South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-08-15
Itomney, Hampshire County, West Va August Is 1879.

Mr. Palmer assentcd, and in n few
minutes grave quiet man entered.
whose close!y-cut hair and peculiar
dress gave him very strange look to
Walter, who had never seen ANYTHING
like it before.
lie seemed glad 10 see Mr.. Palmer.
though there was visible constraint in
his manner which showed that he felt
keenly his changed position and sur
roundings.
OF the two, Mr.. Palmer seemed the
most affected. Ills voice broke little.
rs he said:
Il am glad to see you. Mr.. Jackson
but sorry, very sorry to find you here
You can't be more sorry than am TO
find myself here said the man, with
forced smile.
Then, as if anxious to change the sub
iect, he turned TO Walter.
Il needn't ask whose boy this isl?
1t is my oldest son, Walter. lie is
just about the same age we were when
we use to go TO school together, in dear
old Bridgeville. Have you forgotten all
about those days, john
Whether i was these words, or the
sight OF that fresh, innocent face, for a
few moments Jackson struggled silently
with the tender and subduing recollec-
tions that rushed over him then break.
ing down utterly, he covered his lace
with his hands.
Walter bad never seen man weep
before, and those sobs and means were
something that he never forgot
Il wish / could said the wretched
man, lifting up his pale, tear-stained
face. i wish could forget what was,
all that | might have been, and what |
am! | sometimes think that it is a hor.
rible dream that | shall some day
awake and find it SOL
How did it happen?' inquired Mr..
Palmer, as soon as bis companion was
calmer. When | last saw you, your
prospects were bright-apparcntlv
brighter than mine
1t can be summoned up in two words,
was the gloomy response: 'IDLENEss
AND BAD COMPANY. Ii my father had
trained me to habits OF industry and
selt-reliance. | had not come to this
But he loved me, and glad am | that the
grave has hid from him oil knowledge
Of the shame and misery of the son,
whom his i'll judged. short sighted kind.
| mess AS YOU hilOW, w juiU not
study; thought that there was no
need for me--a rich mans son TO do that
| can remember how Idespised the dull,
plodding fellows, who are honored men
today. My fathers death pu. me in
the possession of wealth, OF which
never earned one dollar, and Of whose
use and worth knew nothing How
IL went hardly knew; but | woke one
morning to find myself poorer than the
lowest clerk in the establishment that
my father built up with so much care
and labor, but which now had passed
into the hands of strangers. My fair
weather friends. who had help spend my
money, urging me 10 every conceivable
folly and extravaganza. left rs soon rs
they found there was no more to spend.
l knew nothing about getting money by
honest work, but money | must have {;
SO | turned my attention TO the various
ways Of getting money without work.
The rest needs no telling
Here the warden entered and with
his heart somewhat cheered and strength
encd by Mr.. Palmcr's whispered words
of encouragement and sympathy, Jack
son returned TO his dreary task.
The warden now took them around
thro ugh the various work stops, cells
e.. kindly explaining to Walter all that
he did noO understand.
| When they visited the shoe.slop.
Walter saw JacksoH sitting there among
the rows OF busy. silent men. not one Of
whom dared TO Lift his eyes as they pass
cd by.
How many OF these men, inquired
Mr.. Palmer as they returned 10 the Of
lice, have ever been trained TO any use.
ia trade or busiucss?' Not one in ten
Ihc spirited bays, in their gliltcring
harness, were champing their bits and
tossing their heads impat.ently outside
the high walls and Walter experienced
feeling Of relief as he found himself
once more out IN the pure, sweet air and
bright sunshine.
How dreadful IL must be TO have to
live in such place as That :. he said, as
reaching an cmincnce, hc gave back
ward glance at the building which look
cd so grim and solitary in the distance.
III ls the necessity that is dreadful,
my son. Miserable as these men are
I they are happier. there. where they are
obliged to be orderly and industrious,
though only through The fear OF punish
ment, than iftEey were allowed TO follow
unrestrainedly, the devices oftLeir fool.
ish and evil hearts.
There was silence for some minutes.
Then Mr.. Palmer said
1ou asked me q question. Yesterday,
Walter and This is my answer better
answer than any words can frame. The
world calls me n rich man. and so | am.
am able to afford you many adyanta-
gee all thc opportunity sou can ask for
moral and mental culture. but am not,
never shall be, rich enough to afford
to lave you idle. Strange az IL may
sound, ] am too rich 90 afford 10.
have q mill, with industrious operatives.
whose living from week TO week depends
! on lis aALLLlul md l,rnlo., 10 r,nnnrnnnnl