Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-05-24

There are many sides to the character of
President Cleveland, and one of them is
very broad human sympathy which is hidden
behind somewhat aggressive and positive
exterior. A story illustrating it comes from
Mr.. A. G. Hesing, father of Washington
Hesing, and proprietor of the Chicago
Stats Zeit,nq. 1t grows out of a sadly
romantic incident.
When Samuel J. Tilden was Governor of
New York State, in little interior town
lived a little girl who loved not wisely but
too we'll. She was the daughter of a fairly
prosperous German. Her young brother
thirsted to aveuge her wrong. He began in
systematic way to destroy valuable proper
ty belonging to the seducer. If he had
been older he would have used a knife or
pistol. Finally he was arrested for arson,
and, after trial, was given Il penitentiary
term of twenty-six years.
Very soon after the wrecked family NOV
ed to Illinois. They met Mr.. Hesing, who
is man of strong philanthropy. Besides,
they were members of his own race, and
were strangers in strange land. Hearing
the story from the fathers lips, he deter
mined to do what he could in the boys be-
half. He wrote to Gov. Tilden, reciting
the circumstances which had impelled the
youth to his crime, and asked for his par
don. He agreed to take charge of the
young convict, place him in honorable en-
ployment, and be personally responsible
for his future conduct. He got no word of
reply.
A decade later Grover Cleveland was in
the executive chair. In rummaging thro'
old letters and official papers one idle day.
at Albany Mr. Hesing's long ago appeal
fell into his hands A very little while
afterward the Chicago editor was in receipt
of letter from Mr. Cleveland. 1t desired
to know if he was still of the same mind
with regard to the liberation of the boy
convict. Hesing was surprised, but imme-
diately replied in the affirmative. He
received one more letter from the executive.
1t exhorted him to keep faith. The next
development was the young fellows arrival
in Chicago. He had grown to manhood's
estate, and the life of the prison had made
him middle aged in look. His own father
would have been unable TO recognize him,
but Gov. Cleveland had arranged method
of Identification peculiar to his own.
He had ordered the young coDvicts re-
lease, summoned him to personal confer
ence and told him what Mr.. Hesing pro-
posed to do.
"Upon this mans request and pledge,"
said Mr. Cleveland, 81 have issued you a
pardon. You are free. l want yon keep
faith with him, as he is morally bound to
me as your surety.
"Hesing has never seen you, and your
appearance is so changed that probably
your father and mother will not know you.
l have advised your Chicago benefactor
that he will be able to identify you upon
your arrival in that city by means of a
white handkerchief about your arm. Here
is railway ticket. expect you to make
man of yourself Goodbye"
The dazed criminal was met at the Chica-
go depot by Mr.. Hesing and by his father.
1t was a home coming family reunion that
any man with mans heart can imagine,
but not paint in type.
The editor the Stats Zeitung was as good
as his word He found place for his pro-
tege 1t is pleasing to know as set-off to
some of the charges against poor human
nature that he was not disappointed. The
boy-felon now has gray in his hair and
beard. He is member of one of the most
prominent and prosperous drug firms of the
West