The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-08-01

having been through his companions gen
eroslty, provided with a set of wearing APP
parel, and a few other necessa~ies. Life
opened anew To the poor convict, and his
handsome and genial companion settled.
down into firm belief that at least, health
and happiness were assured him for
time.
In contact with the men, both Robert
! and Mayhem refrained from any illusion
t. their past experience in and III connec-
ton with trades unions In its Incl t,lency
and unpopular AS the movement was, both
maintained silence on the point, and re
! Trained from any allusion to the past, or
to the subject The time was coming
| both felt that-when unionlsm would rise
above the reproach Of communism, and
would, ct least, enforce the attention, If
not the respect, Of the capitalists to whom
its but family discerned appearance was
like hydra headed monster. The time
would come, when thought might Tipen
INTO action, and they, as the adherents Of
the cause, might freely advocate the Just
privileges and rights Of workingmen, and
of the thousands who were suffering from
the serfdom-hke oppression of the selfish
and the wealthy Of the country
| Apparently everything was moving
1 smoothly for them, when the third evening
! after their arrival an occurrence transplred
which considerably startled Robert and
affected Mayhem in a singular manner. Il
happened that Robert was reclining IN
chair near the table and was IN the deep
shadow of the fast approaching twilight,
when he saw Mayhem, who was seated
looking out Of the window, start and give
utterance to a half lf-suppressed cry of the
deepest amazemcnt or terror 1t was diff
cult Just then to determine which. Before
Robert could reach the window the tramp
had sprung to his feet his face pale, his
hands clcnched, his eyes prutrudng aud
his entire appearance suggestive IT the
deepest emotion From the window,
which he had now reached, Robert saw "a
man walking leisurly along, a small carpet
bag IN his hand He saw the mans face
for moment, started, and medItated
deeply for IA few moments Of time, and
then in moment had turned to his com
p;niun. who stood lrresolute as if not de
termmed whether to follow the man or u
resume his seat Then AS he observed that
Robert Parton was observing him he
changed his emotion to the deepest en-
barrassment, and resumed his seat, his
head sinking upon his breast, his hands
clenched tightly. and his deep breathing
and generally disturbed manner telling of
a strong struggle t. endeavor to overcome
some deep internal emotion. This mastery
did not tor some time come, and Robert
Parton sat silently watching him not de-
string 20 intrude upon the privacy If this
strange man, whose Inconsistencies were
So remarkable.
My friend, he said, finally, going az
to Mayhem, you have been startled.
pale face, white and rigid and Wild,
tIrned its glittering eyes upon him.
''Nou promised me one thing, he tier
ated, hoarsely. ''You promised never To-
rake up or uncover the past. Let 1t he
enough for you to know that | am doomed
to meet at every step something that re-
veals my past-that glares upon me and
reproaches me. Let the matter rest and
say no more.
And as Robert Parton lef' him, sadly,
he resumed his posture Of utter despair,
while his companion sought rest with a
mystified expression Of his face.
For there were two things which he
wished to understand
First, who was this who had awakened
such strong emotions in Mayhem mind,
and what was the reason Of it. And,
second, ,rhere had he, Robert Parton, seen,
that tnce before!