Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-10-02

worthy applicants, he now suspected that
John lhad Sc .ue design upon ibis philan-
thropy. and accordingly believed he need
ed watching.
But each glance through the window
showed John working industriously, with
an earnest vigor and care that cut the
sharp edges from his suspicion
And so he worked throughout the trial
month. Faithful and pains-taking in
terest were stamped upon each detail of
his work, many persons commenting to the
judge upon the improved appearance ofth
place.
John was an unusually quiet and un-
obstrusive man. He seldom volunteered
remarks save to ask instructions concern
ing his work; he never presented himself
unbidden Judge Parker's several eff
forts to elicit some account of his life
failed; he was respectfully candid in ans
wering that he did not wish to tell any
thing about himself saying that he
entirely rested his hopes of continued en-
| ployment upon his work.
When the month ended he was re-en
gagged, and still he maintained the same
scIupulous care in every piece of work,
! however trivial. He was not new
broom" He never left the place unless
sent upon errands, and retiring early to
his room, spent his evenings in quite pur-
suits.
The judges interest in him grew into
fondness. He liked to talk to hun, and
found him well posted and shrewd in the
ways of the world, and even ready to con-
verse on all subjects except on his past
| life. That was a sealed book.
| The summer wore uneventfully away I'M
til one morning late IN August. a visitor
entered the judges study. 1t was Joshua
Skiles member of one of the bars in the
judicial district over which Judge Parker
presided. His face indicated AN import
ant mission.
Judge" he said, after few remarks
on general subjects, you have new man
at work on your place. y
Yes, indeed | have. don't wonder
you've noticed it. Many others have
spoken to me Of the improvement. But
he no eye server; he's thorough-go ing to
the smallest detail. !"
Skies grinned expectantly at this en-
thusiasm, as he asked:
what is his name?"
He calls himself John.
| 'No surname, eh2"
Novel the truth is, he declined to
give it, and he's been so faithful that
have respected his reasons for concealing
it, whatever they are.
SIS it possible you don't remember him,
Judge?'
mo, ] don't, yet several times I've
thought there was something familiar
about him, either in motion or looks,
can t tell which.
"Well, I've just got back from a trip to
Europe = been almost all over the old
country - and the moment | 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.
! Il dare say not, but am if | ever saw
him before.
! well, then, Judge, said Skiles, with
manifest pleasure, you sentenced him ten
years ago to the pcnitentiary.
Judge Parker looked closely at Skies
before replying or showing any feeling at
| the statement. The man was not favor
tie at the bar. He bore a reputation for
pettiness, his cases usually being trivial,
most of them plainly trumped up 10y him
self upon triling disputes between parties,
and he was given to volunteering services
and bids for favor.
His name, Mr.. Skies?"
John Dorker, replied Skiles, ELUSIVE
ly. 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 present during the
trial, and can truthfully say it was the
plainest case of guilt in my legal expert
ence. You sent him up for ten years.
"Are you certain of this, Mr.. Skiles?"
the Judge asked coldly. 'lt's a very ser
ious thing to brand man as a convict.
He is doing well here. May you not be
mistaken"
No, indeed, never f,rget face.
1T seems that do, then. What is
your purPose?,
What good will it do you if / dis
charge him?''
These questions cut close, and Skiles
WINGED little as he replied:
None at all sir. | didn expect 1t to
except that inward consciousness of
doing a service. | thought you would
not certainly wish to have man sleep
ing in your house whom you sentenced
yourself, and who served his term In
prison"
"Well. now, Mr. Skies, to be frank
with you, don't believe in putting the
foot on a man S neck because he was once
"a criminal There's no reason why such
a man shouldn reform and lead an honest
life I've sent many a man to prison but
have never had a good chance to do one
kindness. | honestly believe that many a
criminal would rise to rectitude if helped
and John is one of them
1--WE generally try to get rid of a stumb-
ling horse, Judge, said Skies with II weak
laugh. If you doubt my story, call the
man in and face him with it
This is exactly what Judge Parker did
not wish to do. He believed the story,
but he did not want to give Skies the
satisfaction of seeing Johns disgrace laid
bare. A sincere sorrow for hin arose, and
he said;
No. Mr.. Skiles, I'll not confront him
with it now.
The pettifogger thereupon bowed him
self out somewhat erestfallen, as he had
confidently expected to win the Judges IN
huence in an appointment he aspIred to,