The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-04-11
ID @ w Y Ii [ l. L .
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 Anderson called.
There is hard case" remarked my
friend
looked upon the man in The prison
er's dock. He was standing up, and
plead guilty 10 the crime of theft He
was a 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 quvered with delirium-
Certainly | never saw more pitable OBJ.
ject. Surely that man was not born a
villain. moved my place to obtain a
nearer view of his face. He saw my
movement, and turned his head. lie
gazed upon me a single moment, and
then, covering his face with his hands,
he sank powerless into his seat.
Good God !" involuntarily exclaim,
ed, starting forward, Viii"
had half spoken his name when he
quickly raised his head and cast upon me
a look of such imploring agony that my
tongue was tied at once. Then he coy
cred his face over again.
asked my legal companion if the
prisoner had counsel He said no. |
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 that man tried tears
came in my eyes as looked upon him,
and ID was mol until | gained the street
and walked some distance that ! could
breathe freely.
John Anderson Alas he was asham-
cd 10 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 school mate,
and It was not many years ago-not over
twenty-lhat we left our academy TO-
gether; he to return 10 the home of veal
thy parents-I to sit down for n few years
in the dingy sanctum of newspaper Of
flee, and then wander of across the ocean.
| was gone some four years, and when
| returned found John married man.
His father was dead and had left his son
princely fortune.
And, c." lie said TO me as he
met me at the railway station, "you shall
see wbata bird have Gagged. Ny Ellen
is lark, a princess of all birds that ever
looked beautiful or sang sweetly."
lie was enthusiastic. but not mistaken
for found his wife all that he had said,
simply emitting the poetry. And so
good too-so loving and kind. Ave, she
SO loved John that she really loved all his
friends. What lucky fellow to find such
wife, and what lucky woman to find
such a husband John Anderson was as
handsome as she-tall, straight, manly.
high browed, with rich chesnut curls,
and face as faul.lcssly noble and beau
tiiul 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 liv-
ed with them, fine old lady as ever
lived. and making herself constant JOY
by doting on her darling boy" as she
called him. gave her an account of
my adventures by sea and land, in for,
elgn climes, and she kissed me because
loved her darling.
] did not see John again for four years.
| reached his house in the evening lie
was not in. but his wife and mother were
there TO receive me, and two curly head
ed 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