The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-06-01
where are We goin'. ANYHOW ~

ltIlc StICCt. w HCh hC huu BouC 1" thut GuC III
was young and handsome man. He hat
been lawyer in fair practice, with mother
who made an idol Of him, and hosts of friends
Now he was bent AID white haired There
was not Il man whom he could call friend or
house where he had IL right to shelter IN al
the world.
I'D like to go back he said, with a mlsera
bic smile.
Can't do that, my boy, You were in for
Murder
'Ycsr
Il was innocent muttcrcd Seventysevcn
And then, suddenly, as if the free air and sun
ACCUSED him anew of his crime, he rose and
stretched out his arms.
Before God was Innocent he cried.
Yes, of course of course said Jackson.
you all say So But believe you, Seventy
4 seven. Got no kin"
NV motherdied eight years agony broth
or lives in the old homestead. | don't know
whether to 90 to him, Or--what would you do 2
turning in his bitter solitude to Jackson as n
friend
Got the money to go"
Yes the prison society gave me these clothes,
and money to pay my way home. But.
IIow's yer brother treated yc? Has he gin
you the cold shoulder?
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; thought I'd keep clear of him, but-Oh,
| cant; | cantn
'IIc covered his face with his hands. He was
so utterly alone! Only to see him once more
to 90 through the old heusc-to lay his head
on his mothers grave
Il don't know what to advise said Jackson;
kinsfolks don't generally kill the iatted calf for
returned jallblrds but you might try 1t;
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 smok-
ing in the door of her cabin.
John Pardee lives in the old place q he SAID,
Inquiringly, stopping in front Of her.
Yes. Denis his boys a-tshin in de branch
yondcr; stranger in dis country, sahY
The man shook his head and walked on. A
stranger! Why, there was not stone nor u
tree which he did not remember and love.
He came to his brothers gate and opened it.
and then CHASTITY as death, turned away, Hell
could not risk it,
IfJohn should speak harshly to me he would
kill mel! he said.-'Wherc are the boys? I'll
go to them. Whatever they say to me, I'll take
it for sign
He climbed down the bank. If the boys
spoke harshly to him he would turn his back
on his old homc-iorever.
He stood irrcsoute on the bank above them
Bill saw him and made up his mind to fling a !
stone at hm.-Thc man caught the boys
scowling glance, and stopped. What was the
use? His life was IA wrcChcd wreck; why |
should he lntrudc into his brothers happy
home?
There seemed no place for him in all the
world, but the prison cell that he had just left
He looked at the dark deep water rushing by
and made a step towards it; then he looked
again at the boys; his heart was very sore
they were j Johns sons-dear, dear brother John |
One of them had look of his mother in his
eyes. lie would try once more, and he went
towards them-with prayer to God in his
heart.
Jail birdr muttercd Bill
Charley grippcd his leg like a vice, and
whispered, Hold your tongucn Yes, sir he
said aloud touching his cap, we're after perch
VIII you take seat 2 moving his baske aside
Scventy-seven sat down; he could not speak :;
the boys dropped their lines in the water. Pres
emily he laid his hand on Charleys arm; it
seemed as if he must caress the boy, if but IA
touch.
what is your name?'
Charley, sir; Charley Pardee'
1t was his own name! The blood rushed Vi
olcntly to his heart.
Who-who were you named for, CharleyY
My uncle, sir, you've heard of him maybey
colorng hotly 4 never saw him, but my
father says he was the best man he ever knew,
and the most i'll used. O. here comes papar
The man staggered to his feet and stood
and lookingup
We'll, boys, what luckY came IN Jacks old
hearty voice; then there was Il terrible silence
Charley
Jack had his arms about him %, Charley,
is it you? Thank God, thank Godn and he
sobbcd like child.