Smyrna times., 1878-06-05

ms cell had grown to be home to him
to 60 in. ''''
" Don't leave me, Jackson" he said
ieebly putting out his hand.
jackson stood beside him. "Take =
cigar" he said, in token of their new
equality.
have never smoked"
" Where are you goin', anyhow ?"
0eventy'seven stared vacantly up and
uoWn the street. When he had gone in al
mat gate, he was young and handsome
man lie had been lawyer in fair prac.
tice, with mother who made an idol n
HIM, and hosts of friends.
Now he was bent and white.baired
mere was not a man whom he could call
lrlend, or house where he had a RIGHT n
shelter, in all the world.
"a like to go back" he said with a
! for"- Il"
"Murder!
"Yes?"
was innocent" muttered Seventy
seven. And then, suddenly, as if the free
AR and sun accused him afresh of his
crime, he arose and stretched out his arms.
es, OF course, of course!" said Jack
son. " You all say so. But believe YOU.
Seventy-seven. Got no kin?
My mother died eight years ago. Nv
brother lives in the old homestead. |
don't know whether to 90 to him, or-what
would you do?' turning in his bitter soli
tude to jackson as friend.
"Got the money to go?"
es. The Prison Society gave me
these clothes, and money to pay my way
home. But
" !iow's yer brother treated yea?' las
he gin ye the cold shoulder?'
" No. After he married, ten wears aco.
never would see him when he came to
the prison. | wanted him to feel clear of
me | was cursed black spot in his life.
lie does not know I'm out. / thought I'd
keep clear of him, but--oh, | can'tr' |
can't!i
lie covered his face with his hands. He
was so utterly alone. Only to see him
once more--to 90 through the old house
to lay his head on his mothers grave
don't know what to advise said
jackson. "Kinsfolk don't generally kin
the fatten calf for returned Jail birds. But
you might try it. | don't see what else Won
kin do in fact"
About noon the prisoner got off the
tram at the station near his home. He
walked down the road. Old Aunty Stannix
was smoking in the door of her cabin.
John Pardee lives in the old place ?" he
said, inquiringly, stopping in front of her.
eh. DENIS his boys fishing in de
branch yunder. Stranger in dis country,
sab ?"
The man shook his head and walked on.
a stranger! Why, there was not stone or
a tree he did not remember and love.
lie came to his brothers gate and
opened it, and then, ghastly as death, |
turned away. lie could not risk it.
" If John should speak roughly to me, |
1T would kill me-" he said "Where are
his boys? III 90 to them. Whatever they |
say to me, I'll take it for a sign"
lie climbed down tho bank. If the |
boys spoke hastily to him, he would turn
his back on the old home-forever.
lie 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 stop
ped. What was the use? His life was a
wretched wreck-why should he intrude
into his brothers happy home?
There seemed no place for him in all the
world-but the prison cell which he had
Just left. He looked at the dark deep
water rushing by, and made a step towards
It. Then he looked again at the boys His
heart was very sore They were Johns
,ons-dear, dear brother John! One of
them had look of his mother in his eyes.
He would try once more, and he went
towards thenl-wth prayer to God in his
heart.
/" Been fishing. boys ?" trying to speak
n an off hand way. "Can come down ?"
Jail bird " muttered Bill.
Charley gripped his leg like wise, and
" Hold your tongue! Yes. sir.n
le said aloud, touching his cap; "we're
'tter perch: Will you take seat ?" NOV.
nS the basket aside.
Seventy-seven sat down. He could not
peak. They dropped their lines in the
vater.
Presently he laid his hand on Charley's
rm. 1t seemed as if he must caress the
10Y, if but by touch.
What is your name?'
"Charley, sir; Charley Pardee."
1t was his own name The blood rushed [
iolently to his heart.
Who-who were you named for
'harley?" I
My uncle, sir. You've heard of him, t
maybe ?" coloring hotly. al never saw
I'M; but my father says he was the best G
nan he ever knew, and the most ill.used. a
'h. here comes papai" a
The man staggered to his feet, and stood |
not looking up.
"Well, boys, what luck ?" came in Jacks ?
Id hearty voice. Then there was a terrible s
ence. n
"CharleyI' O
Jack had his arms about him. "Oh, t
harley, is it you? Thank God, thank C
cd !" and he sobbed like child. S
The winter passed quietly. Charles "
ardee found his brothers house a happy t.
ONE, but he feared to go outside of it. b
ublic opinion held him as murderer. A
w old friends came to him, but he shrank
ON every strange face.
Now little Charley had habit of taking
me trifing gift to old Aunty Stannix on
IS way to school. The old woman was
abbed and sour beyond her wont, being
that winter, but the boy persevered.
One night he was aroused out of bed by di
s father. h,
"Stannix is dying, and has sent far you, al
y boy" so
ats showing" muttered Bill. "She'll Sc
70 till morning. It's one of her implish ed
icks, anyhow. | wouldn't go step, rir