The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-10-16
ludes to his past life, and will say moth
ing about his parents" said Mr.. Gar

ludes to his past life, and will say moth
ing about his parents" said Mr.. Gar
diner, refectively.
"And this explains why he turned so
white when ] showed him brother
Thomas picture, and told him he had
been murdered by Asa Bradley" said
Mrs. Gardiner.
"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 few mo-
ments.
Husband" she said, at last, "Gil-
bert has lived with us over year, and
all that time he has evidently tried his
best to be q 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. All
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 mind!" exclaimed
Mr.. Gardiner, fervently. "We have
no children, and it may be that God has
given us this boy. We will not turn him
away for his fathers sin"
When Gilbert came in to dinner, he
cast an anxious look into the faces of
the old people, but no trace of any reve-
lation was visible. They we're even
more gentle and tender toward him than
they had ever been before.
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 hearts.
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.
The shed was on fire, and the flames
had just seized the house.
| Gilbert rushed down staira, shouting
the alarm, and in moment every Sleep
er was awake. The family worked va
liantly to put out the fire, but in vain.
A fresh wind was blowing, and in half
an hour the house and all the out-build-
ings belonging to Mr.. Gardiner we're in
ruins. The good old man and his wife
were homeless.
cit came hard to pay the interest on
the mortgage, said MIR. Gardiner in a
hollow tone, and now we haven't a
place to lay our heads"
"God will PROVIDE" responded Mrs.
Gardiner, trying for his sake to stifie
her own sadness.
"You have me left to you," said Gill
bert, tenderly. 81 am strong to work,
and you shall never want while I live. !"
A portion of the furniture had been
saved. This Gilbert removed to little
unpainted house offered by a neighbor,
and the old couple we're as comfortable
as circumstances would permit.
A month later the following letter was
received:
"FR1END GARDNER-If the boy who
called himself Gilbert Henshaw is with
you, or you know anything of his where
abouts, please inform him that his great
uncle, Joshua Bradley, has lately died ip
st. Louis, without family, and has left
no will. By law he is one of the heirs
to the property. I regret your loss by
fire, and believe me
"Truly your friend,
"PETER HARRINGTON.
The next day Gilbert started for
Stony Brook, and was absent two weeks.
Then again his happy face frightened
the old peoples humble home.
ct have news for you," he said,
(Which will give you both pain and
pleasure.
"Give us the worst first, and the bet
ter last" said Mrs. Gardiner, smiling.
"I have a secret to divulge which will
distress and astonish yoii. In all the
time have been with you, I have never
told you my real name or parentage. l
am not Gilbert Henshaw. am"
"We know who you are!" exclaimed
Mr.. Gardiner. "You are Walter Brad
ley, son of Asa Bradley"
A look OF utter astonishment over
spread Gilbert's face. How had they
fathomed his secret9
"Mr. Harrington told us all about
you five years ago." said Mrs. Gardiner.
"And you have given me home, and
love, and sympathy, knowing all this
time I was the son of your brothers
murderer p said Gilbert with moisten-
ing eyes.
"Dear boy" returned Mrs. Gardiner,
fondly, "we could not drive you from
us for your fathers sin You have been
q constant comfort and blessing to us
the child of our old age, given us by the
Lord"
"And T shall not forget your generous
kindness and true love. Ny share in
Uncle Joshua's estate is five thousand
dollars. We will build new house on
the old site with our money" said Gill
bert.
The worthy pair looked at him in do
lighted wonder.
"Your money, my boy" they both
said.
"No, ours. What is mine belongs to
you-to my second parents-who made
my hapless, forsakeD life happy again. I"
In few months commodious house
was erected where the former home of
the GARDENERS had stood, and the old
couple moved into it with their "son." I"
Gilbert gained right to his adopted
name by making application through
form of law, and he is now a prosperous
farmer-a generous, noble-minded man
in whom the unfortunate and destitute
always find a friend. - Youths Conn.,
panioa.
A Thief Detected by Mind.Reader.
A Bloomington (Ind.) dispatch to the
Cincinnati Gazette says: An incident