Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-11-27

In q little time, hut promised to call
again next day, "for I'm afraid the
fever Is coming on you" she said, as
she kissed me and bade me good-by.
After she had gone I busted myself
Ia getting ready the supper, for jamie
always enjoyed his supper; and what
an early breakfast, and only lunch
ot noon, he should eat heartily at
night. Ibakcd some biscuit and kept
them smoking hot, cooked q nice bit
Of meat, and boiled the potatoes, and
then got out little dish Of preserves
and stepped the tea. sf
Just In the nick Of time, as we s,y,
and when everything was ready, Ja-
mile came I'm. He looked more cheer
fnl than he had In the morning, and
smiled, and praised the appearance OF
the table. But there was q look Of
firm and resolute determination I'm
his face that I had not seen there be-
fore, and II troubled me to know what
1t betokencd. ~ itQ,
"Well, mother, y he said, "if every
thing h ready we will cat, for I'm as
hungry as q bear, and after supper
Pvesomething important to tell you. -
These last words he spoke hesitat-
ingiy, but was glad to know that
he was about to uuburden his soni Of
whatever secret Il contained.
So we sat down to the table. was
just pouring out the tea when there
came o loud and unexpected rap at
the door. ! opened IL and found Mr..
Keatlng, the constable. Helived not
far Oh, and had been friend Of my
"Good evening, Mr.. Heating"
said. a.'9 lIi ~. 'ai7
Good everipg, madam" he re-
piled; "does James Riley live here ~
"And don't you knowhe lives here 2
"Is he at home ?'' a.E Z. Z.tfrhl
'Supposing he is-whatt then %
must see him. have have IN
order for his arrest" 'iu
"What do you mean by that ]
asked, angrily. ''Surely you're jok-
ing, Mr.. Heating! You certainly
wouldn't carry Jamie to Jail! You
know he's never done any evil deed ~
"Itsa sad duty" answered the con-
stable, "but arrest him / must, II he's
In this house." ~ wv.
"Well, he's not In the house, nor
has he been tonight" - 'ia
Before these words were fairly out
Of my mouth, Jamie himself stepped
| to the door. y
He had listened to all our converse.
tion, and now he smoke In his clear.
manly voice:
'I am ready to accompany You,
Mr.. Heating, but with what crime
am charged ?"
Mr.. Keating smoke yery low. &c
that I shouid not hear. hut hear / did.
and the words made me faint and
sick: I tried to bapish the horrible
suspicion OF my sons guilt, but ]
GLANCED the nirht before.
WMr. KeatinT. . I said. as calmly as
7 eouId. thourh INV voice trembied.
evil You let me sneak to INV son
alone one minute ~
"Certanly, Mrs, Rilcy.n
Then the lad came into the room,
and the constable stood without tins
door, and / took my boys hand In
mine, and looking up into his face,
spoke these words:
James Riley, by the love you
bear me; by the memory OF your deac
father; by the hope OF your soui,s sal
vation, speak truly; are you guilty OF
innocent! ...,.e-.,-
Innocent, mother-before God,
innocentW he bent down and kissed
my wrinkled forehead, and lifted the
great load OF doubt from my mind.
"Then go, darling" / said, "and
may the Lord In his mercy watch
over You, and bring you forth from
this tribulation." ..,6,.,l.
i So James went with the constable
and sat all night by the fireplace
moaning and crying as Thought ol
my poor boy In the stone cell OF the
jail. .earqf.
When morning dawned ! tried y
rouse myscit ior the uuues OF ,ne uay
nu1 on now zone nno uesoiu,e VI,
nttie Kitchen looked, anu when I"n
tne table ana put JAMES pla.e !,
Us accustomed place, anu tnoueh,
how for long days ne would no, OF nt
tnere 10 eat any more, my eyes hI'co
with tears and could DO nothing'
n The news of Jamie's arrest spreat
I quickly through the village. Wher
they told II to Maggie Bryan, the
brave girl tied on her hood, and going
straight to the jail, demanded an in
teiview with her lover.
She never doubted his innocenc,
for moment. and there, with tn,
black. walls surrounding her, she
vowed TO remain faithful and true L
him ALWAYS. and devote every energy
10 secure kis yindication and release
Her presence cheered Jamie, ant
she came from the iail to my cottage
bringing many hopeful messages from
!, the dear boy. From her I first learned
lfnll the charge against him. lI
}, II seems that on Sunday night, ia.
s"e ~ ~ ~ r,I -.