Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-06-20
FOR His SAKE.

When the Flying Scud discharged he
cargo and passengers at the London
Dock. there landed among them gen
: tleman who had been absent from Eng
land nine years. All that while he hac
passed under the burning suns Of India
He had suffered as soldiers do. He had
taught as soldiers fight. He had me-
the soldiers late of scars and wounds
and one of them had inyalided him home
to England.
1t was the Iirst time he trod her shores
tor nine years, as we have said, and fol
the First time in any year he was going
to see his son, the little bow born after
he lett home, and whose brit, had bee,
his mothers death.
Captain Penrvn had Oulv been mar.
rled year when re was ordered abroad
with his regiment. Six months from that
day letter had reached him, telling
him his wife was dead. The letter was
written by an old nurse, the only friend
who had been with her. 1t ended thus
1.-THE baby, as fine a child as ever
saw, is thriving. I've done nv best for
it, Its mothers last wish was should
keep it, and perhaps sir, as some one
must, you'd as leave as any other.
shan he 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. lie had
loved his wife passionate]y, and when
the baby was old enough to travel she
would have come to him in India. BRAY
ing its terrible climate and the life Of a
soldiers wife aboard, because they could
not live apart. Now he did not want q
little baby on his hands, and he wrote to
Ann as soon as he could command him.
self to Go so, appointing her his nurse.
Every quarter since that time he had
| sent mon:y to her for the child's board
[ and clothes. A recei pit was always return
ca with " her duty, and the Young gentle
nan was doing we'll; y and this was all he
knew of his Ellen's boy--the child Of a
love that had been as strong as it was
| tender.
Now that his foot was upon Eppland,s
shores again the and meeting was very near
Captain Penryn felt new thrills of a ia
ther-love through his soldiers heart and
longed for his boys presence.
He would take him to himself" he
said. q They would live together, shar
ing each others joys and sorrows. He
would make a man of the boy--not a
soldier, for he knew the trials of a SOL
diers lite too we'll; but something very
honorable and crcditable. He should be
proud Of him, and he hoped ali, how he
hoped that Ellen's child would have
Ellen's face"
My beautiful girl" he said to him.
set, with the tears standing in his eyes,
how little thought of this hour when
kissed her good-bye"
And then his heart grew even warm r
to the pledge of their mutual love.
lie had the address that Mrs. Golden
had given him in his pocket. He glanced
at 1t now to refresh his memory as to the
number. plain respectable street in
one of London's suburbs; he remembered
.it we'll.
"But my boy shall see better things
now that am here,' he said to himself
II am not rich, but I can deny myself
many things to make him happy. Will
be love me, wonder?'
Then he thought how his own heart
had been Won by toys and sweetmeats.
and coming to stop where the former
were sold, paused before the cay window,
and began to make mental choice be-
tween red and gilt stage coach and
horses and train Of bright blue'carriaoes.
He had discarded both for a box of
scarlet-coated soldiers, when suddenly he
| felt tug at his coat-tail, and turning
round, he found a grimy little hand half
In. halt o':t of his pocket. He caught it
at once, with his handkerchief in it. and
gripped it tight.
He was soldier, and to soldier the
keeping Of law and rule is a great thing.
To give the little thief to a policeman
and appear against him the next day, was
his first thought: but as the creature
! stood there, shaking and whining, the
tact OF his diminutive size struck the cap
tain forcibly. He preceived his youth.
Which was extreme, and he saw that, be-
sides being young and small, and wan.
and dirty, ana ragged, he was deformed.
His queer little shoulders were heaped
up to his ears, and his hands were like
talonss, SO long and bony were they. The
captain held the wrist of this mannikin
firmly still, but not angriiy.
" What did you mean by that, sir?' he
growled slowly, STOPPING down to look
into the boys eyes.
" I'm 10 hook it," said the bow with
perfect candor. "Oh, please let me be
On, please let me go! Oh, please, sir, /
won't do 1t no more-neyer, oh, pleaser ~
1--WE mind to have you sent to JAIL"
said the captain.
No, please, sir!' said the waif.
i" Please. sirr'
WHO taught you to steal?" as kcd the
captain.
The boy made no answer Grimy tears
were pouring from his eyes,
" Answer me-" said the captain. /
eff I don't steal, don't get no v1ctuals.'
said the boy, land my stomach is a boiler
feel it mister Its as boiler as drum
She's been beggin' to-day, and we'll have
stew. I-won''t have none if T don't fetch
nothin'! On ~ !
WHO is she?" asked the captain.
NY mother" said the boy.
1--WE been hungry myself" said the
captain, thinking of a. certain Indian
prison experience. ). 1T isn't pleasant"
II ''Then he thought of his own bow. -:
"God knows ought to be tender to the
little one, for the sake OF Nellie's child.n
he said softly; then aloud "Laddie, I'm
not send you to prison." -
''Thankee, sir" said the urchin.
"And I'll give you a breakfast said
the captain. Va" -
The dirty elf executed sort of Joy
GUS war dance.
.Do you know WIZ; ! forgive, you?"
said the. captain. - -:
The child shook his head. !. .#
81 have little boy" said the captain.
"He's very different from you, poor child 4
H. would not steal anything. He washes
himself. My lad, you must wash your
selt as soon as you and water. But I |
couldn't think of his being, hungry, and
tor his sake can't bear to see other little
fellows hungry, It's for his sake that 1 |
r7NsaH coll o0~o<oh1o