Thomas County cat., 1890-05-15

cases usually being trivial. most Of
them plainly trumped up by himself
upon trifling disputes between parties,
and he was given to volunteering serv.
ices as bids for favor. s
So the Judge looked at him. secret
ily displeased at the disclosure. he
didn't want to hear evil of John; he
liked him. and was disposed to believe
this one of Skies designs upon his
favor.
His name. Mr.. Skiles?'
John Dorker." replied Skiles, ef.
fusively. 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. l was present during the
trial, and can truthfully cay it was
the plainest case of guilt in nv legal
experience. You sent him up for five
years"
"Are you certain of this, Mr..
Skiles?" the Judge asked, coldly. '.It's
a very serious matter to brand man q
convict. He is doing we'll here. May
you not be mistaken"
mo, indeed; never forget face"
at seems that l do, then. What is
your purposeP"
''Simply to warn you. SIR"
Nv hat good will it do you if I dis
charge him?"
These questions cut close, and Skiles
WINGED little as he answered.:
None at all, sir. l don't expect it
to, except that inward consciousness of
doing service. thought you would
certainly not wish to have a man
sleeping in your house whom you sem
fenced yourself. and who served his
term in prison"
We'll. now, Mr. Skiles, to be frank
with you, l don't believe in always
putting the foot of virtuous scorn on q
mans neck because he was once a
criminal. There's no reason why such
a man shouldn't reform and lead an
honest life. I've sentenced many men
to prison, but have never had a good
chance to do one a kindness. l hon.
estly believe that many a criminal
would rise to rectitude if helped, and
John is one of them"
I'VE generally try to get rid OF a
stumbling horse, Judge" said Skiles
with weak laugh. IF you doubt
my story call the man in and face him
with it."
This was exactly what Judge Parker
did not wish to dc. 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. I'll not confront
him with it now."
The pettifogger thereupon bowed
himself out, somewhat crestfallen, as
he had confidently expected to win
the Judges influence in an appoint
ment he aspired to, and to have seen
the criminal ANONYMOUSLY dismissed.
Looking after him Judge Parker
mused: Il do wonder why some peO-
pie love so much more to find evil than
good in a person. A noble character
is to them as whitewashed fence.
against which they delight to throw
mud. hate to tell John of this, but
l suppose it must be done"
John promptly obeyed the summons,
entering respectfully and inquiringly.
a shade of distrust on the Judges face
made him uneasy, but he calmly and
with manly dignity awaited the COM
munication.
''Sit down. john" the Judge began,
kindly; lit may be a long interview" :"
He complied, and began nervously
revolving 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 Dork-
er?"
A slight pallor swept over the hon
est face, as he replied:
IL lS, Sir. LOU nave rctucEuDSFeu
me at last"
You expected me to?'
II did; yes, SIR"
NO. l didn't recognize you. John"
said the Judge. with note of disap-
pointment in his voice. '.but lawyer
at the bar told me who you were"
always some one to give fellow
a kick. no matter how hard he's try
ing to get up?"
Yes. it seems so. Now, John. he
says l sentenced you ten years ago to
the penitentiary. Is it true?"
''lt 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?"
Nothing but try. sir; shifting about
from place to place. I've tried hard,
desperate hard. to lead true. honest
| life, but its uphill work. There's a
weight on man like me, sir. The
opening penitentiary door is at the
very foot of a hill. and when a poor
fellow comes out and tries to walk up.
there's always some one who is glad to