The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-11-26

town some two or three miles distant
on The Ohio River. and when there
knedy proposed we get a horse and
buggy aud 20 over To the Virginia side.
Oi course J agreed. as | did 10 every
thing lac proposed. and when he further
suggested that We have a bottle Of
brandy added 10 complete the rig. |
also assented. We had had something
before we left home, and now we tres.t-
cd the stable boy before starting. We
treated the ferry man when we crossed
the river, we treated the first man We
met IN the Virginia side. and then for
want OF some one else treated each
other. wasn't hardened to that sort
81 thing 50 that i about the last | have
any distinct remembrance OF tiE woke
up two days later 10 find my self al a
low tavern IN a little town some twenty
miles from the river. and there while |
was TRYING to collect ms rather bewil-
dered ideas and think what | had bet
ter DO. the owner Of the horse with a
Sheriff found and arrested me. The
horse was IN my possession. and the
landlord said l had called il mine.
Ruedy had disappeared. and nobody
would believe my story. while to make
matters worse that region had been suf-
fering for some time from a gang Of
thieves. and they were anxious Tor some
one To make an example Of. so | was
taken back in irons. Court was in SEES
sion. and In less than a month l had my
trial. my conviction and a five years
sentence AT first my one thought had
hpaD IN Enan - .p. r.Afh.. .aI -.
folks AT home. II would be happiness
for them to think me dead rather than
10 know the truth, but when | found
myself locked up here. with even the
excitement Of suspense over, l thought
should die. | was young. proud and
with all a boys wild hopes. and | al
mos hoped | should die. But | have
lived through three years Of II, Of the
convict cell and convict dress and con-
vici silence. | told You that | had a
Christian training; that is something
one cannot easily shake of. The old
texts and hymns | heard in the village
church and in my W home haunt me
here, and one. ..He will blot them from
the book Of His remembrance Is al
ways ringing in my ears, for il has
seemed that | was. indeed. utterly for
gotten Of both God aud man.
There was a pathos Of dull misery in
the tone as well as the words with
which he ended his story. that touched
HarIey's kindly heart and made him
long to give som crumb of comfort.
but his training hadnot been particular
IL IN a theological line However. he
shook Drainard warmly BY the hand
with ..Nell. my boy, yonrs is a pretty
hard case, but keep up a good heart.
Ill see what can be done about Il. aud
as 10 Your being forgotten that's all
nonsense. You know your mother
thinks Of yon every day OF her life. and
IS for the Lord. why who knows but He
sent me here ~to-day?' Ga remembrance
Of his sudden impulse flashing through
his mind and giving him a pleasurable
sense Of being a sort Of committee man
of Providence as il were). I'VE don't
know for certain that He did. OF course.
but still it wouldn't DO any hurt 10 think
50, and the Hon. Julius hurried away.
congrafulating himself that his effort in
imparting religious instruction had
been quite a brilliant success.
Returning to his hotel what was his
surprise, to encounter his legislative
friend. the member from Belmont
County. who had run up 10 look a little
after the affairs OF State before the
meeting Of the Assembly. and Harley
lost no time in ~imparting to him the
discovery he had just made that there
was \ young fellow from his county in
the Penitentiary who really ought not
TO be there.
80 he says. eh?" with a superior
smile. for the Belmont gentleman hav-
ing enjoyed the advantage Of ten years
legislative experience was inclined 70
look upon new corners. like his Bytown
colleague, rs unsophisticated. mere
chicks in fact in the ways Of the world.
.'Of course they are all victims Of cir
cumstances." he continued. critically
balancing his cigar; never knew one
to be guilty Of the crime for which he
was sent: in fact. to take their word
they are the most innocent body Of men
ever collected together
But Harley was not to be repulsed.
.'Just 20 over with me and hear this
boys story for YOURSELF
"Oh. I'll do that" was the careless
assent. Though | doubt if it will bear
examination But he. too. wastouched
by the simple story, and. urged on by
his friend. made immediate inquiries
into the case. which confirmed the truth
Of Fuller Of Brainari's statement. and
the facts being laid before the Govern
or. MIR. Harley had the pleasure he
fore he left for home and Thanksgiving
OF walking down to the Pcnitentiary
with a pardon in his pocket. and il i
doubtful II in all his full prosperous life
he had ever known many happier hours
than when young Brainard stood before
him once more a free man. his face
flushed with JOY. and his voice choked
with emotion. and putting in his hand