The Sunday morning news., 1891-12-13


like 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 a 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 her
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
cold, went into a 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, i'll 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 a 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.
4ICy AdQ AlO AuAA0LCil3 SsAn OuACt, LILO
wife, accompanied him to America. Be-
fore they decided to return it was pro-
posed that the party should 60 south
and see where the mineral property was
situated.
By strange chain of happenings, IA
ther and daughter were thus thrown
into proximity neither suspecting such
nearness or relationship.
Jason's first wife was, as before said,
a proud, ambitious woman. She lpathed
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 r-in-law to have
perished at sea. Such an impression
prevailed in his mind and gave him no
further concern.
His wife remembered her father went
to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, but his
later movements were unknown to her
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, or
the thought of him, foreyermore.
The tourists were fortunate in having
delightfully."- warm and sunny day for
their sightseeing in Birmingham. They
were driven from one point to another,
surprised at the wonderful growth and
enterprise Of the infant city.
During a short stay in an iron manu-
factory discussion arose as to the COM
parative comforts of miners and wage
workers in England and America. One
side contended for the benefits and bless
ings of the old country, while the other
drew favorable picture of the advan-
tages in the states. In this sou thern
country fuel was cheap and plentiful,
winters were short and never severe,
with less expense as to food and shelter,
etc.
1t was then proposed that one of the
Birmingham worknen should be inter-
viewed, to throw additional light on the
subject 1t CHANGED that Jason Wilson
was requested to talk for the company.
And Jason was always ready to talk.
Poor old fellowl He was dirty, his hair
unkempt, and his eyes watery and dull.
AS he approached the group, one of the
visiting party said in an undertone to
Janet, He is not a proper witness; he
has been too familiar with the whisky
jug, don't you Think"
After he shambled into their presence,
pulled his grizzled foretop and otherwise
made ready for the questioning, Janet
confessed to herself he was an unpromis-
ing subject for reliable information, but
the first answer he gave awakened her
interest to painful degree.
''Are you native OF America, my
MANI
mo, sir. was born in England, sir,
close to Bristol. Ne fayther lived there
and died there-a miner by trade all his
life. Icoom to this country twenty-six
years ago, COON next August"
"Why did you leave her majesty's
service and cast your lot with these peo-
pie, my good fellow was the next in
quiry.
''Oh, for mony reasons, sir; some very
good uns, and some not SO good; nav
can I say, sor, that hev' done well at
it, ayther. Wages is good 'nough, peo-
Pile good 'nough, barrin the naygers. but
fer all that, if could put meself back