Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-12-05
5fllstcllanrous,
DOWN HILL.
A story with :. Good Moral

Not long since | had occ sion to visit
one Of our courts, and while convelsing
with a legal friend, heard the name of
John Anderson called.
"1here is hard case" remarked my
friend.
Hooked upon the man in the prisoners
dock lie was standing up, and plead
guilty to the crime Of theft. He was a
man, but bent and inirm though not old.
His garb was torn, sparce and filthy; his
face was all bloated and bloodshot; his
hair matted with dirt, and his bowed form
Vuivercd with deli,ium. Certainly new
er saw more pitiablc object Surely
that man was not born villain. ]
moved my place lie saw my movement
and he TUNED his head He gazcd upon
me a single instant, and then. covering
his face with his hands, he sank, powcrless
in his seat. "Good God!" involuntary
circulated, starting forward, "Will@."
had half spoken his name, when he
quickly raised his head, and cast upon
me look of such imploling agony that
my tongue was tied at once. Then he
covered his face again ! asked my legal
companion if the prisoner had counsel.
He said no. ! then told him to do all
in his power for the poor fellows benefit,
and would not remain to see him tried.
Tears came to his eyes as ] gazed upon
him. and it was not until | gained the
street and walked some distance that !
could breathe freely.
John Anderson. Alas he was ashamed
to be known as his mothers own SON.
That was not his real name; butyou shall
know him by no other. | will call him
by the name that stands upon the record
! of the court.
John Anderson was my school mate
and it was not maay years aSo-not ove'
twenty-that we left our academy togeth
cr; he to return to the home of wealthy
| parents to set down for few year'
in the dingy sanctum OF newspapc
office, and then wonder OFF across th,
ocean | was gone some four years, an,
when returned found John n marric'
man. His father was dead, and had leI
his only son princcly fortune.
"Ah, c." he said to me. as h,
met me at n railway station, lyon shal
see what bird | have Gagged. My ElleI
is n lark, a robin, n very princess of al
birds that ever looked beautifully o,
sang Swectly.'
| lie was enthusiastic, but not mistaken
for found his wife all he had said, sim
ply omiting the poetry. She was one
of the most beautiful women | ever saw
And so good, too,-- loving and so
kind. Ave, she so loved John that she
really loved all his friends. W hat Il
lucky fellow to find such wife, and what
lucky woman to find such husband
for John Anderson was as handsome a'
! she-tall, straight. manly, high browed
with chestnut curls, and his face as fault
lessly noble and beautiful as artist eve
copied And he was good, too, an'
kind, generous, and true.
spent a week with them and ! wa
happy all the while, Johns mother live,
with them-a fine old lady as ever breath
ed, and making herself constant JOY b.
doting on her darling boy as she al
ways called him. gave her an accoun
ofmy adventures by sea and land IN ioreig
climes. and she kissed me because | love
her darling
didnot see John again for four year,
In the evening reached the house. II
wa, not in, hut his wife and mother wel
there t. receive me, and two curly heade
boys were nj play opon Ellen's chair,
knew at once they were my friends chi
dren. Everything seemed pleasant unit
the little ones were abed and asleep, an
then could SEQ that Ellen was troubled
ID She tried to hide it, but a face so use
- to the sunshine of smiles could not con
r1 seal cloud.
,, At length John came, His face wa
lie flushed and hi, ,.cyes looked indamed :
I'd lie graspcd my hand with happy laugl
called me "old fellow" "old dog" sal
s. | must come and live with him, and man
other extravagaut things. His wife trie
to hide her toars, while his mother shoe
, her head and said: :.
- Hell SOW these wild oats soon. NJ
III darling can never be a bad man
God grant i'll" thought to myself
g.. and knew that the same prayer was Q
Ellen's lips.