The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-08-03
Ex-ConDict
James Grant

~ S8B9SSS 49, -
"Meester i,Grant ees seek" an
nounced Paul, the Swiss man-of-alf
work at No. 10. one winter morning to
the breakfast table. i.
James Graht---.in the opinion Of No.
i9--was "A curmudgeon. He seldom
spoke; certainly he never invaded the
drawing room. In fact, he seemed to
shun his fellow mortals. . ~ t
And now he was III. Madame was
worried that he should be SO inconsid-
crate as to fall sick In her house. She
went up to see him. He desired
srumpily to be left alone. She thought
he ought to go to a hospital. DIR. Cal.
lett was called. He said emphatically
the old man should not be moved. He
was too H.
The young doctor and his old pa.
tient experienced strange attraction
for each other. They had discovered
that both we're colonial born--Sidney-
siders. At the close Of three weeks OF
personal and professional association
James Grant had on this certain aft
ernoon told the story OF his life to DR..
Callett. who had returned home a VIC
tim to the most conflicting emotions.
Over 20 years before Grant and his
wife were living together with their
eight-yeGr-old son on the Paramatta.
His business failed. and sending his
family to Melbourne he went prospect.
ing for gold. He and his mate quar-
relied. and when the latter tried to
kill him he. Grant, was the quicker,
and killed his mate. 1t was self de-
Tense. but there were no witnesses.
Solitude and remorse so worked upon
him that he gave himself up and was
given 20 years penal servitude under
the name Of Grant.
I've been free for more than a
year." he said. THE money I had
banked amounted to q considerable
sum. I do not want. I've tried hard
to find my wife and son. but without
avail. My real name is James Grant
Heron"
no oiu UdCk Ou pli-
lows and DR.. Callett Heron slipped
from the room to his ONCE He was
about to be married. Would she con-
sent to wed the son OF a convict? She
must be told all about II. He sought
her out, and pacing up and down with
averted face told her all But 1t made
no difference to her. She was true
blue. Insisted he should acknowledge
his father Would not marry him II
he didn't. Providence had brought
the doctor and his father together and
this should not be nullified. Together
| they went to No. 10, where the old
mans dearest wish that he might see
ard know his son was gratified.
All! laddie," the old man faltered
out at last, IL can understand your
hesitation to call worthless old fell
low father. That sweetheart OF yours
has heart OF gold Fetch her up,
boyd like to see her. II she will
come"
His son obeyed him, and presently
the girl entered the room. Crossing
to the bed. without hesitation, she
took one Of the invalids hands In her
own; then, impulsively she bent and
kissed him on the forehead The grim
old eyes softened. God bless you, my
dear" he murmured. in the prison
chapel on Sunday we used to sing
Now Let Thy Servant Depart in
Peace" begin to understand what
that means"
He watched them smilingly when
after while, they left the room to
gether; then the invalid lay back with
a deep sigh, Yes, he had seen his boy
again! And the solution! 1t wal
in his own hands-what was It his
boy. the doctor, had told him? He
must keep warm, avoid chills-ay
keep very warm.
Slowly and painfully at midnight
the sick old man struggled from hi
bed and tottered to the little window
Opening It wide with difficulty, h,
barred his breast and leaned shiverini
across the sill, inhaling the chill De
cember night air with short, chokin,
gasps.