The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-30

"Eyar's this young thief been a.
stealth your cane, sir!' exclaimed the
footman, depositing Joe on the floor.
Judge Jeffreys was nervous and ex-
cited, and was glad Of any diversion for
his thoughts.
"That boy! Stealing?" cried his
daughter. Impossible! Why, he isn't
older than our Harry"
$50 you were stealing my cane?"
said the Judge. Ibid you know
you'd be caught and sent to Moyamen
sing?"
Eyes, sir. I expected them to catch
me" said Joe, promptly.
"And what on earth possessed you to
do it, then, poor child? cried Miss JEFF
freys.
The plying tone was more than Joe
ould bear.
because there's no standing-room for
cried, fiercely "That's why. There's
lots goes in there this winter a-purpose
to get their victuals and bed"
Judge Jeffreys started and looked at
him. '"There's good deal of truth in
and tell me something about yourself,
uAO bcc lldU YOU bpchh Ouc 1Ou
need not call poli,eman-just yet,
Simon"
Joe told his fathers story. The old
gentleman rose and buttoned his coat.
81 will go and look into the truth of
this, Emily" he said. II want some
thing to employ my thoughts this even
ing
He returned late in the evening. "1t
Ill l,,,,o h.
food for to. night, and as for that matter
of the cane, let it pass Better to re-
move the lad from temptation than to
ship of thieves"
II have q plan, Emily" he said, after
pause. "You know I thought of erect
ing memorial window in the church in
the memory of my brother. What if
should take the money and with it send
this family to the West, there to begin
life anew? Surely their happiness
would give poor Edward more pleasure
than any stained glass window, if he can
look back and see how am trying to do
honor to his memory"
This all happened four years ago.
Last summer, Judge Jetfreys and his
daughter made journey TO Kansas, and
visited little settlement where, as they
said, they chad some good friends
These friends were named Nokes.
They lived on farm which they had
pre-empted and titled. There were
fields of waving corn, oats, wheat, pota-
toes, young apple orchard. The gar
den was full of red, luscious berries,
vegetables, and few dear, oldfashioned
flowers, which Mrs. Vokes had loved
when she was girl.
1t was evening when the Judge drove
up to the snug cottage, which was COW
cred with grape-vines. A fat, pink
checked girl ran out to meec them,
while a sturdy young fellow just from
the field, and carrying bundle of
pitchforks on his shoulder, held open
the gate for them to enter.
Father, it is Joe! And there is
Maggy!" cried Emily. what a com
Portable, pleasant home! And there is
Mrs. Vokes out milking. l will so
straight to the barn-yara."
She hurried out to the enclosure
where the tidy Scotchman, with
cheeks as rosy as little Maggys, was be-
ginning to milk motherly old cow
80 Miss Jetfreys," she said, after the
first surprise and welcome were over,
your Ihtuer HIS Tescueu wuolo iunlIiy
from ruin There was no chance for us
in the city. There was nothing before
the children bat hunger and crime and
death. Here we have hard work and
health We sleep soundly, we eat heart
lily, and, thank God! We beve enough to
eat, and some to give away.
Look at my husband standing there
with your father. Do you see how
straight he holds himself? He was only
a poor rag picker in the city. Here he is
farmer, as good as the best. He has a
chance to show what Is in him. He is
respected as citizen. He helped build
the school. The children are all we'll
taught. There is no reason why they
should not be leading people in their
day.
"They see no crime such as used to
crowd us in when we lived in Pratt's
alley. There's everything here to make
them honest and God-fearing. And in
deed. Miss Jeffreys, woman wants her
boy and girl to have the same chance as
other children
The happy women talked on breath-
lessly.
''This is better than memorial win
dow in fine church, papa" whispered
Emily to her father.
God only knows how much BETTER"
ha pas1 XAnt1,,o