Connecticut western news., 1878-04-18
SeVenty-Seven.


 What is that you say, Robert ?"
 Little things don't count"
 "Don't they Now my belief is that there never was little duty done, or a 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 .x the tree grows, and goes on growing, And the birds come and sing in the branches, long after you are dead. I'll tell you story about that" said the old man, settling himself on the heap of warm hay, while the boys gathered around him.
 '' Two boys went out to fish one day. If you clear out the barn, their father e told them in the morning, you can have the afternoon for play
 rec Let's make quick job of it, said Charley. So they worked steadily and active ..ly and earned their holiday. As they started, they halted by the gate, their rods over their shoulders The pond or the creek ? asked Bill. i" Charley was good hearted fellow. The creek and then we can take a basket of apples to old Aunty Stannix, , he said.
 h@ So they brought the apples, gave j. Them. to the.old negro, and went down to the creek. Under big walnut was 8 dark pool, the very place for perch.
 "They hardly spoke for an hour. Just as Bill had nibble step was heard on the dry grass above, and man ap- peared and looked down at them. His Fclothes were shabby, his face strangely bioodless and pinched. ~
 "'It's too bad, muttered Bill. He's driven that fellow away and he's a two pounder. The sneaking old tramp I'll shy Q stone at him if he comes any closer
 fE"fYoun do nothing of the sort, Bill s1sPardee, said Charley. The nan looks hungry, poor fellow
 "'I believe he's escaped from the lock up,' persisted Bill. If he comes down I'll tell him to go back to jail where he belongs, see if don't.'
 The man was slowly and unsteadily making his way toward them. He watched the boys with strangely eager, simploring glance. A few feet from them he stopped, twirling his hat in his hand. Been a-Gshing, boys?' he said. Can I come down?' -- -..--
 Before I tell you what they said, ] must go back little.
 \" Fifteen years before. dead man was found in the woods, mile from this creek. He was son of one of ths neigh. boring farmers There was bullet. hole through his heart, but his watch and money were untouched. The object ' of the murderer had been revenge. not plunder. [E .,--~. nh s-
 Suspicion fell on companion of the victim, with whom he had had quarrel They had been seen on the road togeth. CT week before, and the murdered mar was never seen alive aga1n. This friend was arrested and tried. The circum B stantial evidence was strong against him He was found guilty, and sentenced tc imprisonment for life. Fifteen years ot his confinement had passed when he re- ceived pardon, and was released.
 "On the morning and just at the hou1 r, when our boys went to clear the barn he came out of the prison gates, anG stood looking up and down the busy streets, as though he were half blinded
 t'The gate-keeper followed him kind ly. Where are ye goin', Seventy-sev en ? he asked, calling the man by hi prison number for he never had heart his name.
 S7 "'I don't know
 us trGot no kn?'
 sst '.The man did not answer. He sa down on the curbstone, his eyes, blink ing, his mouth twitching nervously. H looked wistfully at the gate, as if h. would ask to be taken in again. In tha {.fifteenyears his cell had grown to be q, home to him. He had no other home The keeper turned to go in.
 sTDon't leave me, Jackson he said feeb1y putting out his hand.
 jackson stood before him. sTak cigar, he said, in token of their ne, Equality. 3 g-z-.-.g -.g-=--
 HIGH have never smoked
 Where are ye goln', anyhow?'
 tSeventy-seven stared vScantly u and down the street. When he ha gone in at that gate, he was young sn handsome man. He had been a lawye in fair practice, with mother who mad an idol of him, and hosts of friends.
 Now he was bent and white haired There was not man whom he could ca friend, or house where he had righ Eo shelter, m all the world. < a "I'd like to go back, he said, with miserable lsnnile1 Qi alt! ~- ..s5 .
 Can't do that, my boy. You wss k fex@