Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-09-09

at Is my only beauty" she would say,
when old Mrs. Williams exclaimed at its
profusiou, land must keep It glossy and
pretty for Johns sake. He must find his
wife unaltered waiting for him when he
comes home"
This was before the crushing verdict that
ended the young clerks trial.
Fortunately the old lady owned the little
home in which she lived, her sole legacy
from her dead husband but as the weary
months crept slowly along, poverty showed
its ugly face in the humble home.
Hannah worked faithfully at her old
post until Mrs. Williams was taken very
ill.
Sorrow and anxiety began to have physi-
cal as well rs lRental effect, and the mother
bowed down, aged more in one year of
separation from her son than she had ever
been III ten of their loving companion
ship.
1t was impossible to leave her alone, and
the situation was resigned.
Nearer end nearer crept the gaunt wolf
poverty.
Little articles of furniture that could be
spared weIe sold little comforts were de-
med; extra hours were given TO the poorly
paid sewing that replaced Hannah S work.
and yet actual hunger was staring them in
the face
Nearly two years had John Williams
slept in convict S cell, when one morning
Hannah Coyle, leaving her self-lmposed
charge sleeping, went to one of the fash
ionable hairdressers.
81 have come to sell my hair" choking
back her tears, and thinking 1T will grow
out again before John comes home"
The proprietor led her to the hair-dress-
ing-room, and hid his amazement at the
supurb profusion under hard, half-con-
temptuous smile.
When left, only three shillings had been
paid her for her closely cropped head; yet
that would keep life little longer in the
feeble frame of Johns mother and Hannah
was thankful.
She was rapidly walking home, when she
was attracted for moment by crowd
and her feet seemed paralyzed as she heard
u man say:
Il saw his face. 1t Is Gerald Somers. "
"Is he much hurtG"
Fatally, should say. One of the horses
put his foot on his breast"
"Gerald Sommers! Fatally injured p
Hannah never paused to contemplate
possibilities.
Size forced her way through the crowd
into the room where the young man lay
waiting for death.
"YOu cannot go in"
81 must go in," she said. at is u Ulat-
ter of life and death. | must see him be-
fore he dies" o."
Something in the white earnest face
moved the mans heart and he opened the
door.
On sofa, covered with a sheet, lay the
handsome, dissipated son of the merchant
prince.
Kneellng beside him was the father, and
the physician stood at the head Of the
couch.
They had thought consciousness dead,
when a clear voice spoke the dying mans
name.
'GeraId Somers."
He opened his eyes wildly, and the clear
voice spoke again in words of most solemn
import.
''As you hope for mercy in the next
world tell the truth of John Williams in
nocence."
He gasped convulsively, while his father
looked inquiringly at the intruder.
John Williams the dying voice said
feebly, Twas innocent. | did give him
the check, rs he said wrote the sigma
ture."
Gerald cried HE father, SIS this
true 2"
at is true, rs hope for Gods mercy"
There was a moment of silence, and then
the old man turned to Hannah.
''Who are youW
"John Williams promised wife.
'N4o. l will do HIM justice. Leave me
with my son"
She bowed her head, and went slowly
from the presence of the dying.
James Somers kept his word.
He was an upright man, and sacrificed
the name of the dead to right that of the
living.
He would not take John back.
The sight of his face was too exquisitely
painful, but he paid him his full salary for
the time of his absence, and found him a
lucrative position.
1t was the day of the home coming.
Mrs. Williams in her own chair was smil-
ing upon john as he caressed Hannah's
cropped hair.
Very grave and pale his sunny face
had become, but he smiled as his mother
said:
''It was for me, John, she sacrificed her
splendid hair. l can never tell you all
she sacrificed for me, but that speaks for
ITSELF"
Clasping Hannah In close embrace he
asked:
''Do you think now, mother, might do
better"
mot if you could marry an Empress"
She thinks so still, aad John agrees with
her, though he has been married four years
and Hannah's hair is as superb as ever.