The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-04-25
them he stopped, twirling his hat in his

must go back little.
Fifteen years before, dead man
wrs found in the woods, mile from this
creek. de was a son of one of the
nelghboring farmers. There was bull
let-hole through his heart, but his watch
and money were untouched. The OBJ
! ject of the murderer had been revenge.
not plunder.
suspicion fell on a companion of the
victim, with whom he had had quarrel.
They had been seen on the road togeth-
er week before, and the murdered man
was never seen alive again. This friend
was arrested and tried. The circum-
stantial evidence was strong against
him. He was found guilty, and sem
fenced to imprisonment for life. Fif-
teen years of his confinement had pass
ed when he received pardon, and was
released.
"On the morning and just at the hour
| when our boys went to clear the barn,
he came out Of the prison gates, and
stood looking up and down the busy
streets, as though he were half blinded.
'The gate-keeper followed him kind
ly. where are ye goin', Seventy-sev-
emp he asked, calling the man by his
prison number; for he never had heard
| his name.
"'I don't know
"sGot no kin?'
{" The man did not answer. He sat
down on the curbstone, his eyes blink
ing, his mouth twitching nervously. He
looked wistfully at the gate, as if he
would ask to be taken in again. In that
fifteen years his cell had grown to be
home to him. He had no other home.
The keeper turned to 60 in.
"'Don't leave me, Jackson he said,
feebly putting out his hand.
jackson stood beside nim Take
cigar, he said, in token of their new
equality
"sI have never smoked
"'Where are ye goin', anyhow?'
Seventy-seven stared vacantly up
and down the street. When he had
gone in at that gate, he was a young
and handsome man. He had been
lawyer in fair practice, with a mother
who made an idol of him, and hosts of
| friends.
Now he was bent and white haired.
There was not a man whom he could
call friend, or a house where he had
right to shelter, in all the world.
"sI'd like to go back he said, with
miserable smile.
"'Can't do that, my boy. You were
in for
"'Murder!'
".Yes!'
"sI was innocent muttered Seventy
seven. And then, suddenly, as if the
free air and sun accused him afresh of
his crime, he rose and stretched out his
arms.
"tBefore God, I was i1nocent!' he
cried.
"'Yes, of course, of course said
Jackson. You all say so. But be-
lieve you, Seventy-seven. Got no kinp'
"My mother died eight years ago.
My brother lives in the old homestead.
I don't know whether to 60 to him, or
what would you do?' turning in his
bitter solitude to Jackson as a friend.
sssGot the money to goP''
"tYes, the prison society gave me
these clothes, and money to pay my
way home. But
sss sHow's yer brother treated ye? Has
sss No. After he married, ten years
ago, never would see him when he
came to the prison. wanted him to
feel clear of me; was cursed black
spot in his life. He does not know Pm
out. l thought I'd keep clear of him;
but-oh, can't. can't!'
He covered his face with his hands.
He was 80 utterly alone! Only to see
him once more-to 60 through the old
house-to lay his head on his mothers
grave!
"sI don't know what to advise said
Jackson. Kinsfolk don't generally kill
the fatted calf for returned jail-birds.
But you might try it.. don't see what
else you kin do, in fact
"About noon the prisoner got off the
train at the station next his old home.
He walked down the road. Old Aunty
Stannix was smoking in the door of her
cabin.
"sJohn Pardee lives in the old placer
he said, inquiringly, stopping in front
of her.
"sYeh. Denis his boys a-fishin' in
de branch yunder. Stranger in dis
country, sahp'
The man shook his head and walk
ed on. A stranger! Why, there was
not stone or tree which he did not
remember and love
He came to his brothers. gate and
opened it, and then, ghastly as death,
turned away He could not risk it.
s'sIf John should speak harshly to
me, it would kill mel he said. where
are his boys? I'll go to them. What
ever they say to me, I'll take it for q