The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-14
XNT HEN gallant Tom Sheppard t A/ Tyburn was led,
 w "Ston the ear at the Crown

WY gallant Tom Sheppard to AX/ Tyburn was led,
 W "Stop the car at the Crown
 stop a moment,' he said;
 He was offered the bowl, but he left It
 and smiled,
 Saying: Keep it till called for by Joh-
 athan Wild"
 So sank Owen Woods idle apprentice, as, standing on joint stool placed on the work bench, he carved his name on a Iafter overhead.
 "Ah. Jack! Jack Sheppard, said the worthy carpenter coming from behind a pile of deals, whence he had been watch ing twill nothing warn you and make you industrious? Where is that packing case ordered for Lady Trafford? It must be done tonight, as her ladyship goes away in the morning. Thames Darrell has done his allotted work long ago
 .'Thames was always your fayorite, re- pled Jack. sulkily. but l don't care. get all the hard work, but l woulu do anything for Thames Darrell
 And so Thames would for you, sald a cherry voice, and lad of about the same age as Jack-who could not nave been more than thirteen-entered the shop: "Come, let me help you," continued Thames; but Jack refused the oHer anu anu said to Wood: Master the case snail he ready and taken to Lady Trafford in
 
 two hours.
 The two apprentices afforded a strong contrast to each other. On the high-pred face of Darrell frankness and honor were impressed He was half a head taller than Jack and more robust in appear snce. Jack had a high forehead, and hls lace. while displaying quick intelligence had faithless eyes and d coarse mouth' In short. his physiognomy resembleo one Inf those yagabond heads which Muflllo loved to paint-faces that almost make one in love with roguery, they seem so full of vivacity and enjoyment
 Jack" said Mir. Wood solemnly when Darrell had gone. I hear that you ire uuent the public house in the next street -a place of the worst repute-and are 1re- uuently seen in the company or hdii named Blueskin. Do you not know tha' he is the agent of the notorious Jonathan Wild who brought your father once my honest rrorkman, to the gallows?
 ..Maso " said Jack after moments meditation. q will try to do better. ln- deed I will
 MT. Wood went from his shop to his house only to fall into family row with his spouse. Been helping that odious Mrs. Sheppard again, have you? Needs must set her up in a cottage at Wilies- den, besides taking her son on as ap- prentice. Doubtless there is good reason for it. And Thames Darrell, too. Picked him from the river, did you, on the night of the great storm, and so named him Thames! Well. well! Nice story. Humph!' Poor innocent Wood was used to this sort of talk.
 When Jack came back from carrying the case to Lady Trafford he found Thames and pretty.. gentle Winifred, the carpen- ter's daughter, making childish love to each other in all the innocence of their young hearts. An said Jack, with savage expression coming into his eyes, "b,llinp and cooing as usual.' and added some remarks which resulted in hght between the two apprentices then and tbere-a fight in which Jack got the worst of if Then. boy-like. the two shook hands and were friends again, and Wilfred dried her tears
 Inst then Jacks eyes chanced to light upon pencied sketch of Thames which Winifred had drawn. How like It IS, said he thoushtfully. Not strange" re- piled Thames. that it should resemble the person it was drawn for"
 But 1t also resembles miniature which I have in my pocket returned Jack "Of whom? asked Darrell T half suspect of your father" said Jack, and handed Thames a miniature set with diamonds. It was picture of man ev. idently of the highest rank. whose proud and patrician features certainly did bear | remarkable likeness to Darrell.
 "Where did you get this?" cried Thames. "But I need not ask. Come you must take this immediately back to Lady Trafrord's I will go with you" Jack hung his head. but followed
 In a stately chamber of house in Southampton Fields Sir Rowland Trench ard was speaking with a stranger who had just obtained private audience with him. "Oh. we have met before. Sir Row land Let me see. The time was Novem- Der 2s 170S, the night of the great storm, you know. The place was the Mint. that section of Southwark which still retains some of it's privileges as a sanctuary for debtors
 You are mistaken. sir,'' replied the knight.
 q think not" said the other Allow me to tell you few facts regarding your history. You are the son of Sir Monta- rute Trenchard, who had three children two daughters and yourself. The eldest Aauehter Constance, through the care lessness of a servant. was lost in infancy and has never been heard of since. The other, Aliva, is the present Lady Traf- ford"
 These particulars are fairly well -'-nwn" remarked Sir Rowland ironically.