The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-08-27

AOneiInes4 OF the moor were tefrtb34
and No. 402 lay with his eyes closed,
and, save for an occasional Rroan.
might have been dead. Once or twice
he tried to speak, but apparently it
was beyond his powers, and he fell
back again exhausted. Once he put
out his hand, caught mine, and to nv
great surprise, carried it to his lips and
kissed it. am not much used to hay.
ing my hand kissed at any time, and
shouldprobably under any circumstan.
ces, feel the situation embarrassing
but to have it kissed by g. dying con.
vict out on Dartmoor, in the middle
of the night, was q novel experience.
did not mean to hurt the feelings
of No. 402, but 1 drew it away some.
what hastily; and then, seeing his
lips move, as if he was trying to say
something, bent over him to listen,
and in a voice little more than whis.
per, he said: beg your parde',, sir;
but you have been precious kind to
me, and feels weak and silly; didn't
mean no offense."
1hastened with some conjunction
to reassure him that l was not offend
ed; and again he closed his eyes; and
around us once more was silence.
At last, to my great joy, the sky
frightened up bit; the outlines o!the
trees became more distinct, and the
moon appeared over the hills, and
shot a food of silver light all over
the moor. My spirits, which had fallen
below zero, revived considerably; dark
ness has at all times q depressing in
f1uence, and under my peculiar circum-
stances, had reduced meto a most pro-
found melancholy. l felt quite glad to
see the moon rise, though, beyond the
fact of being able to see where We were,
it did not materially assist me. out OF
thefix was in. I.
l looked at No. 1872 and he seemed
to be asleep. did not like to wake
him, so got up quietly, intending to
walk to the top OF a. hill close by.
and see if l could discover the lights O:
Princess Town, or any house nearer
to which might direct my STEPS. /
was not gone long-perhaps half an
hour; and when l came back, found
No. 492 with his eyes wide open, and
to my great surprise-though don't
know why l should have been SO sur
prlsed-tears running down his cheeks
Really, my ideas about convicts were
becomming quite upset; one who fur
lively kissed my hand, and who wept
was, | thought, indeed an anomaly.
l bent over him and asked him if he
was IN worse pain, or what was the
matter. Poor fellow! he lifted his
wasted hand, drew it across his eyes,
and said: "No; l amt in no pain now,
sir; but l woke from a bit of doze and
saw that you was gone; and thought
as how you had left me; and somehow
felt lonesome and afeared" and then
a great sob shook him.
l assured him that I was not poino
to leave him, and he appeared com
torted. Then, after a pause, said: Il
ain one as has been much afeared in
my time, sir; but somehow now Ican't
'elp 1t; 1t seems all of a tremble; and it
looks awful dark ahead of me, and
be so weak ! don't seem able to faceit
po-hew.
I longed truly to be able to help
him. and wished it with all my heart
that could do it better; but feeling
rather ashamed, Itried to tell No. 492
something about q strong Hand which
will help in the dark valley, and One
who will be near us when OF ourselves.
as he said, 1--WE don't seem to be able
to face it nohow." He listened atten-
lively and then closed his eyes, mur-
maring something Icould not catch.
1T amt no use my trying To get
away. guv'nor," said he, sadly; ssIm
that weak 1 can't walk a step.
couldn't escape now, not if carriage
and-four was waiting Eorme. Tdwan't
a nuss to lift me up INTO it. Guess I'll
die III auod after all.'
After a pause, asked him if he
would try to 60 on again. "All right,
guy nor; you knows best" was his an
swer, but very faint and feeble.
Well, picked him up again, and of
/ started. BY this time the moon was
nigh up, 50 We progressed a good deal
faster than before, and had traversed
a considerable distance before Ihadto
stop and put my burden down. Even
then, could have gone bit further,
but No. 492 whispered: Stop, sir, now;
1T amt no use; I shan't get no further:
! la'd him down, and saw at glance
that our Journey together was about
to end. In the moonlight he looked
CHASTITY and wan: and as 1 laid
HIM down. g violent fit of coughing
cana on, and after it a red stream flow
ed from his mouth Poor fellow.
thought l, and yet could hardly pity
HIM really, for to him death must have
come as a true friend. He lay quiet
for some time, and wiped the blood
from his lips; then, Just as the first
gray streak of dawn appeared, he
raised himself on his elbow and whis-
pered; "Pve been a bad 'un l knows;
but didn't ave no chance. Sayabit
OF prayer for me, SIR
There was no refusing; and as fin.
lshed, his face lighted up. and again re-
peatlng his formula, ''All right, guv'.
nor" he fell haek-dead. He hads
ceeded in his escape, after all.
l covered up the body, and think
ing no one would be likely to come
near the spot, drew it aside near the
rock which I should recognize again.
and started off, walking briskly to
Princes town.. considering many things
by the way. l Went to the prison, and
came back with some wardsns to show
them the spot; and, rs | was obliged
to await the inquest, l attended the
hElnerai Of poor No. 492. 4
trust III the "Other Land" It may
be for him-as for many OF US Tor whon>(
1t has been all wrong-''Atl right
Queer Visitors Who Take Grover
by the Hand Every Day.