Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-02-20
Ghuice Slistsllanv.
Down Hill; A Story With a
Good Moral,

Not long since had occasion to visit one
of our courts, and while conversng with a
legal friend, heard the name of John An
derson called.
There is hard case," remarked my
friend.
| looked upon the man in the prisoner $
dock He was standing up, and plead guilty
to the crime of theft. He was man
hcnt and infirm, though not old. His garb
MAS torn, sparce- and filthy. his face was all
boated and bloodshot; lns hair matted with
dirt, and his bowed form quivered with de-
lirium. Certainly never saw more pitt
able Object. Surely that man was not born
avillain. ! Imoved my place. He saw my
movement and turned his head. He gazed
upon me single instant, end then, cover
ing his face with his hands, he sank power
less in his seat. Good God!" involun-
tarily calculated, starting forward, "Will
-" | had half spoken his name
when he quickly raised his head and cast
upoa me II look ofsuch imploring agony that
my tongue was tied at once Then he COW
cred his face again. | asked my legal COM
panion 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 in
his eyes as l 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; but y1u shall know
him by no other will call him by the
nauie that stands upon the record of the
| court.
John Anderson was my schOolmate, and
it was not many years ago-not over twenty
that we left our academy together; he tC
return to the home of wealthy parents--l
to set down for a few years in the dingy
sanctum ofa newspaper office, and then wan
der off across the ocean. was gone som,
four years, and when I returned | founC
John married man. His father was dead
and left his only son princely fortune
"Ah, c." he said to me, as he me
me at railway station, 'you shall see wha
a bird h.ve Gagged. My Ellen is lark,
robin, very princess of all birds that eve
looked beautiful rsang sweetly."
i He was enthusiastic, but not mistaken
4 for Ifound his wife all he had said, simpl
omitting the poetry. She was one of tn
most beautiful women ever saw. And S
good, too,-so loving and so kind. Aye
she so loved John that she really loved a
his friends What a lucky woman to fin
such husband for John Anderson was a
handsome as she-tall, straight, manly
high browed, with chestnut curls, and h
face as faultlessly noble and beautiful US Al
tist ever copied. And he was good, too, an
kind, generous and true.
spent week with them, and was hapT
all the while Johns mother lived wit
# ,hcm-as fine old lady as ever breathe,
:, and making herself constant joy by dotr
!. on her darling boy :" as she always calle
II him. gave her an account Of my alve
lures by sea and land in foreign climes, AZ
she kissed me because loved her darin
did not see John again for four years.
In the evening | reached the house.
was not in, but his wife and mother we
:, there to receive me, and two curly head
~ at once they we're my friends children
Everything seemed pleasant until the lit
ones were abcd and asleep, and then cou
see that Ellen was troubled. She tried
hide it, but a face so used TO the sunshine
O. smiles could not conceal cloud.
n At length John came. His face "
j. flushed and his eyes looked inf1amed
grasped my hand with a happy laugh, ca
.r. ed me "oid telloow,H H9ld dog;,"' said
rs must come and live with him, and ma
other extravagant things His wife tried
hide her tears, while his mother shook
for head and said ,sFf 80. A.rgl
cE Hell SOW these wild oats soon. ]
darling can never be a bad man."
God grant itP l thought to myse
and knew that the same prayer was on
|, lens lips, 'sa. : 900 oi 'faf 7