Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

letters were long In coming In thost
days, and Janet was not q brisk and
ready writer, but she wrote some words
to Jason, after she had duly digested the
accounts thai Dennis gave the neighbon
faithfully repeated 70 the irate wife)
that woke him up t. the entanglementi
of his situation. He did what smarter
men than he have done-he fed with bis
second choice.
BY the time he was located in Ten.
nessee, Milly had a pulling infant to carr
for. Before many years had passed she
had several of them, and Jason was as
beery and thriftless as ever. Milly wa:
always a faithful adherent-she worked
like a slave-and her children took after
her in looks and qualities. Jason was a
rough customer in his drinking spells
and everybody at home gave him wide
berth until his "drunk spell" was over.
The children had no education; in fact,
the family difficulties kept them in the
background as matter of policy.
While Jason felt himself the lord and
master of poor, yielding Milly, he had q
wholesome fear Of high spirited Janet
There was no telling when she or hel
agents might seek out her criminal hus'
band and make him pay the penalty OF
bigamy. His guilty conscience made
him coward. He was in constant fear
Of exposure and disgrace.
1t happened that Milly and the chill.
dren were privileged to attend camp
meeting. A sermon from the text, "Be
sure your sin will find you out" pene-
trated her conscience, and she was trans
formed from an apathetic sinner to a
morbid seeker of religion. Her mental
suffering affected her health. She TOOK
a cold, went into rapid consumption
and died.
After various removals, Jason drifted
to Birmingham, Alabama, where iron
foundries, coal and iron mines and vari-
GUS similar enterprises attracted labor
ing men from all over the country.
There he struggled along, drinking and
working when he would, and getting the
wages of his minor children for sup.
port Whisky was still his master, keep
ing him poor, ill tempered and dissatis-
fed.
In the meantime Janet had prospered.
By good fortune she entered wealthy
lady's house as housekeeper, She was
recognized as widow-respectable and
capable. By the time little Janet was
grown, her mother was able to educate
her fairly. She was a handsome girl,
quick to learn and also to profit by her
opportunities. She married young
tradesman, who prospered exceedingly
well in his business. He risked some of
his surplus money with an English syn
dicate, who purchased southern coal and
mineral lands as an investment.
In progress of time an opportunity
presented itself for an American trip.
They had no children, and Janet, his
wife, accompanied him to America. Be
fore they decided to return it was pro-
posed that the party should go south
and see where the mineral property was
situated.
By strange chain of happenings, ia
ther and daughter were thus thrown
into neutrality-suspicious. suspecting such
nearness or relationship.
Jason's first wife was, as before said,
a proud, ambitious woman. She loathed
the thought of his abandonment and dis.
graced character. She confded the
facts.to her daughter, with peremptory
cautionings to keep this disreputable
part of their family history profound
secret. The husband of the younger
Janet believed his father -in-law to have
perished at sea. Such an impression
prevailed in his mind and gave him nc
further concern.
His wife remembered her father went
to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, but his
later movements were unknown to hel
or her mother; in fact, the latter resolved
to know nothing of him by any act OF
her own. The farther apart he kept
himself the better she would be pleased
She prayed to be delivered from him, OF
the thought of him, forevermore.
The tourists were fortunate in having
a delightfully."- warm and sunny day TO.
their sightseeing in Birmingham. They
were driven from one point to another
surprised at the wonderful growth and
enterprise of the infant city.
During short stay in an iron manu-
factory discussion arose as to tho coin
parative col forts Of miners and wagt
workers in England and America. One
side contended for the benefits and bless
ings of the old country, while the othel
drew favorable picture of the advan
tages in the states. In this southern
country fuel was cheap and plentiful
winters were short and never severe
with less expense az to food and shelter
etc.
It was then proposed that one of th'
Birmingham workmen should be inter
viewed, to throw additional light on th'
subject. It chanced that Jason Wilson
was requested to talk for the company.
And Jason was always ready to talk
Poor old fellowl He was dirty, his hal
unkempt, and his eyes watery and dull
AS he approached the group, one of tn
visiting party said in an undertone t.
Janet, HE is not proper witness; h
has been too familiar with the whisk,
jug, don't you thinkH"
After he shambled into their presence
pulled his grizzled foretop and otherwis
made ready for the questioning, Jane
confessed to herself he was an unpromis
ing subject for reliable information, bu
the first answer he gave awakened he
interest to painful degree.
"Are you native of America, m,
NAM
"No, sir. Twas born in England, sir
close to Bristol. Me fayther lived ther
and died there-a miner by trade all hi
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