The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-07-09
THE REFoRMER 1RATTLEBoRo VT. THURSDAY JULY O. 1885,

dutt Wutu cust Was CuIlctl Sic wa
ready. Her examination of the wit
nesses was sharp and the prosecuting
attorney gave her many a look of an
tagonistic admiration. Finally the
argument was begun, and then she sur
prised the court. Her command or
language was exquisite. She was i'm
ASSIGNED, and upon "A backwoods jury
passion falls with the grace of a gospel.
She wrung tears from the eyes of
those rough but soft hearted men
she threw upon them hypnotic spell
of pathos; she convinced them that the
young man was innocent and verdict
of notJ guilty was brought in. The
tavern bell was ringing as she left the
court room. Some one spoke to her.
She looked up and recognized the old
justice.
miss, 1 reckon | am about as good a
critic as you'd find in a days ride
mout ride pert boss from SUI to
sun and not find keener one and
] want to say that you made as good
II speech as ever heard
"Ithank you sir. :"
"Oh, not at all. You proved that young
fellows innocence beyond a doubt.
and he can settle right down and live
here ii he wants to-.
II am glad to hear you say that, :"
she replied, walking along with him.
"At first thought him guilty, but
now | know he is not. And by the
way he is going to settle down here.
He is doctor. -
80 You don't say SO. He didn't look
it. But when man gets down in the
world and lays in Jail awhile he don't
look much of any thing. Fust thing
we knowed of him he was poking round
here like he was sorter daft. BY the
way" he added hating at the corner
OF the street II want to tell you not to
brick office. You may stay there as
long as you want to. I've done my
duty by the old Judge, and that's all
anybody can do.
Elliot began the practice of medi-
cine. He had been graduated from
we'll known institution and was really
skillful physician. But concerning
himself he was strangely silent. One
day be successfully performed start
ling surgicalc operation and the coun
tryside rang with his name. Every
day his buggy was stopped in front of
the little brick Office and smile al
ways welcomed him. He called one night
Agnes WAS late at work. That day his
buggy had not stopped and laughingly
he said he had called to explain.
Look here he broke out, taking
seat near her desk. do you know
that it is our anniversary"
F" Our anniversary? What do you
mean?'
One year ago today you saved me
from prison
OH was all she said looking down.
And now looking back it seems that
l never lived until them was born
that day. for with your smile came the
sweet breath of life.''
"Flatterer ~ she said.
No a rare example gratitude. -
She looked at him an in her glance
Mas thrilling question.
More than gratitude he hastened to
say"
What can be more than gratitued?"
Love" he answered.
A soft wind came out of the woods
and the tin sign swung on the arm OF
the post They stood by the desk.
and his arm was about her.
Suddenly he took it away stepped |
back and folded mis- arms.
Agnes, | have made sweet con
fession, and now / must make a bitter |
one. 1 was guilty."
What" che cried, drawing back. |
Listen to me. l stole the $40. |
came here vagabond, not knowing |
whittier l went-a victim of morphine.
l was moneyless. Al night raved. |
l thouht | should 90 mad and that |
morning l stole the money and ran
away to get the drug. l got it and
then the awful sense of my crime came
upon me, and when they found me /
was in fence corner raving with my
mothers voice throbbing in my ears. |
They took me to Jail, and there, with |
the determination of one inspired, |
lessened my allowance of morphine un-
til cured myself. Yes, cured my |
body, and in the sight of God you
cured my soul. Long ago | refunded !
three times the amount of the theft
sent it anonymously. and now Agnes
She held out her hands to him.
Opie Read in Ladies Home Compan
ion.