The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-03-14
Tte Storp.
HOW A CONVICT WON PARDON

~ II 10 AciS hAShtS ~1iu, .-eS
/ am fearful that some will break in and ro
the house and murder us all. l never say m,
prayers and go to bed without trembling for III,
own life and that of my children" and the lit
tie woman hung upon the arm of the strong
man, begged him with fearful eyes to give M
his wandering life that of peddler) ana settle
down.
''As soon as | have gathered enough to buy me
bit of ground, or what would be better still,
to emigrate to America, that blessed land of
freedom, where, as the song says, there's bread
and work for all" and the bright sun always
shining, I'll gladly give up carrying the pack,
for it is no easy work at the best
"Only think Of tho money You have in the
house now, husband dear! Surely there is sutli-
cent TO take us across the sea-you and l and
the children, and Bridget, too, if she likes to
go"
Bridget was the servant girl who helped the
wife of the peddler and was her sole companion
when he was away, and her eyes snapped with
apparent delight when she heard the PROPOSE
ton. But she said nothing, and ''the master"
continued
at is true for you, Kathleen, that 1 have a
matter of hundred pounds or so, which l shall
leave for you to take care of, and if promise
YOU either to remain ut home or go to America,
bless her! It's good friends she has been to
Ireland, and manys the poor soul she has kept
from starving. So take good care of the gold
and the children, Kathleen-you and Bridget
until come back" and he kissed his wife and
bright eyed, curly headed babies, gave Bridget
the good bye. shouldered his pack and strobe
away, whistling merrily.
His heart was light, his form strong; he had
none of the fears of his wife, and was looking
forward joyfully to the time when he would
have little home, ga pig and q COW and q patch
Of praties' that would belong to himself, and
over which no hard-hearted steward or non-resi-
dent landlord could claim control.
Terrence O'Brien was apeddler by profession,
and what was called Store handed" man. His
family consisted of the good wife, two children.
boy of scarcely three years, babe and the girl
Of all work-Bridget. At the start of his mar
ricd life he had rented little cottage that stood
in lonely, out-of.the-way place; although he
had increased his store, he had retained possess
sion of it on the score of economy.
4 brave, athletic man, and one who feared
nothing human, he could not understand the
terrors of his wife, Kathleen--in fact gave them
little thought. Besides, robbery was a thing al
most unknown among the peasantry, and who
would ever dream of his having large amount
of money in his wretched cabin? But it was
not his custom to do so. usually he deposited
it in q sure place. So he gave the matter no
further thought than to promise himself that
eAi" ohou'u VIC hiS AoSU IouihSy VI NC ulu us Uc
anticpated,) and tugged around, lattering the
rosy checked girls into purchasing fnery with
which to dazzle the eyes of their bcaux at the
next fair
With Kathleen however, it was far different
AS the night began to draw near and the wind
to creep round the corners of the cabin and whis-
tie down the chimney with mournful sound, she
bethought herself of the sovereigns her husband
had left, and taking the bag in which they were
kept from the little cupboard over the Fireplace
she carefully tucked 1t between the beds, re.
marking, at the same time, to Bridget 'that no
ono would ever think of looking there"
NO." was the reply. ut would be smart
man, sure that would be lookin' under the
children to find gold"
The tea over, for they were early slecpers as
we'll early risers, the girl requested that she
might be allowed to pass the evening with her
sister, who resided about mile distant, and the
anxious wife and mother, although 10th to do So
ut length consented, insisting on an early re-
turn. I-.r
"But you will be back early, Bridget"
"Av coorse will that same But don't be af-
ter fretting," and the girl departed.
The lone woman busted herself us best she
might until a late hour, but the girl did not re-
turn. In fever of anxiety, she watched until
fully another sixty minutes had passed, although
it appeared to her like half day. and then
considering it useless to remain up longer
sought her own pillow, after commencing her.
self to Him who is the protector of the father
less. But she had not closed her eyes before
there was a lound rap upon the door.
"ls that you, Bridget" she asked hopefully
mo" was the answer, and her heart sank like
lead within her. "No; am Il stranger-hayo
lost my way; you must let me in
81 cannot--cannot. / am poor lone woman.
dare not let you in"
You need have no fear. AS there is a God
IN Heaven, will not harm you. I'm an escaped
cohvict-'in innocent onc-and as you have mer-
cy in your heart, open the door,"
When was such an appeal made to an Irish
heart in vain: An escaped convict and wanting
succor! That is u talisman to open every door
to have the last potato or bite Of bread forced
into the hungry mouth. Yes, it is truly the
open sesame to an Irish heart, and it operated so
in this case.
The woman arose, opened the door, gave the
fugitive food, and having again received his as.
surance that he would do her no harm, but on
the contrary, protect her. and having seen him
stretch himself upon the floor before the remnant
OF the peat fire, she again sought the side of her
sleeping children.
But even then she was not allowed to rest
At first her fears kept hor awake Then came
another loud rap for admission, and both she and
her strange visitor arose.
us this part of your gang?" she asked in
trembling whispers.
II call upon Heaven to Witness" answered no
solemnly, shat such is not the case Ask them
what they want"
She did SO and was told that they knew she
had money in the house and were determined 10
have it. w
"Tell them whispered the stranger. ..tbot
you have friend with You and that it will be
dangerous for them to enter"
II have friend here" sho said, going close to
the door, "a man who will protect me and you