River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-11-07


the place. unless sent upon errands
and, retiring early TO his room. spent
his evening in quiet pursuits.
The Judges interest in him grew in.
10 genuine fondness. He liked to talk
TO him, aud found him well posted and
shrcwd in the ways of the world, and
ever ready to converse on all subjects
except his past life; that was a sealed
book
The summer wore uneventfully
away, until one morning, late in Au-
gust, a visitor entered the Judges
study. It was Joshua Skiles. a men,
Der Of the bar in the judicial district
over which Judge Parker presided.
His face indicated an important mis-
sion.
Judge" he said, after n few re.
marks on general subjects, you have
a new man at work on your place.
Yes. indeed. l have. | don't won
der you've noticed it. Many Others
have spoken to me Of the improve
ment. But he's no eye server; he's
thOrOugh-gOing to the smallest de-
tail. ("
Skiles grinned expectantly at this
enthusiasm, as he asked:
What is his name?'
He calls himself John"
No surname, ch?"
NO; well, tho truth is, he declined
to give f. and he's been 50 faithful
that have respected his reasons fo1
concealing it, wha ever they are"
is it possible you don't remember
him. judge"
No. ! don't; yet several times vC
thought there was something familiar
about him, either in his motions OF
looks. can't tell which"
well, I've just got back from a trip
TO Europe. been most all ever the old
country, and tho moment l set eyes on
your new man / knew the fellow, If he
has disguised himself with whiskers.
I'm not often deceived in people / tell
you.
i dare say not, but / am. if I've
ever seen him before"
We'll, then, Judge" said STILES,
with manifest pleasure. ''you sentenced
him ten years ago to the peniteutiary. >
Judge Parker looked closely at
Sl5iles before replying or showing any
feeling at the statement. The man
was not a favorite ut the bar. He
bore a reputation for pettiness. his
cases usually being trivial. most OF
them plainly trUmped Up by himself
upon trifing disputes between parties,
and he WAS given to volunteering serv-
ices as bids for favor.
30 the Judge looked at him. secret
IL displeased az the disclosure He
didn't want to hear evil of John; he
liked him, and was disposed to believe
this one Of Skies designs upon his
favor
His name. Mr. Skiles:"
John norker." replied Sixties, ef-
fusively. ''Yol sentenced him ten
wears ago last March for burglary.
which was proved beyond the slightest
shadow Of doubt. There wasn't a
scintilla Of evidence ia his favor.
Why. The jury were out only about ten
minutes. J was present during the
trial. and / can truthfully say it was
the plainest ease of guilt in NV legal
experience. You sent him up for i've
years"
Are you certain % this. Mr..
Skiles?" the Judge asked. coldly. Its
a very serious matter TO brand a man a
convict. lie Is doing well here. May
you not be mistaken9r
No. indeed; / never forget face. =
1t seems that dc. chen. What is
your purpose
simply to warn you, sir
w hat good viii it do you if l dis
charge him?'
These questions cut close, and SHiles
WINGED a little as he answered:
Mono at ALL sir. / don't expect it
Ia, except that inward consciousness OF
doing a service. | thought you would
not wish to have man
in your house whom You sen
fenced yourself. and who served his
term in prison.
We'll, now, Mr.. Skiles, to be frank
with YOU. | don't believe in always
putting the foot Of virtuous scorn on a
mans neck because he was once a
criminal, There's no reason why such
a man shouldn't reform and lead an
honest life. I've sentenced many men
20 prison, bat have never had good
chance TO do one Il kindness. ! hon
estiy believe that many a criminal
would rise 20 rectitude il helped, and
john IS one of them.
We generally try 70 get rid OF a
stumbling horse, Judge" said Sixties
with e weak laugh If you doubt
my story call the man il eli sace him
with IT,
This was exactly what Judge Parker
did not wish to dc. He believed the
story. but did not want TO give Skiles
the expected satisfaction Of seeing
Johns disgrace laid bare. \ sincere
sorrow for him arose. and he said:
NO. Mr. sziles. I'll not confront
him with il now. "
The pettifogger thereupon bowed
himself out. somewhat crestialleu, as
be had confidently expected to win
The Judges influence in an appoint
mcul he aspired to. and to have seen
the criminal ANONYMOUSLY dismissed.
Looking after him Judge Parker
mu-ed: i do wonder whv some peo-
pie love 80 much more to find evil than
good IN a person 4 noble character
is 10 them a- vhi;ewashed fence.
against which they delight to throw
mud. hate to Tell john OF this, but
suppose IL must be done.
John promptly obeyed the summons,
entering respectfully and iBquiriugly.
4 shade o. dietrust on the judges face
made him uneasy, bar lac calmly and
with manly dignity awaited the com
.'Sit down. John. the Judge began,
lindly: Ill may De a long Interview"
He complied, and began nervously
evolving his straw hat by shifting his