The San Francisco call., 1905-06-18

my companion full. He was looking at
me intently. look OF deep compassion on
his rough face
See here. boy he said slowly. 7
know the whole thing and right here I
wish to chip in. You are not the first
man who has made mistake. or the
original inventor OF the process of max
ing fool from the gurgle of whisky
bottles-- The Almighty has cinehed a
tough load on you. but stiffen your
back and dig in your hoOfs and let him
lead you to 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 it the brand Of the cross
scars of eternity
Dear old Dick. I stayed with him all
winter. then when spring came the cries
of the mourning doves and sagehens
drove me frantic. So one day / start
ed back to the old life. Heavily bearded
and roughly attired. L had no fear of be-
ing recognized. After lots Of varied ex-
periences found myself in the Pennsyl-
vania. coalfields. One night I walked
into a yard Office at Scranton and asked
for job switching-no trouble to get il.
l well 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, lit was
what wanted. L, however. came through
all right, and in a short time, by my In
different reckleSsness acquired the So
bTiquet by which I'm known.
about two years since 1 met the boy
who died last night From the first 7
was attracted to him by his high spir-
it's and affectionate nature. then as /
grew know him he entered as a ray
OF sunshine into my darkened life
When 1 accompanied him home last fall
/ 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 it's loving home life was as gall TO
me. Too much might have been about
1T. The evening prior to our intended
departure Judge Mason asked me to
step into his library. Entering. he crossed
to stand before the fireplace. 1 can
see the scene yet-the erect form, with
thoughtful brow and grave, steadfast
face. the cozy, brilliant room, the walls
deeply booklined, and even the crackle
of the hickory fire are. ever present in
my memory.
BE seated he said. motioning me to
a great easy chair; my duties have. L
think. made me a good judge of men. and
/ am very glad you are my sons friend.
Your face and eyes tell me that you have
passed-and uccessfully-through the Bit
ter waters in which my poor boy is en-
quilted. Now, my hands are tied. but can
you. to whom I give him younger
brother, go out into his life and stay by
him?'
Il clasped the extended hand, my yes
was to me as though uttered before the
highest altar.
Now" Lawrence continued. arising.
Howe, when he is at his home I want
YOU to take Judge Mason into the room
~ T. ar16 70 i'm
these words: The wandering outcast to
whom you gave this boy was in word and
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. Law
renee resumed.
when Ward was killed he left help
less mother in his little home town in
California. | wrote to the pastor Of her
church and arranged TO each month send
her all / could spare. A-year ago she
died, not without. however, sending me
a message of blessing. 1 am now free
from all claims and intend to go back to
the old life.
I'm what way?" asked Gray.
This way" answered Lawrence: IT
have friend in the Inter Mountain who
has always believed in me. / wired him
last night for transportation for myself
and one. Gray, go with me- Howe. III
Then I'll try to redeem the past"
Howe said quickly. "Alf right, John; 1t
will 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 I.awrence's tall form with COM
passionate eyes were in wide contrast to
the noisy gang of the preceding meal.
Nanny was nowhere visible, the i'll
cooked food was being served by a slat-
ternly Polish woman After the quiet
meal Lawrence arose and crossing to
mammy's room knocked on the door. Re-
ceiving an answer he said:
Mrs Sullivan, / am going down TO
the undertaker's; don't you want to see
our boy?'
In a few minutes Nanny emerged.
and many a brave eye dimmed as they
fell rpcn the aged, grsef-drawn face.
aud many were the. curious heads
turned on the incongruous pair as they
passed down the street.
The passengers taking the Michigan
Central that afternoon gazed WITH sur
priGed curiosity upon 4 EtJe party
passing down the platform A long.
heavy white box carried by six bronzed.
grave young men. followed Sy a little
crou;. OF three. Over .i,s sSeshlv lined
face CT the elder, and the rlObiif youth
OF the two young men. fall alike the
,Aii o: loving grief. IS the burden
dr.ap.a ared into the baggage car,
Howe shook the ha1ds of toe party,
Lev ltrce's last.
..I'n remember, Scranton" he says
scftIy.
Howe" came the quick answer.
Scranton is of the past. ''Tll bury him
and the past with the boy in there"
'.Ali aboard" rings along the tram.
Then in a moment the unheeded epit-
ONE of life moves slowly away-bear-
ing through grove and swamp, through
long valleys or over bleak mountains.
out into flooding sunlight or bitter
storm. it's load of the grave and gay
The eager eyes of youth. sensitively
alive to the beauty of field forest or
sky, or the dull orb OF age, to whom
the swift flying panorama Is but dull
mist. but hugging closely. each, his
load of hope and fear. or brilliant fu-
ture or wrecked past. while ahead, the
quiet face that knows. smiles ever in
it's narrow prison.
Come" said Lawrence. placing his
hand softly upon Gray's shoulder Gray
with compressed lips and brooding eyes