The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-05-16

| OF me; was 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 60 through the old
house-to lay his head on his mothers
grave.
"1 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 homo
| uc walke3 down tho road. Old Aunty
Stannix was smoking in the door of her
cabin.
"'John Pardec live in the old placel
he said, inquiringlo, stoppiny in front OF
her.
I" Yeh. Denis his boys a-fishin' in
de branch yondcr. Stranger in dis
country, sahl'
"The man shook his head and walked
on. A stranger! Why. there was not
stone nor tree which he did not
IClNemDer ana love!
He came to his brothers gate and
opened it, then, CHASTITY as death turned
away. lie could not risk it,"
"'If John should speak harshly to me
it would kill met he said. Where arc
bis boys? I'll go to them. Whatever
they say to me, i'll take it for sign.'
He climbed down the bank. Ii the
hNuo annEA horcSr IN hs,~ ko Il
turn his back on his old homc-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 scowlins
glance. and stopped. What was the
use2 His life was u wretchcd wreck
why should lie intrade INTO the his bro
theirs happy home2
+ "Thcre seemed no place for him in all
the world-but the prison cell whicl, h:
had just lcfl lie looked ut the dark
deep water rushing by and made step
towards it. Then he lo,,ked again at the
boys. His heart was very sore. They
were Johns sons--dcar, dear brother
John! One of them had look of his
mother in his eyes.
"Hc would try once more, and he went
towards them-with a prayer to God in
his heart.
"'Been fishing, boys:' trying to speak
in an off-hsnd way. Can I come down?'
Jail-bird? muttcrcd Bill.
''Charley grippcd his leg like vice,
and whispered. Hold your tongue:
'Ies, sir he said aloud, touching his cap,
we're after perch. Will you take a scatf'
moving his basket aside.
Scventyseyen sat down. He could not
speak. The boys dropped their lines in
the water.
"PreseatIy he laid his hand on Char
ley's arm. 1t seemed as if he must ca
rcss the boy,it but by q touch.
What is your namc:'
Charley. sir; Charley Pardee.'
"1t was his own nancl The blood
rushed violently to his heart.
So Who-Who were you named tor,
Charlcy?
go My uncle, sir. You've heard Of
him, maybe7' co.ori:g holly, Il never
saw him, but my father says he was the
best man he ever knew, and the most
il-used. o, here comes papan
"Thc man staggered to his feet and
stood trembling, not looking up.
swell, boys, what luekf' came in
jacks old hearty voice. Then there was
a terrible silence.
"'Charleyr
"Jack had his arms about him 20.
Char! y, is it you2 Thank God, thank
Godn and lie sobbcd like a child
The winter passed quietly. Charles
Pardce found his brothers house a happv
home, but he feared to go outside Of it.
Public opinion held HIM a murderer.
A few old friends came to him, but he
shrunk from every strange face.
snow little Charley had habit of talk
in some tr'tling gift to old Aunty STAN
nix On his way to school, The old woman
was Grabbed and sour beyond her wont,
being ill all winter, but the Eoy
persevered.
zone night ne was reused out of bed
by his father.
staunix is dying, and has sent for you,
my boy
SITS suowing,' muitcrcd Bill. She'll
live till morning. It's one OF her impish
tricks, any how. wouldn't 20 step,
Charley
''Cnarley thrust out one foot into the
nlpping air and hesitated.
'''1'd better CO. he said.
when lie reached the cabin with his
father, the old woman was very low.
"'I want Charley Pardee, she muttered.
fumbling with her hands.
"sHcre aul, aunty.'
"'Yo'hvc been good to me, sonny =
better dan any bod in dis wohld. i've
got someHn foll you. Wnah S a souirc2
I must say it fohr squire
II am magistrate, aunty," said the
doctor.
Il want to say, fol,r de squire, da.
dis boys uncle, Charles Pardee, was as
innocent as baby Of George Tygart's
murder: 1t was my son, Oaf, as done it
DAT, dc barber in Dover.
~ KEEP it quiet COS I didn't want Oaf
hung. But when he was shot in dat fight
las summer, and I knowcd he'd got to
die, l made him write a paper bout it.
an swar to it befohr witnesses,
"nyah's de paper, I glib it to yoh,
Charley. kase you've bin good to nc. /
dont want folks castin' up to you dat
yoh's got uncle what's grazed de gal
lows. You've bin good to me, Charley
"Betore morning she was dead"
"Grsndfather," said the boys. after
pause, "ls that true story2"
The old mans eyes grew dim.
'Boys," he said, II was Sevent vseyen y,