Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1892-11-08
ALL FORGIVEN.
A Minister'S Pathetic Story of q
Dying Miner.

a hlllbVer y faJneIlC OJOIy ol u
Dying Miner.
first saw Barton Jerome in the sum-
mer of 80. He was slowly dying Of
consumption, in remote camp put In
the Mubas foothills, and q hardy fell
low miner had brought me to his cot,
imploring me TO remain with him until
the end.
Bart has something on his mind"
he explained. hesitatingly. 1--WE all
think he has a confession TO make, and
II You stay, 1t is bound TO come, sooner
or later. I think he'll die happier,
with the load taken off his conscience.
Bart an me both have a bit OF gold
saved up, and we can pay you we'll for
the trouble of staying. II won't be
long now, anyway. You'll get camp
rations thrown In, au' it's as healthy
here in the foothills as you'd find IL
anywhere; better stay with Bart, sir,
till the endr'
l graspcd Rube Sawyer's honest,
roughened band III will remain on
one condition-that you will not even
here on a needed vacation. the climate
agrees with me and I can hunt and
fish, while ut the same time can help
you nurse your dying comrade."
The miners eyes glistened. You've
got heart, sir, an am glad of IL.
Now, take a look at Bart. He's as fine
a lad as you'd wish TO see; or, at least,
was before this wasting away began. /"
Together wo-entered the place, which
was part tent, part dngout. On a 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 are never forgotten.
And he extended thin, shapely hand
In welcome.
"You are the minister from the east
that Bart heard Of below and prom
ised to bring me II he could. Well, il
was mighty good of you 10 come. be-
long in the east, too, you see. New
York's my state. and"
''lt Is also NINE" interrupted.
pressing his long, white fingers.
"But you'll get back to it again, an
| won'tr' he cried, with frown. 1--WE
got 10 die here Ia the Mubas foothills,
an Rube has promised TO bury me lust
outside of camp. I've lain here six
months an over, an it's a long, long
death. Better die at once, an done
with it,
"You are quite ready TO die?" l
asked, looking him full in the face.
His boyish gray eyes fell beneath my
glance.
mo, amt sir. an that's why
wanted YOU TO comet I've got good
deal TO say aud something TO do before
the last chapter ends. I'll read you the
book OF my life IL you've a mind to
listen. some day. But how long can
you stay?''
AS long as you think you need me, +"
/ answered And honest Rube Sawyer
seized my right hand in grateful
acknowledgment, while Barton Je-
rome feebly grasped my left.
lyon resemble my father" the latter
said, after pause. "He is a Fulton
county Jerome. Must be living there
vet anyway hope so! Ever been In
Albany"
nodded In the affirmative.
~ was born and raised there" the
young man continued. ~ 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 Rube
Sawyer, with a sigh. "The valley doc
tor says he can't live week. So you
won't have long to stay, after all"
"Has your friend heard from home
lately?' asked.
"Bart never gets letters from no.
body" sighed RUDE again. "An' he's
>rot a mother. for he told me so. I
reckon she loves him a sight, too. IL
isn't every mother that has such a SON
for looks You should have seen him
when he first came TO tho hills.
straight as an arrow, and SIX foot tall.
II an inch. An then such bright ewes
and curly hairl n liked Linn M 6rst
SIGHT. nm, l like Bart vet. But he's rot
some secret that was eating his life
avav from the start. ,Tain't tho eli.
mattel The rests all sound and healthy.
Rart's inst fretting his heart ont over
acme mast wrong-doipg But he's been
the finest fellow In camp. an the bows
ali like him. Was always doing a kind
turn when well. An now he's dyingl