The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-04-03
THE CONyIcT's TALE.
A Modern Wandering Jew-A Long Travel
is cd Il - iii, Search of Rest, T5 rEtgE "

III + THE GoNyltcT'S TAHF.yIL
A Modern Wandering Jew-A Long Travel
iJa. sd Il - in Search of Rest. ~ 1-}tgg Z"
From the Des Moines Gowa) Register.l
"A J year sor5se since. a we'll dressed, well
bred man. came to = eDes Monies and
sought EN- ploynlentas a teacher 81 music
or ORGANISE. He was a skilful perform
er ON the instrument as well as q com
petent instructor. He secured a few
scholars and had about concluded an
engagement to play the big organ at the
Presbyterian Church when, suddenly
and without giving any warning OF
reason therefor, he removed to Council
Bluffs. There his career was about the
same that it had been here, and after a
brief stay he left the place and went to
Atlantic There, too, he remained bat
short time and then departed fer st.
Joe. 'H. hfa" ~ 90 s'"''' e.; '''1 ="
The spirit of unrest seemed to possess
him. He paid his bills promptly and
was man Of excellent habits. No scan
dals attached to him, and4te those that
learned of his frequent migrations the
cause of them remained a profound
mystery. go" ~
A few weeks or months since it mat
terss not which alcitizen of Des Moines
happened to be called by business to the
town in which is located one of the Iowa
penitenGaries, aud while strolling along
the streets, killing time until the depart
ure of a railroad train to bear himshome,
he, CHANGED to meet the mysterious -mu-
sician. The gentleman is himself gifted
with no small share of musical culture,
had frequently admired the, skill, o., the
organist as displayed, in this city and
was personally acquainted with him.
He also knew something of - his
wanderings.s A conversatson took
place beteen them, and during it the OF
ganist unraveled the mystery of his
frequent change of base. He had been
convicted on doubtful, If not entirely
false testimony, and sentenced to the
Penitentiary in the town whore this con-
Versation took place. There he had
served term of imprisonment. Ri The
Warden was kind to him and gave him
all the liberties consistent with his sit
uation. Learning of his musical skill,
that officer detailed him to play the or
gan in the prison church. His execrl-
ton was so excellent that it attracted
the attention of the other musicians in
the town, and when his term Of service
had expired they offered to procure him
situation there and a class. He, how
ever, remembering the convict life, could
not endure the thought of remaining In
sight of the Penitentiary walls, and de-
cined the proposal. ~ '-'.'- 5a@ re
By the aid of some friends he procur-
ed enough money to supply himself with
suitable clothing and came to Des
Moines, where he engaged in teaching,
as before related, and was in fair way
to thrive and prosper in his profession
when one day he met on the streets a
discharged guard from the prison,
where he had been confined,
and learned that, the latter had
become resident of this city. Then
the dread of exposure oppressed the
organist and hastily settling up his affairs
he fled to Council Bluffs. There he
was again recognized, and. at every
place some former acquaintance that
had known him during his dark DAYS
would appear; and he would abandon
all and attempt to escape beyond the
sphere of recognition In no place did
there appear to be any unkindness shown
him by any one of the discoveries. or
any Indication of revealing the mystery
OF his past life, but ever before him rose
the specter of that past, and he feared
exposure At length he abandoned the
vain wanderings in search of place
where acquaintance could not reach him,
and determined since he could not es-
cape exposure to return to the Peniten-
tiary town Where his history was so well
known that he would be free from sus-
picion. He did SO, established himself
as a teacher of music, was engaged
as organist of the principal church
there, and is contented and hap
py.s All that ever was bad about him Is
fully known where he is, and his life
since he became free man is substan-
tial proof among the citizens where he
resides that his reformation is complete.
------->O>---