Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-05-29
SEVENTY-SEVEN.
"What is that you say, Robert ?"
/" little things don't count"

WI hat Is that you say, ROBERT :!
Little things don't count"
"Don't they? Now my belief is that
there never was little duty dom, Or a
kind word spoken which did not bring
a lons train of blessings. You may
not see them, butsomewhere and some
how they are there; just as you plant
4 seed and 60 away, and the roots
spread and the tree grows, and goes on
growing, and the birds come and sing in
the branches, long after you are dead
I'll tell you story about that" said
the old man, setting himself on the
heap of warm hay, while the boys
gathered around him.
1.-Two boys went cut to fish one day
told them in the morning, you can
have the afternoon for play"
Lets make q quick job of it," said
Charley.
So they worked steadily and actively
and earned their holiday. AS they
started, they halted by the gate, their
rods over their shoulders.
1.-THE pond or the creek?" asked
Bill.
Charley was a good hearted fellow
"The creek, and then we can take a
basket of apples to old Aunty Stannix,"
he said.
So they brought the apples, gave
them to the old negro, and then went
down to the creek. Under big walnut
was dark pool the very place for
perch.
They hardly spoke for an hour Just
l., ct, l. IL
on the dry grass above, and a man ap-
peared and looked down at him. His
clothes were shabby, his face strangely
bloodless and pinched.
s'It's too bad" muttered Bill. "He's
driven that fellow away and he's two
FOUNDER. The sneaking old tramp !
I'll shy stone at him if he comes any
closer"
"You'll do nothing of the sort, Bill
Pardee," said Charley. "The man
looks hungry. poor fellow"
"I believe he's escaped from the
lookup" persisted Bill. eff he comes
down I'll tell him to 60 back to jail
where he belongs, see if l don't"
The man was slowly aud unsteadily
making his way toward them. He
watched the boys with a strangely i'm
ploring glance. A few feet from them
he stopped, twirling his hat in his
hand"
Been fishing, boys?' he said.
"Can [ come DOWN.
Before [ tell you what they said, [
must go back a little.
Fifteen years before, dead man was
found in the woods, mile from this
creek. He was son of one of the
neighborlng farmers. There was a
bulJethoie through his heart, but his
watch and money were untouched.
The object of the murderer had been
revenge, not plumber
Suspicion fell on companion Of the
victim, with whom he had had quar-
rel. They had been seen on the road
together a week before and the MUIR
dered man was never seen alive again.
This friend was arrested and tried.
Tie circumstantial evidence was strong
against him. He was found guilty,
aid sentenced to imprisonment for
life. Fifteen years Of his continent ent
had passed when he received pardon,
and was released.
On the morning and just at the hour
IL,
he came out of the prison gates, and
stood looking up and down the busy
streets, as though he were half-blinded
The gatekeeper followed kindly.
g Where are you goin'. Seventy-s even?"
he asked, calling the man by his prison
number, for ne never had heard his
name.
% don't know
E'Got no kim" aa.
The man did not answer He sat
down on the curbstone, his eyes blink
ing, his mouth twitching nervousIy.
He looked wistfully at the gate, as if he
would ask to be taken In again. In
that fifteen years his cell had G. own to
be a home to him. He had no other
home. The keeper turned to go in.
Don't leave me, Jackson he said,
teebly putting out his hand.
jackson stood before me. "Take a
cigar" be said in token of their new
equality.
| have never smoked"
Where are you goin', anyhow p
Seventy-seven stared vacantlv up
and down the street. When he had
gone in that gate, he was young and
handsome man. He had been lawyer
in fair practice, with a mother who
made an idol of him. and hosts of
friends. a..ias ~
Now he was bent and white-haired.
There was not a man whom he could
call friend, or house where he had a
right to shelter in all the world. @
I'd like to go back" he said. with a
miserable smile. la3H 5 #LEi -
9 Can't dc that, my boy. You were
IN tOr--''
Murder !"
Yes" a@ sfd3ata . War -