The Van Buren press., 1859-08-03

Not long since had occasion to visit one
of our courts, and while csnversing with
legal friend. l heard called the name of
John Anderson.
"There is hard case.as remarked my
companion.
l looked upon the man IN the prisoners s
dock. He was standing up. and plead gull
ty to the charge of theft. lie was tall
man, but bent and infirm, though not old.
His garb was torn, sparse and filthy his
face was ali bloated and blaodshot his hair
matted with dirt, and his bowed form quiv-
cred with delirium Certsinly never saw
a more nittiahle object. Sgs-ls. that man
was not born to be villain. l moved my
place to obtain fairer view Of his face
He ST " my movement, and he turned his
head. He gazed upon me single instant
and then covering his face with his hands,
he sunk powerlcss into his seat. Good
God - involuntarily ejaculared, stsrting
forward VIII
had half spoken his name, when he
quickly raised his head, and cast upon me a
look Of stch imploring agony that my
his face again. / asked my legal friend if
not. 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 had gained the street and
walked some distance that could breathe
freely.
John Anderson Alas he was asham-
ed to be known as his>mother's son. That
was not his real name but you shall know
him by no other. l will call him by the
name that stands on the records of the
court.
John Anderson was my schoolmate, and
it was not many years agO-not over twen-
ty-that we left the academy together he
to return to the home of wealthy parents, l.,
to sit down for few years in the dipgy
sanctum of newspaper office, and then
wander off on the ocean. l was gone some
four years, and when l returned. I found
John married man. His father was dead,
and had left his only son princely for
tune.
and, G." he said to me as he
met pe at q railway station, " you shall see
what bird have Gagged. My Ellen is a
lark, robbin, veIy 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-simp-
ly emitting the poetry. She was one OF
the most beautiful women ever saw. And
SO good. too-so loving and kind. Ave,
she so loved John, that she really loved ali
of his friends. What a lucky fellow to
find such wife, and what lucky woman
to find such a husband, for John Anderson
was as handsome as she; tall, stra;oht
manly, high-browed, with rich, chestnut
curls, and q face faultlessly noble and beau.
tiful as artist ever copied. And he was
good, too ; kind and generous and true.
spent q week with them, and was hap.
py all the while. Johns mother lived witt
them, fine old lady as ever breathed, and
making herself constant Joy by doating or
her darling boy" as she always called
him. gave her an account of my adven.
lures by sea and land in foreign climes, and
she kissed me because l 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. l knew
at once they were my friends children
Everything seemed pleasant until the littl,
ones were abed and asleep, and then coule
see that Ellen was troubled. She tried t,
hide it, but face SO used to the SUNSHINE
/ of smiles, could not conceal cloud.
j At length John came. His face wa
flushed, and his eyes looked infamed. H
lgrasped my hand with happy laugh, call
ed me :" old fellow" old dog" said
must come and live with him, and man,
other extravagant things. His wife trie'
to hide her tears, while his mother shool
her head and said
/ :" He'll sow his wild oats soon. My dar
ling never can be bad man."
"God grant it !" ! thought to myself