The Washington times., 1905-06-04

g" SO I thought them replied Law
renee Tt was like salt rubbed into raw
wound Raising my eyes, I met those
of my companion full. He was looking
at me intently. look of deep compass
sion on his rough face.
~ "
's See here boy,''' he said, slowly, I
know the whole thing and right here l
wish to chip in. You are not the first
man who has made a mistake, or the
original inventor Of the process Of max
ing - fools fram the gurgle of whis-
key bottles. The Almighty has cinched
a though load on you, but stiffen your
back and dig in your hoofs and let Him
lead you to a smoother trail. and boy,
the best in His corral comes laden like
you to the roundup. The gnawIng fire
IN your heart tonight. is the kind He |
loves to heat his branding iron in-when |
heated in 1t the brand of the Cross |
scars for eternity
'fDear old Dick, stayed with him. all
winter, then when spring came the cries
of the mourning doves and sage hens
drove me frantic. So one day I start
ed back to the old life, Heavily bearded
and roughly attiredr had no fear OF be-
ing recognized. After lots Of varied ex-
periences found myself in the iPennsyI-
vania coal fields. One night I walked
into a yard Office at Scranton and asked
for job switching-no trouble 10 get it.
we'll knew that with the murderous
contrivances operated by the railways
Of that locality these yards were veri-
table slaughter pens, but boys" here
the voice took a deeper tinge, at was
what I wanted I, however came
| through all right, and in short time,
by my indifferent recklessness acquir-
ed the sobriquet by which I'm known.
Y y
About TWO years since met the boy
who died last night. From the first,
was attracted TO him by his high spir-
ita and affectionate nature. then as I
grew to know him he eI.tered as a ray
| Of sunshine into my darkened life.
| When I accompanied him home last fall
| I was In the same morbid gloomy state
| that my awful experience had placed me
/ "a being whose dark past clouded both
| present and future. The bright house,
with its loving home life was as gall to
me, Too much might have been about
il. The evening prior to our intended
DEF Tture, Judge Mason asked me to
step into his library. Entering he cross
ed to stand before the fireplace. I can
see the scene yet-the erect form, with
.
| thoughtful brow and grave steadfast
face; the cozy. brilliant room. the walls
| deeply book-lined, and even the crackle
| OF the hickory fire are very present in
| my memory.
Be seated he said. motioning me
to a great easy chair; my duties have,
| think. made me a good Judge OF men,
and am very glad you are my son s
friend. Your face and eyes tell me that
you have passed-and successfully
through the bitter waters In which my
poor boy is enguIfed- Now. my hands
are tied. but can you, to whom I give
him as a younger brother. go out into
his life and stay by hiIn?'
| II clasped the extended hand, my
yes was to me as though uttered be-
fore the highest altar"
Y ~
Now Lawrence continued. arising,
Howe. when he is at his home. I want
you to take Judge Mason into the room
where the coffin is placed, and say to
him these words. '@The wandering out
cast to whom you gave this boy was
in word end deed faithful to the trust,
and when he died. his head was on his
breast, the last words coupled his name
with yours -
''Howe bowed his head In assent.
Lawrence resumed:
'' When Ward was killed ne left a
helpless mother In his little home town
| in California. I wrote to the pastor
of her church and arranged to each
month send her all I could spare. A
year ago she died. Not without. how
ever. sending me q message of blessing.
I am now free from all claims and in
tend to go back TO the old life
g In what WayT asked Gray.
This way answered Lawrence; =
have a friend ia the Inter Mountain who
has always believed IL me. I wired him
last night for transportation for myself
and one. Gray. go with me. Howe. II
TX II so you can join US on your return
Then I'll try to redeem the past
Howe said quickly, All right, John
it win be the best for both. but there
is the call TO breakfast
THE dining room seemed another
place. The quiet-faced. silent men whose
eyes followed Lawrence's tail form with
: compassionate eyes were in wide con-
5 trast to the noisy gang of the preced-
2 ing night Nanny was nowhere visible
: the nl-cooked food being served by g
= slatternly Polish woman. After th6
: quiet meal Lawrence arose. and crossing
TO Mammy's room, Knocked on the door
= Receiving an answer he said
Mrs. Sullivan. I am going down II
4 the undertakers; don't you want to SEE
Z our boy?'
~ =.
T TN a few minutes Nanny emerged
I and many brave eye dimmed as they
: fell upon the aged. grfef-draw-n face
= and many were the curious heads turn
t ed on the incongruous pair as they
= passed down the street.
e THE passengers taking the Michigan
S Central that afternoon gaZed with sur
G prised curiosity upon little party pass
y ing down the platform Il long. heavy
: white box carried by six bronzed, grav
d young men, followed by a little group o
n three. Over the sstruly lined face o
= the elder and the mobile youth Of tn
d two young mon. fall alike the pail o
loving grief. AS the burden disappeare,
:, into the baggage car, Howe shook tn
hands Of the party. Law <s@Ses Last.