The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-10-18
CHAPTER v.-(OntinueO

waited no longer: hastily hacking
flew clothes in Il bundle that could
carr in my hand. writing 4 not" 10 my
law yer. instructing ilim 10 collect the
rents. and remit the proceeds as
should afterwards direct. and giving
him permission to rent my house. |
clasped my boy by the hand. and | re-
member to this moment with what
thrilling fcryor he returned that
grasp. and out into the darkness and
storm we went together-ny boy and
/. Cared | not where / went,
nor how fcarfuly the storm
ragged. how vivid the lightning. how
swollen the streams. how dangerous
Che bridges. for the danger ahead. no
matter what it might be. even unto
death. if death would come to both
alike, was sunshine and depthless JOY
to the unreasonable horror of the dam
ger which lurked behind.
| was by no means poor. ] had on
my person quite Il sum of money. But
money then was dangerous. 1t might
lure me into the very jaws was flee
ing from. To board the midnight train
simply meant that on the morrow the
telegraph and the law would stay my
journey. Toprocurc conveyance and
ride across the country to railroad
station where none knew me. or my
boy. or my story. would only put pur
suers on my track. need not relate
that night s experience. refer to it
now with dread and horror. | found
kind friends who aided me and my boy
to Zee.
One afternoon we reached the village
OF SANDY Lake, then quiet little set
tlomcnt where | felt my hoy was safe.
changed my name to Patterson. 1t
wa, my grandmother name. | need
not excuse that act. Before my God |
] felt that | was justified in doing any
thing not criminal. that would prevent
being robbed of my boy.
My life here is familiar to YOU and
The good people of this ncighborhood.
j have sought to do good to my fellow
men ana fcliow-womcn. and trust that
when am dead some one will have
cause to say that the world is little
better for Mrs. Patterson having lived
In it.
F'our years passed and | was begin
ming to make myself believe that my
hldirg place would never he discovered
b., the father of my boy. 1t was not to
b. 50.
One evening. just ut dusk. my dar
house. all out of breath. and when he
could speak he told me of meeting IL
stranger who had asked several
quest IONS about his mother and had
bassic him run home and say that Silas
GrOundw =. an acquaintance OF years
ogC.wOlld call to see her ut once. Ere
the. boy had finished his message. the
man came. | remembered too we'll
that name. 1t was my husband. the
fat hcr Uf my boy. NV heart ceased to
throh. AT least thought it did. When
the hot blood ought to have rOurScd
through NY veins at lightning speed,
il ia'"J to do its work. and | stood be-
for The man transtiXed with horror.
hnt fortunately did not lose my con-
seriousness.
We'll. Madame. this is rather Il
cold reception to extend to your hus-
hand after the long chase you have
given him.
His voice brought me to- mssc'f In
II moment gathered strength, not the
puny strength of IL WON n. nut the
strength OF Il giant. The hl w he gave
me years before on that bid of pain
seemed to be inflicted a. lin. and again
it Stun- me to the heart. | looked
about me and saw we were alone. | was
SO thankful my boy had returned to his
play. Cool and al MY rs ! write these
words. | ga2cd at that man. | saw. he
w:.s wreck. an! that kind Of Il wreck
which is ell danger. looked him
straight in the eye. There was no
hope there. His li.s were closed
though livid with an a>hcn hue saw
the color come and 20 in his face. a. If
his brain was busy with the past
hn nj, .t.sli i
with holiness tina, chilled me
through. replied:
Sit down. sir.
No. prefer tn stand.
rs You please" answered.
"'~t.1an GroUndwig.
Nj the me ut ION of hat name startc "a
as shcugh he hai struck me and NY
boy unot her blow. | was suhdued in
second. | bs,amc meek and veal;
a. u little child. All my great cour.
aye bad gone from, NE. | was help.
les. ana powcrless. felt was again
in that man : mercy. \ dread OF Il ter
rihle something about 10 happen I'M.
merry cd mo. ami waited with hreac h.
less anxiety the next s,epin the drama
Was it to end with Il tragedy:
Susan Grounding" and | again
started at the sound 81 that name
''Iou do not answer. Doyou not know
syclir name? You may forget it. bul
yoa canno. forget YOU are my wife"
''Siias Groundwig." ut last | fount
strength and courage to say. ''yol
hive no right. sir. to call me hy tha
name When Il husband strikes hi
wife and her unborn babe Il blow will
intent to kill both. he has no right I,
ever again come into that womah'
presence and pollute the air sh'
breaihes with word from his lips. I,
save my child from your merciles
clutches. fled from my home. To al
4 held dear on earth my boy and bad
.t,ternal farewell. Mothers grave
fathers memory. the home OF my child
heed, all. everything. l led from. t
escape your threat to carry on m
child. AZ last you have found me