Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-05-15

son. hlnslolk uon I generally XIII the
fatted calf for returned jail-birds. But
you might try it. l don't see what else
you can do. in fact
About noon the prisoner got off the
train at the station next his old home. He
walked down the road. Old Aunt Stanni1
was smoking in the door Of her cabin.
John Pardee lives in the old place? he
said. inqulringly, stopping in front of her
Yeh. Denis his boys a-6shing in de
branch yunder. Stranger in dis country,
sahp
The man shook his head and walked on.
A stranger! Why. there was not stone
or tree which be did not remember and
love.
He came to his brothers gate and open
ed it, and then ghastly as death, turned
away. He could not risk it.
If John should speak roughly to me, it
would kill me! he said. Where are his
boysP I'll go to them. Whatever they
say to me I'll take it for a sign.
He climbed down the bank. If the boys
spoke harshly TO him, he would turn his
back on the old home-forever.
He stood irresolute on the bank above
them. Bill saw him, and made up his
mind to fling a stone at him. The man
caught the boys scowling glance. and
stopped. What was the usep His life was
q wretrhed wreck-;why should he intrude
lit into his brothers happy home?
There seemed no place for him in all the
world-but the prison cell which he had
just left He looked at the dark deep wa
ter rushing by and made step towards it.
hn lnNl n1 nt ha
heart was very sore. They were Johns
sons-dear, dear brother JohnP One OF
them had look of his mother in his eyes.
He would try once more. and he went
towards them-with a prayer to God in
his heart.
Been fishing, boys? trying to speak in
an off hand way. Can come DOWN.
Jail bird! muttered Bill.
Charley gripped his leg like vice, and
whispered hold your tonguep Yes, sir, ht
SAID aloud, touching his cap, we are after
perch Will you take seatp moving the
basket aside.
Seventy seven sat down. He could not
speak. The boys dropped their lines ir
the water.
Presently he laid his hand on Charley's
arm. 1t seemed as if he must caress the
boy. if but by Il touch.
| What is your name!
Charley, sir; Charley Pardee.
| 1t was his own name! The blood rushed
violently to his heart.
Who-who were you named for, Char
leyP
| NV uncle sir. You've heard of him
may bep coloring holly. l never saw him
but my father says he was the best man h'
ever knew, and the most ill-used. Oh, her,
comes papa
The man staggered to his feet and stoot
trembling not looking up.
Well, boys, what luck came in Jack
old hearty voice. Then there was terri
BILE silence.
Charley!
Jack had his arms about him. Oh Char
ley, is it you9 Thank God, thank God! ant
he sobbed like child.
The winter passed quietly. Charlie
Pardee found his brothers house happ
home, but he feared to go outside Of il
Public opinion held him as a murderer.
few old friends came to see him, but h
shrank from every strange face.
Now little Charley had habit of takin
some trifling gift to old Aunty Stannix o.
his way to school. The old woman wa
grabbed and sour beyond her wont, bein
ill that winter. but the boy persevered.
One night he was reused out of bed b
his father.
Stannix is dying, and has sent for yo'
my boy.
It's showing, muttered Bill. She'll liv
till morning. It's one of her impish tricks
anyhow, wouldn't 60 II step, Charley.
Charley thrust out one foot into the NIP
ping air, and hesitated.
4 I'd better 60, he said.
When he reached the cabin with hi
father, the old woman was very low.
| want Charley Pardee, she muttered
fumbling with her hands.
Here am, Aunty.
You've bin good to me, sonny-bette
dan anybody in dis world I've got some
fin for you. Whah's squirrel l mus
say it fohr squire.
lam q magistrate, aunty, said the doc
tor.
wants TO say, fohr de squire, dat di
. boys Uncle, Charles Pardee, was rs inno
cent as a baby of George Tygart's murder
1t was my son. Oaf, as done it-Oaf, d
, barber in Dover.
| KEEP it quiet, COS l didn't want o.
hung. But when he Was shot in dat tigt
las summer, an l knowed he'd got to di'
| made him write q paper bout it an
sware to it befohr witnesses.
Hyahs de paper. glib it to yoh, Chal
ley. kase you've bin good to me. | don
: want folks castin' up to yoh dat yoh's &c
! Uncle what's grazed the gallows. Yoh'v
bin good to me, Charley.
Before morning she was dead.
Grandfather, said the boys, after
pause, is that true story?
The old mans eyes grew dim.
Boys. he said, / was Seventy !
Youths Companion.