The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1910-08-19


been bright. hopeful. earnest Chris
tan, trusted and loved by his employ
ers, blessing to all who have known
him. and one Of the cheeriest souls |
ever met. To-day he has happy home.
a good wife. two little girls to whom
he is absolutely devoted, a good posi-
ton, which he fills most faithfully,
with employers who trust him fully.
He has scores of friends. a good name,
and plenty of opportunities for stretch.
Ing forth helping hand to others who
need his help and advice | have
never known him to fail when the
chance offered to do some kindly deed
for some one else
From Prison to Affluence.
/ had registered In one of the large
hotels in Chicago and, after calling for
my mail, walked across the wide en-.
trance hall to the elevator. AS thread.
ed my way through the crowd | be.
came aware that ! was being followed.
| at once concluded that one of the
omnipresent reporters was after me-.
and, being weary from a night Journey.
quickened my steps to avoid a posi-
bic interview. AS stepped with sew.
eral gentlemen into the elevator !
knew that | had not evaded my pur
suer The one who had followed me
entered the car and slipped behind me.
AS we shot upwards voice said in my
ear: Little mother, may | intrude? |
cannot miss the chance of speaking to
you" Turning to receive the card he
extended to me, | faced a tall. fine
looking gentleman, evidently pros.
porous business man. No one could
have guessed from his dress or bear.
ing that the shadow of prison bars had
ever darkened his life. The card bore
his name and business address. and
also the number of his room. and he
asked me If | would send for him when
| could give him Is minutes of my
time | offered the next 8 minutes.
for | wanted to hear his story, as the
words little mother" had told me that.
incredible though it might seem, he
was one of my boys" When we had
found quiet corner in the parlor he
turned to me and, with deep feeling.
said: Little mother, | have been hop
ing for this moment for years. | cam
not tell you how much it means to me.
1t Is over six years now since | saw
your face last in one of the eastern
prisons" Che gave the name. which for
obvious reasons | withhold II have
known that some day | should get this
chance of thanking you for what your
message meant of hope and new ccur-
age in those dreary years of sorrow
and shame. But until today have
never seemed to be In the same city
with you in my journeyings. | always
make this hotel my headquarters when
In Chicago, and ! am often here to
meet business associates When |
stepped to the desk to register this
morning | saw your name before mine.
cannot tell you the thrill it gave me,
for | knew that at last | should have
the chance to speak to you again. And
now that the chance has come. how
can | ever thank your" His voice
broke and, strong man though he was,
his eyes filled and his lip quivered.
Then he told me at length the story
which | give here in brief.
He left prison to return to the wife
who had patiently and bravely kept a
home for him. He was a gentleman by
birth and education, and before his
downfall he had been well thought of
by his business acquaintances He
made very definite resolve during
would go forward to live an upright
life, and to prove steadfast, whatever
the future held for him. He deter
mined that he would never lie about
his prison experience, never seek to
avoid or cover up the past when hon
esty demanded that he speak of It
frankly. He would not proclaim it to
the world, or to those who were not
concerned, especially as his two chill
dren had never known of his downfall
but that any who were closely associ.
ated with him in business should not
be kept in the dark he considered the
only safe and Just course. Despite this
fact he found many friends. He per.
fected most valuable patent that was
taken up by number of the large cor
porations of the country. and the mo-
ment he spoke of 1t | recognized the
name and realized the importance of
mis- present work and position. In these
six years he had retrieved his fortunes.
been able to send his children to col
cge. had built beautiful home for his
wife and surrounded himself with a
line circle of friends and business as
sociates. Yes, little mother" he said
when we parted. Il knew 1t would do
rour heart good to hear OF one more of
your boys" who is making good. Go
1ack to those who are still where I
came from and tell them it is possible
10 retrieve the past. and to win back
all they have lost. If they viii only
start right"
AS | went TO my room said to my.
self once more: Yes, 1t is all well
worth while"
These are but two OF the many hun.
dreds whose story | could chronicle II
/ had time. Two from the opposite ex.
tremes of society hut thew will Sarva