Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-02-06

months glided on, the disappearance of Mr..
jackson was forgotten by the neighbors,
and only remained fresh in the hearts of
his sorrowing children.
To return to the little house at Chiswick.
Upon the morning of the strange disap-
pearance of its owner, Mr.. jackson was
aroused from his slumbers by the rays of
the sun peering through the window panes
and flooding the room with their golden
glory. He got out of bed and began leisure
ly to make his toilet. AS soon as he was
dressed he threw open the window, and,
leaning his arms upon the windowsill,
drew in all the freshness of the morning air
with deep sense of enjoyment. AS he did
so "A man, who had for some hours been
lurking about the neighborhood, stepped
forward and, looking him full in the face,
beckoned to him to descend. Had the
stranger possessed the features and power
of the tabled Medusa Mr.. jackson could
not have betrayed greater signs of unmis-
taxable terror. A livid palor overspread
his features, and with half stined groan
he staggered back from the window.
The stranger made a more imperative
gesture, and Mr.. Jackson, collecting all his
tive. Then, crossing the room, he took
something from a drawer and creeping
stealthily downstairs seized his hat, and
opening the front door went out-without
even the precaution Of closing it behind
him. In few minutes he was by the side
of his unwelcome visitor, and taking his
arm hurried him away from the vicinity of
the house. At first the stranger seemed a
little puzzled by this means of action but
after a moments hesitation he accepted the
position, and walked silently by Mr.. Jack
sons side until they reached narrow
passage turning from the main road and
thanked on each side by tall garden walls
BY mutual consent both men stopped, and
the stranger, releasing his arm from that
of Mr.. jackson, broke the silence
"Well, Jim Sutton" said he, "you are a
cool customer if ever there was one
Mr.. Jackson quivered, but made no re-
ply.
"To think" continued the stranger,
that | should have laid my hand on you
again. When saw your face at the win
dow half believed that was dreaming
Why, it must be over fifteen years since
you did us all so neatly"
Mr.. Jackson wrung his hands and ut
tered a stifled groan.
wen, suppose YOU Will come along
quietly; but first we must get back to your
shop, for l must have look over it," OBJ
served the stranger But hold hard, man;
are you mad2"
He might well ask this question, for by
quick and sudden movement Mr.. Jack
son grasped him by the throat, thrust him
back against the wall and held the muzzle
of a revolver he had drawn from his vest
pocket against his temple
Stir but finger" muttered Mr.. Jack
son hoarsely, raise but single cry for
help, and you are dead man. You know
me, Hoskins, and l know you; we can trust
each other. / am determined that no men,
ton shall be made of my home, or of those
who belong to me in it. If you will con-
tent yourself with saying that you met me
in the street and recognized me | will go
quietly wherever you wish, but unless you
promise this, by the heavens above will
blow out your brains and take my chance
of getting clear away. Oh, man." he con
tinued as Hoskins remained silent, "can
you not understand that it is for my chill
dren that | am pleading?"
81 amt afraid of your pistol, Jim SUIT
ton" answered Hoskins in II low whisper
land you know that well enough"
Yes, know that, replied Mr., Jackson
but don't see any harm in not hunt
ing the kids, continued Hosllins. $50 it's
bargain as far as am concerned. Say,
are you ony"
The only reply Mr.. Jackson made was to
remove his fingers from HoskinS' throat
and place the revolver in his hand. 81
trust you said he simply, 'but, o God
that it should have come after so many
years. Let us get away from here as
quickly as we can. | will come quietly
enough"
1T does seem precious rough" remarked
Hoskins, as he and jackson walked briskly
away. For, to my mind, you hadn't much
to do with the forgery-it was the finding
of the notes at your place that did the trick
for you"
81 stated at the trial that my wifes bro
ther asked me to take charge of the parcel
and that was quite ignorant of its con-
tents"
"He might have cleared you then" broke
in Hoskins
"Ile would have done so, am sure" re-
piled jackson. but, if you remember. be-
fore the case came on for trial he died Ct
an attack of apoplexy."
$50 he did, so he did," replied Hoskins,
but you got fifteen years, though you
didn't do them. How did you give em the
Slip"
A sad smile passed over Mr. Jackson'o
face.
when a man makes up his mind to dc
a certain thing he generally succeeds" saio
he.
"Well, then, all | can say" remarked
Hoskins sententiously, sis that it is pre-
cous lucky for society at large that there
is so little mind among what papers call
the criminal classes"
There is no need to linger over this sad
portion of the history James Sutton, an
escaped convict, was sent back to work out
the uncompleted portion of his sentence,
with an additional term of five years, for
presuming to release himself without the
aid and incentive of the authorities
Hoskins, the detective was true to his
word, and the identity of James Sutton
with Thomas jackson was never divulged
Six years had passed since the events de-
scribed, and the brother and sister still re.
manned in the little house at Chiswick, but
hope had now died away in their hearts,
and the lame of their father was rarely
mentioned. One day Bob returned from