Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1876-03-10
The COnVict's Story.
BY W. CHARLES.

Aye. and not likely 70 forget.
1t was lovely day, the last spent {
the dearly loved place. The air was lad+
with the fragrance of the sweet May bio
SONS, and the sun was shining on hi
and dale.
We walked to church together. throug
the orchard and sweet scented II Ids. m
.iear old mother and I. How cool it W.
in the shade, how hot in The merry sun
shine; we listened to the brook as It wer
chattcr'ng over the smooth, round pebble
Alb, M! VAS young and happy then. an
she, my mother. 80 good and kind. til
silver hair was deaEer to me than all til
wealth of worlds.
My little sister Anna, how, proud wa
of her; not five summers had passed. owe
her golden hair before God sent for hsr t,
come and dwell among the angels.
But restless feeling came over me-;
l"nged 10 roam in foreign lands, to gain
name and fame that would make my dea
old mothers face brighten with l"ye ant
pride for her son. But it Was the sam,
old story. l soon forgot the hved one.
prayers, and fell at last victim to III.
tempter. For years l wandered an out
cast on the face of Gods beautiful earth
Aye. they were long years Of sin and
shame. Then came at last news of nv
mothers death; this was the worst of al J,
and she wcnttc find my little sister among
the angels. Those were her last words
All gone! All waiting for me up at,oye.
ShaI. know theme they must he altered
now. Come, sit by me, and give me thy
hand
Slowly fell the evening shadows through
the iron bars. and the hum in the busy
streets grew fainter ard fainter as the stars
came out in countless numbers, and gem
med the summer sky. Twas then the
convict rehcarsed the crime for which he
was, on the morrow, to pay the penalty.
1t was IN moment of passion that ht
rad struck and felled to the earth one who
lad been beloved fri. nd, but maddencd|
With drink he had struck the fatal blow.
md tonight was his last on earlh. The
'rison chaplain was to tighten bis heavy
'urden. and the poor unfortunate criminal!
ad told him his sad story.
Then he grew silent and remained with
is face buried in his hands. At length
e looked up and With a smile he turned
. thu chaplain and said, will never for
ct when left Lone My moih,r threw
er arms around my neck and said. her
YES filled with tears. Always do right,
~ son, come what will.
! tried to cheer her, and told her that if
e never meet again On this earth, We
lould all be joined in heaven above
So thou shalt if God wills it. she said.
But oh, how can meet them? Am l
y guilty of an objectionable crime. have
not sinned? Aye, but how bitterly re-
mt The sun of my lite is about to set q
eternity. All, if but to rise and shine 8
! the other side where the loved ones are. q
,e how the moon shines through the u
indow. Twas such a night when little e
ma died! so still and bright. hear q
e merry birds singing. Didst thou hear Fl
e ripping of the merry brook? To- NOR "
", farewell! no more clouds, no more 81
ght. Thank God for ALL :.
!:
The morning sun rose and shone on the
sy lay that was to witness the ushering
I Of one NOR. OF Gods Creatures Thc
'txnt hum Of the merry workers grew
ldrr and filled the air with the lsborers
ng. But in thu murderer's cell-s.lence,
let rest. The sunbeams played at will
the folded hands a. d SOW white brow.
nature seemed wakened up by the 8,
wborn day, but in that narrow cell the
tcast lay motiOnless and still.
lie is Sleeping, WHISPERED the jailor. fo
}. not sleeping, bat G''d willing he has m
Dc 70 join the loved ones on the other "a