The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-16

I AA8AA III M30N AntG4 t0ttU0s 8t14 Ao otAtt 9aGRt
The hands Of the clock pointed 70 the 6gur
twelve on the dial, when loud report from
q cannon announced the arrival Of the steam
W. The invalid alowly opened bis eyes sI'
aid:
"Ths Lord bs thanked for bis great mer
tciss.n
i In ten minutsS aserward the watchdog
jgrowled suspieiously outside, at some persos
approaching.
an mast Be Eruass," said Ninna, quickly
rising from her seat.
His step. is not so hsavy, and the dog
knows him."
ssBus you forgot father that the night ia
dark and stormy, an perhaps both are be-
wildered.n
A loud knock at the door silsnosd further
discussion upon the subject, whilst the
chained dog bsrked incessantiy, making
several abortive attempts 10 reach be new
conner.
The door having been opened, in walked .
tall man OF most unprepossessing appearances
with blacx hair and o large flowing beard.
He wore o slouched hat which partly con-
csaled deep scar On one side Of bis face. A
heavy boat cloak and high boots, worn OUT
side the pantaloons, completed his exterior
costume, while In his right hand he carried
heavy sword cane.
Having curtiy spologised to Ninna for his
intrusion, be approached the ire to warm
himself, for his clothes we're drenched with
the rain. In doing this, however, he acci-
dentally exposed . lcathern girdle which he
wore round his waist, carrying two pistols,
such ~ were used at that period in furnish
ing holsters.
"'Tia rather rough night out here, but
II might be worse in the colonies. What do
you say, old fellow ?" said the stranger, fa-
miliArly addressing the SICK man
"My father does not understand you, Sir, !"
answered Ninna.
! "Perhaps not"
"Are you q stranger in these parts :" ask
cd Nina, not well pleased with the mans
rude style Of address.
81 might say yes, although that would not
be quite correct. | have been absent from
the locality for soms years."
"Then you have been travellingr
Travelling Yes, ut the expense Of the
British government, and By the gratutous
Offices of yorr father there," said the man,
signiicana.
| You 4, MT know me, Fielding, / pre-
sumo ~ said he, after a moments pause.
"Know you," deliberated the sick man, 81
| think DO. Your name is"
"Sherrick 70 added the stranger In stern
voice, completing the sentence.
Ninna started at the dreadful name.
"How have you found your way hither r.
! askei Fielding, calmly; you surely have
nOs been pardoned ?"
Escaped from the colony, that's al
| Knocked my keepers brains out with piece
Of cold iron, and gave the authorities leg
bail for my honesty. Van Dieman's Land
had grown distasteful to me. You see have
goa my eccentricitiea."
"What object brings you hersf Why do
you disturb me ct this time OF night ?"
81 have merely called in to pay you .
friendly visit, and caIcel an old obligation.
That's all" and he laughed with bitter
irony.
"WhAt IS it that you dssiref'
81 desire ten years OF serfdom spent IN
Van Dieman's Land. Hark, Fielding you
have caused the sun Of my life to 60 doEn
whilst was still young. What will COM
pensate for three thousand six hundred and
| fifty days blosted from the calendar Of my
existence, What will remunerate for tue
iron chains that bound my legs and eat into
my flesh, or for the robbers jacket that de-
I OieO INV ONCAt L 8u3WtT. DAOOu IL was
your cursed testimony that placed me in the
felon's cell, and consigned me to felon's ig-
nomny and exile"
As the man spoke the muscles OF his chest
rapidly rose and fell, indicating the terrible
conflict that was raging within.
"Your crime has been q terrible one," in
terrosed Ninna, attempting TO divert the cur
rent of his ie - anger from her father.
"Ha ycu aIlade to the transaction Of that
tempestuous night 70
III do"
81 was poor" urged the wretch, halt in
vindication OF his offence. "Would you have
! mo starve. with such golden prize within
| lly graspf The conventionaiitiee Of life
despissd, Just as the rich had despised me.
All this hypocritical cant about honesty is
mere moonshne. | have been honest too
long. would do the same thing again To-
morrow under the same circumstances with
out conjunction"
"The laws of God or man recognise no
such right. sir. You have outraged society, %
said the girl, boldly.
"Brsvely spoken, no doubt but your flip
pancy fails to convince me Of the contrary.
What Is society ut best, demand, but O
conclave OF perjured villains, where he who
denounces loudest against fraud, but waits
the chance to cut his neighbor's throat in se-
cret and those pious men who profess to be
the best guardians Of humanity are the most
fragrant violators Of chastityi What is th-
difference, ask you, between my crime and
that Of the devout merchant who charters q
ship for some foreign port, when, after ef-
fecting goodly insurance upon her cargo,
wishes that she might e. dc-n in the storm
without regard 70 less Of human Hfsf What
rscks he OF the misery Of others, or what
cares he for the consequences that ensue, 90
that hs enriches his own Golfers by the tran
saction Are not our cascs parallel, only
THAI mine leans little more 70 the side Of
virtue; for HIS desires had bel- deliberately
evil nom the beginning, whilst had thu
courage TO seize upon my project on tbs in
stant and boldly put 1t into executionf Boz
enough Of this. am here tonight TO win.
dicats my oath. I have sworn to be re-
venged."
"For PHYS sake do NOT use such threats
You surely would not injure sick and help
less man p
"The ID would not" exclaimed Shcr
rick brutaly.
Deliberately throwing back the folds oi
his cloak, he drew pistol from bis belt, ant
slowly raising 1t to level with the sici
I mans head, sail:
"Fieldlng, you have had your day this il
miner r.
| Quick as lightning Ninna OWNED his muir.
derous intention, and fang herself heavily
across his outstretched arm, grasping hin
round the waist. Tho hammer Of the pisto
fell, and the contents entered the side Of the
couch, whilst the second pistol was jerked
| nom his belt, and rolling heavily slong the
floor, discharged itself In its transit.
"Hell," shFieked the infuristed man, "an
to be foiied thus by girlf"
With n violent effort he hurled Ninna
msined and screaming, to the opposite side
Of the apartment, rnd then removing BIZ
sword Rom its cane scabbard said