The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-07-26

returned TO their west IehHeSoeo AV'no'
where it is hoped some rays of sunshine
frightened again his life. Yes. it. is said
IL Vas happy there One CHEEKY afternoon
be and his beautiful baby boy were ENJOY
ing q frolic on the front veranda or MS
pretty home; the child was playing hiding
his fathers crutches. Some diversion
happened and the crutches were not return
ed to their usual place by the colonels sloe'
who was quietly resting in his easy cllaiI'
enjoying good cigar, when, WthouI
moments warning, he saw his ldollzeu pIy
crawling to the edge of the high yeranda
He reached for his crutches-aias! they
were out of place, and without them he
was as helpless as the infant Inc htlle
innocent needed not the pleading, OF the
acOniZed father but in the tWinkllng OF
an eye his little form disappeared over the
wall, one faint cry and all was over Inc
golden-haired darling had struck the stone
pavement fifteen feet below-that night the
little soul was III paradise.
The agony of the father can never be
written; his rawlings were heart-rending-1
the loss of his leg had lost him son. Is
it wonder that man would be crazed under
such circumstances!
Time came and Went Inc 1rlenGs OIL
Marshall Polk made him treasurer OF the
great state of Tennessee, and the last SAD
tragedy in this unfortunate mans lie IS
still fresh in the minds of the public. a
born soldier, he knew nothing of the meth-
DDS of transacting civil business. Willing
and inscriptions friends engineered the
affairs of the state for him, borrowing
large sums of money which were lost III
speculation The result was Il large short
age in the treasurers accounts. .
When told of this sad truth by his chlef
clerk the man became desperate re saw
his disgrace written on the Wail-Hoik
would be proven defaulter-ln the eyes
of the world he had been untalth1nl TO ms
trust, had dishonored his family, ana
couId no longer hope to be counted the
of
tons were made, and with his COUSIN, van
lenr Polk. and a servant, he left Nashville
fugitive. n,a,.,,,o,.
Polk had fled. all Tennessee was aroused.
Telegrams were sent every ponce headquat-
tcrs in the United States, and large rewards
offered for his capture. Colonel FOLK Went
direct to New Orleans disguised as u
friends in the Crescent City, who assisted
him and his party to reach the Mexican
border. The reward offered for the treas,
| urer's arrest was a very tempting on al,u
heavily guarded At the close of one sad
| day, Just at nightfall, the way was thought
| to he clear. Colonel Polk and party rode
| TO a secluded spot, and in few moments
| would have been safe in Mexico;
| The United States marshai anu-1ds poS H9
| had been watching all day, and seeing the
party, dashed out from their hiding place
| demanding a halt. Colonel Polk in a meas
IRE resisted and gave an assumed IidlIc'
| After n few moments of sad reHecIioh' the
| officer in command diSmounted. waking
| within speaking distance of the three men
| he said; Colonel Marshal Polk, 1t becomes
my painful duty as, United States lnarSh''l
| Of the western district of IcXaS to arrest
| YOU, [ am none other than Harry Lee
| Gosling the boy who once knew ana loNed
| you in Shelbyville, Tenn. ! know you now now!
| and believe though ! must discharge inns;
nv painful duty, | am still your TREND
! C01onel Polk dismounted, the officer and the
| colonel clasped hands, strong men Wept'
| and Treasurer Polk was Costing prisoner
The return was quickly made 10 lehheS-
| see. Marshal GoSling showing every couf-
| tesy en- route to his unfortunate prisoner;
| The ex-treasurer was now broken-hcarted
| old man. looking twenty years older IMAM
| when he fed the state. He was never seen
| 10 smile again. refusing to talk ne brought
no charges neither attempted any defense,
| but Law in his prison pale and haggard
| taking no thought of the morrow. FRIENDS
| and relatives were busy preparing q strong
| defense, but man proposes and Coo dls-
poses
| sicians to be o dying man. He was moved
| to his home. and though safely guarded,
| his hgmily was allowed to attend him. and
| long before the trial came up which was to
| doom man by the honored name OF Rolk
| 10 a felon's cell. the noble spirit of brave
| Marsh Polk was liberated and passed
| into the spirit world
! In the presence of death the rancor OF
! life is forgotten. There the brilIiance OF
Folks intellect will be remembered and
| all who knew him will pay him rever-
! encc.
The death and burial OF Colonel Polk was
| vouched for by hundreds of true Christians
people of Tennessee, yet the wild rumor
| went forth that an empty coffin had been in
TERED and that the ex-treasurer was luxurl-
| atlng among the silver fields in Mexico.
MARIE LOUISE MYRICK.