New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-10

In these davs I asked myself if I could do
nothing to lessen her dread and uncertainty. l
wanted to take some secret step. and leave her
unaware that had done until it resulted IN some
sort of assured success. With this view consulted
Michael my uns NeTing friend and ally Could
no means be hit upon of tracing my fathers pres
ent whereabouts? He had undoubtedly left
prison. Might not succeed in learning If he
were still in New York and If nc sun cherished
those murderous designs against hs wife? IL
was possible that immurcmcnt and the recolec,
ton Of his horid mistake had tanned ana Gained
him. PERHAPS no thought Of seeking NY mothers
life now fed brain and heart with its fiery
poison In that case how precious would such
news be to us ! What load il would lift from
the meek solrowful woman whose girlsh love
had become mockely, disaster and shame.
"You nod your head very knowingly indeed
/ said to Michael day, "and you scratch it
with great show of wisdom. But YOU have not
yet told if you possibly get this knowl-
edge that | crave. And yet II seems 10 lie
that there must be a way :!
Here Mike redeemed himself from my rather
hasty charge of dulncss by recommending an ait
pication to the police The truth, hc said, could
he got at in this way better than in any Other
II was not improbable that my fathers movements
after he left prison had been closely watched
Michael had several intimate friends on the police
force. lie would sound one or two Of them re
garding the best method Of going to work since
of course it was highly desirable that great eau
ton should be used. We must contiivc TO remain
hidden while we secured our knowledge of him
"And if we learn. Mike, said, after approving
this plan that my father still nurses the same
wicked purpose, then it will be our duty to lodge
some kind of public complaint against him
If he n /
am no longer d child, and my health is so much
better than what it was that | am almost robust
and hearty. / feel that have a duty TO rcrform.
a responsibility to discharge. If ANYTHING should
happen now, after the way In which we were
warned it would be still more horrible for US.
because we should hold ourselves to blanc. As
il is Michael let us learn the facts If we can. and
act accordingly. And do not mention even to
Martha what you propose doing
Michael. devoted soul. went to work in great
secrecy. His friends on the police force were no
doubt excellent aids From day 10 day he told
me nothing, and | asked him no questions. But
meanwhile he was urging his stoalthy work with
much tact and skill He knew just what !
wanted him TO do and how | wanted him to do
It, An occasional word and more would ap-
prise me that he stI strovc and pelsevcrcd. l
read his faithful spirit clearly He had all
without It's marked powers Of intellect which.
when best and finest are so frequently crratc and
wilful Ills was the sweet Irish nature that can
love with such inexhaustiblc warmth, and serve
where il loves with such steadfast devotion.
Brilancy has been the peril of his people. They
fail as great leaders, but in all qualities OF alegl-
ance and fidelity land has eclils cd them
Life had for many months flowed smoothly
in our obscure little homo, whittier death 50 con
stantly brought us It's gloom and its plant that
we had grown TO regard both as commonplace
Ike the sure shade wrought naturally by the sun
beam. l could not fail to see that NY mother
took great pride In me. that she watched my least
act with fond vigilance that she rcjoiced at my
intellectual PROMISE that her old instinct Of pro
lection had begun to the hue of dependence
and reliance.
"You are u very good boy Ohio" she tenderly
said to me on a certain evening when badc her
good night before l went to rest in my small
room adjoining her own. IL hope you will al
WAYS be as much of comfort to me you
now. And hope everything will always 60 as
smoothly with you as it does now. ch6ri.'
"As smoothly mammal | questioned
ayes. OHIO | would not 1atter you for the
world, since that might give you a false estimate
NJ YOUR own talents, and make you prone TO
aaunt and parade them unduly But though
YOU possess talents quite beyond the common l
think your good sense is sound enough To recog-
nize the folly Of idle pride In their possession
And yet these. like the beauty and the charm OF
which am 30 glad to see you not boastful. rem
der your daily course thus far a rarely easy one
Where other boys OF your age toll and strain Tor