The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-04-17
Dnwn HiIl.-A Life Picture.

Not long since had occasion to visit one
Of our courts, and, while convessing with
legal friend, heard the name of John An
derson called.
l looked upon the man in the prisoners
dock. He was standing up, and plead guilty
to the crime of theft He was a tall man,
but bent and infrm, though not old His
garb was torn, sparce, and filthy his face
was bloated and bloodShot his hair matted
with dirt, and his bowed form quivered with
delirum. Certainly, never saw more
pitiablc object. Surely, that man was not
born villain. l moved my place to obtain
fairer view Of his face. He saw my move
mant, and he turned his head. He gaxed
upon me a single instant, and then, covering
his face with his hands, sank powerless into
his seat. tsGood God ~ | invonntarily
circulated, starting forward. "Will---"
had half spoken his name, when be
quickly raised his head and east upon me
look of such imploling agony that my tongue
was tied at once. Then he covered his face
again. asked my legal companion il the
prisoner had counsel. He said no. I then
told him to do all in his power for the poor
fellows benefit, and would pay him. He
promised, and I left could not remain
and see that man tried. Tears came to my
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 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 schoomate, 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 few years in the dingy sane
tum 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 princely fortune.
"And, Co. he said to me, as he met me
at a railway station, "you shall see what a
bird have Gagged. Ny Ellen is lark, a
robin, very princes of all birds that ever
looked beautiful or sang sweetly."
He was enthusiastic, but not mistaken !;
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 kind. Ay she
SO loved John that she really loved all his
friends. What lucky fellow to find such
wife, and what a lucky woman to find such
husband for John Anderson was as hand
some as she, tall, straight, manly, high
browed, with rich chestnut curls, and a 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 hap
py all tho while. Johns mother lived with
tnem a fine old lady as ever breathed, and
making herself constant joy by dotiny on
her "dariing boy" as she always called him
gave her an account Of my adventures by
iaiiu III IoTeigu ciltneS, ana Sne klSScu
me because loved her darling.
dill not see John again for four 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 they were my friends children.
Everything seemed pleasant until the little
ones were abed and asleep. and then could
see that Ellen was troubled. She tried to
hde it, but a face so used to the sunshine os
smiles could not conceal cloud.
At leangth John came. Ills face was
flushed and his eyes looked inhamed He
g'asped my hand with happy laugh called
me cold fellow,'' ssold dog" said must
come and live with him. and many other
extravagent things. His wife tried, to hide
ber tears, while his mother shook her head
and said "He will SOW these wild oats soon.
My darling never can be bad man."