Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-05-15
Seventy-Seven.
What is that you say, Robert?
Little things don't count.

Wnat IS tDat you say, Robert!
Little things don't count.
Don't lheyp Now my belief is that there
never WAS IA little duty done, or kind
word spoken, which did not bring long
train of blessings. You may not see them,
but somewhere and SOMEHOW they are
there; just as you plant seed and go
away. and the roots spread, and the tree
grows. aId goes on growing, and the birds
come and sing in the branches-long after
you are dead. l II tell you about that, said
the old man, settling him self on the heap
of warm hay, while the boys gathered
about him.
Two boys went out TO fish one day. "If
you will clear out The barn." their father
told them in the morning." You can have
the afternoon for play"
Let's make quick job of it. said
Charley.
So they worked steadily and actively,
and earned their holiday. As they started,
they halted by the gate, their rods over
their shoulders.
The pond or the creek? asked Bill.
Charley was good hearted fellow. The
creek; and then we can take basket ol
apples to old Aunt Stannix, he said.
So they brought the apples, gave them
to the old negro, and went down to the
creek. Under a big walnut was n dark
pool, the very place for perch.
They hardly spoke for an hour. Just as
Bill had Il nibble, a step was heard on tht
dry grass above, and man appeared and
shabby, his face strangely bloodess and
pinched.
It's TOO bad muttered Bill. He's driven
that fellow away, and he was a tw,
FOUNDER. The sneaking old tramp! II
shy stone at him if he comes any closer
You'll do nothing of the sort, Bill Par
dee, said Charley. The man looks hungry
poor fellow!
believe he's escaped from the lookup
persisted Bill. If he comes down, I'll tel
him to 60 back to Jail where he belongs
see if dom.
The man was slowly and unsteadily
making his way towards them. He watch
ed the boys with n strangely eager. i'm
ploring glance. A few feet from them h,
stopped, twirling his hat in his hand
Been a-fishing, boysP he said. Can
come down?
Before tell you what they said, mus
90 back little.
found in the woods, mile from this creek
He was son of one of the neighborinG
farmers. There was bullet hole through
his heart, his watch and money were un
touched. The object of the murderer wal
revenge. not plunder.
Suspicion fell ON companion Of the vic
tim, with whom he had had quarrel
They had been seen on the road togethe
Il week before, and the murdered man wa
never seen alive again. The friend wa
arrested and tried. The circumstantia
evidence WAS strong against him. He wa
found guilty. and sentenced to imprison
ment for life. Fifteen years of his confine
ment had passed when he received par
don. and was released.
On the morning and just at the hou
when our boys went to clear the barn, h
came out of the prison gates. and stoo
looking up and down the busy streets, a
though he were half blinded.
The gnte keeper followed him kindly
Where are you goin', Seventy y-seven? h
asked calling the man by his prison mum
ber; for he never heard his name.
don't know.
Got no kinp
The man did not answer. He sat dow
on the curbstone, his eyes blinking, hi
mouth twitching nervovsly. He locke
wislfully at the gate, as if he would ask
be taken in again. In that fifteen year
, his cell had grown to be u home to him
He had no other home. The keeper turne
to 90 in.
, ,, Don't leave me, Jackson, he said, feebl
putting out his hand.
Jackson stood beside him. Take q ciga
he said in token of their ne equality.
| have never smoked.
Where are you goin' anyhow.
Seventy seven stared vacantly up m
down the street. When he had gone in
. that gate he was young and handsom
= man. He had been lawyer in fair pra
s Iice, with mother who made an idol
= him, and host of friends.
: Now he was bent and white-haire,
j There was not man whom he could ca
| friend, or house where he had right
a shelter, in all the world.
, I'd like to go back, he said with mi.
n cradle smile.
t Can't do that. my boy. You were
4 for
e Murder!
Yes!
$ was innocent. muttered Seventy -sevel
b And then, suddenly, as if the free f.
a and sun accused him afresh of his erin
I he rose and stretched out his arms.
e Before God, was innocent! he cried.
3 Yes, of course of course. said jackson
$ You all say so. But believe you, Sevent,
e seven. Got no kinp
1 My mother died eight years ago. NJ
Q brother lives in the old homestead. don
o know whether to 60 to him, or VIII
would you dop turning in his bitter sol
tude to Jackson as friend.
Got the money TO go9 ..
g Yes The prison society gave Inc thei
1t clothes. and money to pay my way hom
II But
" How's yer brother treated yerp Has
a gin ye the cold shoulder7
e No. After he married. ten years ago.
/. never would see him when he came to Il
a prison. wanted him to feel clear of IN
4, ! was cursed black spot in his life. I
ls does not know ana out. I thought
v keep clear Of him; but-oh, can't / can
v He covered bis face with his hands.
n was so utterly alonef Only to see him on