The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-10-09


How would they feel if they knew they
were harboring the son of their brothers
murderer2
1t seemed as if he must fly from the
place at once-hy to the ends of the |
earth. hunted by paternal ban. But |
calmer thoughts returned, and he sue !
ceeded in quieting the tumult of his
feelings. To run away would be sus-
picious and cowardly act to confess
who he was could do no possible good.
There seemed to be nothing left for him
but to seek to atone, as far as possible,
for his fathers crime by self-sacridcing
devotion to those whom that crime had
so terribly afflicted. He could do this,
though he should never break to them
the dread secret of his real name and
kindred.
Winter and spring passed, and sum-
mer came again. One morning, as
Gilbert was returning from the post
Office, he saw a man riding up the street
whom he instantly knew to be Peter
Harrington, one of the overseers of the
poor in Stony Brook. Great was his
CONSERVATION. If Mr.. Harrington
should recognize him, and reveal that
he was the son of Asa Bradley, and had
lived five years in the almshouse, all his
present hopes and happiness would be
at an end.
He quickly turned his face away, and
stood leaning over the railing of the
mill-stream bridge, gazing intently into
the water.
Mr., Harrington stopped his horse.
"Boy," he said, pleasantly, (which
road must take to go to Ashburton ?"
No answer. Gilbert seemed not to
hear him.
"I say, boy which is the right road
to Ashburton ?"
Still no reply.
"Can't YOU speak, or don't you
know?" touching Gilbert's shoulder
with the handle of his whip.
Still Gilbert neither moved nor spoke
"He either can't hear, or won't hear, "
muttered Mr.. Harrington, as he started
his horse and rode on.
Gilbert stopped to call on a sick
friend, and an hour later reached home.
AS he entered the sittiDg-room, the first
person he saw was Peter Harrington, in
conversation with Mr.. and Mrs. Gardi-
ner. With crimson face and wildly.
beating heart he slipped out by the
nearest door. AS Mr.. Harrington had
merely glanced toward him, he hoped
he had escaped recognition.
But Gilbert was mistaken. Hardly
had the door closed after him when Mr..
Harrington asked, in much surprise
"Is that boy. Walter Bradley
| living with you p
"That lads name is Gilbert Hen.
, shaw" replied Mr.. Gardiner. "He
> has been with us over q year"
! cha, ha, ha You have been well
duped. He is the son of Asa Bradley,
who killed your brother, ThomaE
: Iding."
Impossible |" exclaimed Mr.. and
/ Mrs. Gardiner, simultaneously,
l cts fact" persisted Mr.. Harring
r ton. 81 knew Walter Bradley well. Ht
was in the almshouse long time. Ovel
g a wear ago he disappeared, and mos
people thought he'd gone to sea. so h'
d has passed himself off on you as Gilber
# Henshaw A pretty bold push, 1 cal
= it"
r AS may be supposed, Mr.. Harrington
left the GARDENERS greatly disturbed
:, mind. Their astonishment upon learn
ing that they had befriended son
q the dreaded convict, Asa Bradley
seemed OV0rpOW0rluBs
70 "I understand now why he never oil
d ludes to his past life, and will say moth
le ing about his parents" said Mr.. Gar
:, diner, refectively.
IL "And this explains why he turned s
y white when / showed him brothe
y Thomas picture, and told him he ha
been murdered by Asa Bradley" sal
10 Mrs. Gardiner.
"Well, wife, this boys father too
rt the life of your brother, and it's for yo
le to say what we shall do with him."
lie Mrs. Gardiner was silent few m'
IL ments.
fe Husband" she said, at last, "Gi
n, bert has lived with us over year, an
6. all that time he has evidently tried h
r, best to be a good boy. We have caugl
ed him in no wrong-doing and have sex
ed no signs of bad disposition in him. /
ly has been industrious and faithful. A
It's we can charge against him is that
IL came to us under a false name. He n
nd been an outcast once it would be cru
ad to send him adrift again. Let him stay
no "That's just my mind u exclaim
Mr.. Gardiner, fervently. "We ha
re no children, and it may be that God h
20. given us this boy. We will not turn hi
nj away for his fathers SIN.
nd When Gilbert came in to dinner,
cast an anxious look into the faces
ng the old people, but no trace of any reN
IN lation was visible. They were ev
,ok more gentle and tender toward him tn
/ it they had ever been before.
rt, Five years passed. Gilbert live
happy and beloved, under the roof
tn the good old Mr.. Gardiner and his wi
adj He had attended school, and received
Asa good education in the ordinary branch
His benefactors had no cause for reg
He for taking the friendless youth to tn
1ed home and hearts.
One night Gilbert suddenly awo
of and was startled bY a strange glare