Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-08-30

rected that John had some design upon
his philanthropy, and accordingly be-
lieved he needed watching.
But each glance through the y ldow
showed John working industriously,
with an earnest vigor and care that cut
the sharp edges from this suspicion.
And so he worked throughout the
trial month. Faithfulness and pains
taking interest were stamped upon each
detail of his work, and many persons
commented to the judge upon the i'm
proved appearance of the place.
John was an unusually quiet and I'M
obtrusive man. He seldom volunteered
remarks. Save to ask instructions con-
corning his work, he never presented
himself unbidden. Judge Parker's sew
eral efforts to elicit some account of his
life failed; he was respectfully candid
in answering that he did not wish to tell
anything about himself, saying that he
entirely rested his hope of continued en-
ployment 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 a
new broom" He never left the place,
unless sent upon errands, and, retiring
early to his attic room, spent his even
ings in quiet pursuits.
The judges interest in him grew into
genuine fondness. He liked to talk to
him, and found him we'll posted and
shrewd 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 August, Wis
itor entered the judges study. 1t was
Joshua SBiles, member of one of the
bars in the judicial district over which
Judge Parker presided. His face indi-
Gated an important mission.
} Judge" he said, after few remarks
on general subjects, "you have new
} man at work at your place."
Eyes, indeed have. I don't wonder
you've noticed it. Many others have
; spoken to me Of the improvement. But
he's no eye server; he's thorough going
to the smallest detail"
Skies grinned expectantly at this en-.
thusiasm, as he asked:
, "What is his name?'
"He calls himself John"
"No surname, eh?'
"No-well the truth is, he declined &c
, give it, and he's been so faithful that
| have respected his reasons for conceal
ing it, whatever they are"
} SIS it possible you don't remember
him, judge?"
mo, l DON'T yet several times ",
thought there was something familia
about him, either in motions or looks,
can't tell which,"
"Well, I've just got back from a tril
| to Europe, have been most all over tn
, old country, and the moment set eye
! he has disguised himself with whiskers
Pm not often deceived in people, tel
, YOU"
! 81 dare say not, but am if I've eve
: seen him before"
"Well, then. judge" said Skiles, witt
/ manifest pleasure, you sentenced hin
9 ten years ago to the penitentiary."
Judge Parker looked closely at Skile
before replying or showing any feelin
at the statement. The man was not
s favorite at the bar. He bore reputa
9 ton for pettiness, his cases usually bein
i trivial, most of them plainly trumped u
/. by himself upon trifling disputes betwee
parties; and he was given to volunteer
= ing services as bids for favor.
t So the judge looked at him, secret
: displeased at the disclosure He didn
e want to hear evil of John; he liked hin
and was disposed TO believe this one {
!, Skies designs upon his favor.
s His name, Mr. Skilesf"
r John Dorker," replied Skies, eff
h sively. You sentenced him ten veal
!, ago last March for burglary, which We
y proved beyond the slightest shadow {
It doubt. There wasn't scintilla of ev
g dence in his favor. Why the jury wei
out only about ten minutes. was pre-
d ent during the trial, and l can truthful
d say it was the plainest case of guilt
o my legal experience. You sent him u
,, for five years.
t Are you certain of this, Mr.. Skiles
|. the judge asked coldly. "Its veI
% serious matter to brand a man as a col
l. vict. He is doing well here. May yc
d" not be mistaken"
=, "No, indeed, never forget face"
<, st seems that l do, then. What
l.: your purposey'
If "Simply to warn you, sir"
'e "What good will it do you if l di
If charge him"
st The questions cut close, and Skill
u WINGED little as he replied:
ID "None at all, sir. l didn't expect
1t to-except that inward consciousness
N doing service. l thought you wou
rs certainly not wish to have a man slee
ing in your house whom you sentenc'
I'd yourself, and who served his term
ID prison"
It "Well, now, Mr.. Skies, to be frau
lie with you, don't believe in always PIT
lie ting the foot of virtuous scorn on a mar
l neck because he was once a crimini
r, There's no reason why such a mi
Iy shouldn't or couldn't reform, and LEI
ul an honest life. I've sentenced many m
to prison, but never had good chan