Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-03-30
DOWN HILL.
A TRUE LIFE PICTURE.

Not long since had occasion to visit one
of our Courts, and while conversing with a
legal friend heard the name of John Andcr-
son called.
"Thcre is hard case" remarked my
friend.
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 infirm, though not old. His garb
was torn, sparse and filthy, his face was
blood-shot; his hair was matted with dirt,
and his bowed form quivered with delirium.
Certainly I never saw more pitiable object.
Surely that man was not born villain.
moved my Mace to obtain nearer view O.
his face. He saw my movement, rnd turn
his head. He gazcd upon me single mo-
ment, and then, covering his face with his
hands, he sank powerless into his seat
Good GodT ! involuntarily exclaimed,
starting forward, "Wil-'
/ had half spoken his name when he quick
ly raised his head and cast upon me a1ook Of
such imploring agony that my tongue was
tied at once. Then he covered his face over
again.
I asked my legal companion if the prisoner
had council. He said no. told him to do
all in his power for the poor fellows benefit,
and I would pay him. He promised, and I
left. could not remain and sec that man
tried; tears came in my eyes as looked upon
him, and it was not until gained the street
and walked some distance that could breathe
freely.
John Anderson! Alas he was ashamed t.
be known as his mothers son. That was not
his real name, but yeu shah know him by no
other. WIN call him by the name that
stands upon 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 together; he
/ to return to the home of wealthy parents ]
to sit down for a few years in the dingy sane
tum Of . newspaper Office, and then wander
| of across the ocean. ! was gone some four
years, and when returned found John a
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 the railway station, "you shall see
what bird l have Gagged Ny Ellen is a
lark, q princess Of all birds that ever looked
beautiful or sang swectly."
! lie WAS enthusiastic, but not mistaken; for
found his wife all that he had said, simply
omitting the poetry. And SO good too--so
loving and kind. Aye, she SO loved John
that she really loved al his fsien.ls. What a
lucky fellow to find such wife, and sFhat a
lucky woman to find such husband. John
Anderson was as handsome as she-tall,
straight, manly, high -browed, with rich chest
nut curls, and face as faultlessly noble and
beautiful as artist ever copied. And he was
good, too, and kind, generous and true.
spent : week with them, and / was happy
all the while. Johns mother lived with
them, q fine old lady as ever lived, and maxi
ing herself constant joy by doting on her
darling boy" Is she always called linn. |
gave her an account Of my adventures by sea
and land, in foreign elinles, and she kissed
me because i loved her darling.
did not see John again for four years. ]
reached his house in the evening. 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
they were my friends children. Everything
seemed pleasant until the little ones were in
bed and asleep, and then could see that Ell
len was troubled. She tried to hide it, but q
face SO used to the sunshine of smiles could
not conceal q cloud.
At length John came. His face was flush.
| ed and his eyes looked inifamed. He graSped
my hand with happy laugh, called me "old
fellow, " old 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 his wild oats soon; my darling
can never be bad man,
God grant it" thought TO myself; and
knew that the same prayer was upon Ell
lens lips.
Il was late when we retired, and we 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 t.
see him as saw him the night before.
"0h, ," said he with laugh, s.oh, that was
nothing g--only : little wine party. We had
q glorious time. Iwish you had been there
| At first / thought would say no more, bu
was it not my dutye knew his nature bet
ter than he knew it himself. His appetites
and pleasures bounded his own vision.
knew how kind and generous he was alas
too kind, too generous.