South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-10-04

nat, Judge fofker conducted the new
man out over his spacious estate, iu.
dicating what work would be expee.
tel OF him. and set him TO do some
wedding at a spot in SIGHT Of lis
study windows.
he then returned to his papers and
books. but as the afternoon wore on.
be cast frequent glsnces through the
wiadow at John. H. was plain tina,
he had become deeply interested in
the man whose history had been SO
cindidly and honestly withheld. lie
could not falhom the mystery with
which the applicant, chose to envelop
himself, but he trusted that his pur>
poses weee honorable, though he was
somewhat suspicious.
Judge Parker was n large>hesrted
man, widely known and beloved for
Lis geuiality, bencvolence and uui-
form justice. The humblest citizen
if worthy. might apply t, him for
help, certain Of q patieut and respon.
sive hearing. Knowing that bis lib.
erality had drawn to him many IN.
worthy suppliants, he now suspected
that John had some desi N upon his
philanthropy, aud accordingly e,iev-
ed he needed watching.
But each glance through The wit
dow showed John working industri
ously, with an earnest vigor aud care
that cut the sharp edges from this
suspicion.
And 80 he worked throughou. the
trial month Fsi hfulness and q
pains>taking interest were stamped
upon each detail OF his work, aud
many PERSONS Commented to the
Judge upon tue improved appearance
OF the place.
John was an unu sually quiet aud
unobtrusive man. He seldom volun.
teered remarks save to ask instruc-
lions concerning his work; he never
presented himself unbiideD. Judge
Psrkers several Efforts to elicit some
account Of his life failed; he was re !.
specially candid in answering that
hs did not wish to tell anything about
himself, saying that he entirely rest
ed his hope of continued employ
ment upon his work
When the month ended he was re-
engaged, and still he maintained the
same scrupulous care in every piece
Of work, however trivial. He was not
q new BROOM He never left the
place. unless sent upon errau Is, and /,
retiring carly to his room, speIt his
evenings in quiet pursuits.
The Judges Interest in him grew
into genuine fondness. lie liked to
talk to him, anil found him we'll pos
ted aud shrewd in the ways of the
world, aud ever ready to converse on
all subjects except his past life--that
was q sealed book.
The summer wore uneyenly away
until one morning, late in August, a
visit or entered the Judges study. H.
was Joshua Skies, member OF one
OF the bars in the judicial district o.
yer which Judge Parker presided.
His face indicated an important mis-
sion.
Judge he sai1, after fe" re-
! marks on general subjects: you have
o new man at work GA your place.
Yes, indeed 1 have. don't won
der you've noticed it. Many others
have spoken to ma Of the improve
M mt. But he's no eye-server he's
thorough.going to the smallest de-
| tall
Skies griuned expectantly at this
enthusiasm, as he asked
What is his Dame 2
rie calls himself john
No surname, chi
Novel; the truth is, he declined
to give it, and he's been SO faithful
that have respected bis reasons for
concealing 1t, whatever they are
is it possible you don't remember
him. Judge ?
mo, [ don't; yet several times I've
thought there was something familiar
about him. either in motions or looks,
i can't tell which
We'll, I've just got back from a
trip to Europe, been most all over the
country, and the moment | set eyes
on your new man l knew the fellow,
if he has disguised himself with whis.
kers. I'm not often deceived in
people, tell you
i dare say not, but 1 am il I've
ever seen him before
We'll, then, Judge, said Skiles,
with manifest pleasure, you sen,en.
ced him ten years ago 70 the peniten-
tiary.
Judge Parker looked closely at
Skies before replying or showing
any feelirg OF the statement. The
man was not favoIite at the bar.
He bore q reputation for pettiness, biz
cases mostly being trivial, most of
them plainly trumpet up by himself
uppD tSifiing disputes between par
ties, and ho was given to volunteer =
ing services as bids foe favor.
So the Judge looked at him, Sc
cFetly dIspleased at the disclosure.
lie didn't want TO hear evil OF John I;
he liked him, and was disposed TO
believe this ono of Skiles' designs
upon his favor.
His name. Dir. Skiles''
John Dorker, replied skiles, effu.
siveIy. You sentenced him ten years
ago last March for burglary, which
Was proved beyond the slightest sbad.
~ NJ Hor.hG 1skaxa waanst a ,ofn.