Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-05-29

MS CTllHe, he IOse aHu stTetcHeu Oll
his arms. ,..-.,, ..s...s.-
Before God / was innocent p he
cried. ....r..r--s. f. .-.-.s ,r-se
es, of course-of course" said
Jackson. "You all say so. But | be-
lieve you, Seyenty-seven. Got no
kin ?"' .r.< s.. sf.aFs
MY mother died eight years ago.
My brother lives in the old homestead
Don't know whether to 60 to him, Or
what would you do?H turning in his
bitter solitude to Jackson as friend
Got the money to go?"
Yes: the prison society gave me
these clothes and money to pay my
way home. But"
How's yer brother treated ye? Has
he gin you the cold shoulder"
No. After he ma FRIED ten years
ago, | never would see him when he
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 I can't !"
He covered his face with his hands.
He was so utterly alone Only to see
him once more-to go through the old
house-to lay his head on his mothers
grave.
at 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. 1 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.
"John Pardee lives in the old place ?"
he said, inquiringly, stopping in front of
her.
"Yeh. Denis his boys a-fishin' in de
branch Wonder. Stranger in dis coun-
try, sah?"
| The man shook his head and walked
on. A stranger Why, there was not a
stone nor tree which he did not re-
member and love.
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 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 home-for-
ever.
He stood irresolate 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 use? His life
was 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 a look
of his mother in his eyes.
He would try them once more, and
he wen towards them-Wfth PRAYER
to God in his heart.
"Been fishing, boys?' trying to speak
in an off-hand way. Can I come
down.
'FJailbird p muttered Bill.
Charley gripped his leg like vice,
and whispered, Hold your tongue
-" Yes, Sill" ne said aloud, touching his
cap, we're after perch. Will you take
a 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 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 hotly. e
never saw him, but my father says he
was the best man he ever knew, and the
most i'll used. 0, here comes papa p
The man staggered to his feet and
stood trembling, not looking up. .
"Well, boys, what luck?" came in
Jacks old hearty voice. Then there was
a terrible silence
"Charleyw
Jack had his arms about him. 60,
Charley, is it you? Thank God, thank
Cod" and he sobbed like child.
The winter passed quietly, Charles
Pardee found his brothers house hap
ply home, but he feared to go outside of
1T. Public opinion held him as murder
er. A few old friends came to him but
he shrank from every strange face.
Now little Charley had habit of
taking some trifiing gift to old Aunty
Stannix on his way to school. The old
woman was Grabbed and sour beyond
her wont, being i'll all winter, but the boy
persevered. -------- +.
One night he was reused out of bed
by his father. ......- ....s
Stannix is dying and has sent for
you, my boy" .......--
ats showing" muttered Bill. "Shell
live till morning. It's one of her imp
lsh tricks. anyhow. 1 wouldn't go a
step, Charley" ..1. ..,....
Nbo II o1y tl,r,,cf ont ooo fooa IL.