Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-01-29
CHAPTER XXI.
THE DYING CHILD.

approached, the less chance there
seemed to be of proving her innocence.
There were SO many corrObOrating cir
cumstances to fasten the guilt upon her.
But, strange to say, a reaction had set
in. Public sentiment, as to the belief
in her guilt, was Just the same, but she
was gaining sympathy every day. The
weekly Newton paprrs-for Newton,
like all other Western towns, had two
newspapers with an average cord-wood
subscription of four hundred cach-had
two columns, and several "squibs,"
devoted to larceny.
One headed the column of his article
"a Pity" and the other had shane
as the catch line. The pity was for the
Girl, and the shame was that she
should be SO neglected that she should
be forced to steal for herself
and little brother. These two papers
were the Newton Republican, and tho
Newton Democrat. both political sheets,
whose main idea was to carry the
county for their party in order to get
the public printing, which is the life
blood of many Il country newspaper.
Both seemed to harmoniZe, for once, on
the one idea of sympathy for the poor
girl, even to suggesting pardon,
should she be convicted. This set pco-
pie to talking Many who had known
her formerly. and knew what n sweet.
patient girl Sh" had been; how she had
borne her misfnrtunes declared she
ought to be acquitted, even if sic were
guilty. OF course she was guilty.
Judge Arnold never would have made
such blunder as that
About three days before the trial,
Clarence, who had sought in vain for
his brothers address. went to Newton
to consult the lawyer, Mr.. Layman.
His father had grown more kindly to-
ward the girl, though he declared he
was actuatrd only by sympathy. He
knew she must be guilty.
Clarence saw Mr. Layman and talked
with him about the case. That gentle
man had little hope, save the strong pub
lie sympathy for his client. He went to
see Helen to offer some words of consola-
ton, and found her much more sad and
detected than at first.
Have YOU seen my little brothcr"
were almost the first words She uttered.
"No, Helen, declare | was SO busy
about you. that I forgot Amos, but L
guess he's all right
''Hc's ut the pOOr-hnuSc. she said.
"INhat in the hands of that scoun-
drrl, Bill Jones? 1t can not be.
Helen assured him he was there, and
very ill. The wrtting he got the even
ing before her arrest had resulted in a
dangerous fever
Clarence vowed he should be taken
home that night, and in Il hour was rat
thing away to the poor-housc. When
he reached the front gate, n miserable,
rotten, tumble-down affair, he was
accostcd by Bill Jones, the keeper, a
pipe in his mouth, and his hands in his
pockets:
What do you want here, Clarence?"
he demanded.
Il came here for the little sick boy"
Clarence answered.
(Which un?"
"Amus Lakeman."
"Who've You got your orders fromP"
"From Heaven" answered Clarence,
htching his horse, and pushing on
through the gate Nast the burly keeper.
"Ye'd better show your writin> $.
"Where is hep" demanded Clarence.
At this moment Simple Nancy, with
her hidcous gigglc, arose from behind
tree, and said
) "This way, this way"
He followed the woman to an
old hut, dark, miserable and dirty.
There, on wrctchcd bed, lay thu
wasted form of little Amos. His
crutches were near him, but he would
never need them again. He was about
to take wings to the land of eternal
day, where sorrow and suffering are
unknown.
Clarence was Il strong youth, and
deemed it Il weakness to weep, yet he
could not reprcss his tears ut this sight
of misery.
"Amos, my dear little boy" he said
81 have come to take you home witt
me. Do you want to go?"
1t was with an effort, the little fellow
said: "Ycs-yes, it's so nice there
The angels will come to me there, anc
I'm goin' to die soon. They'll never
come to take me to Heaven if 1 dit
here" tSsa
You shall! go at once,' said Clar
ence.
n "Well, Wen see!" cried Bill Jones
with an oath. He stood in the door
his fists clenchcd. The timid paupcr
a fled at the first indications of hostili
q ties.
4 Clarence was rash and indiscreet il
fIic bo hiO,Snlf r., hc in, al
" other things. At Il bound he struck tn
ruflian, Jones, blow in the mouth
' which fcllcd him to the ground. Jone
!, was hardly prepared for such an attack
and learned to his cost the power O
. that Herculean arm.
GNnw.Tho EI0HiSf