The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1880-06-03
He was we'll educated, we'll con-
nected. and occupied . responsible
position. -

have had grudging welcome as it,
mistrcss, and entering softly went te
the crippled woman's side.
Crouched down among tho cush-
ions, sooming to have shruuk to les:
than ber actual size in hcr misery
was the fond, proud mother, hei
frame shiveriug ia convulsivo agony
her words always the sane
"Ob, John my son, my good son
Oh, Heavenly Father, let mo die ~
She had been all ono long nigh,
so moaning, 80 sobbing, utterly dos
olate, utterly alone.
The son she idolized, tho trustod
clerk, tho fond, proud lover, was ly-
ing in cell, awaiting trial for for
gerry, -.-.--F
Ue had been arrested for passing
q forged check, takon 10 the very
act Of attempting TO cash il at the
bank.
N The story he told Of it's possession
was 90 Improbable that il still iurth.
or injured him, aud gave personal
reveuge an additional motive for his
punishment. llo said that Gerald
tho son Of the partnors Of tho firm,
had sont him to tho bank with tue
check.
II scarcely needed tho young
mans indignant denial to contradict
this story.
A friend in the same employ had
gono to tho mother and told the
news as kindly and gently as possi-
BILE,
A fierce anger and stout prido had
kept tho old lady up during that try
ing interview, but once sho was
alono, sho crouched 10 tho cushions
of hor chair aud moauod out in the
utter misery of hor heart.
There was no strong arm to lift
her TO her own room that night.
2 Thore was no hearty, raging voice
10 bid her good.morning. %
Sill the feeble voice, frcighted
with its burden Of anguish, moanel
its sad refrain. whoa the door opon-
ed and Hannah Coylc came ia.
No friend had broken tho news
gently to tho Young girl.
But the shock came ruloly on her
from tho columns OF the daily pa
pois.
II was not 10 one hour, or two,
that she coull conquor hor own griol
10 ns 10 leave tho houss. But whom
the first battle was over il her heart,
she went at ouco whore she know
john would have her so.
So WHOM, faint with Ierlong nigh;
Of misery, tho mother lay moaning,
kind hand WAS laid upoa her
shoulder, and n voico cloar and
strong, bat sweet with womanly ten.
iorness, spoke the dearest word Oh
earth. 60
"4Mother -
Sho looked up with haSgard,
blood-shot oyes, nad saw bending
over a fsco that love pity, and deep,
unutterable tenderness had trans
formed into positive beauty.
Mother" tho sweat, cloar voice
said, "this is not what John would
wish"
The mothor's tears. tho frst she
had shed, flowed fast at tho sound Of
hor sons name,
"Oh, Hannah |" abe said ''you do
not believe John is guilty T.
"John guilty !" the girl cried, hor
voice ringing like q trumpet-call,
hor oyoa flashing, aud her checks
growing crimson ''mother, how can
you put the words together you
kuow--I know--that he is inno-
cent s
But he is iu prison. Hs will bo
tried u -r - rr.r
This was tho first conversation
that drew tho hearts OF the two
women together, but tho bond that
knit them during the monthsethat
followed was that of suffering and
sorrow, that would have torn the
heart OF tho man whom they loved
and trusted during his darkest
hours. Et
For the trial only separated them
more surely and terribly:
Twelve Intelligent men after hear-
ing all tho evidence, pronounced a
verdict of guilty, and John Williams
was sentenced for ten years.
II is not in tho power Of our pen
10 describe the desolate home to
which this news was carried.
They never doubted him, even in
he face OF oil the overwhelming evil
leDce that had condemned him, but
Heaven seemed to have deserted
hem when they knew the result OF
he trial. i
Hannah Coyls was not pretty
Her features were plain, her eyes
'oft brown, and she had sweet
mouth. that could smile bravely and
light her faco for tho invalid's eyes
o their darkest hours. But she
lad ono great beauty in long, heavy
masses Of hair. OF o rich dark brown,
md OF which she Was fond and
,roud because John admired it.
at is my only beauty" che would
49, ,,har n1A Mra Villa mo nv