The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-01-15
EBENSBURG. PA, FRIDAY, JANUARY Is. 1897.

ii would proba bly, have remained a mys-
terry to me, as it has to Ella even now,
had it not been for the following cir
cumstances: Some tim,. ago L was sent
for at the prison to see a rather des-
perate character, whose end was very
near He had been sent to seven years
penal Servitude some three years before
for forgery. and after serving two years
at Portland had been transferred to
Lowmarket. His appearance was SUI
perior to that of the ordinary convict.
even when Il forger. Although | had
seen him several times and certainly
been struck with his face and appear
ance We could not he said TO be friendly.
as he had been Indifferent to all my ad
Vances.
Il found him lying in the hospital,
and | soon S:pw that he would not live
very long.
'''You seem pleased to see me" l
said.
"'Yes, sir replied No. 152. i am
glad you've come; l hardly expected
YOU would, considering how stand
ofIish I've been. But | wanted to see
YOU. as the doctor says I'm not likely 10
last much longer-perhaps not until to-
morrow
There, well, never mind. Keep your
courage up, and you'l probably deceive
the doctor
II talked to him about his soul and
spiritual things. That we may pass by,
Howson; | believe ne WAS thoroughly
penitcnt | asked him if there was any
| thing | could do for him.
"'Yes, sir, there is one thing, if you
t. I
like to ask you His eyes looked eager
ly at me.
60 on said l.; I'll do it if possible
I've had Il queer life, sir said the
convict. L might have been somebody
and done some good: but ! got led
astray after marriage and broke the
heart of my wife, who died soon after
ward. Yes, I've led Il bad life, and it's
precious few friends I've had lately,
anyhow But | hopc may be forgiven,
as you say Cod will pardon even the
worst of us. And if you'll promise me
to do one thing when I'm dead, | shall
die happy
"'Fll promise it as far as cam said /.
What is it?'
Its to tai-c care of your wife, an
swered No. l52. 'Ah.' said he. smiling,
Take care of my wife, | gazed At
him in HmaZenent. Why, of course |
shall, But what IS that TO you?'
"A great deal said he.
"'Wky?'
| because she's-my dauShter!'
II looked at him in terror and aston
ishment, and was about to send for the
nurse and for the doctor, feeling sure
Il
Sit down, sir, please: | can't talk
much longer. You need not send for
! DIR. Darton; I'm all right. l feared it
| would give YOU a shock. sir. il gave
| me one the first time l saw her here
| with you. Ella York-you see, | know
her name all right-yvas taken when
| quite Il child by her aunt, who disowncd
me. and never told the child what her
| father was. In that she was quite right
She changed her name from Wilson to
her mothers name of York and com
plcted the disguise. Whenever I de
sired and, oh. sir, did often desire
to see Ella, my darling, Miss York has
always threatened ne with the police
! and knew better than to have them or
my track if | could help it. Yes, sir,
see YOU can't realize it yet. but you'll
find Ella Wilson's birth and baptism il
the registers of Northficld. and | give
| YOU my word it's true
Il sat in dumb silence. What could
say? Ella. my Ella, Il convict's daugh
teri
PLEASE. sir. don't tell her. said he
She has never known: don't let hel
know. But | felt | must tell you. sir
and you'Il not think any worse of her ?
n 1 D Il. 4
fully at me.
MY senses had somewhat returned
NO said ]. of course rot. I am hn!
dazed but | feel what yoH say is true
But Ella is my. own now, and Away
shall be while | live. | wish | had no
heard this, but it cannot alter my low
for Ella
s'Thank God,' he said. And. sir
there's one thing more. The dOcto
SAYS l shall sleep myself away Do yol
think IT could be managed for my dar
ling to give me one kiss ere l die-jus
one?'
"T'll try. Yes said I, she shall, i
you'll leave it to me-
81 will! God bless you, Mr.. Bourn
"I left him. When / got home Ell
thought | was i'll, and indeed I was
Oyerwork, i pleaded. In another hou
they came to tell me he was asleep, an
would not wake in this world.
81 took Ella with me to the hospital
Fila said I, "a prisoner who is dying
and who has no-few-friends. told IN
to-day how he had seen you and woul
like you to kiss him ere he died, as hi
own daughter would have done. vii
your
Certainly, my darling
''And with eyes full of tears she die
The unconscious form rose, the eyelid
half opened, the face smiled. She didn'
know: did he?
II led her away, weeping, my ow
heart full I afterward verified mi
story. But Ella has never known an
more. Howson, and never will. There
sometimes n secret which should nc
be shared between husband and wifi,
Howson, isn't there?"
"You're right, dear old JIM" said
as he grasped my hand in silence, bu
with tear-dimmed eyes, you're righ
old fellow, and God bless you both!-
birmingham Weekly News.