The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-09-28

appearance is my only recommendation
If that won do, | must go.
He looked pleadiugly at the Judge,
who, rising, came from behind his desk,
and standing close to the applicant said:
"Well, John, let me tell you that your
candor and evident truthfulness have i'm
pressed me strongly in your favor, despite
the appearance against you. I'll try you
for a month, but you must not complain if
you are denied certain privileges that would
be accorded to a man who has proven him
self trustworthy, or if your actions are
more closely watched.
II We seen those consequences, sir, and
its all right They are to be expected
under the circumstance, and won com
plain Do as you please with me till you
| feel | can be trusted Show me the work
at once, sir, if you can. | eoulda' find
words To thank you, sir, even if you had
time to hear them My work r,ast show
you how grateful | am.
Donning a broad -brimmed straw hat,
/ Judge Parker conducted the new man out
over his spacious estate indicating what
work would be expected Of him, and set
him to do some wedding at SPOT 10 sight
Of his study windows.
He then returned to his papers and
books, but as the afternoon wore on, he
cast frequent glances through the window
at John 1t was plain that he had be
cone deeply interested in the man whose
history had been 81 caudidly and honestly
withheld. He could not fathom the mys-
terry with which the applicant chose to
| euvelap himself; but he trusted that his
purposes were honorable, though he was
somewhat conspicuous.
Judge Parker was a large hearted man,
widely known aud beloved for geniality,
/ heueyolence and uniform justice The
humblest citizen, if worthy, might apply
10 him Tor help, certain Of 4 patient and
responsive hearing Knowing that his
libcrahiy had drawn him to many unworthy
supplican,s. he now suspected that John
had some designs upon his philanthropy,
and accordingly believed that be needed
watching
But each glance through the window
I showed John working ipdustriuusly, with
F an earnest yisor and care that cut the
( sharp edges from hi su~eipion.
I And - b. worked throughout the trial
month. Farhfuinrss and a painstaking
/ interest wcr, stamped upon each detail Of
/ his wurk, aud many persons commented TO
/ the judge upon the improved appearance
Of the place
john was an usual quie, aud unobtrusiye
man tie seldom volunteered remarks
save 10 ask Instructions concerning his
work he never presented himself unbid
/ den. Judge Parkers several efforts 10
elicit some account Of his life failed, he was
respectfully candid in answering that he
+ did N, wish 10 tell any thing about him
-clf, saying that he entirely rested his hope
Of continued employment upon his work
When the month ended he was Teen-
sage,l, and still he maintained the same
scTupuloas care IN every piece of work,
Z however trivial tie never left the place,
unless sent upon erTands, and retiring early
70 his room, spent the evening in quiet
I pursuits
/ The judges interest in him grew into
I genuine f5udness tie liked TO talk 10 him
ani found him well posted and shrewd in
/ the ways Of the world, aud ever ready 10
converse on al subjects eSeep, his past life
I that was a sealed book
I The summer wore uneyentfully away,
until one morning, late IN August, visitor
entered the Judge study. Il was Joshua
( Skies a member Of the bar in the Judicial
district over which Judge presided His
face indicated an important mission.
Judge, be said, after a few remarks
on general subjects. you have a new man
at work on your place
Yes, indeed, have. don wonder
I you We noticed IT, Many others have
spoken to ne Of the Improvement But
he's no eye-,crver; he's thoroughcoing to
the smallest detail
Skies srinued exPectedly at this enthu,
siAsn, As he asked
"What i bis name
He calls himself John
mo surname, eh ?
well. the truth Is. he declined TO give
il, and he : been 81 faithful that | have
respected his reasons for eoneealing it,
whatever they are.
is it possible you don remember him,
Judge -
NO, | don't; yet several times I've
/ thought there was something familiar
about him, either in his motions or looks,
can tell which ~
well, I've Just got back from trip tt
Europe, been most all over the old country,
and the moment set eyes on your new
man knew that fellow. if he has dis
guised himself with whiskers I'm not
often deceived in people | tell you.
II dare say not, but am, if I've evel
seen him before
well, then, Judge, said Skiles, with
manifest pleasure, ''you sentenced him ten
years ago to the penltentiary.
Judge Parker looked closely at Skile;
before replying OF showing any feeling al
the statement The man was not favor
orite at the bar. He bore reputation
for pettiaess, his cases usually being tri
vial, most of them plainly trumped up by
himself upon trihing disputes between par
ties, and he was given to volunteering ser
vice rs bids for favor
So the Judge looked at him secretly
displeased at the disclosure lie didn' wan
to hear evil of John; he liked him, and
was disposed to believe this one of Skiles
designs upon his favor.
"'His name, Mr.. Skiles p
John Dorker, replied Skiles effusive
ly. "You sentenced him ten years agC
last March for burglary, which was proved
beyond the slightest shadow of doubt
There WASH t scintilla of evidence in hl
favor. Why the jury were out only abou
ten minutes. was present during th'
trial, and can truthfully say it was thu
plainest case of guilt in my legal experience
You sent him up for five years.
"Are you certain of this, Mr.. Skiles? +?
the Judge asked, coldly. ''Is's yer,
serious matter to brand man convict
He is doing well here. May you not b.
mistaken p
''No, indeed; never forget face.
at seems that | do, then. What