The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-05

That night the brother and sister held a
long and serious council in their chamber.
1T is lucky that have saved so much
of my fathers money, and that have just
received my half years salary" remarked
Bob.
''What do you mean" asked Nell.
"That will have him out of this" re-
turned Bob firmly. do you think that |
would have our father in this living hell?"
"No. never thought that you would;
but. oh. Bob, what can he have done"
Nothing wrong, that will swear to-"
replied Bob. little illogically; 'he was too
good father for that Let US, however,
consider the best course to pursue"
Long and earnestly they debated, and the
early dawn still found them considering
the matter At last plan was agreed on.
From that day Robert Jackson's mode
of life was entirely altered. Though he
had never neglected his religious duties,
yet he became much more diligent in their
performance and cultivated the acquaint-
ance of the chaplain at the convict hulks
with the utmost perseverance. After a
time he became well known in the convict
yard and the hospital. He would sit by
the bedside of the sick and read to them
from the book of eternal life. His only re-
Taxation was sailing about the bay in a
small yacht which he had hired. For some
months he had been a constant visitor to a
convict named James Sutton, who about a
week before had been struck down by a
strange illness which baff1ed all the skill of
the surgeon of the convict establishment.
at seems like a want of vitality Mr..
Jackson" remarked the medical officer.
eff it had been any man except James SUIT
ton l should call it case OF malingering,
but he is different style of man to the
usual run of convicts.~ Never once re-
ported, always ready for his work-a quiet,
well behaved man, and one with sad his
tory am afraid. He will not last long,
and we may as well make his last hours
easy ones"
Bob Jackson's face flushed That night
as he sat by his fathers sick bed whis-
pered conversation took place.
as it for tonight" asked the convict.
eff you feel yourself strong enough,
fathersn
Hush, don't use that word. should
think that l was strong enough. What
time will the boat be in wsiting?"
'At midnight. Do you think you can
swim out without any one noticing your"
Yes / have been twice down to the
waters edge in the night, and not a soul
has seen me. There will be no moon, and
all will be as dark as a cellar"
"At II precisely l will show a lantern,
and do 80 at intervals of three minutes
until you reach me-"
1T is a risk, but we cannot do better.
Remember to keep fifty yards from the
shore, and in case of an alarm pull off
without taking any thought of me-"
A hearty grasp of the hand was the sole
replS, and a short time afterward Robert
Jackson left the convict hospital.
That night as the sentries on the New
Mole were being released the corporal of
the guard fancied that he perceived
bright CLEAN appear short distance out
at sea in front of the convict barracks. He
watched carefully and in few minutes
the fash was repeated. Convinced that all
was not right he summoned the officer of
the guard. In short time the fash was re-
peated, and this time boat could be seen
motionless upon the dark water, and the
head of man just appearing above the
surface as he made toward it.
Guard. turn outp' shouted the officer,
and hailing the boat he ordered it to pull
in under the Mole. No attention was paid
to the command. Twice it was repeated
without effect, and then the order was
given to fire.
The flash of the rifles showed the boat
pulling swiftly away toward the center of
the bay, but all traces of the swimmer had
disappeared. BY this time, however, the
garrison was thoroughly alarmed, the
warning notes of the bugle rang out, and
guards turned out in every direction, while
blue lights and rockets which were thrown
up showed a small pleasure yacht scudding
before the wind and making for the en-
trance of the bay. Twice heavy gun from
the Europa Main Guard was fired but
without effect, and before steam could be
got up in the gunboat which was lying in
the haroor the fugitive vessel had made
such way as 10 render all chance of sue
cessful pursuit hopeless.
A small vessel was lying at anchor off
the coast OF northern Africa. Upon a mat
tress laid upon the deck was stretched the
form of a man, whose worn and haggard
features displayed the marks of premature
old age, while a blood stained bandage
crossed and recrossed his chest showing
that he had something more TO contend
with than the usual ills to which flesh is
heir. A young girl was kneeling beside
him, supporting his head on her arm, while
a young man grasped his hand with a look
of intense anxiety on his face, and a little
further off stood three sailors gazing with
the utmost sympathy at the wounded man.
MY children" said Thomas jackson,
"do not grieve all you did was for the
lNa-A l. 81,
gloom, which marred all your plans, but l
die happy, for am | not with these dear
ones whom ] had never hoped to see on
this earth again. Do not weep, Nell. Bob,
my brave boy, you must not get into trou-
BILE over this. There is nothing but cir
evidence TO connect you with
it. Do not return TO Gibraltar-mske, as
you originally intended, for Marseilles,
and get to England as soon as you can.
When / am dead bury me at sea but re-
that as sure as am about 10 APP
pear before my Makers tribunal, ! am an
innocent man, and have suffered for a
crime | never committed"
Father, we know it," exclaimed the
brother and sister not for a moment at
tempting 10 restrain their tears.
A smile of ineffable happiness passed
over the wasted features of Thomas Jack
son. He made an effort to rise and en-
brace his children, but the attempt was
too much for him, and he sank back. and
with the same sweet smile upon his lips
passed away from the world, which had
been TO him a scene of so much unmerited
suffering His last wishes were obeyed,
and his body committed TO the waves After
the mournful ceremony Bob and Nell re-
turned home. and whatever the authori-
ties of Gibraltar may have suspected they
permitted the matter to drop, and Bob was
never charged with completely in efecting
the fathers escape. He told the whole
truth to Messrs. Chest & Lead, who did
not for a moment blame him, and eNerted
. g. a =.