The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-09-20

ing that he entirely rested his hope of con-
tlnned employment upon his work.
When the month ended he was re.engaged,
and still he maintained the same scrupnlous
care in every piece of work, however trivial.
| lie was not new broom" lie never ielt
the place, unless sent upon errands, andl re-
firing early to his room. spentnls evenings
in quiet pursuits. ,,.o o,
| uine fondness He liked to talk to him, and
found him we'll informed and snrewa IN the
| WAYS of the world and ever ready to con-
verse on all subjects except DIS past lie;
| that was a sealed book.
The summer wore uneventfully away,
until one morning, late in August, visitor
entered the judges. study. 1t was Joshua
| district over which Judge Parker presided.
| His face indicated an important mission.
Judge" he said, after few remarks on
general subjects, "you have new man at
work on your place."
you've noticed 1t. Many others have spoken
to me OF the improvement. But he's no eye
detail"
Skies grinned expeetantly at this enthus-
iasm, as he asked:
What Is his name?"
He calls himself John"
mo surname, eh?"
No; well, the truth is. ne declined to give
| It, and he's been so faithful that L have re-
"Is it possible you don't remember him,
jcage9I 40. s.ro.., A., -.
there was something familiar about him,
either In his motions or looks, l can't tell
which,"
swell, I've just got back from trip to
Europe, been most all over the old country,
and the moment set eyes on your new man
knew the fellow, if he has disguised him
self with whiskers. I'm not often deceived
In people, l tell you"
II dare say not, but am, If I've ever seen
him before.
well, then. judge" said Skiles, with man
ago to the penitentiary."
| Judge Parker looked closely at Skiles be-
| fore replying or showing any feeling at the
statement. The man was not a favorite at
the bar. He bore 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 services as bids for favor.
So the Judge looked at him, secretly dis
pleased at the disclosure: He didn't want
to hear evil of John; he liked him, and was
disposed to believe this one of Skiles's designs
Fills name. Mr.. skiIesq"
John Dorker," replied Skiles, effusively.
you sentenced him ten years ago last March
for burglary, which was proved beyond the
slightest shadow of doubt. There wasn't
scintilla Of evidence in his favor. Why, the
| jury were out only about ten minutes. | was
say IT was the plainest case OF guilt 10 my
legal experince. You sent him up for five
| years"
judge asked, coldly. TITS very serious
matter to brand q man convict. He Is
doing well here, May you not be Mistaken"
mo, indeed, never forget face"
1T seems that do. then What is your
purpose?"
What good will it do you if l discharge
These questions cut close, and Skiles
WINGED a little as he replied:
"None at all, sir l didn't expect it to, ex-
service. / thought you would certainly not
wish to have man sleeping In your house
whom you sentenced yourself, and who
served his term in prison"
well, now, Mr.. Skiles, to be frank with
you, don't believe in always putting the
foot OF virtuous sc0rn on mans neck be-
cause he was once criminal There's no
reason why such 6 man shouldn't reform,
and lead an honest life. I've sentenced many
men to prison, but have never had good
chance to do one kindness. | honestly be-
lieve that many criminal would rise to
rectitude II helped, and John is one of Them
1--WE generally try to get rid of a stumbling
horse, judge" said Skiles with a weak laugh.
''lf you doubt my story call the man in and
face him with it,"
This was exactly wha. Judge Parker did
| not wish to do. He believed the story, but
did not want to give Skiles the expected
satisfaction of seeing Johns disgrace laid
bare. A sincere sorrow for him arose, and
he said:
mo, Mr.. Skiles. III not confront him with
Ii now"
The pettifogger thereupon bowed himself
out, somewhat crestfallen, as he had con-
L ~ ayp M m xuin fha ipdv % A.,ar
In an appointment he aspired to, and to have
seen the criminal ANONYMOUSLY dismissed.
Looking after him Judge Parker unused /:
81 wonder why some people love so much
noble character is to them as a whitewashed
fence, against which they delight to throw
mud. l hate to tell John of this, but
suppose it must be DONE"
John promptly obeyed the summons, enter
ing respectfully and 1nquiringly. shade
of distrust upon the judges face made hin
uneasy, but he calmly and with manly
dignity awaited the communication.
''Sit down, John" the judge begun kind
ly; 4" it may be long interview"
John complied, and began nervously re
volving his straw hat by shifting his fingers
along the edge of the brim, but he looked
firmly at his employer,
John your surname, Is it Dorker?"
A slight pallor swept over the honest face
lit is, sir. You remember me at last"
you expected me to?"
81 did, yes, SIR"
the judge, with note of disappointment il
! his voice, shut a lawyer at the bar told mi
| who you WERE"
always some one to give fellow kick
| no matter now hard he's trying to get up p
Eyes, it seems So Now, John, he says
sentenced you ten years ago to the penitentia
ry. Is it tiue?
at is, SIR" was the humble reply.
And you served your full term of five
years?"
Lacking the time OF Communication, did.
what have you done since your release p
, Nothing but try, sir; shifting about from
} place to place. I've tried hard, desperate
hard, to lead true, honest life, but it's up
hill work. There's weight on a man lk
me, sir. The opening penitentiary door
at the very foot of a hill, and when a poo
, | fellow comes out and tries to walk up, there
always some one who is glad to push hin
. | down again."
/ "Were you guilty of the burglary?"
81 was, sir. 1t was my first crime. Th
easy gain looked tempting, and l fell.
needed money; but there is no excuse,
deserved the punishment. Those awfu
years, sir. gave me, time for reflection, and
determined that when got out, with God
help, to pick myself up. It's been hard
{ cruelty, fearfully hard, but haven't fallel
i | again. I'm an honest man in my heart, III
) If the world won't acknowledge it,"
r "But why didn't you tell me this wheI
! | you came? 1t would have been better"
! 81 suppose 1t would, sir. But [ was to-
, weak. / needed work so badly, and if 20,
had turned me away then, why"
what, John?"
Never mind. if you please, sir, you ddn'
turn me off"
"V,ry well, John, I'll not ask you. Blu
| you said you had special purpose in comm
, to me- Can you tell me that?"
, John Dorker arose, laid his hat upon tn
chair, and facing the judge. said impressive
y.
! do you remember, sir, what you sal
| when you sentenced me?"
mo, do not"
Q "Well, sir, your words burnt themselve
4 | into my heart as il they'd been sparks.
' | used to fancy saw them written in fer
letters at night upon the wall of my Gel
You spoke feelingly. SIR, like you pited me
J., and that's what made them take such hol
of me- They were. Young man, you hav
set your foot on dangerous path. The wa
r Of crime never leads upward, always down
i down to the unknown depths The pure sun
!. light of heaven never smiles upon It, 1t
il crowded with wrecks Of noble lives. Whe
l. you tread it you leave mother, true friend
s | light peace, heaven and God behind yol
s | You are going to prison. In the quiet year
S | you will spend there look over this life
yours, and think If you can afford to spen
s the smallest portion of 1t on this path. Com
q | out a pure man. You will still be yOun,