The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-29

THE HAND OF PROVIDENCE.


"What is your name?' demanded the
Judge Of the Young man thus brought be-
fore him.
The fellow hesitatod an instant, and a
lie trembled on his lips; but then looking
around and seeing maMy who could iden-
tify him, he knew that falsehood would
be useless, and suilenly replied:
''Silas Thatcher"
"Whers do you live%
son Hester-st., neGr the Bowery, in
New York"
"What is your business?"
"Haint got none"
"What have you to say in reply to the
statement which you have just heard
made bv this gentleman, to the effect that
you sold this seal to him?"
"Nothin'." answered Silas after little
hesitation.
"No.hing? But do you not understand,
Young man. that this may be very seri-
Gus matter? / do not ask you that you
msy criminate yourself in any way, but
With the hope that if you have any rea-
gonable explanation to offer you will not
withhold il. How did this seal come into
Four possession"
silas paled, was visibly perturbed, and
hesitated longer than before. then re-
spondsd doggedly:
~ haint GOT nothin' to say. l want a
lawyer, do
The Judge was silent for moment. then
replied drily.
"Of course YOU are entitled to counsel.
You VII stsnd committed for further ex-
lminstion. Nr Sheriff. adjourn court I'M
bill the usual hour tomorrow morning"
u was a low NJ and q hopeful interview
that Dorm and Mary had at mis- cell door
thar evening, ard Mr. Holden had the
pleasure Of being present during at least a
part Of it, when he received the hear tielt
thanks Of both for his opportune sid in
their darkest hour. Peter Van Deust,
whose wits were manifestly falling, had
not SEEMED TO com prehend VIII at was done
in the courtroom after he had sustained
the violent mental shock OF recognizing
his murdered brothers seal. and had
camored, at the adjournment of the court,
for the arrest of the New York lawyer.
But the Judge smilingiy replied that ne
would himself be responsible Tor the at
tendance OF Mr. Holden, whenever it
might be required, and had gone away
down the main street to the tavern. arm
in arm, with that gentleman, sight that
had fairly stunned poor old Peter. After
dinner Mr. Holden paid his visit TO DOrn's
cell. and the Judge said he. too. would ike
TO 90 along but Tor the looks OF it, ns be
considers Dorm now virtually a free
man, and had ali along suspected that he
was an innocent one.
The prosecuting attorney Was alone in
his cdica that evening, looking over re-
sumo of another case, that of q mere
horse thief, which would succeed Dorm
Hacketfs IL order OF trIRl-for he had al
realy gwen up all hope OF hanging Dorm
when the sheriff entered. win an air OF
ming ed eagerness and caution, to inform
him, 10 a sort OF melodranatic whisper:
''Siias Thatcher's father has asked per-
mission to see his son IN mis- cell. and l
have had him de aged until l could tell
Tou. DO YOU wish to overhear their in
erVieW
rather think-Pd like to-" answered
ihe prosecutor, msditatively. 81 shall
have him in hand before long, no doubt.
lnd N ght as well know beforehand what
ne has TO say for himself"
The men passed together through the
Jherif' 5 Office, and by private entrance
Eherefrom into the rear part OF the jail,
6rst taking OF their boots that their steps
might not be heard on the stone floor.
When they entered the corridor, along
bne side OF which the cells were located,
thev moved with caution, and nOlselesslY
entered dark and unoccu pied cell ad-
Joining that IN which Silss was confined.
After a little quiet fumbling along the wall
the sheriff found the end of a string,
which he pulled, thus conveying 10 his
assistant IN the front Office of the Jail,
where Uncle Thatcher was waiting. a pri-
vate signal that all was ready. 10 a few
minutes more the grim old man was
shown IN By theai ailer, and permitted to
enter bis sons cell, the door of which was
locked upon him. Every sound made
there was clearly audible whore the pros-
ccutOr and sheriff were.
Silas, to whom the interior of a prison
was not altogether a novelty, had laid
down with a sort Of philosophical content
upon his little cot bed, but sat up, some
what surprised. when his father appeared.
Tho taller put upon the stone floor the tin
candlestick holding a tallow candle which
be had carried in and went away.
For some moments neither father nor
pon spoke a word. The old man was the
first to break the oppressive silence.
$50" said he, this Is where l find you
ct last"
Eyes. it is, and what of it?" retorted
Silas sullenly.
MY God How l have dreaded this
shame this hoTrorl How the fear of il
has haunted me, day aud night, foE
years"
III you've come here for to preach 10
me, why. you might a. we'll drop it that's
all. / amt no chicken. I'm a man, am.
and game for oil there is in the pot |
amt afraid. 1 don't want no snivellint
around msp
''SiI&s, haven't come here either to
preach or SWIVEL. / have come TO learn
il l can, whether the agony and blighting
shame OF seeing a son hanged is likely &c
be mine or not"
The young rsprObate WINGED visibly ai
his fathers plain speech, and it was with
eviolent effort, belied by bis pallid lipl
and Quavering voice. that he assumed
sufficient bravsdo TO reply:
whats the use OF making fuss abou
feller's getting into little scrspe? II
get out Of IL ali right. All | want is gooc
LAWYER. 1t might happen 20 any Teller &C
get into a hole. Fellers get into EN- al
the time aud get out Of 'em again. Thi.
morning everybody thought Dorm Hacket
was in the worst kind OF hole, but to