The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-10-05

WOTu from ellner. Inc wOulu-De
burglar at length resumed: ~
81 served out my full time, and it
is but just to say that l experienced
better treatment in the Peniterilary
than | have outside of its walls since
left that institute. A few days before
receiving my discharge 1 resolved
| would not return to Cincin-
natl, but go away into the
world where my disgrace was
unknown, and work at my trade like
an honest man. l journeyed as far as
Pittsburgh, and obtained a situation
there at the first shop at which l ap-
piled. l had worked but little more
than a week, however, when man
named Hardin, who was journeyman
in the shop where learned my trade,
came along and applied to the boss for
a job. He appeared very much dissi-
pated, and seemed just recovering
from the effects of a spree so his
application was refused. But he had
seen me in the shop, and, probably to
console himself for his i'll luck, de-
nounced me as a 'prison-bird,' at the
same time greatly exaggerating the Of
fense l had been declared guilty of.
81 was Immediately discharged; :;
and the boss said to me that he would
be doing but the right thing to with
hold my wages as a penalty for having
imposed upon him as an honest man.
He called me q 'rascally thief and
limited that the sooner left the city
the better it would be for my safety.
This was discouraging enough, . and |
scarcely knew which way to travel !;
but after serious thought it occurred
to me that my best plan, after all,
would be to 60 back to Cincinnati, and
by a strict and honorable course of
life, live down the false charge against
my character.
Il arrived here about four months
ago, and at once sought for employ
ment at my trade, but was driven
from every shop in the city. I then
attempted to engage in some other
pursuit, and even sought employment
as a common day laborer; but various
accidental encounters with former
acquaintances continued to disclose
the fact that l was discharged con-
Wet, and have been denied even the
most menial employment. How |
have subslsted is a mystery to myself,
but it is a fact that | have not par
taken of one good, wholesome meal
since my return to Cincinnati. An
old negress, who was my washer
woman during my apprenticeship,
gave me something like dinner two
days ago, and since then | have not
tasted food. Breaking into this house
is really my first attempt at crime, as
God shall judge me; and starvation
alone goaded me to this. | rejoice that
I am here, and that l did not accom-
.plish my original purpose, for now l
feel that can lie down and die in
happiness (having told my tale to will
ing ears and believing heart in the
verdict of the world, am innocent
Of positice crime y
"God bless you!" responded Joshua,
"but now,' he continued, "you shall
fast no longer. 1t is near morning, so
| may as well dress, and We'll take up
some plans for the future over an early
breakfast. You have had poor show
for your time of life, my friend, and |
am sure there is better fortune in store
for you"
Poor John McMasters was overcome
at such an exhibition of generosity, for
it disclosed a phase of the human heart
he had never before witnessed, and he
wept tears of joy; but Joshua went
vigorously to work to feed and clothe
this new subject of his bounty, for he
was convinced of the mans truth, and
saw a promising germ of good in him.
These events happened in the second
year of the war of the rebellion, and,
before breakfast was over, McMasters'
patron suggested to him that the finest
opportunity to regain the reputation so
uniustly iilched from him could be
found in the service of his country.
He declared himself anxious to enlist,
and in three or four days subsequent
to his attempted burglary he was en-
rolled as a private in an Ohio regl-
ment.
The real gist of this sketch is in its
sequel, and it is more than usually in
teresting for the lesson it teaches. The
man who was falsely accused, unJustly
convicted and subjected to a punish
ment that threatened to stamp him
with everlasting disgrace, proved to be
brave and trustworthy when trust was
reposed in him; and within twenty
months from the date of his enlist
ment, rose through the different grades
in rapid succession to the rank OF
captain of company. At the close OF
the war he returned, with scores OF
honorable scars and minus an arm, tc
attest to his service; but he had estab-
lished claim superior to that the
highest patent of nobility can bestow,
and he is respected accordingly. lie
is to-day revenue officer in one of the
most flourishing cities of sister State,
Had Joshua Newland raised al
alarm on the night of the attempted
burglary, and handed John McMasters
over to the officers of the law, he
would have added one more to the
hordes of vagabonds that infest oul
land; but by contrary course he Sc
cured valuable recruit to the ranks
of good citizenship, for which act ht
shall receive an exceedingly great re
ward.-Ohio Farmer.
The Liberty Of Will-Making.
JUDGE PAXsoN, of the Supreme
n II nj ri a