Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-08-01

think themselves a good deal better.
I've found out it isn't always the worst
that are caught, by any means. I'm
radical, you must know" he added,
quantity, "and very much disapproved
of by the family"
All looked out into the gathering
darkness for some minutes, and then
said, quietly:
"Well, sir, if you care to hear con-
vict's story, sit down awhile. I've never
told it to any one, and don't know
why should tell it to you; but the
moods on me, and 1 might as well talk
as think, maybe; and then you've
guessed my secret partly-at least, you
know I'm not Jim Brown 1T and
smile flashed across his face. "How
old do you think am ?" he continued.
DIR. Harris looked at the powerful
frame of the man-at the strong, hard
lines in his face. 'f FL
Between forty and fifty, I should
say ?" % ....-,, -.
ty-four the day I was sentenced; a
pleasant way of celebrating ones birth
day, wasn't it? There was lot of
stuff in the papers. about my youth,
and my being so hardened Did they
think I was going to beg for mercy "
not I I've been out here twelve years
now, and escaped twice and been caught
again; but I'll try it once more some
time" a...
"You ought not to tell me that" said
the doctor, smiling.
"Why notp They watch me all the
time, anyway. just give me some
water, will you? Thanks. Well, I
ought to commence with my name, l
suppose. It is Edward Tracy. I was
the second son of Northumberland
| squire, who had just enough money to
keep up the place for my brother, and
no more. A fine old place it was, and
the only happy days l can look back to
where spent there. That was when I
was boy-home for the holidays, eager
about cricket and football, and to whom
a gun and the range of the rabbit-warren
were perfect happiness. After while,
it was unpleasant enough. My brother
"a lazy, good-looking fellow, who
knew how to ride and to shoot, and only
that-was the idol'of my mother and
sisters. ALI deferred to him except
little Mary, my pet, who used to follow
me round like a kitten. Poor little
girl I wonder if she ever thinks of me
now. Younger sons in poor family
have hard time of it. only wonder
more don't go to the bad than do.
Brought up as gentlemen, they are then
thrown upon their own resources, to
live by their wits, either in some beg
gerly profession, or as hangers-on, where
there are many rich relations. They
must put up with being snubbed and
thrown over, whenever they come in
the way-made use of and then cast
aside ) at least, such was my experience.
was proud and passionate, and SO
felt these things more than others, I
dare say.
WANTED to go into the army, but my
father said he couldn't afford it
"would be always getting into debt" +"
etc.-and so was apprenticed to a
London barrister-a great, pompous
man, whom cordially detested before
month was out. He had way of ag-
gravating me whenever we came in con-
tact, thatused to make me long for an
excuse to pitch him down stairs. be-
lieve in presentiments. I knew that
man would injure me some day. saw
more trickery and underhand dealing
while in that Office than had ever seen
in my life before. Mr.. Pierson was a
man of tact, not talent. He had gained
several good cases, which made his
reputation, and he had a way of making
people believe that if black was not Just
white, it was certainly gray, which
proved very useful to him.
81 was about twenty-five when I went
into Kent for few weeks, partly on
business for Mr.. Pierson, and partly to
visit an uncle of mine. Am [ tiring
you with this long story ?"
"Not at all, Tracy go on"
All started at the unfamiliar name,
which the doctor slightly emphasized.
His breath came quickly, and his voice
was husky when he spoke again
"Would you think, now, that man
could hear his own name so seldom that
when it was spoken as you spoke mine
: it could make the past come back like a
great wave, almost blotting out the
present? I haven't heard my name for
more than ten years." he went on,
musingly. 81 don't wonder it sounds
strange to me. 1t was in the summer
when I went to Kent the time for
falling in love- as it is called, and of
course 1 did it. L don't wonder at my
self, even now, when I remember all
that has passed. We were thrown very
much together. Lucy was an orphan
living with q rich maiden aunt, whose
place adjoined my unele's. I had al
ways fondness for playing the part OF
a protector, and she was clinging,
dependant little thing, with long golden
curls and a delicate pink-and- white
daisy face. had never cared for any
girl before, and from the first I loved
her madly. It's the 'old, old story,
and I needn't make fool of myself
again by telling it to you. Before !
went back to town we had exchanged
rings, and she had promised to love me
through eternity. "A lengthy eternity
: it proved
"Our engagement was to remain O
secret until I should become great
lawyer, and then I was to claim her.
This was Lucy's idea. [ wanted to
7 speak to her aunt, but she begged me
{ not, giving q dozen different reasons
for my silence. I believe even ther
she thought it best not to bind herself
too closely, but never suspected this
for with all my faults / had always beer
: perfectly honest and truthfuh In the
winter, Mr.. Pierson told me that the
business had been attending to hat
now to be completed, and that he wat
going down himself. I was of course
very anxious to 90, but he did not give