Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-08-05
STRANsIENT B1LLs-cAsH
pleassn. word and smile, tho latter giving

''I came TO inquire about John jackson,
the forger," said Mr.. Palmer, after n few
preliminary words. s.He is an old schools
mate of mine. I remember him as . highs
spirited boy, rather headstrong, aud fonder
of play than study, but With many genial aud
pleasant traits Of character. How is he get,
ting alongf"
avery we'll. Had he been comps,en.
should have given him place as book keeps
er, made vacant By convict whose time was
up. AS it was had to put him in the shoe
shop. He is quiet, but he takes Il pretty
hard, IS such chaps are apt to Who have al
ways had plenty of money and nothing to
do. Il is not in strict accordance with the.
rules, bnt if you would like to see him will
have him sent out"
Mr.. Palmer nssented, aud Ia few min
utes grave, quiet man entered, whose
closely.cut hair and peculiar dress gave him
very strange look TO Waiter, who had never
seen anything like Il before.
he seemed glad to see Mr.. Palmer, though
there wss visible CONSTANT in his manner
which showed that he felt keenly his
changed position aud surroundings.
OF the two, Mr.. Palmer seemed the most
affected. His voice broke q little, rs no
said:
II am glad to see you, Mr.. JacksOnt bu.
sorry. very sorry to fnd you here"
''YOu can't be moro sorry than am to
End myself here" said the man, with forced
smile.
Then, as if anxious to change the subject.
he turned to Walter.
II ueedn'. ask whose boy this isi"
"It is my Oldest son, Walter. He is Just
about the same age We were when We use to
go to school together, in dear old Bridge
Vile. Have you forgotten all about those
days. JohD?"
Whether it was these words, or tho sight
Of that fresh, innocent face. for 4 few mo-
ments Jackson struggled silently with tho
tender and subduing recollections that
rushed over him; then breaking down ut-
terly, he covered his face with his hands.
Walter had never seen n man weep before,
aud those sobs aud means were something
that he never forgot.
~ uish could, said the wretched man.
lifting up his pale, tear.stained face. "I
wish 1 could forge. what was, all that
might have been, and what ami some-
times think that it is q horrible dream; that
l shall some day awake and find it sol"
"How did it happep7" inquired Mf. Pals
mer, as soon as his companion vas calmer.
"When last saw you, your prospects wero
bright-apparently, brighter than mine"
''It can be summed up in two words"
was the gloomy response: ''Zdleness ana
bad company. II my father had trained
me to habits of industry and self
reliance, had not come to this. But he
loved me, and glad am that the grave has
hid from him all knowledge Of the shame
and misery of the son, whom his Ill judged.
short sighted kindness ruined. As you
know, I would no. study; thought tba.
there was no need for me-a rich mans son
to do that. I can remember how despised
the dull, plodding fellows, who arc honored
men to-day. My fathers death put me in
the possession of wealth, of which I never
earned one dollar, and of whose use aud
worth l knew nothing. How s. went I
hardly knew; but woke one morning to find
myself poorer than tho lowest clerk in the
establishment that my father built up with
so much care and labor, but which now hal
passed into the hands of strangers. My fair
weather friends, who had help spend my
money, urging me to every conceivable folly
and extravaganza, left as COON as they found
there was no more to spend. knew 10th
ing about getting money by honest work but
money must have; so turned my atten,
tion to the various ways Of getting money
without work. The rest needs no telling"
Here the warden entered and with his
heart somewhat cbeered and strengthened by
Mr. Palmer's whispered words Of encourage
meut and sympathy, jackson returned TO his
dreary task.
The warden now TOOK them around through
tho various work shops, cells, etc.. kindly ex.
planning to Walter ell that he did not UNDER
stand.
When they visited the shoo-shop. Waiter
saw Jackson sitting there among the rows OF
busy, silent men, not one Of whom dared to
lift his eyes as they passed BIZ.
GLOW many of these men," inquired Mr..
Palmer, rs they returned to tho ofseo, "hsve
ever been trained to any useful trade or bu.
siness7"
"Sot one in teu."
The. spirited bays, in their gIittering barE
ness, were cbsmpipg their bits and tossing
their heads impatiently outside the high
walls; and Walter experienced feeling Of
relief ss be found bimseH once more ont in
the pure. sweet air aud bright sunshine.
"HOw dreadful it must be to have to i've
in such place as tbat!" be said, as reach.
ing On eminence, he gave backward glance
at the building which looked SO grim and
solitary in the distance.
at is the necessity that Is dreadful, my
son. Miserable as these men are, they are
happier there, where they are obliged to be
orderly aud industrious, though only through
the fear of punishment, than if they were al.
lowed to follow, unrestrainedlys the devices
OF their foolish aud evil hearts"
There was silence for some minutes. Then
Mr.. Palmer said
You asked me a question. yesterday.
Walter, and this is my answer better an,
swer than any words can frame. The world
calls me a rich man, and so sm. am abIe
to afford you many advantages. all the oppor-
tunity you can ask for moral and mental euls
ture, bot sm not. never shall be, rich
enough to afford to have you idle. Strange
as it may sound, am TOO rich to sford it