The Washington times., 1902-04-27
A Redemption
By FREDERICK SCHwED.
"HE cars iarred and clacked al

Admission depot; then the hiss of
escaping steam changed to soft
er rhythmic putting. as the engine settled
down, and the train ratified steadily over
the level stretch of track on all sides
the encircling Alabama ore mountains.
shimmering in the heat haze. seemed to
shut out the rest of the universe In the
immediate foreground unvarying fields of
green, brown, and yellow flashed by in
bold relief.
In one of the cars sat two men, whom
the heat, or some other factor, had rem
dered singularly yuncommunica;ive Though
obviously travelling together. they had ex-
changed barely dozen words in the two
hours since their departure from Annis-
ton. The smaller man. with the blond
peard, seemed endeavoring 10 pierce some
mystery that lay beyond the landscape
and gazed fxedly out of the window; his
companion, large, dark man. in the seat
opposite. seefned bored md shifted his
gaze languidly and aimlessly
a little, restless old man in the seat
pehlnd-the only other passenger in the
car-had been observing them -curiously
and shyly for some time. He was perhaps
sixty years old. with white hair. mild
blue eyes, and mobile mouth. Several
times he had been on the point of ad-
pressing his fellow-travelers. but on each
occasion some subtle impulse had re-
strained him Finally he bent over the
back of the seat.
Can either of you gentlemen tell me
now lcng it will be before We get to
Calera?'
The smaller stared steadily for perhaps
ten seconds, then, his curiosity seemingly
appeased, turned back TO his scrutiny Of
the fields. The other, however was not
so lacking in courtesy
In about an hour" he responded.
''oh. thanks" The cid gentleman did
not seem satisfied. but gazed around
vaguely, and then again addressed HIM
self doubtfully to the pair
DO you mind if l ask you a question
or two about some things / want to
know very badly" he said, glancing ap-
pealingly from one to the other. Once
again only the larger man answered, or,
indeed, eyinced any recognition of his
questioner's existence.
WHY, yes," he answered cordially.
Sit right down here. and I'll do the best
know how for you. What do you want TO
know?''
We'll" began the elder man hesitat-
ingly, II had boy come down to Mont
gomery about fifteen years ago. A few
months after he left our house burned
down, and his mother and / were injured
When We got well. we moved away from
the town, almost penniless and somehow
had lost track OF him and he of us, be-
2 cause we never heard from his since.
But lately Providence has favored me,
and everything l undertook prospered, and
felt that / could spare a few weeks 10
come down here and look for my boy
Now. MIR" He paused interrogatively. |
Brown is my name.'
well, Mr.. Brown, / thought maybe you
could tell me something. The last
heard of him was in Montgomery. Ny
name is Carter-willis Derringforth
Carter"
Brown had been pondering during the |
latter part of the speech.
Carter Willis Carter" he said. mo; |
/ know some Carriers here and some in
Georgia, but they were all born in these |
parts. Maybe"
The voice of the sphinx-like blond |
bearded man startled them.
Il remember "a young fellow named Will |
lis Carter" he said slowly. "It was about |
fifteen years ago. Blue eyes. light |
hair |
VII Ia4 vi la nJI
man interrupted eagerly.
Well his informant went on, 'he |
stayed With Dick Saunders when ne first |
came, and that's the last / know of |
him Saunders can tell you about him |
most likely. The address is 1865 Bibb |
Street, Montgomery"
The uuestioner was profuse in his |
thanks and inclined to be garrulous but |
after this momentary burst of politeness |
the smaller man relapsed into his former |
silence, which he preserved unbroken un- |
til their arrival In Calera. Here MIR. Car |
ter, who had been carrying on continual |
flow of conversation, chiefly about his son,
gathered up his effects and, after thank 4
ing them heartily, bade them good-by.
AS he disappeared down the steps of |
the car. the blond man whirled around |
in his seat, with his face tensely drawn |
and white as death.
Sheriff" he said hoarsely. addressing
his companion, for Gods sake send this
telegram for me. Take it down as / |
give it:
"'To Dick Saunders. 1903 Bibb Street,
Montgomery
Brown started in surprise. but obeyed. /
Now here's the message:
LAS my best friend do what ask. |
Elderly man arrives tomorrow in Mont
gomery. Will ask you about Willis |
Carter. My name when still respectable. |
Old man is my father. Swear Willis
Carter died decent boy fifteen years
ago My last request. Good-by.
FIRED WILLIS
send 1t collect he said. IF you
won't do this for my sake, do 1t for my
mothers, and his. oh, my Cod heard
that they had both died in that fire
Sheriff, you will do this
.'Of course I'll have 1t sent for you"
Brown answered huskily. Here" he
called to the coiored porter, you've got
five minutes before the train starts Send
this telegram Pay for it with this'' He
waved aside Willis thanks. III It don't
get there in time
The ported nodded in comprehension and
departed.
As the car, deserted save for the two
x,ap rolled on in the gathering dusk |