The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-10-03

Mr.. Harrington asked, in much surprise :,
Is that boy, Walter Bradley, living
with your
That lads name is Gilbert Hem
shaw" replied Mr.. Gardiner. g g He has
been with us over a year., !,
ella, ha, hal You have been well
duped. He is the son of Asa Bradley,
who killed your brother, Thomas Iding."
Impossiblel'' exclaimed Mr.. and
Mrs. Gardiner, simultaneously g5aHtl
It's fact" persisted Mr.. Harring-
ton. 81 knew Walter Bradley well.
He was in, the almshouse long time.
Over year ago he disappeared, and
most people thought he'd gone to. sea.
So he has passed himself off on you as
Gilbert Henshawf A pretty bold push,
Icall it." = - di l'i9ss (.
4 AS may be supposed, Mr.. HARRINGTON.
left the GARDENERS greatly dist urbed in
mind. Their astonishment upon learn
ing they had befriended a son of the
dreaded convict, Asa Bradley, seemed
overpowering.9 o7f l5aeS .G }as
81 understand now why he never
alludes to his past life, and will say
nothing about his parents" said Mr..
Gardiner, refectively. ~ -
"And this explains why he turned
so white when [ showed him brother
Thomas's picture, and told him he had
been murdered by Asa Bradley" said
Mrs. Gardiner. tEaf 3rsag.
Well, wife, this boys father took
the life of your brother, and it's for
you to say what we shall do with him."
Mrs. Gardiner was silent a few mo-
ments. iHa f
Husband" she said, at last, "Gil-
bert has lived with us over a year, and
all that time he has evidently tried his
best to be good boy. We have caught
him in no wrong-doing, and have seen no
signs of a bad disposition in him. He
has been industrious and faithful. ALI
we can charge against him is that he
came to us under false name. He has
been an outcast.once; it would be cruel
to send him adrift again. Let him stay"
That's just my ymindp exclaimed
Mr., Gardiner, feryently. "We have
no children, and it may be that God has
given us this boy. We will not turn
him away for his fathers sim" iis la
/
an anxious look irto the faces of the old
people, but no trace of any revelation
was visible. They we're even more gem
tie and tender toward him than they had
ever been before. 80. .,l.t....,,.
Five years passed. Gilbert lived,
happy and beloved, under the roof of
the good old Mr.. Gardiner and his wife.
He had attended school, and received a
good education in the ordinary branches.
His benefactors had no cause for regret
for taking the friendless youth to their
home and heart.
One night Gilbert suddenly awoke,
and was startled by a strange glare of
light. Through his window he saw the
elms and poplars outside glowing lurid
red. He sprang up, and hurriedly
raised the sash. aa tsg a59
+ The shed was on fire, and the flames
had just seized the house.
H. Gilbert rushed down stairs, shouting
the alarm, and in a moment every
sleeper was awake. The family worked
valiantly to put out the fire, but in
vain. A fresh wind was blowing, and
in half an hour the house and all the
outbuildings belonging to Mr.. Gardiner
were in ruins. The good old man and
his, wife were homeless.
1t came hard to pay the interest on
the mortgage" said Mr.. Gardiner, in a
hollow tone, Sand now we haven't a
place to lay our heads."foi 81 81 SD
t"God will provide,H responded Mrs.
Gardiner, trying for his own sake
Estihe her own sadness. - g.. E..4,s,i 8.
'sYou have. me left to you," said
Gilbert, tenderly. 'sI am strong to
work, and you shall never want while
] live" flRat sjdf
| Ia portion Of the furniture had been
saved. This Gilbert removed to little
unpainted house offered by q neighbor,
and the old couple were made as COM
Portable as circumstances would permit.
! a month later the following letter
was received: 'itsi Fitf
l"FRIENp GARDINER&If the boy who
called himself Gilbert Henshaw' is with you,
\ or you know anything of his whereabouts
Fplease inform him that his great-uncle
Joshua Bradley, has lately diedin ST. Louis
without family, and has left no will. By
regret your loss byfre, and believe me,i
! "Truly your friend, :, 81, -
| "PETER HARRINGTON. !" =
+ The. next day Gilbert started fol
Stony Brook, and was absent two
weeks. Then again his happy fact
frightened the old peoples humble home
| 81 have news for you," he said
(which will give you both pain .lanc
pleasure" Ii5d 81 . +Irii 4.
Give us the worst first, and the bet
4. ter last, said Mrs. Gardiner, smiling.
"I have secret to .diyulge which
will distress and astonish you. In al
the time I have been with you, / hav'
never told you my real name or parent
age. am not Gilbert Henshaw. "a
am-+i1l tdzijel.i iisii mml5i.fIe.td Il
4 /" We, know who you arel';' exclaimeS
Mr.. Gardiner. You are are Walter Brad
ley, son Of Asa Bradley" '-''A =
A look of utter astonishmcnt over
spread Gilbert's face How had the,
fathomed his secret? oH1 ;-'I.fi . '1iH.
"Mr. Harrington told us all abou
you five years ago, y said Mrs. Gardiner
4 Sand you have given me a, home
and love- and sympathy. knowing al
this time was the son Of your brother
d,murdererp said Gilbert, with moisten
, inp ewes. ,4aI1iJit hGiIjIg sl;o.t-
! SDear B0y,n returned Mrs. Gard
ner, fondly,' 's we could not drive yo
from us for your fathers sin! You hay
: been constant comfort and blessing
! us,-the child of our old age, given u
! by the Lord"
! I" And I shall not forget your gene
GUS kindness and true love. My shal
in Uncle Joshua's estate is five thol
=, sand dollars. We will build a ne
house on the old site with our money,
said Gilbert. sU s3 y, ~
The worthy pair looked at him in d
}. lighted wonder. .'', 30
4 Your money, my boy" they bot
said sf.. ~ q ,,fg ~!
o "No, ours. What is mine belongs
you,-to my second parents, who mac
u my hapless, forsaken life happy again
In few months commodious hou
was erected where the former home
u the Gardeners had stood, and the O.
r couple moved into it with their 9: son
Gilbert gained a right to his adoptt
2: name by making applications throug