The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-12-15

from home and no one else, had access to
the safe. The cord drew tighter about him,
and, despite his earnest preotestations of
innocens, he was thrust into jail to
pass sleeplcs night
Morning came at last, and as the strag-
Cling rays Of sunlight penetrated into the
solitary depths of his cell key turned in
the massive lock with a harsh, grating
sound, the bolt flew back and the door
swung upon its hinges
GOOD morning, Mr.. Thronly," said the
iailer, pleasantly, but Frank made no re-
sponse. 81 bring good news TO you,' he
continued. "The real culprit has confessed
and you are free man."
At this Frank started up and looked in
dazed sort of way. His clouded mind at
length took in the full meaning of the
iailer's words, He was free, what world
Of JOY that one word contained.
As might be expected, Frank Thornly
was the lion Of the hour. Friends pressed
round him on every side and grasped his
hand in loving clasp.
But the man who had confessed the
crime-wbat of him? Who was hep One
glance sufficed to tell. He was bus enc of
the vast army of tramps, and was recoyniz-
ed as the person who had called the pre-
vious morning at the Martin farmhouse.
Alas, no one had good word to say for
him. On the contrary, loud and long were
the threats against him. The minds of the
good citizens of Brighton were worked to
a fever point.
Evening found the excitement unabated.
Had the self-confessed criminal been
anybody but tramp things might have
been different; but that alone was sufficient
TO condemn him. As they gathered about
the streets but word was needed to arouse
them to action. That yord was spoken by
one of the rasher ones, and as If with one
accord they all moved toward the jail, A
huge log in the hands of determined men
soon crashed through the heavy door. Re-
sistance on the part of the TAILOR was use
less and The prisoner was completely at
their mercy. A rope was hastily secured
and the helpless prisoner dragged forth
| amid loud shouts of approval from the
crowd that had collected about At the
hands of the ruthless mob the poor tramp
no mercy Strong hands carried or drag
ged him to point some half mile away.
The full moon had just risen oyer the tree
| tops in the east as IL to witness the tragedy,
| when the rope was thrown over the strong
limb of large tree and willing hands swung
the helpless tramp into the air.
| At this instant the sound Of horse gal
looping over the stony road arrested their
attention.
"Stopp shouted the horseman as he
| passed sharp curve in the road and came
into view.
| The hands that held the rope released
their grasp. All eyes were turned upon
the newcomer as he reined his horse be-
side them. "It is all mistake, BOYS.
That man is innocent"
HE confessed the crime, Andy Dorr; i
recken we know what we are about Up
| with him boysp'
| "Holdl say" said the horseman, who
had been addressed as Dorr, know what
l am saying when say that man is inno-
cent. Last night, as the midnight express
was crossing the river, the bridge gaye way
and the whole train was thrown into the
river. Among those who were crushed by
the broken tlmbers was Mr. Dunlea, cashier
of the Brighton Bank He regalned con,
seriousness at noon tc-eay, and, being told
that he had but few hours to live, he con
fessed that he had returned to Brighton in
the night and robbed the bank. He also
revealed the hiding place of nearly all the
plunder, the rest being upon his person.
Tenderly the poor tramp was raised and
born back to the village. Kind hands
labored for his restoration and success al
lenght crowned their efforts. 1t was thsr
that the secret of his confession becam,
known. He had been present, though un
seen at the Martin farm house when VeYi
first heard of her lovers arrest. All th'
pity in his heart was stirred at the sight o
her misery. The memory of her kindness
to him to do something to relieve her suf
fering Accordingly he made the confession
which we'll nigh cost him his life, as tn
only way that presented ITSELF
, In after life he found home and friend
with Frank Thornly and his wife, veya
T and he repaid their kindness by life o
! honest faithfulness.