Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-04

TOM answered Hoskins In low whisper,
land you know that well enough"
Yes, know that" replied DIR. Jack
son.
ing the kids" continued Hoskins, . 80 It's
a bargain as Ear rs I am concerned. Say.
are you on 2"
The only reply Mr. Jackson made was TO
remove his fingers from Hoskins's throat
and place the revolver in his hand.
trust you, said he. simply, but o God,
that IL should have como after so many
years. Let us get away from bore as
quickly as we can. viii come quietly
1T does seem precious rough" remark
ed Hoskns, as he and jackson walked
briskly away. "For, 10 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"
II stated at the trial that my wIfe's
brother asked me to take charge OF the par
Gel. and that l was quite ignorant OF It's
%He might lave cleared you then"
broke in Hoskins.
"IIe would have done 50, am sure," re-
piled Jackson, but. if you remember, be.
fore the case came on for triai ne diod OF
an attack OF apoplexy.n
$50 he did. so he did" replied Hoskins,
"but you got fifteen years, though you
didn't do them. How did you give 'ern the
slipI"
4 sad smile passed over Mr.. .Jackson's
face.
When man makes up his mind to do
q certain thing he generally succeeds
said be.
well. then, all / can saw" remarked
Uoskins. sententiously, "i8 that 1T IS
precious lucky for society at large that
there is so little mind among what papers
call the criminal classes"
There is no need TO finger over TINS sa q
norton of the history. James Sutton, An
escaped convict. was sent back TO work
out the uncompleted portion OF bis SEN
tence with an additional term OF bye
years for presuming 10 release himself
without the aid aud incentive OF the au-
thOritios.
Hoskins the detective was true TO his
word, and the identity Of james. sutton
with Thomas Jackson was never divulged.
III.
Six wears had passed since the events de-
scribed and the brother and sister stili re-
ma;ned in the little house at Chiswick, but
hone had now died away IN their hearts,
and the name Of their father was rarely
montioned. One day Bob returned from
tho city with look of gladneSs upon MS
manly worn face. .o,
Upon my word" said be, Chest and
Lead are good fellows. Through their
GOOD Offices / have been appointed agent
70 a sbipping firm at Gibraltar at salary
Of three hundred year and am TO start
al once. You will come with me, Nell;
tho change will do you good, for 1 cannot
INIT think that this house brings gloomy
recollections to your mind, and that you
will be better away from It," =,
but, suppose, Bob, he snouid come
and find no one to welcome him." OBJECT
ed Neil, tho tears starting TO her eyes as
she spoke. Ill, mn NoInro
+r-nod her brother. "but fear you must
give mn ali hope Of seeing our father again.
IL he had been in the land of the living he
would have come back TO US before now,
but put aside sad thoughts and begin 10
make ready for the journey"
Nell made a few more objections, Out her
brother overruled them all, ana IN thIee
weeks the brother and sister were Iistehl u
10 the strains of military band ID the ola
~ am sick of seeing nothing but soldiers,
Rob y remarked Nell, "the place seems ike
one huge barTack."
"SWef here Is change for you, though
I confess the sight is not pleasant one,
observed her brother, pointing 70 o party
of men tramplng YEARLY along the dusty
road. Bv their -brlmmed hats ana
h,doous yellow garments, daubed over
with broad arrows, Nell, with shudder,
saw that il was party of convict-la6orers.
Tramp. tramp, they came through tne
wbjta dust. a collection of human wild
hessts only restrained from gratifying
their lust for murder and raplne Dy the
careful watch which was Kept upon t1enI'
for ON each flank walked the warders,
armed with cutlass and revolver ana reauy
10 use either should the slightest sign OF
;nsubord1nation become apparent.
Tram. tramp, nearer they come, with an
ominous Jingle of leg irons, and the occa-
sional word OF command from the WarGers,
mill they arrived OF the very spot where
Rob aud his sister were standing, All az
once a deadly pallor overspreao NeiI iace,
and with O faint cry she fell BACK ilto nsI
bTntheris arms, pointing her finger towards
the conyicts. Bnt there wus 10 heo 80, r0a
tbis for Rob Jackson's eye had atthe same
moment recognized tho features OF Their
fatier =, liking at the head of tie party,
To-; expressiblv wan and weary.
Tia. =! tho brother and sister held
lone and serious council in their chamber
1T is lucky that have saved so mucn
of nav fathers money and that nave lus5
received my half-year's salary" remafAeu
Bob. ,r.u
That will have him out of this" re-
turned Bob. firmly. DO you think that
would haye our father in this hving
mo. Inever thought that you wonld.
but, oh, Bob. what can he have done - =,
"Sothing wrong, that ] will swear to-
replied Bob, q little IloglcalIy, nc was
too good a father for that. Lev US, now,
aver. consider the best course TO pursue,
Long and earnestly they debated, and
the early dawn still found them consider;
inc the matter. At last plan was agreed
From that dav Robert Jackson's mode of
life was entirely altered. Though he had
never neglected his religious duties, yet he
became much more dillgent IN their per-
formance and cultivated the acquaintance
Of the chaplain at the CONVEX hulhs WIN
The utmost perseverance. After q time ne
became welt known in the convict yard
and the hospital. He would sat by. the
bedside of the sick aud read to them from
the Book of Eternal Life. His only re-
iaxation was sailing about the bay IN
small Yacht which he had hired. For some
months he had been a constant yisltor 10
convict named James Sutton; VINO ABOUT
week before had been struck down oy a
strange illness which banied All the shin
of the surgeon OF tho convict establish
ment. .,.. A.
at seems like want of vitality, Mr.;
Jackson" remarked the medical officer"
"if it had been any man except James
Sutton Ishould call tia case of malingerlng.
but he is a different style of man to the
usual run of conyicts. Never, once re-
ported, always ready for his work1a quiet,
well-behaved man, and one WITH a sao
history. am afraid. He will not last long,
and We may as we'll make his last hours easy
ones"
Bob Jackson's face flushed. That night
"a he sat by his fathers sick-bed whis-
pered conversation took place,
as il for Tonight 2" asked the convict,
"If you feel yourself strong enough
fatherI" -,
think that was strong enough. What time
will the beat be IN waitingI"
AT midnight. DO you think you can
swim out without any one noticing yoni