Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-01-17

W W.. etO q oltdll StdtlOU III the SUBURBS
OF the city. Half dozen persons enter
ed our ear and took seats, and once more
we rolled on. Still my companion was 81
lent, Perhaps, like an individual who
eXhlDltS sense when he has nothing to
say, ne preferred to remain silent. Pos
slDly he was waiting for me to speak.
knew not. But did know those tears
mean something.
Suddenly he laid his hand gently on
my shoulder, and said, in low hesitat-
ing voice:
You say that you have lost all trace Of
him -yOur classmatey
Yes, and would give a great deal to
see him.
Taking my hand and holding it tight
ly, while sad smile passed over his
cOuntenance, he said:
Tom Saby. L am Glenn"
what? Clem-S Sidney Clemensw l
exclaimed, partly rising from my seat.
"YOu-Clem?" Then pausing, l said:
"Tell me all about yOurselfp
Now, as l gazed in his face, could
see the same old look, the very express
sion of other days, though the features
had grown older.
"Tell me the story of your life, Glenn,
during the years we have been separated.
'Oh, it's sad tale, TOm-a very sad
tale; but you shall know it, and from
my lips that have never breathed it to
any mortal on earth. for couldn't tell
it,"
"But your father and mother-dOn't
they know it?"
"Yes; but not from mel My wife wrote
them all about it, for they had to know
It'll 'Twasn't right to keep it from them,
and it broke their heartsp'
"Have you not been back West to the
old home since iG happened?"
mo, hadn't heart to, so I've kept
away, trying to redeem myself, trying
hard to regain my character which /
threw away years agOY
"And haven't they been to see you in
the timer
'NO, Tom, couldn't bear to look in
their faces after all had done. Nellie
wrote them it wouldn't be best. But
shall go to them some day, when l have
gained sufficient strength, and ask them
to forgive me for all I've done. even as |
have asked God to forgive mep'
The tears rolled down his cheeks as he
spoke, and his voice trembled with emo
ton too deep for cOncealment. For
several moments neither of us uttered a
word. At length said:
"Clem, have you strength to tell me?
If it's too painful a task, I'll not urge
you; but"
atom, will tell you," he replied, in
terrupting me. II will tell you, for l
have promised. Twelve years ago, / was
head salesman in the largest dry goods
house in New York. was regarded by
the firm, and by all who knew me, as
most exemplary person. Perhaps may
be pardOned if say that every one liked
me, and this, with Nellie and the little
ones, in addition to high degree of
prosperity, ought to have regarded my
self as one Of the most fortunate Ofmen.
But Oftimes evil moments come to the
best and most favored Of individuals.
Such moments came to me. [ used, with
out consent, the name of my employers
to obtain what / hadn't patience to wait
to possess honestly. I was arrested, and
tried on the charge Of uttering forged
paper. The evidence was Oyer-pOWering.
1t was a clear case. | was convicted,
and sentenced to States prison for the
term of five years. Here, even as a
criminal, and an Outcast from society, |
sought to perform my duty and make a
man of myself. l believe I succeeded
for at the expiration Of three years,
through the efforts of my old employers
whom had wrOnged, / was pardOned by
the Governor, and released from cOnfine-
ment. But the browning act of charity
and tender forgiveness on the part of my
former employers came, when again
they took me into their confidence and
service, in which have remained to the
present hour. Again everything is look
| ing bright and cheerful, and l believe
the world is forgetting the past; and yet
to me there come hours at times, when
the memory of my evil-dOing will haunt
me like some terrible ghost! l suppose,
Tom, 1 shall never be exactly what l
once was, supremely happy! Oh, the past!
Would that had not sinned so grievOus-
Typ
The tears trinkled down his sad face
as he ceased speaking.
"Clem," said, as drew his hand in
mine, and pressed it warmly, "Clem, be
brave and trueI Continue to act well in
the path of duty! Do not think of the
past, if possible! Try to do right, and !
feel the Almighty One will richly re-
ward you"
We were nearing Springfield, where
we should part company, never, perhaps,
to meet again; but my whole heart had
been drawn toward him as to brother
and l yearned to lift his soul out of all
dependency, and fill him with happi-
ness.
"Write me, Glenn, will you? and tell
me from time to time how you're getting
along, for, remember, shall always
have your welfare i'm mind"
His face lighted up with smile, as he
answered me in trembling accents:
Eyes, you shall hear from me, and ]
will always think of you, Tom, and OF
your kindly words"
The train entered the depot and stop
ped, and we arose, and taking each other
by tht hand, passed out of the car and
through the hurrying crowd, and sought
for few moments the open street.
The storm had ceased; the winds were
hushed; the sOmberness of night had
vanished. and in the far East the new.
born sun was touching the skies with 9
glory prophetic of day of beauty. We
each felt the significance of the scene
1t seemed the symbol of new existence
his own, after the darkness and the
stOrm-the new life so cOnspicuOusly be-
gun, and betOkening even greater felic
ity in the near future.
And so we parted.-Ann ArbOr Courier
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