Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-05-31
A. REDEMPTION.

Ctdhhtti JS tue! uIeW OUT Oh the AHIiSlUu
depot; then the hiss Of escaping steam
changed to a softer rhythmic putting, as
the engine settled down, and the train
ratified steadily over the level stretch Of
track. On all sides the encircnng Ala
bama ore mountains, shimmering in the
heat haze, seemed to shut out the rest
OF the universe. In the immediate fore
ground, unyarying 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 snguarly uncommunicatiye.
Though obviously travelling together,
they had exchanged barely dozen words
in the two hours since their departure
from Admission The smaller man, with
the blonde beard, seemed endeayoring
to pierce some mystery that lay beyond
the landscape, and gazed fixedly out of
The window: has companion, Il large.
dark man, in the seat opposite seemed
bored and shifted his gaze languidly and
aimlessy
A little, restless old man in the seat
behnd-tne only other passenger in the
car-had been observing them euriously
and shyly for some time. He was per-
haps 60 years old, with white hair. mild
blue eyes ANA "A mobile mouth. Several
times he had been on the point of adj
dressing his fellow travellers, 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
how long it viii be before we get to
Calera?"
The smaller stared steadily for per-
haps ten seconds, then. his curiosity
seemingly appeased turned back to his
scrutiny of the fields The other, how
eyer ever. was not so lacking in courtesy.
"Oh, thanks" The old gentleman did
mot seem satisfied, but gazed around
vaguely and then again addressed him
self doubtfuly to the pair
DO you mind if | ask YOU n question
or two about some things | want to
know very badly he said CHANGING
appeahngiy from one to the other. Once
again only the larger man answered or
indeed, evinced any recognition Of his
questioner's existence.
why. yes he answered cordially.
Sit right down here. and I'll do the
best l know how for you. What do you
want TO know"
Well began the elder man hesitat
ingly, Il had boy come down to Mont
gomery about fifteen years ago. A few
months after he left our house burned
down, and his mother aud | were in
jured. When we got well we moved
away from the town, almost penniless
and somehow | had lost track of him
and he OF us because we never heard
from him since
"But lately Providence has favored
me, and everything | undertook pros
pered. and | felt that | could spare n
few weeks to come down here and look
for my boy. Now, Mr." He paused
mtcrrogatiyely.
brown is my name"
Well. Mr.. Brown, | thought maybe
you could tell me something The Inst
heard of him was in Montgomery. NV
name is Cartcr-Wilis Derrngforih Car
Ter"
Brown had been bordering during the
latter part of the speech.
Garter? Willis Carter" he said
NO, know some Carriers here and
some in Georgia, but they were ull born
III these parts. Maybe"
The voice of the sphinx-Iike, blond
bearded man startled them
y remember young fellow named
Willis Garter" he said slowly. at was
about fifteen, years ago Blue eyes,
That's right-that's right" the old
man interrupted eagerly.
We'll his informant went on, "he
stayed with Dick Sanders when he first
came, and that's the last | know of
htn. Sanders can tell You about him
most likely. The address is 1908 Bib
street, Montgomery
thanks and inclined to be gnrrulous.
hut after this momentary burst oi po-
likeness the smaller man relapSCd into
his former silence, which ne preserved
unbrokeu until their arrival in Culera
Here Mr.. Garter. who had been carry
ing on n continual flow of conversations
chiefly about his son. gathered up his
effects and. after thanking them
heartily, badc them goodby.
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.
"Sherin." he said hoarSely, addressing
his companion. for Gods sake send
this telegram for me. Take it down as
| give il:
Montgomery.
Brown started in surprise. hut obeyed
"Now here's the message:
As my best frlead do what ask Elderly
man arrives tomorrow in Montgomery
Will ask you about Willis Carter. My name
when still respectable old man Is my
father. Swear Willis Carter died a decent
Goodhy. FRED WILLIS.
Send it collect" he said. If you
won't do this for my sake do it for my
mothers, and his Oh. my Godt
heard that they had both died in that
ire, Sheriff, YOU will do this ---"
"Of course I'll have it sent for Won.
Brown answered huSkiy. Here" he
called to the colored porter. you've got
five minutes before the train starts. send
this telegram. Pay for it with this q"
lie waved aside Willis thanks. If i'll
don't get there in time ---"
The porter nodded in comprehension
and Departed
As the car deserted save for the two
men, rolled on in the gathering dusk.
Willis Carter. alias Fred Willis. cor
yicted thief, cmbezzler aud this las;
time forger. raised his manacled hands
from where his coat had concealed
them. and let his head fall forward
oil the extended arms. Silence for a
moment-then the sound OF a mans |
dry. raciing, rending Sobs. that min.
gled with the ioting noises Of the train. |
New York Daily News.
Not the Lesson He Meant.