The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-10-28
MILAN GIBSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, OCTOBER %, 1875.

flowing growth of beard. The children
were crouching about their mothers
knees-the girl hidden completely amid
the folds of her dress, the boy peeping
timidly forth with eyes of startled won
der. Yet Basset had not a repulsive
face, and his form was straight and
shapely. He was still in the prime of
life, and the influences that had fur
rowed and aged his face had not bent
his body. A painter might have taken
him as he stood model for the prophet
John, worn out with the wilderness and
long preaching, and not have needed to
idealize much. His eyes had hollow,
wearied look, but were not wild. He
paused few moments before he spoke,
and then said: ais the master at
home, missis?n
"No; but | expect him every minute, "
Mrs. Kavanagh replied.
"Then, with your leave, missis, I'll
wait for him. and without speaking
more, BaSset seated himself on the
ground.
AT that moment Mrs. Kavanagh
caught SIGHT of her husband advancing
rapidly on horseback She went for
ward with the two children to meet him,
and Kavanagh checked his horse and
aighted as they approached.
Hugh" =" said Mrs. Kavanagh quick
", "here is man wishing to see you,
a strange, Withholding creature | never
saw before" In another moment the
two men stood face to face.
"NIiSter," began Basset, with a slight
motion of his hand, indicative of de-
sire to be allowed to speak first, "my
name is Basset | am a convict, lag.
| escaped twelve years ago. SOme'l
say that was wrong; maybe it was, and
maybe they'd have done the same if
they'd been me. But let that 90. I've
| been living in the woods ever since-a
| long time with the blacks, long time
| by myself, as you see me. Maybe you
will wonder when tell you | have got
a good many things together up there
in the mountains. Well, l stole 'em-I
stole 'em from you; came down here,
and took 'em away at night; but, as
Heaven is my witness, | never took
more'n needed; and now you can have
'em, most all, back again. Some of the
! things, the sheep and the goats, has
more'n trebled. I'm tired out living
alone. I'm giving in. You can do with
me as you like, master; keep me about
the place if you can; give me up TO the
beaks, if you must"
| Basset spoke in a quiet composed
voice, but as he uttered his last words
there was slightly eager, questioning
| look in his eyes. Kavanagh was sur
prised, perpleXed. True, the man had
confessed that he had more than once
robbed him, but Kavanagh felt thankful
! that he had done no more. He might
/ have visited the house in his absence and
murdered his wife and children. Kava-
MACH every now and then heard of such
| things, deeds of ruthless cruelty done
| by escaped cOnvicts, men who, turning
! bush-rangers, held the parts of the coun-
| try which they frequented in terror by
the audacity of their crimes until recap
tured or reduced tOsurrender by starva-
ton. But this man had lived, seeming
! ", a very different kind of life, and had
done no worse than to steal few things
/ from him, the want of which had never
/ been felt. Moreover, he seemed thor
| oughly tanned and subdued by the life
he had led. Kavanagh had a warm
and generous Irish heart, and BaSset's
story awoke in him sympathy and in
terest. But he was in doubt how to
act.
"What do you want me to do for you,
my man?' he asked at length.
"Could you keep me about the sta
ton, master-shepherding or such?''
queried Basset hesitatingly.
"That would hardly do; against the
law, you know" replied Kavanagh
doubtfully.
"Ycs, so I suppose. Well do what
you please, master"
"f'll try and do my best for you,'
pursued Kavanagh. "YOu can stay
here tonight and I'll think the matter
over before the morning.
That night Kavanagh and his wife de-
liberated the matter gravely and agreed
finally rs to what was best to be done.
Early next day Kavanagh started for
Hobart Town. He was a well-knOwn
man in the colony, an old settler, rich
man now, whose wealth gave him posi-
ton and influence, while his personal
qualities made him respected and liked
He laid BaSset's case before the author
tiles, and pleaded the cause Of the eS-
capped convict with earnestness and wis
dom; and he was successful. The law
was merciful, and Kavanagh returned
home with a free pardon for his client
For several years Basset remained
on Mr.. kavanagh's run as one of the
regular station hands. During that time
he remained always the same-docile
trustworthy and hard-working, genuine,
ly grateful for his changed lot. When
in 1858, the transportation of criminal;
to Tasmania ceased, Mr.. Kayanagf
offered him piece Of land in the vicin
ity of Hobart Town, and proposed tC
him that he should turn market-gar
dener. This idea was to Basset a con
genial one, and he Immediately accept
ed Mr.. Kavanagh's offer. Years Wen
by, and he prospered until he had made
for himself a moderate competence
and his name came to be spoken of will
honor and respect.