Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-08-30
and accordinYly believed

But each glance through the window
showed john working industriouSly,
with IN caraCst vi@or and care tirt cut
tiic sharp edges from ihis suspicion.
And So he worked throughout. the ,ria
month Fat!lulness and Il pains taking
interest were stamped upon each detail
OF his work, and many persons comment
I'd to the Judge upon the improved ap-
prarancc Of the place.
| joan WAS ia unusually quiet and uncj-
trasve lnar. lie seldom volunteered re-
marks save 10 ask instructions concerning
ms work lie never presented himself ur-
b;ddcn. Judge paricrs several efforts
10 elicit some account oi his life failed
i.c N'aS respectfully candid in answering
Ina; he did not wish TO tell any;hin::
about himself, saying that hc entirely
rested his nope OF continued employment
upon his work.
When the mouth caich Ic was rc-"n-
gagged, and still hc maintained the same
scru:sIlous care in every piece Of WORK!
however trivial. He was not II '.ncw
bfa"'n." ii" never lei; ;hc place. unic>;
sent upon cr:i1j>. and, retiring early 30
his room, Spcnt his evenings in Guici
pursuits
The Judge, int"rc.' in him grey Into
genuine foIincss. lie liked Ia talk 10
him, and found MIN woll posted and
shrewd in the WAY, ni the world, and
ever ready 20 converse on all subject, cx-
cept his past lii, i,.a; was Il seated
book.
THE summer wore uncycni!uliy away
ur,il Gnc morning, late in August. Il vi,-
1tcrc'i The Judges study. Ii was
S:iios. Il member of one al the
'a'>. in The judicial district over which
Judge Parker presided. lis face iu,iicai-
ed an impor!an. mission
Judge he said, after few remarks
on general subjects: 'you have new
man ut worn OH your place"
"lcs, indeed have. don't wonder
yoa'yc noticed il. Many others nave
spoken 80 ne of the improvement. Gu;
hes no 'Yc-Sc,Vcr; he's thorough -.son.
TO tlr ,tnailc,; detail"
Sl,ilc> grimlcd cxpccian,iy at hi, en-
tiinsiasin rs he asked:
"N hat is his Nance
lie calls himself John.
"No surname, eli!
Newell, the truth is, he declined
10 give it, and hes been 50 faithful liza;
have respected hi reasons tor co..cc:,!-
in.; il, Whatever they are"
''is ii possible You don, remember
him, judge"
$40, don't; yet several Times I've
Thought ihcrn WAS something familiar
about him, either in motions or looks.
can't ;cll which.
"Wcil, I've just got back from a trip
10 Europe, bccn NOS: al over lhr Oil
country, and ;hc moment set ewes ON
your new mnu | knew ;ic fellow. i, lie
has disguised himself with w!,iskrrs.
I'm no; often deceived in people. tell
yoa.'
81 dare ny not, but am if I've c,cr
secn him before"
"Well, then, Judge, said s;kilcs, with
maniiySl pleasure, lyon sentenced him
len years ago 80 The pcuiicn;iary"
Judge Parker looked closely at Skies
before replying Or showing amy lc.iin. oi
the statement. Tie main was not a "a
yoriic al the ha. lie bore Il reputation
for pcii;ness, his eases usually being
trivial, most of them plainly ,rumpcd M
himself npon trilina disputes between
parties, and lie WAS given to volunteer
ing services a, bids for favor
So The Judge looked at him. secretly
displeascd nj Inc disclosure. he dim,
wan; Ia hear evil OF John; he liked linn,
and WAS disposed to believe this one of
SkilcsS designs upon his favor.
Iii, namc, Nr. Sllilcs:n
"Jchn borier,' replied Skilc,. ciyu-
'ivcly. 'You sentenced him ten years
ago last March for burglary, which was
proved ic!ond the slightest shadow OF
'ionbi. There wasn't II scin;i!la of evil
dcnce in his favor. Why the jury were
out only about ten minutes. was
present during the trial, and / can truth
fully say ii WAS the rlaincsi ease of guilt
in my legal experience. Yon sent him mp
for five years.
"Arc you certain OF this, Mr. Skies"
The Judge asked, collly. cts II very
serious matter 10 brand man as Il con
yict. lie is dninS well here. May You
not he Mistaken
no, indeed, never forget face
1T seems that do then. What is
your purpose!
"Simply to warn You, sir
"What good will ii do you if / dis
charge him.
These questions cut close, and Skilcs
WINGED Il little as he replied:
None at all, sir. didn't cxpcc. il to
except That inward consciousness of
doing Il service. | thought you would
certainly not wish 10 have man sleeping
in your house whom you sentenced your
self, and who servc,, his term in prison. :"
'Wcll, now, Mr.. .ikics, to be frank
with you don't believe in always put
ting the foot Of viriuous scofn on Il man 5
neck because he WAS once criminal.
There's no reason why such man
shouldn't or couldn't reform, and lead an
, honest life. I've sentenced many men 10
prison, but have never had rood
chance TO do one kindness | honestly
believe that many Il criminal would rise
to rectitudc if helped, and John is one
Of them
1--WE generally try 10 get rid of Il
stumbling morse, Judge said Skilcs, with