Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-03-09

Teddy would help 20 keep Tom steady.
Y was the second summer they were
here. Teddy was working very hard
the always cared too much for money.
I thought. though John never seemed
TO see it), and Tom was doing pretty
well. There had been a little trouble
once or twice. John never told nee all
about IL, but he had made things all
eight. and Tom kept his p.ace--Nhen.
one nigh. b. some one drove up TO the
lcOr. and heard Toms voice calling
Mother Gather was sick in bed a.
the tims). SO I ran out to see what
was the matter; and there, with an
officer each side of him. stood Tom.
Mother he said. "A lot OF money
has been taken from the bank don't
tell fathsr); and am arrested for
the theft Then, reaching out his
bands to me-the irons on them-and.
oh. thought my heart would break
at the sight. Mother he cried. do
you believe me guilty2" and I looked
into his face. where there was only
truth and sorrow. NO, Tom. mol "
cried; "but tell me who did st."
- can't. don't ask me. DON'T ask"
he said, with such n look OF pain on
bis face as shall never forget. "Only
believe me innocent; and. here, mother.
is little gold cross I got for your
birthday; keep il always. and per-
haps some day you'll know" And he
kissed me goOd-by. And the voice OF
the little woman broke in a sob. and
the eyes Of the young mother were wet
with the quick dew of sympathy.
he, a. =
closed upon our boy the gates Of Henv-
en- opened 90 his father. and Teddy and
/ were left alone in the world.
Though ! grieved for Tom and
father. we lived happily and com
fOrtably till the day Teddy brought
home wife; cold. proud, ill-tem-
pered woman. She never liked me;
I was too plain and old-fashioned for
her, though gave her the reins and
tried my best 10 feel cheerful In being
driven first this way and then that,
though sometimes il 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.
"One evening he came home com
pletely worn out. The moment the
doctor saw him he looked pretty Seri-
Gus. Before he left. ne said 20 Alice.
Teddy's wife: II hope your husband.
affairs are in good order; the disease
is of a malignant type. and can give
no hope for his recovery"
Teddy heard him, and gave me one
frightened glance, tnen, turning 20
his wife and said: Would YOU leave
mother and I alone a little while;
there's something l want 20 tell her:'
and, as the door closed upon her, and
| knelt down and clasped him in my
arms, al the months and years he had
seemed TO be growing from me were
oridged Over-Teddy was still my boy.
"For a little time he held me close;
neither spoke, and was almost be-
ginningto think he had forgotten what
be wanted TO tell me, when he said:
Mother, l can't go out OF the world
with my crime on another mans head.
J took the money they accused Tom
of taking. I should be where he is
now. Tom knew it; he wouldn't tell;
once l 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 20 the score won't hurt
like one against your 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 I have all
these years, 1 pity him. ! pity himi
Oh! mother, speak TO me; say YOU for
give me, for 1 was crying: NY poor
Tom; my poor Toni And then I
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 l was left alone
After the funeral | took the train
for the town where Tom was, with a
heart half sad. half glad. Ii was hard
TO lose Teddy, to know he had not
been the boy ! had always believed
him; but TO have Tom home again
well, / couldn't be his mother and not
feel glRd. So l went to the prison.
and asked for Tom. Isn't he with
you? the superintendent said; he was
2ardoned some time ago 'Pardonedl'
answered; he never should have
been sentenced; but where is hep i
supposed he'd gone home. Henry ne
said. TO a young man at the desk. tell
the warden TO send No. II to me :
And in few minutes No. Il came in;
and. when | saw him, 1 eouldn's keep
the tears back for pity, and the
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