The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-24
UNDER SUSPICION.

UNDER SUSPICION.
A dark day it was for us when the consta-
bic took poor jamie to Jail. He was q boy,
scarce turned of twenty, and, though I'm
his mother that says it. an honester lad or
better son never lived. Ever since his
father died, he labored hard and faithful,
and twas not in the dram shops he spent
his earnings, either, but he brought them
home every Saturday night, whenever it
came, and he used to lay the bright silver
dollars in my lap, and then he'd say, with
his cerny smile:
"Here's the money, mother, that will buy
us our Sunday dinner, and oil the good
things for next week."
had noticed for long time that jamie
and Maggie Bryan were very fond of each
other, and was not sorry to notice it, for
/ knew the boy would be wanting to get
married some day, and nicer, neater girl,
than Maggie, was not to be found. It was
mile from our little cottage to where Mag
gle lived, and on Sunday nights jamie
would clothe himself in his best, and walk
over there, and when he came back, if
CHANGED to be up, it did me good to look
into his happy, contented face, as he raked
up the smouldering logs in the fireplace,
and took his seat by the chimney corner.
L could tell by the half.dreamy expression
of his eyes, that he saw Maggie's soft curls
and rosy cheeks in the flames, and that he
was in love. One Sunday night, however,
when he came home later than usual, there
was o troubled, puzzled look on his face,
and he didn't smile nor speak any of his
pleasant words, but just paced the floor in
q nervous manner, and seemed doubtful
whether or not to tell me something that
burdened him. didn't question him, for
I concluded that he had had quarrel
that troubled him, talking about it could
but open it wider. He went to bed very
soon after he came in. I was about to do
the same, when heard the fire bells in the
village ringing. I went TO the door, and
looking out, saw great light in the di-
rection of one of the churches. I was glad
our cottage was not situated in the heart of
the town, for these fires had become very
coramon of late, and the newspapers said
that there was q gang of men engaged in
kindling them, and that nobody's property
they burnt, but barns, and churches, and
public buildings. $1,000 reward had
been offered for the arrest of the incendia-
-ries. but. whoever they were, they kept
clear OF the authorities. don't know how
1T happened, but as stood at the door,
listening to the bells, they seemed to say
every time they, changed, "Ja-mie Riley.
Jamie hl-leyP and l could not resist asso-
oiating my dear boys name with some
awful crime. Islept bnt poorly that night,
and being awake very early in the morning,
/ heard Jamie come softly down the stairs,
and go out at the door. After o sine, got
up, and just as had placed the break fast
on the table, jamie came in. He looked
very pale, and he had no appetite for his
food.
Ibegan to be frightened about him.
''Jamie," said I, "are you sick, or what
ails your
'tNo, mother" he answered, "I'm not
sick. and I cannot tell you what troubles
meP'
Then he rose from the table. and put 2
on his hat, he started for the factory where
he worked. He took up the tin pail in
which always placed his lunch, but he did
it as if by habit; nor did he stop to inquire,
as was his custom, what it contained. I felt
worried all day. Some trouble seemed
hanging over US, but what it was couldn't
guess. In the afternoon, Maggie Bryan
came in to SEQ me- She was very handy
with the needle, and the folks who lived
In the big house on yonder hill, had sent
for her to do some sewing. She was return
ing, and had called to tell me how kind the
lady had been to her, and how much pay
she had received for her work. Maggie
saw in moment that was no. IN good
spirits, and 80 she ceased her pleasant prat.
tie, and asked in serious tone: