The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-09-07
Down Hill.
A LIFE PICTURE.

iokuI IIieuu1 ! ucuIu Iuo uauS VI JUN AN"
deTson called.
"There is 4 hard case," remarked my
friend.
l looked upon the man in the prisoners
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 hair
matted with dirt, and his bowed form culver.
ed with delirium. Certainly, never saw
more pitiable object. Surely, that man was
not born villain. Imoved my place to OBJ
tain fairer view Of his face. He saw my
movement. and turned his head. He gazed
upon me single instant, and then, covering
his face with his hands, sunk, powerless into
his seat. GOOD God !" I involuntarily
CALCULATED. starting forward. "Wil-"
l had half spoken his name, when he
quickly raised his head, and cast upon me a
look of such imploriug agony that my tongue
was tied at once. Then he covered his face
ogain. I asked my legal companion 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: could not remain
and see the man tried. Tears came to my
eyes as gazed upon him, and it was not un.
til gained the street and walked some dis
tance that | could breathe 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. will call him by the name
that stands upon the records Of the court.
John Anderson was my schoolmate and il
1 was not mary years ago-not over twenty
that we left our Academy together; he to
return to the home of wealthy parents-I, te
sit down for few years in the dingy sanctun
of printing Office, and then wander of
across the oceon. l was gone some fou
years, and when l returned found John q
married man. His father was dead, and hat
left his only son princely fortune.
"And, c." he said to me, as he me
me at railway station, "you shall see wha
bird have Gagged. My Ellen is lark,
robin, very princess Of all birds that eve
looked beautiful or sang sweetIy."
He was enthusiastic, but not mistaken, fo
found his wife all he said, simply omittinI
the poetry. She was one Of the most beau
tful women I had ever seen. And so goot
too-so loving and kind. Aye, she so love-
John, that she really loved oil his friends.-
What a lucky fellow to find such wife, ant
what lucky woman to find such husband
for John Anderson was handsome as she
tall, straight, manly and high browed, witt
rich chestnut curls, and face as faultless
noble and beautiful, as artist ever copied
And he was good, too; and kind, generou
and true.
i / spent week with them, and was ha p
py, all the while. Johns mother lived will
them, as fine an old lady as ever breathed
and making herself constant joy by dotin!
on her "darling boy," os she always calle
him. gave her an account of my adven
tures by sea and land, in foreign climes, an
she kissed me becase loved her darling.
did not see John again for four years.
In the evening reached his house. He wa
. not in, but his wife and mother were ther
to receive me. and two curly headed boy
were at play about Ellen's chair. Iknew o
once they we're my friends children. Ev
erything seemed pleasant until the littl
, ones were abed and asleep aud then coul
, see that Ellen was troubled. She tried t
hide it, but face so used to sunshine {
smiles could not conceal cloud.
At length John came. His face wt
, flushed and his eyes looked infamed. H
grasped my hand with happy laugh, cslle
me sold fellow, ""old dog;" said must CON
and live with him, and many other extrav'
!, CANT things. His wife tried to hide her tear
while his mother shook her head and said
"Hell sow these wild oats soon. N
darling can never be bad man."
"God grant it /" thought to myself al
y | knew that the same prayer was upon E
lens lips.
1t was late when we retired, and we mig
not have done TO then, had not John fall'
asleep in his chair.
On the following morning walked o
>, with my friend. ] told him I was sorry
see him as saw him the night BEFORE.
"Oh," said he with laugh, cob, that W
~ nothing. Only little wine party. We h
glorious time. wish you been there"
- At fret thought I would say no moi
>, but was il not my duty! ! knew his natu
better than he knew it himself. His app
tites and pleasures bounded his own visio
- knew how kind and generous he was-al'
=, - too kind, TOO generous.
~ "John, could you have seen Ellen's ia
last evening, you would have trembled.
;, Cen YOU make her unhappy 2"
~ He stopped with -
"Dont be q fool. Why should she
unhappy 2"
" "Because she fears you are going do,
;" hi, said /. r-..
"Dld che soy so 7" he asked, with flus
ed face. a
he "No; read it In her countenance," J"
to said. ...,. -.... ....i..
at "Psrhaps rejection Of your own thoughts
Tt he suggested.
e.l MEnralu I Nhnnnht an ,zhan snn,, ear