The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-05-15

in for
".sMurdcrV
"tYes!
".I was innocent, muttered Seventy
seven. And then, suddenly, as if the
free air and sun accused him alresh of
his crime, he rose and stretched out his
arms. r-.
g Before God, I was innocent' he
cried. {
"Yes, of course, of course said Jack
son. You all say so. But I believe
you, Seventy-seven. Got no kim y
"'My mother disd eight years ago.
MY brother lives in the old homestead.
don't know whether to go to him, Or
what woxld you do2' turning in his bit
ter solitude to Jackson as friend.
"' Got the money to ges; ; '.-a@
"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 married ten years ago,
never would see him when he came to |
the prison. I wanted him to feel clear
of me; was a cursed black spot in his
life. He does not know I'm out.
thought I'd keep clear of him; butch,
I can't! I can't!'
"He covered his face with his hands.
He was so utterly alone! Only to see
him once more-to 20 through the old
house-to lay his head on his mothers
grave.
al don't know what to advise said
Jackson. 'Kinsfolks don't generally kill
the tatted calf for returned Jail birds.
But you might try it. don't see what
else you kin 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 Pardce live in the old place.
he said, inquiriDglo, stoppiny in front Of
her.
"Yeh. Denis his boys a-dshin' in
de branch yonder. Stranger in dis
country, sah?
"The man shook his head and walked
on. A stranger Why, there was not
remember and love!
, s. He came to his brothers gate and
opened it, then, CHASTITY as death turned
away. nc COulu uOl IlSk IL.
"'If John should speak harshly to me
it would kill mel he said. where are
. :. his boys? I'll go to them. Whatever
hey say TO me, III take it for sign
He climbed down the bank. If the
I boys spoke harshly to him he would
eu:n his back on his old home-forever.
= He 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
a why should he intrude into the his bro
; theirs happy home!
"There seemed no place for him in all
d the world-but the prison cell which he
e had just left He looked at the dark
k deep water rushing by and made step
towards it. Then he looked again at the
It boys. His heart was very sore. They
n were Johns sons--dear, dear brother
e mother in his eyes. .-.ss =
d He would try once more, and he went
towards them-with prayer to God in
9 bis heart.
D. "'Been fishing, boys2' trying to speak
II in an off-hand way. Can come down?
" "'Jail-birG! ! muttered Bill.
'Charley gripped his leg like a vice
IL and whispered, Hold your tongue
IS Yes, SIR he said aloud, touching his cap
we're after perch. Will you take seat?
& moving his basket aside.
n Seventy-seven sat down. He could no
lie speak. The boys dropped their lines il
the water.
y ''Presently he laid his hand on Char
l. ley's arm. It seemed as if he must ca
l. ress the boy,if but by touch.
N "'What is your namef'
- "'Charley. sir; Charley Pardee.'
I 1T was his own name! The bloot
rushed violently to his heart.
/ Who-who were you named tol
Charley2'
as "'My uncle, sir. You've heard O
is him, maybe2' co.ori2g holly, Il neve
b. saw him, but my father says he was tn
lie best man he ever knew, and the mos
I'd illused. 0, here comes papa.'
of 1.-THE man staggered to his feet an
n stood trembling, not looking up.
"Well, boys, what luck?' came i
he Jacks old hearty voice. Then there wa
Il. terrible silence.
o. * Charley
ed "Jack had his arms about him C
n Charlie y, is it you9 Thank God, than
he Godn and he sobbed like child.
I'd THE winter passed quietly. Charlie
if. Pardee found his brothers house g happ
ed home, but he feared to go outside of i
e. Public opinion held HIM murderer
A few old friends came to him, but b
ur shrunk from every strange face.
n, "Now little Charley had habit of tax
I'd in some trifing gift to old Aunty Stan
as nix on his way to school. The old woma
was grabbed and sour beyond her won
~. being i'll all winter, but the bo
he persevered. ~ s.-.. .-... -. ...-:. =
on "One night ne was reused out of be
lis by his father. ~.
'stannix is dying, and has sent for yo
my boy ss .-...s-..s 4. s. 5.........
"'1t's snowing,' mutterod Bill. She
wn live till morning. It's one OF her impis
his tricks. any how. wouldn't 90 ste
ed Charley ~ 49,. #. E.s .... ri "a
six "Charley thrust out one foot into IL