Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-02-22

preston about the mouth and eyes
that fascinated her at once. She could
not account for the strange sensations
the picture produced. Billy was
equally fasciDated he asked her who
the lady was. and n number of other
questions that children ask when any
thing is seen that they do not COM
prehend to their satisfaction.
They waited long while-the
mother with an anxious, beating
heart, and the child with an unsatis-
fed curiosity. Footsteps were heard
descending the stairs. An elderly
gentleman, of perhaps sixty-iive years
of age, presented himself, bowed pleas
antly to Mrs. Pcnnewell, and seating
himself in nm easy-chair few feet dis
tant, began the conversation at once.
To all his questions she answered very
readily, and in q manner that seemed
to make a favorable impression, He
told her that he had been widower
some years; that his tastes were quiet
and simple; that he read great deal;
and that he had relinqushed active
business many years before. His health
was delicate, and he required n good
hOuSe-kecper-a lady whom he could
consider companion to converse with,
and possessing the attainments usually
found in well-bred persons.
During their conversation Billy had
never once removed his eyes from the
portrait, which attracted the attention
Of Mr.. Fairbanks, who spoke to the
lad and asked him his name, age,
whether he could read, and several
other questions, all of which the boy
answered smartly, which pleased the
old gentleman very much. 1t was
decided that Mrs. Penncwcll shoul
accept the position on trial, and, if
they were mutually satisfied the matter
of compensation could be easily ar
ranged.
As Mrs. Pennewell rose to leave she
passed into the strong sunlight which
came into the room. The gentleman
seemed struck with some painful re
membrance. She reached the hall
door.
Excuse me, madam. lconfcss that
your countenance suggests n resem-
blance tony late wife. Why! how sin
gular! the eyes are almost eyact!'
looking at the portrait and then at her
"Oh, please don't 90 yet! We must
have some further conversation"
Mrs. Pennewcll rescated herself, and
had to answer Il series of questions as
to her parents and every incident she
could recall of her early life. When he
was informed that her mother had
cladestinely married and left England
on account of an unkind stcpmother,
Mr.. Fairbanks became intensely in.
terested, ard rs incident after incident
was related he confessed that he was
almost sure that her mother and his
departed wife were own sisters. Here
was revelation!
1t was nearly ten o'clock that night
when Mrs. Pcnncwell returned TO her
home in n carriage sent from neigh.
boring livery-stablc. The next day
she disposed of all her household
goods, and with her child, took up
her residence with Mr.. Fairbanks.
When the time arrived that John
Pennewell was discharged from his
eighteen-mOnths' sentence in the house
of correction both mother and son had
become so reconcilcd to their pleasant
home and ITS surroundings that neither
worried themselves about the missing
husband and father, very sensibly nc.
cepting the situation, and resolving
to make the best of it
John Pcnnewell arrived in Boston.
His imprisonment had effected great
change in his appearance; he had
grown stouter; and his reflections dur.
ing his detention had made him wiser
and more thoughtful. He resolved
that he would retrieve the past and
prove himself good husband and
father. On his arrival in the city
which was in the evening, he went
directly to quiet lodging-house that
he had remembered, and, after partak.
ing Of n frugal supper, went to the
residence of his former employer tC
ascertain the whereabouts of his wife
and boy. The surprise of that gentle
man was great when he saw who hi:
caller was. After long conversation
which was carried on far into the
night, ii was thought best that Johr
should not let his wife know of his con
tinued existence, as she had n gooC
home, and he could do nothing to sup
port her. His former employer con
sented to loan him twenty-five dollar;
to enable him to 60 to Western city
for employment. He was to keep hin
informed of his whereabouts and con
dition-his prospects for good or i'll il
his new position. With these arrange
ments concluded, they shook hand
and separated, with the understand
!, ing that the strictest secrecy should b,
maintained on the part of his late EN-
ployer, who did not spare John {
severe lecture as to his future conduct
The next morning John left for th,
west. The good recommendation o
, his qualifications as q workman givei
him by his former master procured min
situation in one of the largest shop
in Chicago, where, in a short time, n
was promoted to foreman, with great
/ ly-increased pay. The John Pcnne
, well of Chicago became an entirel,
different person from the John Penne
, well of Boston. Hewas now respected
and had the entire confidence of hi
+ employer, and, in skill and knowledg
+ of his trade, was the equal of any me
! chanic of that city. When five year
had passed since his arrival at the ives
he concluded to become an employer
and go into business on his own ac
5 count. With the high character he ha
made by his industry and good habit
he found no difficulty in borrowin,
1 what money he wished to start hi
t business on paying basis. As is ofte
the case, his success was immediate
soon having more business than h
| could attend to
' During all the time of Johns stay 4
0 Chicago he had kept up correspond
+ ence with his Boston employer, VIII
| had kept him informed of his wife an
, son, though not as to any presume
: relationship towards the gentlema
0 who had befrlended them, Of course
Q and when John Pcnnewell intimate
Q that he thought the time had arrive
0 when he could present himself to hi
I. wife and son without any fear Of tbei
j being ashamed to recognize him as
S husband and father, letter was sen
9 to his wife, asking her to call on hi
r former master, and she would lear