River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-05-16
SEVENTY-SEYEN.
''What is that you say, Roberto
EtI ALL 4bipo.o 1Onfr oo,,nf -

Little Things uOn count.
"Don't theyl Now my belief is that
there never was little duty done, or g
kind word spoken which did not bring
long train of blessings. You may not
see them but somewhere and somehow
they ale there; just as you plant a seed
and go away, and the roots spread and
the tree grows, and goes on growing, and
the birds come and sing in the branches,
long after you are dead. I'll tell you
story about that" said the old man, set
thing himself on the heap of warm hay,
while the boys gathered around him.
1.-TWO boys went out to fish one day.
IF you clear out the barn. their father
told them in the morning, you can have
the afternoon for play.
Lets make quick job of it, said
Charley.
SO they worked steadily and actively
and earned their holiday. AS they start
cd, they halted by the gate, their rods
over their shoulders.
"'The pond OF the creek2' asked Bill
"CharIey was good hearted fellow
'The creek; aud then we can take
basket of apples to old Aunty Stannix,'
he said.
$50 they brought the apples gave them
to the old negro. and went down to the
creek. Under big walnut was a dark
pool, the every place for perch.
"They hardly spoke for an hour. Just
as Bill had nibbla step was heard on
the grass above, and man appeared and
looked down at them. His clothes were
shabby, his face strangely bloodless and
pinched.
"'It's too bad muttered Bill. He's
driven that fellow away and he's a two
FOUNDER. The sneaking old tramp! I'll
shy stone at him If he comes any
closer
- You'll do nothing of the sort, Bill
Pardee,' said Charley. THE man locks
hungry, poor fellow
80 believe he's escaped from the lock-
up persisted Bill. IF he comes down
I'll tell him to 90 back to .iail where he
belongs, see if | don't
The man was slowly anil unsteadily
making his way toward them. He watch
ed the boys with a strangely. eager, i'm
ploring glance. A few feet from them
he stopped, twirling his hat in his hand"
"'Been aishing, boys" ne said. Can |
come down?
Before tell you what they said,
must 90 back little.
Fifteen years before dead man was
found in the woods, a mile from this
creek He was son of one of the neigh
boring farmers. There was bullet-hole
through his heart, but his watch and
money were untouched. The object of
the murderer had been revenge, not plum
plumber.
"Suspici0n fell on a companion of the
victim, with whom he had had a quarrel.
They had been seen on the road to-
gether week before, and the murdered
man was never seen alive again.
This friend was arrested and tired. The
circumstantial evidence was strong
against him. lie was found guilty, and
sentenced to imprisonment for life. Fiji
teen wears of his confinement had passed
when he received a pardon, and was re-
leased.
ION the morning and Just at the hour
when our boys went to clear the barn.
he came out of the prison gates, and stood
looking up and down the busy streets, as
though he were half blinded.
''The gate-keeper followed him kindly.
where are ye goin', Seventyseven' he
asked, calling the man by his prison
number; for he never had heard his
name.
"'I don't know
0'Got no kim
"The man did not answer He sat down
on the curbstone, his eyes blinking, his
mouth twiching neivously. He looked
wistfully at the gate, as if he would ask
to be taken in again. In that fifteen years
his cell had grown to be home to him.
He had no other home. The keeper
turned to go In.
"'Don't leave me, Jackson he said,
feeblv putting out his hand.
jackson stood before him. Take a
cigar he said, in token of their new
equality.
40 have never smoked
"'Where are ye goin', anyhowf
Seventy-seven stared vacantly up
and down the street. When he he'd gone
in at the gate, he was q young and hand
some man. He had been lawyer in fair
practice, with mother who made an idol
of him, and hosts of friends.
Snow he was bent and white haired
There was not a man whom he could call
friend, or house where he had right
to shelter in all the world.
"'I'd like to go back he said, with a
miserable smile.
Can't do that, my boy. You were
in for
Murderr
Yesr
l was innocent muttered Seventy
seven. And then, suddenly, as if the
free air and sun accused him afresh OF
his crime, he rose and stretched out his
arms.
a. Before God, I was Innocent he
cried.
'' Yes, of course, of course, said Jack
son. You all say so. But | believe
you, Seventy seven. Got no kim
- Nv mother died eight years ago
MY brother lives in the old homestead
l don't know whether to go TO him, Or
what would you doT turning in his bit
ter solitude to Jackson as a friend.
a. Got the money TO gos
Yes, the prison society gave me these
clothes, and money to pay my way home.
But
How's yer brother treated YET Has
he sin 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