The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-01-18

SCOT any cigars, Dickq Thanks
haven't had many cigars lately. Pm
quite sight, am l not, in my clos,
cropp
''Ycu look changed. You have grown
thin,n said, as l pushed chair for
ward.
'Perhaps have; now, do you know,
Dick, prison life acts differently upon
different subjects2 Some grow fat, and
some thin. If a man has been dissipated
before his Imprisonment, he gets fat and
healthy through forced denial of the
things which tend to make a man seedy
and old before his time One of the best
bits of advice could possibly give to
broken down and shattered men around
town, would be-eommit some crime
against law, and go and soiourn for a
period in sing Sing. On the other hand,
man who has led a correct life, physi-
cally, Imean, there is nothing that will
eat the flesh off of his bones, and pillow
channels in his cheeks like prison air,
confinement, and-the thousand and one
constant yearnlngs to be free"
1t was strange study to hear this
man, with the marks of prison life upon
his face, right here within reach almost
of the shadow Of law, calmly, philosophi-
cally discoursing the results, pro apd
con, concerning a life without freedom
Jack, you are in danger
.'Yes, perhaps; but l have that about
me-this, tiny pellet, a deadly poi
son-n
and you prefer that to imprison-
mentl"
Il would, hence I am not afraid.
Dick, l want your help. want to ask
small loan. l am going to leave the
countryn
"Then you must doit quickly. Your
very presence is fraught with danger,
danger to you. and disgrace to me-
"fes, l understand all that, Dick.
But you sec, there was no one else, and
because of Claire, thought
''And you thought right Here is a
pocketbeok containing three hundred
dollars. Now-Jaek, go away some
where, and, ] say, Jack, you are too good
a man to go down to perdition.n
No man can tell me what know and
think of every hour, am going away
now. Think kindly if you can of old
Jack. Once in while look in upon nv
dear old mother. Oh, my Cod If 1
could but live over my PAST lifel For
every tear her dear eyes have she'd, I'd do
a deed of kindness no warm her heart.
But | went the wrong way. And say,
Dick, if there should ever come a little
boy to gladen your heart, don't ever tell
him anything about his outcast Uncle
Jack.
Re-arranging the dress, and again
covering his head, he stepped into the
hall, and I let him out into the darkness
of his remorse and into the gas-lighted
street.
How my creditors pressed and crowded
me to the wall. felt the good house
which l had reared trembling around
Us; and my good credit, that which l
had so long pointed to with pride, it was
and l could not Stay the ruin
which was progressing, and hourly draw
ing me to the procedure which l shrank
from in horror-bankruptcy.
Shall meet the inevitable like a man?
shall Il-but stay; the last thought was
but an accursed temptation which must
not, as a man. contemplate. Still, it
would be so easy. A few thousand dol
ars saved from the ruins; and the border
between Canada and the United States is
temptingly near. Away
with this cruel devil. | will be a man
or the sake of my wife and children;
nan, even though my yoke be heavy one
o bear. 1t may be shame, but it will
lot be crime.
"a gentleman to see you," said my
,siice boy, as he pokeG his head through
he little window.
s'show him in, +" uttered. Unjust be
ny lawyer The fiat has. gone-spssh
IT I'll = ~ la-s4sss1s -
n the morning the whole city will f1eSsla f f
+ my downfall. If l have enemies they
will then show their faces in the broad
ight; and my friends; wonder viii they
tand by me and mine, and pour out /
heir sympathy, for which we all shall be {
. sorely in need.
The door opened, and stranger, not
ly lawyer, entered.
The strangers throat was heavily muf- /
ed, and when he accosted me l was IN
bic to recognize his voice.
May occupy few moments of your
ime, and without interruptlon"
Whatever he wanted to occupy my
ime for could not tell, for | did not 4
now him, Judging from the small por-
ion of his face left uncovered by the
eavy muiiier and the long peak of fur
ap drawn down over his brows. |
ushed the doo- catch, and drew the
urtain over the small, unglazed window.
"Now, sir, please be so kind rs to take
scat" l said as turned.
1t was Jack Harkensl The same Jack,
lder, more grave looking, and with a
almer light in the eyes, and a softer ex-
ression about the lips.
'Well, Dick, it is |. Are you quite
ure we are safe from intrusion? The
iuiiler no longer disguised the tones of
is voice-a voice that came to my ears
Ike some dear old familiar songs echoes
{ the past.
"Jack, in the name of heaven have a
are, man; you are running your head .
lto the lions mouth"
''Nonsensei after all these years the
ion must be sleeping"
perhaps, but easily aroused, Jack.
low sit down, and tell me why you came
ere. We wholly safe from intrusion
r interruption.
''Ten years ago, Dick, parted from
on under rather peculiar circumstances.
low has the world used you since
lenr'
"Well, until now," I groaned, as I
,aned my head upon my hand.
''And Claire, and and mothor2"
sked he, falteringly.
Both are well; your mother is living
18th US.
q thank you for that, Dick, uttered
e warmly, as he reached out and
- -s-lssss-1 rs ls.Aa,-.
assbed- my IIanu IN a TprVenC emDIdCe.
What seems to be the trouble now, :
ickl''
II am upon the verge of failure"
''Nol What you faili"
ssYes; times have been close, and sew
al failures among some of my creditors,
/ have combined to work against me-"
ssAnd you cannot meet your indebted
sss dollar for dollarl Is that what you
eanp
ut is. Tomorrow morning the papers
i'll spread broadcast my ruin.
is there no aiternativein he asked l
,o.ol- ,,,, hood tfUnyy mucb do Won