Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1908-11-19

eohes inc pace OF another man. But
you couldn't go as a substitute for
me. Uncle Goliath. They won't take
anybody over 40. And | want To 90
myself"
Il want thinkin' of goin'. Marse
Davy," said Goliath. Il was tbinl,in,
of stayin'. My times up de las oh
June, an could stay. an do YOU time
1es' as well as not, Of dey'd let yo' o.
tu de wah. Use heap mo- use hyar
dan you is. Marse Hoyt say | dun
sabe mo dan my bod an VASES on d,
cookin'. An l amt no use outside
Dey amt no place TO a 70 old cu.I,,9
man. thout no family, al no holle.
specially when he's been tn de pom.
reckon Use a heap sight better OH
hyar."
The boys face lit up for a moment.
then he said, dejectedly: "Oh. Uncle
Goliath. l couldn't let you do that for
me. nOways."
but Goliath was stubborn. He didn't
oIten have an idea, and he realized
the gravity of the occasion.
Now. looky hyar, chile" he said.
soiemnly, "doan' yo' go TO to cross me.
Gaze Use powful bad niggah when Use
crossed. You-all jes' ask Marse Hoyt
10 de ink an papah an write de guy
ernah. Yo' tell him all dat stun bout
you daddy, and you grandaddy. an
YOU gret-grandaddy. Yo' tell him how
20 Is Townsend FUN Vuhginny. an
bout you ma bein' FUN Cuby. an
den tell him how yo' sholy is going to
wah, an gwine come back and finish
out you time, eff dar is any. An tell
him while yo' is on de parole you'
uncle gwine to stay right hyar. whah
he can lay he finger on him any time
Xo' tell him is gwine tn stay TO- YOU
substitoot"
Very doubtfully No. 623 wrote his
letter to the governor. inclosine q let
Ter from the warden telling something
OF ms conduct, and good deal of the
faithfulness and ability of Goliath.
1t was the Sd of July when the gov
ernor's special car was pulled up ON
the siding near the prison, and his
exceilency entered the gray stone
gateway. "How's everything. Hoyt?"
he said. "All right? That's good. II
all the institutions told the same story
1t wouldn't be so much like work to
De governor. And now I can't stay
long, but what's this remarkable talk
about No. 623? And who is Goliath ?"
Hoyt told the story briefly, and then
sent for No. 623. In spite of his
cropped hair and striped clothes the
convict looked every inch a man when
he came into the room. The governor
noticed that he bowed with the natur-
al grace OF the born and bred gentle
man. He looked at him sharply
through his glasses, and said. abruptly:
Inc name under which you were
tired Is not your true name. don't
olame you for concealing II then. but
you must tell me now, If am to helm
you. What is your right name?"
David Fairfax Townsend" an
swered the convict. The warden knew
from my letters. He's got my watch
and things and can show who-mv
folks are. He told me he wouldn't
say anything to any one. I'm the first
one TO bring disgrace on my family.
governor, and I'd rather die than have
them know. ] can't ask you to par
don me-there isn't any excuse for q
man to be fool-but II you could give
ne parole till the war is over YOU
wouldn't have any cause to regret it.
SIR and give you the honor of a
southern gentleman" he glanced down
at his clothes and shuddered, then
Threw back his head proudly, "of a
southern gentleman. to return and
complete my sentence"
But how about this-ah-this
friend OF yours, who wants to act as
your substitute and make a kind of
vicarious atonement for your" Queried
the governor.
The young fellows face softened.
The warden is fond of him, and l
reckon to make 1t up to him when
come back"
But if you didn't come back?" said
the governor,
If l am killed my folks in Virginia
will take care of him for my sake.
don't ask pardon" he said, desperate
ly. u can't expect the law to forget
what l must always remember, but II
you could give a parole I'd feel like a
man again. 1t isn't justice but mercy
that ! ask!"
There was a sound of shutting feet
In the hallway and clinking of
glasses. The door was pushed open
and Goliath entered.
so you are GOLIATH" the governor
said.
Yes. marse," answered Goliath,
proudly. Il is Goliath Culpeppah, OBJ
de Culpeppah family OBJ Georgia"
And you want to be a substitute
for this-young MANI"
yes, marse; de Townsends is
secont cousions of de Culpeppahs. OBJ
co'se ] gwine do anything to 'blige a
Townsend. An deed, Marse GUY
ernah. l doan' mine stayin' hyar nary
mite. His folks doan' know whah' he
am now, but eff he doan' go home To- to
list TO de wah, dey gwine fine out. an
it brek his mammy's heart-an' dey.
all IL kin to we-all!"
The governor swung round and
filled out a blank which he gave to
No. 623, and then turned to Goliath.
IlDxr e. L..