poor
fellows benefit, and would pay him.
He promised, and left, l could not
remain and see that man tried. Tears
came to my eyes as gazed upon him,
and it was not until l had gained the
street and walked some distance that /
could breath freely.
John Anderson |! Alas! he was
ashamed to be known as his mothers
son. That was not his real name but
you shall know him by no other. I
will call him by the name that now
stands upon the records of the court
John Anderson was my schoolmate
and it was not many years ago
not over twenty-that we left our acad-
envy together; he to return to the
home of wealthy parents-I, to sit
down for a few years in the dingy sane
tum of a newspaper Office, and then
wander off across the ocean. was
gone some four years, and when re-
turned found John married man.
His father was dead, and had left his
only son princely fortune.
"And, c." he said to me, as he
met me at railway station;" you shall
see what a bird l have Gagged. My
Ellen is lark, a robin, a very princess
of all birds that ever looked beautiful
or sang sweetly.
He was enthusiastic but not mistaken,
for found his wife all he had said,
simply emitting the poetry. She was
one of the most beautiful women /
ever saw. And so good too-so low
ing and kind. Aye she so loved John,
that she readily loved all his friends.
What a lucky fellow to find such a
wife, and what lucky woman to find
such husband for John Anderson was
as handsome as she !; straight and tall,
manly, high browed, with rich chestnut
curls, and face as faultless noble and
beautiful as artist ever copied. And
he was good, too and kind, generous
and true.
did not see John again for four
years. In the evening l reached his
house. He was not in, but his wife
and mother were there to receive me,
and two urly-headed boys were at play
about Ellen's chair. ! knew at once
they were my friends children. Every
thing seemed pleasant until the little
ones were abed and asleep, and thep
| could see that Ellen was troubled.
She tried to hide it, but face SO used
to the sunshine of smiles could not con-
ceal cloud.
At length John came. His face was
flushed and his eyes looked infamed.
He grasped nay hand with happy
laugh, called me " old fellow" and
cold dog" said must come and live
with him, and many other extravagant
things. His wife tried to hide her
tears, while his mother shook her head
and said:
"He'll SOW these wild oats soon.
My darling can never be bad man.
"God grant ]" / thought to my
self; and knew the same prayer was
trembling upon Ellen's lips.
1t was late when we retired, and we
might not have done so then had moi