The Indiana State sentinel., 1877-06-20
FOR HIS SAKE.

When the Flying Scud discharged her
cargo and passengers at the London dock
there landed among them gentleman who
had been absent from England nine years.
All that while he had passed under the
burning sun of India. He had suffered as
soldiers do. He had fought as soldiers fight
He had met the soldiers fate of scars and
wounds, and one of them had invalided him
home to England
1t was the first time he trOd her shores for
nine years, as we have said, and for the first
time in any year he was going to see his
son, the little boy born after he left home
and whose birth had been his mothers
death.
Captain Penryn had only been married
year when he was ordered abroad with his
regiment. Six months from that day let
ter had reached him, telling him his wife
was dead. The letter was written 5y old
nurse, the only friend who had been with
her 1t ended thus:
The baby, as fine child as 1 ever saw, is
thriving. I've done my best for 1T. Its moth
ers last wish was should keep IL, and per-
haps, SIR, as some one must, you'd as leave as
any other. shan't be unreasonable in my
charges, and I'm very fond of him already.
With my duty to you in this dreadful
trouble, your servant, ANN GOLDEN.
The poor, broken hearted man almost
sank under the awful news He had loved
his wife passionately; and when the baby
was old enough to travel she would have
come to him in India, Drawing Its terrible
climate and the life of a soldiers wife
abroad because they could not live apart
Now he did not want a little baby on his
hands, and he wrote to Ann as soon as he
could command himself to do so, appoint
ing her his nurse
Every quarter since that time he had sent
money to her for the child's board and
clothes. A receipt was always returned
IL ssl,o 81
was doing WE'LL and this was all he knew
of his Ellen's boy, the child of love that
had been as strong as it was tender.
Now that his foot was upon England s
shores again, and the meeting was very near,
Captain Penryn felt new thrills of father
love through his soldiers heart, and longed
for his boys presence.
He would take him to himself" he said
''rhey would live together, sharing each
others joys and sorrows. He would make q
man of the boy, not a soldier, for he knew
the trial of a soldiers life too we'll; hut
something very honorable and creditable
He should be prou,. of him, and he hoped
ah, how he hoped-that Ellens child would
have Ellen's face"
MY beautiful girl," he said to himself
with the tears standing in his eyes, "how
little l thought OF this hour when | kissed
her good byel''
And then his heart grew even warmer to
the pledge OF their mutual love.
He had the address that Mrs. Golden had
& ven him in his pocket He glanced at it
now to refresh his memory as to the number.
A plain, resi- ectable street in one of Lon
dOns suburbs; he remembered it well.
But my boy shall see better things, now
that am here" he said to himself. II am
not rich, but can deny myself many things
70 make him happy. VIII he love me, 1
wonderr'
Then be thought how his own heart had
been won by toys and sweetmeats, and com
ing to a shop where the former were sold,
paused before the gay window and began to
make a mental choice between a red and
gilt stage coach and horses and a train of
bright blue carriages. He had discarded
both for box OF scarlet-coated soldiers,
when suddenly he felt tug at his coat tail,
and turning round he found grimy little
hand half in, half out, of his pocket. He
caught it at once. with his handkerchief in
il, and gripped it tight.
He was soldier, and to soldier the keep
ing of law and rule is great thing To give
the little thief to policeman and appear
against him next day was his first thought;
but as the creature stood there shaking and
whining the fact of his diminutive size
struck the captain forcibly. He perceived
his youth, which was extreme; and he saw
that, besides being young and small, and
wan, and dirty, and ragged, he was deformed.
T1lS queer llJblc 5uOuAucES WcIC ncdDcQ uf
10 his ears, and his hands were like talons
so long and bony were they. The captain
held the wrist of this manikin firmly still
but not angrily.
What did you mean by that, sirr' he
growled slowly, STOPPING down to look into
the boys eyes.
Pm to hook it" said the boy with perfect
candor. ''Oh, please let me be- Oh, please
let me goi Oh, please, sir. won't do it nc
more-never, oh, please."
i've a mind to have you sent to goal, +"
said the captain.
'No please, sirl" said the waif. "Please
sirl''
"who taught you to steal?' asked the
captain.
The boy made no answer. Grimy tear
we're pouring from his eyes.
Answer me-" said the captain.
"If don't steal, don't get no victuals
said the boy. 'and my stomach is as holler-
feel it, mister-it's as holler as drum
She's been Begin to-day, and we'll have
stew. / won't have none, If / don't fetch
nothin'. OH
s'Who is she2' asked the captain.
my mother" said the boy.
'Pve been hungry myself" said the cap
tain, thinking Of a certain Indian prison ex
perience. 1T isn't pleasant"
Then he thought OF his own boy.
God knows I ought to be tender to th'
little ones for the sake oI Nellie's child" h'