Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-29

charge OF MS duty, knows no sympa-
thy with the criminal; nor were he tit
for his Office if he did.
81 do not know" replied the P. M.
+" He applied yesterday for few days
leave of absence; but he was in town
to-day. Isaw him this morning"
His arrest must be effected as
quickly as possible, and then perhaps
we can recover some OF the money
which he has taken. The hope of es-
cape often makes my most hardened
case dlsgorge; whereas, if [ act roughly
they keep all to fee lawyers and bride
juries with"
81 shall leave all to you," said Bas-
comb sadly. "I wish to be as little
mixed in the affair as possible, for his
poor mothers sake"
It was three days later. In 3 quiet
room in a small hotel in retired town
in Pennsylvania Charles Albro and his
young wife sat waiting an answer to q
joint letter which they had written to
Mr.. Rivers, announcing their where
abouts and their union, and asking his
sanction to the same. Both look happy
Annie supremacy SO; for she knew of
no cloud overhanging, felt no cruel
sting of conscience in her pure heart
A heavy knock was heard at their
door,
"Come In" said Charles, and a
shadow chill and dark seemed to fall
upon his heart as he spoke, for he felt
that an evil hour was at hand.
A most gentlemanly-looking man,
followed by another, more rude in his
appearance, entered.
81 believe / have the honor to ad-
dress Mr.. Charles Albro?" said the
gentleman.
That is my name, sir" said Charles,
who did not recognize his visitor.
L have some private business with
you, sir; can see you in another
room ?" said the latter-his manner,
though polite, SO firm that il implied a
command rather than a request.
81 know not of any business which I
cannot attend to in the presence of my
wife" said Charles, rather stifHy.
am agent in the u. S. P. M. G.,
Department" said the other blandly.
[ presume need say no more for you
to understand my business
Charles stood for an instant as if he
had been struck by thunder bo]t-the
blood left his cheeks-his tall frame
quivered like an aspen in the gale
then he grOaned: "Lost-lost and
damned forever !"
Suddenly, as if struck by the hand of
death, he fell senseless to the floor. He
had been too suddenly awakened from
his dream Of security and bliss.
go, heaven, sir; what is the matter?
You have killed my husband :"
screamed the bride, and she sprang to
his side.
"No, madam, he is only in q swoon,
from which he will soon recover. am
sorry, for your sake, that I must do
this, but he is my prisoner, and / must
secure him while best I can F" said the
officer kindly, while he slipped pair
of steel handouts upon the wrists of
the senseless man.
GA prisoner? For what crime? O,
he is too good, too noble, to commit a
crime Of what do you accuse him >"
OF robbing the United States mail %
said the officer, assisting to raise Charles
to chair.
90, it is false--I know it is-tell him
so my husband-tell him SO I" sobbed
poor Annie, as Charles opened his eyes
once more.
A groan that seemed to come up
from amid the wrecked fragments of a
broken heart-a look of indescribable
agony-was her only answer. His
tongue could not utter the word which
would clear his fame before her.
What did she do? Did she, as other
friends afterwards did, turn from him
with sudden scorn and loathing-friends
too who had shared the proceeds of his
guilt? Did she do this E? No; she placed
her hand upon his, and said to the Of
ficer: Lead on, sir; we are prepared
to go wherever you deem it your duty
70 conduct us !"
But lady, you are not under arrest !"
am his wife, sir; and where he
goes will go. Even though he is con-
victed of this crime of which you &C
cuse him, I will not desert him. |
am his wife, his widowed mothers
daughter !"
The officer took them away, and
never had he duty more sad to per-
form.
X X X
A last scene. He had been tried,
convicted, sentenced There is no
need that should have waded through
all that in this sketch-its main Incl
dents, true as they are, and the moral
they convey, the lesson they inculcate
to the young and the tempted-are all
that I purpose to lay before the reader.
An elderly lady, dressed in deep
mourning, trembling with agitation,
leaned upon the arm of Annie Albro,
who had been utterly disowned by her
proud father. 1t was the mother of
Charles, and they were waiting at the
railroad depot to take a farewell of the
wretched convict, ere the Sheriff bore
him away to the distant States prison.
He came, pale, a shadow of his fer
mer self, utterly abashed and almost
heart.broken. And sheer was on al
most every face as they placed the
young convict in the Car. Not look
Al l ~