The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-02-13
HOW a CONVICT WON PARDON.
BT wM. II. BUSHNELL.

at night, and besides / am fearful that
some one will break in and rob the house
and murder US all. never say my pray
ers and 60 to bed without trembling for
my own life and that of the children -
and the little woman hung upon the arm
of the strong man and begged him with
fearful eyes to give up his wandering life
(that Of a peddler) and settle down.
GAS soon as l have gathered enough
together to buy me u 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 enough for ALL. aud the bright
sun is always shining, I'll gladly give
up carrying the pack, for it is no easy
work at the best"
"OnIy think of the money you have in
the house, husband dear Surely there
Is enough to take Us across the sea-You
and l and the children, and Bridget, too,
if she likes to 60"
Bridget was the servant girl who help
| ed 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 proposition. But she
said nothing and the master continued:
''It is true for you, Kathleen, that l
| have a matter of a hundred pounds or so,
which l shall leave for you to take care
| of, and if | have good luck this trip l
| promise you either to remain at home or
90 to America, bless her. It's a soOd
| friend she's been to Ireland, and many's
the poor soul she's kept from starving.
So take good care of the children, Kath>
| leen-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 stoutly away whistling merrily.
| His heart was light, his form strong,
he had none Of the fears of his wife, and
was looking forward joyfully 10 the time
| when he would have little home, ga pig
and a cow, and patch of praties'' that
| would belong to himself alone, and over
which no haTdNhearted steward or nom
| resident landlord could claim control, al
though he would willingly pay his tilhes
to the church.
Terence O'Brien was pelller by pro-
fession, and what was called n "fUrce
handed man" His family consisted Of
the good wife, two children, boy of
scarce three years, babe, and the girl of
all work-Bridget. At the start Of his
married life, he had rented a little cottage
that stood in a lonely, out-of-the- wav
place though he had increased his stores,
he had retained possession of it, on the
score of economy.
A brave, athletic man, and one who
feared nothing human, he could not un-
derstand the terrors of his wife, Kath-
aleen--;n fact, gave them little thought
Besides, robbery was thing almost un-
known among the peasantry, and who
would ever dream of his having a large
amount Of money in his dilapidated cabin ?
But it was not his custom to do so.
Usually, he deposited it in some secure
place. So he gave the matter no further
thought than to promise himself that this
would be his last journey, IF he did as
well as he anticipated,) and he tugged
around, flattering the rosy checked girls
into purchasing finery with which to aaz>
zle tie eyes of their beaux at the next
fair.
With Kathleen, however, it was far
different. As the night began to draw
near, and the wind began to creep around
the corners of the cabin, and whistle down
the chimney with a sad and mournful
sound, she bethought herself of the SOW
ereigns her husband had left, and taking
the bag in which they were kept from the
little cupboard over the fireplace, she
carefully tucked it between the beds, re-
marking at the same time TO Bridget,
''that no ore would ever think of looking
for it there"
"No," was the reply cit wouldbe
smart man, sure, that would be lookin'
under the children to find gould
The tea over, for they were early sleep
ers as well as early risers, the girl request
ed that she might be allowed to pass the
the evening with her sister, who resided
about mile distant, and the anxious wife
and mother, although sorely 10th to do so,
at length consented, insisting on an early
return.
''But you will be back early, Bridget ?"
CAV coorss, will the same. But
don't be after frettin';" and the girl de-
parted.
The lone woman busted herself as best
she might until late hour, but the girl
did not return. In fever of anxiety,
she watched until another sixty minutes
had passed, although it appeared to her
like half day and then considering Il
useless to remain up longer sought her owr
pillow after commencing herself to flim
who is the protector of the willow and the
father OF the fatherless. Eut she had not
closed her eyes before thero was loud
rap upon the dooT,
SIS that you, Bridget :" she asked hope
fully,
''No,' was the answer, and her heart
sank like lead within her. t'No, Lam a
stranger and have lost my way you must
let RE In. .
i csnnot--cannot, am a poor,
!, ""H..s woman. dare not let you IN