Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-11-04
ALL FORGIVEN
A Minister'S Pathetic Story Of q
Dying Miner.


low miner had brought mo 10 his cot,
imploring me to remain with him until
the end. ...
Bart has something on his mind"
he explained, hcsitatingly. 1--WE all
think he has a confession to make, and
II you stay, it is bound to come, sooner
or later. think he'll die happier,
with the load taken off his conscience.
Bart an me both have bit OF gold
saved up. and we can pay you we'll for
the trouble of staying. 1t won't be
long now, anyway. You'll get camp
rations thrown in, an it's as healthy
here in the foothills as you'd find it
anywhere; better stay with Bart, sir,
till the end"
/ grasped RUDE Sawycr's honest,
roughencd hand. III will remain on
one condition-that you will not even
think of future payment am ont
here on needed vacation, the climate
agrees with me and | can hunt and
fish, while at the same time can help
You nurse your dying comrade."
The miners eyes glistencd. you've
got heart, Sir, an l am glad Of it.
Now, take look at Bart He's as fine
lad as you'd wish to sec; or, at least,
was before this wasting away began"
Together we entered the place, which
was part tent, part dugout. On n low
cot by the door lay man still young
in years. his face and form bearing the
traces Of great physical beauty. re-
member thinking what he must have
been in health and strength, and then
suddenly his eyes were turned upon
me. They were large, gray and pierre
ing, such eyes as arc never forgotten
And he extended q thin, shapely hand
in welcome.
you are the minister from the east
that Bart heard Of below and prom
iscd to bring me if he could. We'll, it
was mighty good of you to come. be-
long in the cast, too, you see. New
Yori's my state, and"
at is also mine" l interrupted,
pressing his long, white fingers
but you'll get back to it again, an
WON'T" he cried, with frown. 1--WE
got to die here in the Mubas foothills,
an Rubc has promised to bury nc just
outside of camp, I've lain here six
months an over, an it's long, long
death. Better die at once, an done
with it!'
"You are quite ready to dic?" /
asked, looking him full in the face.
His boyish gray eyes fell beneath my
glance.
mo, I amt, sir, an that's why
wanted you to comet I've got good
deal TO say and something to do before
the last chapter ends. I'll read you the
book OF my life if you've mind to
listen, some day. But how long can
you stay?'
AS long as you think you need me, y
answered. And honest RUDE Sawyer
seized my right hand in grateful
acknowledgment, while Barton Je'
rome, fecbly graspcd my left.
You resemble my father" the latter
said, after pause. ''IIe is Fulton
county Jerome. Must be living there
yet anyway hope so! Ever been in
Albany"
/ nodded in the affirmative.
81 was born and raised there" the
young man continued. Il think"
But violent spell of coughing came
on, and hastily withdrew, fearing he
might be tempted to begin talking
again.
Darts is bad case" said Rubt
Sawyer with sigh. 1.-The valley doc
tor says he can't live week! SO yor
won't have long to stay, after ALL"
"Ilas your. friend heard from homo
lately?" asked.
Bart never gets letters from no
body" sighed RUDE again. "An' he's
got mother, for he told me so.
reckon she loves him sight, too.
isn't every mother that has such sol
for looks You should have seen hin
when he first came to the hills
Straight rs an arrow, and six foot tall
il an inch. An then such bright eye
and curly hair liked him at frs
sight, an like Bart yet But he's go
some secret that was eating his lif,
away from the start. 'Tafnt the eli
mate! The rests all sound and healthy
Bart's just frctting his heart out owe
some past wrong-doing. But he's beer
tho finest fellow in camp, an the boy
all like him Was always doing a kin,
turn when well. An now he's dying
N.Y. my | hate to think thatl Therc'l
be folks in the east as will be awful
sorry to hear! He may tell you al
about himself, an then, again, he ma,
not. But Rubc Sawyer doesn't care t
know. I've nursed Bart like brother
though I've none myself Id do i
again Just for the smile and kind wor
he can give"
There were tears in the miners eyes
and, while he brushed them away,
turned in to the cot, pretending not 1
see. Barton Jerome was lying in Il,
uneasy slumbcr, his clcar-cut fac
turned towards me. had time then t
study it carefully, and tried to rca
the story of his wasted young life
What had he been? What had he done
Why was he dying there alone, contcn
to make no sign? These question
came again and again. There wcr
weak lines on his clean-shavcn face
telling that he had been easily il
flucuced for good and evil. He mus
have been brought up carefully an
praycriully. But he had carly gon
astray! knew that, even then. Iii
hollow checks and sunkcn eyes wcr
surely the ravagcs OF former disSip;
ticn and wrong-doing, They had nc
come in a day.
And Barton Jerome spoke aloud, a
he tossed upon his hard cot:
al took it, mother, and I've got to e.
Father will soon find it out! Don
kiss mc! | don't deserve"