The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-01-10
THE FELLOWS RETURN.


were broad, his features handsome, bu
there was an old air about him that hac
puzzled the clerk, and would have per
picked any one. It was something tina
could not be defined, but it pervaded tn,
whole man; suppressed look, as of on,
forced in some way to hide his feelings
manner OF standing and holding hi
hat which had something apologize il
''AIr. Graham will see you, sir, " sale
the clerk, returning and opening the littlt
rallied door. I'm there-the office to til,
right
| The stranger passed into the room in.
dicated, and closed the door behind him
then standing with his back against it
he fumbled with his hat in the same odd
manner in which he had handled 1t in the
outer Office, and instead of speaking,
looked at the gentleman behind the desk
with eyes that had measureless appeal
in them.
The other did not rise from his chair,
nor hold out his hand, nor even speak
for some moments; each looked at the
other, that was ALL But it was the elder
one, at the desk, who broke the spell at
last.
$50, he said, sit is you, Jamesa"
Eyes, it is l." said the other.
Haven't you word for me, Williaml''
II have a good many words that you
might not like to hear" said William
Graham. 81 really can't say Pm glad to
see you, delighted, honored, and all
that, you know
Il don't expect any one to be glad, y
said the other. ~ know I've disgraced
the family, but I've been punished for it.
Ten years, William-think of that
ten years Of prison life, and prison fare,
and prison friends I'd had given my
soul to undo what I did, even before it
was found out; and l never meant to
keep the money"
"'We all know the story" said the
merchant. '.You were in a position of
confidence; you betrayed it. It's the old
affair. I've had it happen in my own
Office. can't feel any sentimental pity
for fellow like you. What brings you
here, Jameslr
Shifting his hat from hand to hand,
looking from under his eyebrows in an
abjest fashion, pitiabIe to contemplate,
When one saw in what 4 gentlemanly
mould he had been cast, 'ames Graham
answered, II was twenty ,shen 1 went
TO prison. I'm thirty now. The outside
world has been blank to me all these
years. Iwant work. want you to give
it to me-any honest work, William
Tina good book keeper, but I'll be =
porter, an Grand man, anything"
80, no; not anything here, said the
elder. "You've reckoned without your
host, James. You are no brother of
mine cast you off when you became a
feloli. Fer the sake of the poor woman
who called you son, III give you some
money, enough to live on for week or
two. 1 will never give you another pen
ny--don't expect It. I will have you
turned out if you come here again
The prison faint WIS so strong upon
the ',ther man that his pride was not
aroused yet; he fumbled with his hat,
ground himself against the door, looked
abjeetly from under his eyebrows again,
and asked: "How is sister Jessiel"
"WeIl, " said the merchant.
sfJan you tell ME where she livesl'
asked his brother.
ssNo, said the merchant. ''Jessie is
married, and has tried to forget the ter
ribls grief you gave her. You are the
last person a respectable brother-in-law
would care TO see.
"a.'l ask you one more question" said
James, in faltering voice. ''Ada Mus
groye-what has become Of herr Is she
hvingl Is she married7n
~ have no information for you, said
the merchant, harshly. "Here are ten
pounds. If you are careful you viii get
employment before it is gone. Remem-
Der, you'll not have another penny from
my hand. Take it and go, and don't
como back againr'
He flung the money down upon the
table, But there was spark of man
hood in his brothers breast even yet; be
coulsl not take gift SO proffered.
Suddenly the abject look upon his face
changed tosone Of wrath and hate
Tall as he was, he seemed to grow a
head taller as he drew his shoulders back;
and, glaring at his brother, threw the
savereigns that lay before him into his
brothers face
"Hang you, keep your money! he
said II don't want it. don't want
anything from you or any one. came
for help, it is true; for help to be an
honest man. I've been among the out
casts Of the world SO long that I've lost
all kinship with you decent folk; but
thought a brother might hold out hand
Money! Why, iook at these hands, these
shoulders-look at mel can earn money
somehow. And, by heaveni if this is all
your respectability and Christianity
amounts to, don't care if don't see no
more Of it. There are plenty TO welcome
me, and you have driven me to them.
Remember that, son of my mother"
He thrust his hat upon his head, and
dashed out Of the room, striding through !
the outer Office with no heed Of any one !
there, and changing the door as he de-
parted.
One dark night, few weeks later,
James Graham, in full fellowship with a
gang of burglars, was receiving instruc-
tons from a companion how to enter and
conceal himself in "a house that had been
marked for robbery. The lesson was
given in front OF the doomed house itself; /
and after his companion had left him,
Graham muttered; Eyes, l belong to the /
fraternity now. l am here to rob this /
house. have the mask and the pistol
in my pocket. l have my little dark
lantern, too. I'm burglar, and burg (
lars we're the only men who welcomed (
me back out Of prison. Ny brother
turned his back on me. My brother-I
wonder what my mother would say If she
could see ne po@a II she kaea-a !