The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-02-10

tongue was at once tied. Then he COW
cred his face with bis hands. Iasked my
legal companion if the prisoner had couu-
! sci. He said no. | told him to do all in
his power for the poor fellows benefit,
and would pay him. promised, and
| / left. ! could not remain and see the
man tried Tears came into my eyes as
/ | gazed upon him, and it was not until l
had gained the street and walked some
distance that | could breathe freely
John Anderson Alas lie was asham-
ed to be known as bis mothers son. That
was not his name, but you shall know 10
iother ] viii call him by the name that
stands on the records Of the court
John Anderson was my school mate,
and it was not many years ago-not over
twenty, that we left our academy togeth-
er-heto return to the home of his wealthy
parents, and to sit down in the dingy
sanctum Of a newspaper office for few
wears, and then wander across the ocean
I was gone some four years, and when |
returned | found John a married man
His father was dead, and had left John a
pripceIy fortune.
All C" said he to me, as he met
me at the railroad station, ''you shall see
what 4 bird l have Gagged. Ny Ellen is
perfect lark-a robin, very princess OF
all birds that ever looked beautiful or sung
sweetly."
He was an enthusiast, but not mistak-
en-, for | found his wife all he had said,
simply emitting the poetry. She was
truly Que Of the most beautiful women |
ever saw. And so good, too, SO loving
and SO kind Aye, she so loved John,
that she really loved all his friends What
a lucky fellow to find such wife. And
what lucky woman to find such hus-
band; for John Anderson was as hand
some as she was. Straight, tall, manly,
and face as faultlessly noble and beau
tiful as ever an artist copied. And he
was good, too, and kind, generous and
true.
l spent week with them, and was hap
pY all the time. Johns mother lived
with them, a fine old lady as ever lived,
and making herself constant joy and pride
i'm boastinc Of her son, "darlirg bow" as
she called him. gave her an account
of my adventures by sea and land in for
eign climes. and she kissed me when I
left. She said she kissed me because |
loved her darling.
| did not see John again for four years.
| arrived at his house late in the evening.
He was not at home; but his wife and
mother were there to receive me; and two
curly headed boys were at play about El-
lens chair knew at once they were
NV frieuds children. EVERYTHING seemed
pleasant until the Iittle ones were in bed
and asleep, and happy, and then | could
piainIy see that Ellen was troubled. She
tried to hide it. but face so used to the
sunshine could not wear sorrow conceaIsd.
At length John came. His face was
flushed, and his eyes looked inaamed. He
grasped nv hand with a hearty laugh
called me "oId fellow, old dog" and |
must come and live with him. and many
other extrayagant things. His wife tried
to hide her tears, while his mother shook
her head and said
"He'n SOW his wild oats soon. Ny
darling can never be q bad man "
God grant it., said | to myself; and
| well knew that the sane prayer was on
EIlen's lips.
1t was late when I Iretircd, and I might
not have done so even then had not John
fallen asleep in his chair.
On the following morning ] walked
out with my friend. | told him | was
sorry to ace him as | saw him the night
before.
oh" said he, "that was nothing
Only little party We had a glorious
49,, 7 IL, -. l. 49,, III Lo.,, -,