River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-05-16

life. he does not know I'm out.
thought I'd.keep clear of him; butch
I canrl cantn
"He covered his face with his hands
He was Sc utterly alone. Only to sea
him once rnors-to go through the old
house--to lay his head on his mothers
grave.
"'I don't know what to advise said
jackson. Kinsfolks don't generally Kill
the fatted calf for returned jail-birds
But yeu might try it. | don't see what
else you k;n do, in fact
About noon the prisoner got off the
train at tbs station next his old home
He walke3 down the road. Old Aunty
Stannix was smoking in the door of hen
cabin.
"'John Pardee live in the old place.
be said, inquiriDglo, stoppiny in front Of
her.
go Yeh. Denis his boys a-fshin' in
de branch yonder. Stranger in dis
country, sahl'
" The man shook his head and walked
on. a stranger! Why, there was moi
store nor a tree which he did not
remember and lovei
~ He came to his brothers gate and
opened it, then, CHASTITY as death turned
away. He could not risk it."
"'If John should speak harshly to me
it would Kill met he said. Where are
his boys' I'll go to them. Whatever
they say to me, I'll take it for sign.
" he climbed down the bank. II the
boys spoke harshly to him he would
turn his bsck on his old home-foreyer
"Hc stood irresolute on the bank
above them. Bill saw him and made
up his mind TO fling stone at him.
| The man caught the boys scowling
glance, and stopped. What was the
use? His life was a wretched wreck
why should he intrude INTO the his bro
theirs happy home?
"Tbere seemed no place for him in all
the world-but the prison cell which 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 Johns sons--dear, dear brother
John One of them had look of his
mother in his eyes.
'He would try once more, and he went
towards them-with prayer to God in
his heart.
" rBeen fishing, boys?' trying to speak
in an of-hand way. Can come down2'
Jail-birdr muttered Bill.
"Charley gripped his leg like vice,
and whispered, Hold your tongue.r
Yes, sir he said aloud, touching his cap,
were after perch. Will you take seat?'
moving has basket aside.
Seventy seven sat down. He could not
speak. The boys dropped their lines in
| the water.
! presently he laid his hand on Char
ley's arm. 1t seemed as if he must ca
ress the boy,if but by touch.
! "'What is your namel
"'Gharley, sir; Charley Pardee.'
at was his own namel The blood
rushed violently to his heart.
Who--who were you named tor,
Charley2'
"'My uncle, sir. You've heard of
him, maybeF co;orizg hotly, | never
saw hiin, but my father says he was the
best man he ever knew, and the most
ill-uaed. o, here comes papap
1.-The man staggered to his feet and
stood trembling, not looking up.
"Well, boys, what luck2' came in
Jacks old hearty voice. Then there was
terrible silence.
q" Charley
".Jack had his arms atout him 30,
Chaalt V, is it you2 Thank God, thank
Godn and he sobbed like a child
1.-THE winter passed quietly. Charles
Pardee found his brothers house happy
heme, but he feared to so outside of it.
| Public opinion held HIM a murderer.
A few old friends came to him, but he
shrunk from every strange face.
Nov little Charley had habit of tax
in some trlfling gift to old Aunty Stan
nix on his way to school. The old woman
was Grabbed and sour beyond her wont.
being i'll all winter, but the boy
persevered.
some night he was reused out of bed
by his father.
'stannix is dying, and has sent for you,
my boy :
live till morning. It's one OF her impish
tricks. any how. I wouldn't go a step,
Charley
'Charley thrust out one foot into the
nipDing air and hesitated.
It'd better CO. he said.
Nv hen he reached the CABIN WITH nle
father, the old woman was very low.
az want Charley Pardee, she muttered
fun,bling with her hands.
"'Here l am, aunty.'
"'Yo'hve been good to me, sonny =
better dan anybody in dis wohld. I've
got somefn toh you. Whah a squirei
l must say it fohr squirrel
II am magistrate, aunty," said the
doctor.
II want to say, fohr de squire, dai
dis BOYS uncle, Charles Pardee, was as
Innocent as baby of George Tygaft's
murder. 1t was my son, Oaf, as done il
-Oaf. de barber in Dover.
II KEEP it quiet COS l didn't want Oai
hung But when he was shot in dat fight
las summer and | knowed he'd got to
die, made him write a paper bout it
an swar to it befohr witnesses.
'Hyah's de paper, | glib it to yoh
Charley, kase you've bin good to ne.
dGn't want folks castin' up TO you dat
yoh's got a uncle what's grazed de gal
lows, You've bin good to me, Charley.
"Betore morning she was dead"
Grandfather said the boys, after {
pause, sis that true story2"
The old mans eyes grew dim.