The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1913-12-25
TWTNE DEPARTMENTS Convicted Mans
Chr:c&
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them have one more happy Christmas
They have been praying for you to
come home. Let us smile and be happy
with them for few days. Let us forge,
the dread future.
Once during the evening she spoke of a
pardon which might be asked of the COVER
nor.
eli is a vain hope, DEAR her husband
said. eve will not waste ourselves on it. =
4 nd he relapsed into thoughtful silence.
home there was Christmas tree, and the
Anstruther babies were happy. There con-
vict father played the role of Santa Claus.
Their mother laughed and sang, though
now and then her voice broKe and her eyes
were wet with tears. A few neighbors call
ed full of sympathy and yet timid about
showing it. All the little town felt that it
was best to let the stricken family enjoy
their Christmas cheer without intrusion
even on the part Of those who loved and
respected them.
When the children, surfeited with sweets
and their arms still filled with precious toys,
were asleep once more the mother was busy
| in her kitchen with her preparations for the
grand Christmas dinner of the morrow
perhaps the last bountiful meal her children
would have through all the dark years to
! come.
John Anstruther went to his room TO
look over his papers. In the drawer he sud-
denly found something that made his
hear, leap.
1t was revolver. He took the shining,
cruel thing in his hands, and a sort of mad
ness came over him. Here was his oppor-
tunity. Here was escape from the stripes,
the dark cell, the ignomny of prison life.
Here was provision for Grace and his babes.
His 500, 900 life insurance still was in force,
and he knew well that it was nonforfeitable
even in case of suicide. A sudden sharp
shock and it would be oyer Even for her
it would be better than the FIVE years of
living death.
He pressed the cold muzze TO his fore
head: His finger was on the trigger. He
could hear Grace singing sadly, with path
etic attempt to he gay in the kitchen.
Coward
The warning voice came out of the void,
like the voice of the angel who spoke to
Abraham on the Mountain top. Perhaps it
was only the cry of his consciousness made
audible by his imagination. a revulsion
of feeling swept over him.
ooh, not that, no. that. thank God,
he murmured.
He put the weapon back in the drawer
and went out into the Kitchen, where Grace
was dressing the Christmas turkey.
Five years will soon pass, he said
cheerfuly. ''and there will be generous
allowance for good conduct wiI have
some sor, of bookkeeping TO do, and the
life will be oearable, no doubt Let us
meet the future bravely, dear heart. God
will not fail TO send US comfort. And YOU
you dear, brave little woman-you will
get along somehow We have friends vet,
thank heaven.
1t was the first time he had ventured to
speak OF the life i'll prison. and she was COM
forted to know that he took SO brave view.
That night they slept, and the next day
their Christmas dinner was an occasion of
JOY to the children, and the parents, thank
full to be together, simulated a cheerfulness
that almost deceived one another.
1t was late in the afternoon that large
number of their neighbors came trooping
in with words of love and sympathy and
encouragement. They promised to look |
after Grace and the children, and when
John got back-they spoke of it as if he
were going only on little journey-they
declared that the village would be at the |
train with band to receive him.
''You will be convict, but not Grim |
inal, john said the leading merchant
warmly. "You can step into the best job
in my store the day after you get home.
l promise you that and call upon these
neighbors to witness it.
John Anstruther rose to reply, but be-
fore he could speak the door was opend
and blue coated messenger boy appeared
with telegram. Anstruther tore it open
with shaking fingers.
''The governor has signed your uncon-
1itional pardon as Christmas gift to your
wife and babies. He did it as an act of
Justice and in response to kilograms from
of men throughout the state who
know you are an honest man. Congratu-
atoms.
The name signed to the telegram was
hat of the secretary of state.