The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-11-29
Down Hill.-.A Life Picture.

Not long since had occasion to visit
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 desk. He was standing up, and
plead guilty to the crime of theft. He
was tall man, but bent and infirm,
though not old. His garb was torn,
sparse and filthy; his face was bl"ated
and bloodsllot; his hair matted with
dirt and his bowed form euivered with
delnium, Certainly, | never saw a
more pittiable Object. Surely that man
was not born a villain. ] moved my
place to obtain fairer view of his face.
He saw my movement and turned his
head, he gazed upon me a single in
stant, and then covering his face with
his hands, he sank powerless into his
seat. "Good God % | involvntarily
calculated, starting forward, "Wil-"
/ had half spoken his name when he
quickly raised his head, and casting
upon me look of such imlloring 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 | 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. !
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 twentv-that we left our academy
together; he to return to the home of
wealthy parents-I to sit down for a
few years in the dingy sunctum of a
newspaper office, and then wander off
across the ocean. / was gone some
four years, and when returned / found
John married man. His father was
dead, and had left his only son prince
ly fortune.
And c. he said to me, as he
met me at a railway station, you shall
see what bird have Gagged. My El-
len is lark, robin, a very princess of
all birds that ever looked beautiful or
sang sweetly."
He was enthusiastic but notmistaken,
for | found his wife all he had said,
simply omitting the poetry. She was
one of the most beautiful women ever
saw. And so good too, so loving and
kiud. Aye she so loved John, that she
readily loved all his friends. What a
lucky fellow to find such a wife, and
what a lucky woman to fnd such hus-
band, for John Anderson was as hand
some as she; straight and tall, manly,
high -browed, with rich chestnut curls,
and face as faultless, noble and beau
tiful as artist ever copied. And he was
good, too, and kind, generous and true.
i uiO HOt cCC OOiH ttS all lOi ltuT
years. In the evening ! reached his
house. He was not in, but his wife and
mother were there to receive me, and
two curly-headed boys were at play
about Ellen's chair. ] knew at once
that they were my friends children.
Everything seemed pleasant until the
little ones were abed and asleep, and
then / could see that Ellen was troub-
| led.
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 my hand with "a happy
Ilaugh, called me " old fellow" and "old
dog, said | must come and live with
lhim, and many other extravagant