Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-02

failed; he was respectfully candid in ans
wering that he did not wish to tell any
thing about himself, saying that be
entirely rested his hopes Of continued en-
| ployment upon his work.
When the month ended be was re-en
gagged, and still he maintained the same
scrupuious care IN every piece of work
however trivial. He was not new
broom" He never left the place unles:
sent upon errands, and retiring early t.
his room, spent his evenings in quite pur.
suits.
The judges interest in him grew int
fondness. He liked to talk to hun, anc
found him we'll posted and shrewd in the
ways of the world, and even ready to con
verse on all subjects except on his pas
! life. That was a sealed book.
| The summer wore uneventfully away IN
| til one morning late IN August, a visitor
entered the judges study. Itwas 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 remark.
on general subjects, you have new MAJ
at work on your place.
Yes, indeed | have. | don't wonder
you've noticed it. Many others have
spoken to rlo IF the Improvement. But
he's no eye server; he's thorough-g0 ing tc
| the smallest detail.
Skies grinned expectantly at this en-.
thusiasm as he asked:
What is his name?"
He calls himself John.
''NO surname. eh ?"
Novel the truth is. he declined to
give it, and he's been so faithful that |
have respected his reasons for concealing
1t, 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 tell which
"Well, I've Just got back from 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 Skies, with
lloinIlCSU plVotouiC. you StlIlCIiCCu ulll lCli
years ago to the pcnitentiary.
Judge Parker looked closely at Skies
before replying or showing any feeling at
lite ar the bar. He bore reputation for
pettiness, his cases usually being trivial,
most of them plainly trumped up by him
self upon trifing disputes between parties,
and he was given to volunteering services
and bids for favor.
His name, Mr. Skiles?
John Dorker, . replied Skies, 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.. Skiies?''
the Judge asked coldly. Its a very SER
ious thing to brand man as a convict.
He is doing we'll here. May you not be
mistaken"
No, indeed, | never f rget face
1t seems that | do, then. What is
your purpose?'
Simply to w,,rn you, sir
What good will it do you if I dis
charge him?"
These questions cut close, and Skies
WINGED little as he replied:
None at all sir | didn t expect it to
except that inward consciousness of
doing service. | thought you would
not certainly wish to have a 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 neck because he was once
a criminal. There no reason why such
n man shouldn't reform and lead al honest
life. I've sent many man to prison but
have never had a good chance to do one a
Kindness. honestly believe that many a
criminal would rise to rectitude if helped
and John is oneof them
I'VE generally try to get rid of stumb-
ling horse, Judge, said Skiles with 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 him arose, and
he said;
No, Mr.. Skies, I'll not confront him
with it now
The pettifogger thereupon bowed him
self out somewhat crestfaIIen, as he had
confidently expected to win the Judges in
fuence in an appointment he aspired to,
and to have seen the criminal ignomin-
iously dismissed.
Looking after him Judge Parker unused
81 do wonder why some people love so
much more to find evil than good in a per-
son. 4 noble character is to them as a
whitewashed fence against which they de-
light to throw mud. | hate to tell John of
this but | suppose it must be done"
John promptly obeyed the summons, en-
tering respectfully and enquiringly. A
shade of distrust upon the judges face
made him uneasy. but he calmly and with
manly dignity awaited the communication.
sit down JOHN" the Judge began,
kindly; 1T may be long interview"
He complied, and began nervously re-
volving his straw hat by shifting his fin
gers along the edge of the brim but ne
looked frml y at his employer.
''John-your, surname is it Dorker."
A slight p;Llor swept over the honest
face as he replied
at is sir. You have remembered me at
last. -
You expected me toy
Il did: yes, sir
mo, / didn't recognize W. John. =
said the Judge, with note Of disappoint-
ment in his voice, but a lawyer at the bar
told me who YOU were
Always someone to give u fellow a
kick, no matter how hard he's trying to get
up"