The Press., 1893-02-23
Did It Pay !?

The trial was over, and the man had received his sentence-''to prison" No one took any notice, for the prisoner had no friends at court" Only the officer gave a touch with his foot as he said, Wake up here and come along" . The poor young fellow lifted his face, wild, haggard and desperate, as he mutt tered, Don't drive; time will be long enough, I guess" A pull and punch from the officer hastened his movements, 'em.r
 Just dozen of "'em," ranging all the way from sixteen to sixty years. A plain looking, middle-aged woman, with noth- ing specially noticeable about her, unless it might be a tiny bow of white ribbon upon her chain, seemed watching for the prisoners, and her eyes quickly singled out this one. "Oh, Ben, I only heard about your trouble few minutes ago. Pm sorry did not get here earlier, but I am afraid I could not have helped you," and 8 gentle hand was placed up on the handcuffed wrists. A quick change swept over the face, but he said, carelessly, ''No. you'd been no use, they were all dead ag'in me; they know so much they are head of God. Let lem wait, there'll come reekonin' time, aud pI light Q fire Jog 'ena i'' F
 This last was an allusiou to what he had been sentenced for. Deacon Browns barn had been burned to the ground, and Ben Stuart. a drunken loafer about town, had been seen hanging round" at dark, and in the morning could give no satis- factory account of himself Not single man in the court room knew anything for certain-not even Ben himself-but Ben knew that, bad as he was, he had not | meant to burn the barn, but he "had been there asleep in the hay, and waking up had lighted his pipe and gone out into the air; then he was thirsty, and and started off cross lots for Mikes saloon, where he had no trouble to get drink, then he went down by the river and crawled up to the brush-heap, and next thing the of ficers were punching him in the morning" !"
 He had told this over and over again, but all laughed and said "'twas we'll known Ben had grudge against Deacon Brown for discharging him."
 When his sentence was given he drop ped his head into his hands and registered a VOW that "when his time was out he'd burn Browns house over his head if he had to swing for it."
 This sounds dreadful but you wouldn't wonder if you knew Ben's story. Born in an almshouse, and his mother a poor waif, whom 'the town had cared for'' in such 8 way that at fifteen she had brought into the world this child, kicked and cuff. ed, the uninteresting pauper child had grown old fast: Twice 'thome" had been provided him, where he was "tc work and go to school three months in g year" but he proved incorrigible- would get to the cider barrel in spite of al watching, and was dangerous to have round"
 At twenty three we've seen him old il wickedness, and now sentenced "wher. he'd be safe for while." Just two per sons had ever spoken kindly to him
 Browns little daughter, when he worked for her father, and this woman, who's,
 hand had touched the irons upon his wris as though they pained her, and she hat asked him into the mission, and ''alway
 Saamad olad to SAn him .....
 There was only chance for goodbye
 and Ben was on his way to prison. Tim
 went on, and Ben minded his ways,
 and was reckoned Ia good prisoner
 The restraint and regularity of his Tiff
 was good for him physically, but mentall and morally he remained a dwarf. Onl one thought possessed him, ito get ou and get even with Brown" s.'' The regular Sunday services had ha , no interest to him, only once when Brow !, had "helped," :" and Ben had seen hinnse
 pointed out to Browns friends-thep h r HOLLAND COUNTY G' MUTUAL
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