Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-04-30

4 swept away, and an overwhelming pity for
the prisoner filed my heart.
Isprang up and ran down stairs. The officer
was tying the man into stout kitchen chair.
'Oh" l cried, "don't do that; let him 20
! free"
The officer whose name was Stout, stared
at me in amazement. SEQ freem he repeat
ed, ''when we've caught him in the act!"
HE has taken nothing, replied. There
was nothing for him to take. Release him,
if you please"
Elizabeth, why do you talk in this wild
way" said my brother.
81 wish him to be released"
''Beg pardon, ma'am," said the man Stout,
"but it would be agin the law to let him go. u
"The law" ! repeated scornfully. "Oh,
yes; the law has swift fingers for poor starry
ing unfortunates, but has it for the rich
rogues who steal millionsl insist, sir, that
this man shall be at once released"
I'm go for the wagon, sir, }" said the officer
Ia low tone.
every WE'LL will remain here until you
return.
"No," cried, springlng forward was
too late. With grin upon his sly, detesta-
BILE face Mr.. Stout shut the door as | reached
it. ] turned to Godfrey in fury of rage
and sorrow.
How dare he's" gasped. "He shall pay
for this, He shall learn that this is my house
He shall understand that if | choose to re-
lease a burglar instead of entering n COM
plant shall do it, The odious, hard hearted
brute!"
Elizabeth, you are eNcited Pray look at
the matter reasonably This mana common
burglar, breaks into your house, andn--
ooh, DON'T" l interrupted. Suppose he
did, whose folly led him to it9 Not ten min
utes ago you answered that question. And
he isn'ta common burglar. You're not, are
you" turning suddenly upon the prisoner.
He shook his head.
"Therel knew it. What led you to do
ths3 Did you see me in the streetW
Finding his voice-ahl how it shook THE
man answered briefly, "I've never broke in,
nor tried to steal afore, an now, with the
fust time I'm took. I.uclz's down on me,
ma'am. | haint had no work for more'n
three weeks, an the old woman an the little
girls wuz starvin', an seed you out on the
street, an so cum here tonight. / thought
eff you could carry it along so careless, you
must have plenty. An hadn't nary a cop
per-"
"Oh," I cried, pacing up and down the
room. l am so sorry 1t is all my fault
Godfrey, do you heart 1t is all my faults
And this poor man will be sent to prison, and
/, the guilty one, will go freel But, with
sudden resolve, II will care for you family.
You may trust me. will do it, l would do
anything to save youm
The mans eyes had been upon the floor
Now he raised them and looked at me-
'Thank you, maam," he said, "maybe you
can help me yet" There was in his voice all
appealing, imploring accent, 1 thought, and
an appeal in the eyes, looking into mine.
Anything | can do | WILL" replied "It
was | who tempted you. shall never forget
that my reckless folly led you to this"
at was the devil tempted me" he said.
"If I'd had work he wouldn't ha' caught
me so easy. And" as he saw the tears
streaming down my cheeks, eff hadn't ha'
seen your pile he'd ha' led me into something.
/ couldn't ha' gone home without nothing for
the old woman an the little girls.
His last words fell almost unheeded upon
my ear. For, in my restless pacings to and
fro, up and down, suddenly perceived the
file with which he had severed the bar of the
shutter. "Ah,n l thought, The means that
he wishes me to pick tup and give it to him. u
For few seconds longer paced the floor
restlessly. Then l turned to my brother,
"Geoffrey, am too tired to climb two flights
of stairs; will you go up to the spare cham
Der and bring me down a warm shawll 1t is
growing chilly here"
Certainly my dear. But" with look I
understood, you will not have long to wait |
Stout may return at any moment
At another time should have laughed at
the warning he sought to convey. HE may
return thought, "but he will not find me
attempting to cut those cruel letters Nor
shall he see me give him that file. But have
it he shall, before he leaves my housed
Godfrey left the kitchen. Instantly
picked up the file and few to the man.
"Quick, l hear wheels Where shall
hide it'll"
"In my mouth" opening it WIDE "There,"
as he moved it with his tongue, there, there!
don't open your mouth or it will fall out
But-listen When you're free go to Canada.
You'll have to work your way, I'm afraid. |
Go to G.. Go to Mr.. Kirke; he has a fac
tory. Any one will direct you; he will give
you work. / will write and tell him; and by |
and by / will send the wife and children.
Hushl they are comingl Don't try to speak.
1t was my fault you know; only do be hon
est, and don't, don't drink l trust you. / |
believe all you saidl | know your story is
truem
These words and few more of kindred
nature l said to the prisoner. And then
Godfrey returned, and at the same moment
Mr. Stout entered with subordinate.
With a queer, choking senation looked
at the prisoner as he gave me parting glance
of gratitude. Not an hour since l desired
his capture, and now how ardently l longed |
for his freedom Well before morning he
would have it, comforted myself. turned |
TO Godfrey after the last sound of wheels bad
died away. "You didn't believe the mans
story9 did. But l inquired the name of
his recent employers, and l shall ask what
sort of man he has been in the past"
"What is the namep
"Whitecross a. Birch. Boot factory peo-
ple.n
II happen to know them. will make
your inquiries. They failed a few weeks
ago, and-and it may be--yes, possibly, the
poor fellow was in their employ. / will as
certain tomorrow"
Tomorrow / thought, with a thrill Of /
tomorrow he will be on tho road
to Canada
was very late the next morning, and
while was at breakfast Godfrey joined me-
al have been down to the station" he said.
"Yesl Did you see the-the man-the-
therel will not call him burglar. He
was not a burglar by choice. And, inconss
quently, he told me that his name was James
Scott
II did not see James Scott, Elizabeth. Did
you expect that would bring you word that
| had seen HING
We'll, you know you were very prejudiced
las, night" | said