Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-03-07

n tfHS to6zpsain s5Ad .Qld;fashioped' for
her. though gave her the ireiiis and
triedmy best to feel cheerful u being
driven fiEs@this way and then that,
though sometimes it was hard for me
to tell. Teddy how unhappy ! was.
| But. ever since Tom went away, he
had Seemed so worried and anxious ]
hadn't the. heart to trouble HIM -
zone evening he came home com
pletely worn out. The moment the
doctor saw him he looked pretty seri-
Gus. Before he left, he said to,Alice,
Teddy'swife: 81 hope your husbands
affairs are in good order; the,disease
is of a malignant type, and can give
no hope 'f6r his recovery" 81 .
Teddy paard him, and gave me one
fri g6fenea. glance; ,,then tunhing to
his wife and said: Would YOU leave
mother and l alone a little while;
there's something want TO tell het;'
and. as the door closed upon her, and
! i knelt down and clasped him in NY
arms, all the months and years he had
seemed to be>-growing from Ame were
bridged 6ver-Teddy was sill my boy.
"For a little time he held me close;
neither spoke, and L was almost be-
ginning to think he had forgotten what
he wanted to tel me, when he said:
Mother, ] can't go out of the world
with my crime on another mans head.
/. took the money they accused Tom
of taking, l should be where he is
now. Tom knew it,. he wouldn't tell;
once i thought I'd be brave and con-
fess all, but Tom said No. I've al
WAYS been the black Sheep, and anOth-
er black mark to the score won't hurt
like one a gainst yonr name-father
couldn't stand that and. like a cow
ard, let him. go. He's been punished
for my crime; but if he has suffered
one hundredth part what l have all
these years, pity him, | pity himl
Oh! mother. speak to me; say you for
give me, for was crying: My poor
Toni; my poor. Toni And then /
kissed Teddy, and said: Il do forgive
you, dear; and God will, too, for He
has seen your suffering;' and. then
Teddy fell back on the pillows and
smiled, and was left alone. 4 n
"After the funeral I took the. train
for the town where Tom was, with a
heart half sad, half glad. 1t was hard
to lose Teddy, to know he had not
been the boy I had always believed
him; but to have Toni home again
we'll. I couldn't be his mother and not
feel glad. So l went to the prison,
and asked for Tom. Isn't he with
you?' the superintendent said; 'he was
pardoned some time ago 'PardOnedl'
answered; he never should have
been sentenced; but where is hep 4
supposed he'd gone home. Henry he
said, TO a young man at the desk, tell
the warden to send No. II to me-
And in. a few minutes No II came ini
and, when I Saw him, couldn't keep
the tears back for pity, and the
thought of my Tom looking just like
him. And the superintendent said:
There, there, my dear lady, We'll find
your boy if we can Russell, you and
Tom Haines were friends; can you tell
us his w6ereabouts?' 30. sir; all he
said to me was: "Geod-by, old man;
I'm going to change my name and
start in again., Did he ,eyer5say to
you he was guilty?' no, sir; he stuck
to it he wasn't; but it's my opinion
he knew who was, and wouldn't tel;
for he was fine fellow, even if he was
a Jail bird s.. ;.s.- - -
"ANo,. madam; wish could; but if
you. ever find him, tell him how glad
old Russell was that'he always believed
him Innocent = SO = = ~ "
:: "For, years I've hoped and looked
and. waited for !. him., I &c
| from town to town. By. sell
ing m small wares. I manage to
keep soul and body together Every
/ hight T pray for my boys" return
every morning 4 ysken with, the hope
I that to-day may find him. And, now
Il Eaustgo,. You, have heard my story
and j III a;lll you. :, Berhaps my boy
NAV be waiting for me now; perhaps
land this-is the cross Tom gave me,
she said, holding out the shall emblem
in trembling hands. =
."No, mother; he's found you" 'ahd
/ she Turned to; hsEclasped in the arms
! of the man who had entered unseen
White the twins circled round them
crying and soStlng: IS she. our real
ly grandma, papa; our really grand
ma ~, g.. =. s.t~s tiaf ~