Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-05-29
in fair pras..sess, VIII { lms(hsr WI

made Nh idol Of him. and hosts of
friends. 4aats ooi1l,- "a sTsE
Now he was bent and white-haired.
Theme WAS not a man whom he could
call friend, or = house where he had q
right to shelter ID all tho world.
2" Td-like to go back" he said, with a
miserable SMILE As,.,, -r.-nr
"Can't do that my hoy. You we're
| in tor"
Murder I" I'll uf8H9 RI r
eyes" E.f,,.. +,
"Iwas innocent" muttered Seventy
seven. And then. suddenly, rs if the
free air and sun accused him afresh of
his crime, he rose and stretched out
his arms.
Before God was innocent p he
cried.
Eyes, of COURSE of course" said
Jackson. "You all say SO. But be-
kin ?"
"My mother died eight years ago.
Ny brother lives in the old homestead.
Don't know whether to 60 to him, or
what would you dor turning in his
bitter solitude to Jackson as friend.
"Got the money to gO"
eyes, the prison society gave me
these clothes and money to pay my
way home. But" \
slows yer brother treated We /? Has
he gin you the cold shoulder? -
mo. 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!" 81 ~ B
He covered his face with his hands
He was SO utterly alone! Only to see
him once more-to 60 through the old
house-to lay his head on his mothers
grave. 1871
II don't know what to advise" said
Jackson. "Kinsfolks don't generally
kill 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 Aunty
Stannix was smoking in the door of
her cabin. G
"John Pardee lives in the old place p
he said, inquiringly, stopping in front of
her. a-& 5 ~
"Yeh. Denis his boys a-fishin' in de
branch yonder. Stranger in dis coun-
try, sah?"
The man shook his head and walked
on. A stranger Why, there was not 4
stone nor a tree which he did not re-
member and love. NJ
He came to his brothers gate and
opened it, and then, CHASTITY as death.
turned away. He could not risk it.
"IfJohn should speak harshly to me
itwould kill me-" he said. "Where are
his boys?. I'll 60 to them. Whatever
they say to me I'll take it for sign"
He climbed down the bank. If the
boys spoke hanhly to him he would
turn his back on his old hcme-for-
ever. stf avs
He stood irresolate on the bank above
them. Bill saw him and made up his
mind to fling stone ut 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 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 water rushing by and made 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. "a ICtI
He would try them once more, and
he went towards then-with PRAYER
ITO God in his heart. ff Z
Been fishing, boys?' trying to speak
in an of.hand way, '"Can 1 come
DOWN. '~Fl't ~ W. NV
Jailbird !" muttered Bill. asNfi9s
Charley gripped his leg like vice,
and whispered, !" Hold your tongue
Yes, sir" he said aloud, touching his
cap, "we're tier perch. Willyou take
d seat ?" movig his basket aside.
Seventy-seven sat down. He could
not speak. The boys dropped their
lines in the water. -. ......
Presently he laid his hand on
Charley's arm. Itseemed as ifhe must
caress the boy, if but by a 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,
Charley?" :
My uncle. sir. You've heard OF
him, maybe?" coloring holly. 81
never saw him, but my father says he
was the best man he ever knew, and the
most i'll used. o, here comes papa "
The man staggered to his feet and