Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-26
BY JOSEPH A. .ALTSHELER.
Copyright. 1908.

to abide by the result I never doubted
that he vas instigating the attack.
You must reply to this" said Judge
Wharton to me, whom he read the attack.
II think 1t best not to notice IT, said.
He shook his head a little. but did not
urge me.
But the cloud grew. That fatal meeting
In the mountains. when an old friend
seeing me for the first time In years.
suddenly called me by another name was
the peg on which everything was hung.
Even the name Charlie Johnson Got Into
print and people wondered why anybody
should call ME Charlie johnson. I trsm-
bled at the thought OF the place where
the name Of Charles Johnson was enroll
ed, but thousands of convicts had passed
through the penitentiary since I was res
istered there. and, after all. IL was
common name.
said nothing wilie the cloud continued
to grow. Jimmy Warheld ran down 10
Frankfort to see me. pretending at frst
knew we'll the real cause. It was hot
midsummer day and he fingered In the
shade Of the capitol with me for some
time before he approached the subject
that was In his mind. When he did come
to the point II was without his usual
grace and dexterity: he seemed to rush ~
the question with a desire to get 1t over
in any fashion as soon - possible
Harry. he said. you've got to stop
this fuss. Tell 'em where you were dur
your life You've confessed already that
you were diss.pated loafer. then, and 1t
hasn't hurt you. but give EN- details now
and shut their dirty mouths"
He never doubted me. What. would ne
say If told him the truth? Would this
man, my best friend. turn his back upon
me If I should do so? scarcely dared
ask myself the question.
Jimmy. I said, slowly, Il bare rea-
son for waiting, and. believe me, 1t is q
Coo6 npe am NOT iNson0tblp to the
clamor and the damage II does. but cant
you trust me little lonGer?'
He wrung my hand in a sudden access
OF emotion.
yes, Harry, I'll walt. Well all watt
he exclaimed. But it cuts me to the bone
to hear you blackguarded so much"
He returned on the afternoon train 10
Louisville. and I was left In lonely
tain. too. a new dread lest Alicia. hear
ing IL all. should. in some manner, try
to exculpate me by proclai ming for her
self a guilt that was not her own But
later reflection convinced me that she
would not do so: she. would keep silent.
believing that by such a course Che could
serve me best: she had no story TO tell
that would sound real to the public.
Now a genuine campaign against me
began and was wased through the hot
summer months. when II might well seem
that all men would spare themselves un-
usual exertion. The opposition party de-
veloped great activity. and Il appeared
at this time that I was the real spring
I was the provoking cause Of ite present
vigorous existence. Its newspapers and
orators demanded that the Governor or
Kentucky should be q man whose HE
fayorite expression-with nothing. 70 ex-
pain and nothing for which 70 make
apologies The administration press ana
speakers kept up a lukewafm defenSe-
they could hardly make 1t very Seaaous.
because they. too. were In the dalk-end
I saw that my good name was suffering.
The attack upon me was especially active
in the, city OF Louisville, where. % L
heard. Goblet. the rich ana unworthy
manufacturer. whose political ambitions
crusade against me. He urged besides
my personal unworthineaS the fact, 30 he
chained. that was too young to have
been elected governor OF the otate-Cob-
free from the objection. But refused
to notice him in any form or fashion.
having too much contempt for the man
and his methods.
About this time the militia conpany-it
was from Lexlngton-which had been left
on guard at Emerson returned. its work
done. and several Of the officers reported
to me at Frankfort They talked a great
deal about the Rev. Elias Peabody and
the wonderful help he had been TO them
mental and emotional. that he had
secured over the mountaineers.
HE seemed to have formed strong
attachment for you said one OF the
officers Lieut.. Cuthbert, land he asked
me to say to YOU that lie was sure you
would always do right
There was nothing unusual to Cuthbert
in the sound OF the message. but there
was to me- Elias had particular thing
In mind and he and alone knew what he
meant ] was sure Of. It, all the more
So because saw that what he predicted
was rapidly coming to pass: my burden
in good truth was growing heavier. per-
haps much faster than he had ever ex-
pected . My life had become miserable
and my faculties which should now be
exerted for the state seemed to be para
lyzed. ! could not come to the study OF a
difficult question with as clear mind as
before. and the power OF initiative vas
gone for the time.
In August a letter arrived from Alicia.
and Il was now she who undertook 10
comfort and encourage. She wrote me 10
stand firm. that I had done no wrong.
that the attack would pass and I would
stand forth more completely the favorfte
OF the state than ever before. My secret
would be preserved. il must be- but II
by any chance it should become known
she would tell the truth to everybo
how she not L. was to blame.
(To be continued tomorrowD