Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-08-22
charge him?H
charge him?''
These questions cut close, and Skile'
,.;,oo5 - I;,rIa a Ia opswaraI


WINGED little as he answered
None at all, sir. l don't expect it
except that inward consciousness OF
doing a service. l thought you would
certainly not wish TO have a man
sleeping in your house whom you SEN
fenced yourself, and who served his
term in prison.
well, now. Mr.. Skiles, 10 be frank
with you, l don't believe in always
putting the foot Of virtuous scorn on
a mans neck because he was once s
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 good
chance to do one kindness. l hon.
estly believe that many a criminal
would rise TO rectitude il helped, and
John is one OF them"
I'VE generally try to get rid OF a
stumbling horse, Judge" said Skiles
with a weak laugh. III You doubt
my story call the man in and face him
with it,"
This was exactly what Judge Park
er did not wish to do. He believed
the story, but did not want to give
Skiles the expected satisfaction OF
seeing Johns disgrace laid bare. y
sincere sorrow for him arose. and he
said
NO, 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 ignominiously dismissed.
Looking after him Judge Parker
unused 81 do wonder why some peo-
pie love so much more to find evil
than good in person. a noble char
acter is to them as n whitewashed
fence, against which they delight 10
throw mud. | hate to tell John OF
this, but | suppose it must be done,
John promptly obeyed the sum-
mons. entering respectfully and in
quiringly A shade OF distrust on the
Judges face made him uneasy, but
he calmly and with dignity awaited
the communication.
"Sit down, John, the Judge began,
kindly; lit may take a long inter
view.n
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, IL it Dorkerr
a slight pallor swept over the hon
est face as he replied
1T is, sir You have remembered
me at last.
You expected me to''
Il did; yes, sir
NO, | dldn recognize you, Joth,
said the Judge, with a note Of disap-
pointment in his voice, but lawyer
at the bar told me you were"
Always some one TO give fellow
a kick, no matter how hard he is try
ing to get up 2
Yes; it seems So. Now, John, he
says | sentenced you ten years ago to
the penitentiary. Is 1t true =
1T is, sir, was the humble reply.
"And you served your full term OF
five ysars?"
Lacking the time OF communications
| did"
What have you done since you
were releasedY'
Nothing but try, sir; shifting about
from place 70 place. I've tried hard,
desperate hard, to lead true, hon
est life, but it's uphill work. There's
a weight on a man like me, cir. The
opening penitentiary door is at the
very foot Of hill, and when poor
fellow comes out and tries to walk up,
there's always some one who is glad
to push him down again.
Were you guilty Of the burglary
Il was. sir. 1t was my first crime.
The easy gain looked tempting, and
fell. ! needed money; but there was
no excuse-I deserved the punish
ment. Those awful years, sir gave
me time for reflection, and ! deter
mined that when got out, with Gods
help, to pick myself up. It's been
hard, cruelty, fearfully hard, but
haven't fallen again. AIN an honest
man in my heart, sir, II the world
won't acknowledge il"
But why didn't you tell me this
when you came? 1t would have been
better
Il suppose it would, sir. But was
too weak. / needed work 80 badly,
and il you had turned me away then,
why"
"What, John?'
Never mind, II you please, cir, you
didn't turn me Off"
Very well. John, I'll not question
you. But you said you had special
purpose in coming to me. Can't you
tell me thaty'
John Dorker arose, laid his hat up
OH the chair, and facing the Judge,
said impressively:
DO you remember, sir, what you
said when you sentenced meF
NO, / do not"
"Well, sir, your words burnt them
selves into my heart as II they'd been
sparks. ! used 70 fancy saw them
written in fiery letters at night upon
the back wall OF my cell. You spoke
feelingly, sir, like you pitied me. and
that's what made them take such q